I rarely ever consider OAL

Goofyfoot2001

Goofyfoot2001

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With the exception of bolt action and tube fed rifles, OAL is a useless measure. Was just reading a threat about 45 acp OAL. I say it doesnt matter. I load to the length of the magazine period. Especially true with my 300blk though I may go shorter on stubby nose lead. My motto is if it fits, you must then bip. (Nothing in reloading rhymes).


Prove me wrong.
 
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1 gotta be greater than or equal to book OAL for the bullet and charge
2 gotta plunk in the gun
3 gotta fit in the mag
 
Sometimes it does matter. Sometimes is really does not. As far as handgun rounds go, the question of case volume needs to be considered if you load near max. Too long can reduce pressures below what you want while too short can increase them over max. In case of an autoloader, either too short or too long may cause feeding problems, and too long can cause chambering problems. In rifles, the OAL can make a difference in accuracy. A little trial and error can sometimes find an OAL that is best. Sometimes a round too short may not feed as well as a longer round. I had a 458 WM M77 Ruger that would not feed rounds with 350 grain round nose bullets but would feed those with the much longer 500 grain bullets very nicely. I try not to worry about OAL very much except when I need to.
 
JimB said:
1 gotta be greater than or equal to book OAL for the bullet and charge
2 gotta plunk in the gun
3 gotta fit in the mag
Click to expand...

Mostly agree.

1) Good advice for a novice loader. But, it doesn't have to be greater than or equal, the OAL can be shortened. However, the load must be worked up, starting with a lower min charge. It is best, however, to look around for load data that lists an OAL that matches your criteria.

2) This is the starting point for me. Any new bullet profile that I add to my inventory will first be checked for plunk in a couple of my guns known to have a short leade. I generally like to find the max plunk, and then subtract 0.020" for insurance. I have one bullet profile (RMR 45 230gn Hardcore Match, no longer made) that must be seated very short to plunk in most of my 45acp guns - 1.200". I have RMR 230 gn plated RN bullets that I can seat all the way to SAAMI max of 1.275" and still plunk. If I tried to seat these at 1.200", the ogive would be recessed inside the case.

3) Absolutely. Some bullet profiles, like flat-nosed, may need to be seated shorter than SAAMI max in order to fit in some mags.

I will add #4 to that list.

4) It must feed reliably. Some bullet profiles feed better at a certain OAL. Some experimentation may be required. The RMR 230 plated bullets I mentioned feed most reliably between 1.230 to 1.255", so I generally load those to 1.245".
 
It matters if they dont cycle. I have a 32 that wont cycle book oal bullets. They fit the mag but jam on the slide when you eject an unfired round.

Gotta check that geometry, some guns are far from Perfection.
 
plunk test and done. I usually stick with the recommended OAL unless I'm trying to do some fancy (or stupid)
 
Catfish said:
They fit the mag but jam on the slide when you eject an unfired round.
Click to expand...
I have seen lotsa prewar 1911s that do that. I have a 1918 that will do that. Not sure JMB ever thought about that??? About the late 1970s people started Opening up the port so as to be able to clear the guns easier and not deform ejected brass.
 
OAL is fairly important in my CZ's. Mag size isn't even a consideration, as it will stop working long before that becomes a consideration.

Gotta plunk and gotta feed.
 
GoWolfpack said:
Yeah, some barrels have super tight chambers and short throats that can really throw things off if your loads are even a little long.

Personally I don't worry about it too much, but it happens.
Click to expand...

...
which forum are we in?
 
Wadcutters and 1911's are known trouble without a proper setting to the correct OAL. Most folks are just plain lucky that their bullet seating depth errantly falls within the correct specs for functionality.
 
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