How to figure out OAL

Kyonic · September 24, 2007, 05:55 AM

Hey guys I have a question for loading .44mag loads for my lever rifle and for loading 45LC for my vaquero. How do I get the OAL do I just measure a factory load and use it?

Polydorus · September 24, 2007, 07:14 AM

Isn't the maximum overall length listed in your reloading manual?

Al Norris · September 24, 2007, 08:04 AM

Kyonic, sometimes the OAL is listed in the reloading data as COL - Cartridge Overall Length. Making OAL synonomous with COL.

Kyonic · September 28, 2007, 07:59 PM

So COL or OAL is what i want to make my end product be right or what the OAL of my bullet? And this is different than MOAL or Max OAL, right. Ok and what about a crimp for .44 in my marlin 1894 rifle should I give it some crimp? How much whould I put on it, I will be using the Lee factory crimp die.

Thesenator · September 29, 2007, 05:06 AM

Kyonic, not trying to be a smart ass but, you really need to buy a couple of books and do some reading before you get too deep into reloading.

Al Norris · September 29, 2007, 09:47 AM

Kyonic, those cartridges in the tube of your Marlin are subject to a lot more abuse than just the recoil of the rifle when being shot. My advice is to make sure they are all crimped well.

This cures any problems with setback, in your day-to-day handling of the rifle. It should also be noted that slower burning pistol powders (like H110/W296 and H4227) perform much better with a good hard crimp.

wncchester · September 30, 2007, 06:02 PM

Don't make too big a deal of book OAL figures, it's just what that loader used. So long as a cartridge feeds through the magazine and chambers, it's good enough to shoot.

For handgun bullets, just crimp them in the proper groove and it's likely to work fine.

Jim Watson · September 30, 2007, 06:15 PM

Seat the bullet to where you can crimp in the groove or cannelure provided. OAL is what you get when you do that. If the loaded cartridge fits the cylinder and loading gate, you are all set. If it doesn't, the bullet is not suitable.

September 24, 2007, 05:55 AM	#1
Kyonic Registration in progress Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 26	How to figure out OAL Hey guys I have a question for loading .44mag loads for my lever rifle and for loading 45LC for my vaquero. How do I get the OAL do I just measure a factory load and use it? __________________ Thanks Kyonic

September 28, 2007, 07:59 PM	#4
Kyonic Registration in progress Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 26	So COL or OAL is what i want to make my end product be right or what the OAL of my bullet? And this is different than MOAL or Max OAL, right. Ok and what about a crimp for .44 in my marlin 1894 rifle should I give it some crimp? How much whould I put on it, I will be using the Lee factory crimp die. __________________ Thanks Kyonic

September 24, 2007, 07:14 AM	#2
Polydorus Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2005 Posts: 144	Isn't the maximum overall length listed in your reloading manual?

September 24, 2007, 08:04 AM	#3
Al Norris Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2000 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 9,660	Kyonic, sometimes the OAL is listed in the reloading data as COL - Cartridge Overall Length. Making OAL synonomous with COL.

September 29, 2007, 05:06 AM	#5
Thesenator Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Posts: 126	Kyonic, not trying to be a smart ass but, you really need to buy a couple of books and do some reading before you get too deep into reloading.

September 29, 2007, 09:47 AM	#6
Al Norris Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2000 Location: Rupert, Idaho Posts: 9,660	Kyonic, those cartridges in the tube of your Marlin are subject to a lot more abuse than just the recoil of the rifle when being shot. My advice is to make sure they are all crimped well. This cures any problems with setback, in your day-to-day handling of the rifle. It should also be noted that slower burning pistol powders (like H110/W296 and H4227) perform much better with a good hard crimp.

September 30, 2007, 06:02 PM	#7
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	Don't make too big a deal of book OAL figures, it's just what that loader used. So long as a cartridge feeds through the magazine and chambers, it's good enough to shoot. For handgun bullets, just crimp them in the proper groove and it's likely to work fine.

September 30, 2007, 06:15 PM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	Seat the bullet to where you can crimp in the groove or cannelure provided. OAL is what you get when you do that. If the loaded cartridge fits the cylinder and loading gate, you are all set. If it doesn't, the bullet is not suitable.