overall length question

bharris601 · September 26, 2010, 01:02 AM

Hello I'm new to reloading and I have a quick question about the OAL of my first batch of 38 special rounds. The case trim to length was right where it should be at give or take 0.001. And the stated OAL of the round should be at 1.470. But all my rounds measure at 1.450 and all my bullets have been seated and crimped right at the cannelure. I'm using new wincheaster brass that was trimed to 1.149 and a hornady 125gr jhp with 3.2gr charge of bullseye powder. Is this a safe load to fire?

Thanks,

B

steve4102 · September 26, 2010, 08:51 AM

Hornady and Sierra both list 1.450 OAL for their 125gr JHP. They also have a "Start/Minimum" charge of 4.5gr, 4.6gr of Bullseye respectively.

TXGunNut · September 26, 2010, 09:15 AM

Welcome to the asylum! You're correct in seating to the cannelure but your powder charge is better suited for a swaged lead light target load. It's safe to fire but won't be a stellar performer.

tac_driver · September 26, 2010, 09:22 AM

I hope you didn't make too many of those rounds because I would pull all of them and then put in the correct charge.
For a 125gr. HP-XTP bullet Hornady lists start 4.5 800fps to max
5.3 950fps.COAL of 1.450

Alliant lists 4.5 914fps as max minus 10% for a start of 4.05 for a 125gr gold dot HP COAL of 1.440

I would use a start load of 4.3 with that bullet powder combination.
You don't want to get a bullet stuck in the barrel. The COAL your using is fine you want a roll crimp in the cannelure.

wncchester · September 26, 2010, 12:03 PM

"Is this a safe load to fire?"

Yes, very much so.

bharris601 · September 26, 2010, 06:36 PM

I found a hornady manual at bass pro shops earlier and seen that according to it my length was right but my charge was low. It seems kinda off that lyman listed this bullet at a charge much lower than hornady suggested. I only made 50 rounds from the start and I ended up shooting about 20 of them at a friends house. They shot very nice and my friend shot a really tight group without even trying. I'm going to load my next set with 4.5gr of powder and I'm going to pick up the hornady manual as well.

Thanks for all the replies.

B

September 26, 2010, 01:02 AM	#1
bharris601 Junior Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Posts: 2	overall length question Hello I'm new to reloading and I have a quick question about the OAL of my first batch of 38 special rounds. The case trim to length was right where it should be at give or take 0.001. And the stated OAL of the round should be at 1.470. But all my rounds measure at 1.450 and all my bullets have been seated and crimped right at the cannelure. I'm using new wincheaster brass that was trimed to 1.149 and a hornady 125gr jhp with 3.2gr charge of bullseye powder. Is this a safe load to fire? Thanks, B

September 26, 2010, 09:15 AM	#3
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Welcome to the asylum! You're correct in seating to the cannelure but your powder charge is better suited for a swaged lead light target load. It's safe to fire but won't be a stellar performer. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

September 26, 2010, 09:22 AM	#4
tac_driver Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 61	I hope you didn't make too many of those rounds because I would pull all of them and then put in the correct charge. For a 125gr. HP-XTP bullet Hornady lists start 4.5 800fps to max 5.3 950fps.COAL of 1.450 Alliant lists 4.5 914fps as max minus 10% for a start of 4.05 for a 125gr gold dot HP COAL of 1.440 I would use a start load of 4.3 with that bullet powder combination. You don't want to get a bullet stuck in the barrel. The COAL your using is fine you want a roll crimp in the cannelure. __________________ http://home.roadrunner.com/~cuttingedgz/ 22/45 Ruger S&W 640 Glock 21SF,S&W 67 Combat,Colt series 80 Combat,Glock 19

September 26, 2010, 08:51 AM	#2
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,955	Hornady and Sierra both list 1.450 OAL for their 125gr JHP. They also have a "Start/Minimum" charge of 4.5gr, 4.6gr of Bullseye respectively.

September 26, 2010, 12:03 PM	#5
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	"Is this a safe load to fire?" Yes, very much so.

September 26, 2010, 06:36 PM	#6
bharris601 Junior Member Join Date: September 26, 2010 Posts: 2	I found a hornady manual at bass pro shops earlier and seen that according to it my length was right but my charge was low. It seems kinda off that lyman listed this bullet at a charge much lower than hornady suggested. I only made 50 rounds from the start and I ended up shooting about 20 of them at a friends house. They shot very nice and my friend shot a really tight group without even trying. I'm going to load my next set with 4.5gr of powder and I'm going to pick up the hornady manual as well. Thanks for all the replies. B