Checking OAL

chasep255 · April 24, 2011, 03:55 PM

I was reloading .40 S&W today. I was seating to a OAL between 1.135'' and 1.125''. I also check the length of each cartridge after seating with calipers to make sure it is not too much. I have two questions...

How often do you check cartridges for the correct COL? Do I have to check every round or is checking once every 5 sufficient?

How precisely do you seat the bullet? I normally get around +0.005''. Is this too much?

**Unclenick** · April 24, 2011, 04:11 PM

Nope. You're good to go. Even commercial ammo can vary that much and a lot of military ammo does, too.

You'll find that because bullets compress the air in a case, the lubricated lead ones can sometimes be pushed back out a little by that air, so you don't want much delay between seating and crimping these.

April 24, 2011, 03:55 PM	#1
chasep255 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 727	Checking OAL I was reloading .40 S&W today. I was seating to a OAL between 1.135'' and 1.125''. I also check the length of each cartridge after seating with calipers to make sure it is not too much. I have two questions... How often do you check cartridges for the correct COL? Do I have to check every round or is checking once every 5 sufficient? How precisely do you seat the bullet? I normally get around +0.005''. Is this too much?

April 24, 2011, 04:11 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,084	Nope. You're good to go. Even commercial ammo can vary that much and a lot of military ammo does, too. You'll find that because bullets compress the air in a case, the lubricated lead ones can sometimes be pushed back out a little by that air, so you don't want much delay between seating and crimping these. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle