OAL Diagrams

physikal · February 15, 2010, 12:57 PM

Hello,

I would like to have printed and laminated diagrams for cartridge length info on brass I load most and staple them to my bench. (9mm Luger, 7.5x55, 45 acp, .223, 30-30, .270)

Is there a site that has a lot of these diagrams in one spot? Also, any of the diagrams I have found from searching only show 1 number. I would like to have a min-max sort of thing. So I know the full range. Or am I always safe assuming -.020 of max cartridge length is usually safe ?

Thanks!

mkl · February 15, 2010, 01:15 PM

OAL is dependent on the bullet you choose to load, so there is not a single answer to your question for a given cartridge.

For revolver cartridges, you should crimp in the crimp groove and not worry about OAL.

For pistol cartridges, set the OAL length to what is shown in your reloading manual for the bullet you are using. If you have feed or chambering problems, you can vary the initial OAL a few thousandths either way until it feeds and chambers smoothly in your pistol. Crimp only enough to straighten out the bell you put in the case mouth; do not fold the case mouth in as you do for a revolver.

For rifle cartridges, use the OAL shown in the manual for the bullet you are loading. Conversely, you can seat the bullet .020 off the lands of the rifle you are using and be perfectly safe. You can move the bullet forward a few thousandths at a time until you get the best accuracy. If you choose to allow the bullet to touch the lands, reduce the charge by four percent and work up again. Crimping is a seldom used option for light to medium recoiling rifle cartridges; most of us have better accuracy with no crimp.

For heavy recoil rifle cartridges such as the 45-70, crimp in the crimp groove on the bullet.

Hope this helps.

physikal · February 15, 2010, 02:53 PM

You're right. I worded everything wrong hah. I am talking cartridge length not OAL.

Shoney · February 15, 2010, 05:23 PM

physikal
It appears that you may be confusing Max/Min Case Length with OAL. Here are the definitions to clarify.

Case - Hollow brass container housing the propellant of a cartridge, the neck of which grips the bullet, and the head of which accepts the primer.

Cartridge - Complete unit of ammunition, comprising cartridge case, bullet, powder and primer.

Overall Length ( OAL ) - The total length of a cartridge, measured from bullet tip to base of case. It is sometimes written as COL (Cartridge Overall Length).

MKL is correct!

Good Shooting!

**Unclenick** · February 15, 2010, 08:24 PM

If you actually meant case length, then +0"/-0.020" is common for most rifle cases. Some cases with short necks allow less room for error. The .357 SIG, for example, is +0"/-0.006" IIRC?

For cartridge length there is a SAAMI maximum to ensure they will fit in commercial magazines made for the round, but if you are going to load singly, you can exceed it. Note that in pistols, some of the blunt shaped bullets, like truncated cone, won't feed if they are out at the length of round nose bullets, so using the manufacturer's recommended COL for the particular bullet, as was already advised, is usually best.

There is no minimum until the bullet falls into the case, I suppose, but you have to be aware that seating too deeply increases peak pressure. How much depends mostly on the powder and the load? In some instances the case capacity is also a factor as is the primer choice. For those reasons, whatever you choose, work your loads up for it from low levels.

Randy 1911 · February 16, 2010, 05:12 AM

At the start of the caliber you are loading in the reloading manual there is usually a diagram. Just scan it and print and laminate.

gregjc9 · February 16, 2010, 07:08 AM

I downloaded the various cartridge specs from SAAMI, printed the pages of the calibers I reload, and put them in my binder for reference.

steve4102 · February 16, 2010, 08:09 AM

http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm

http://stevespages.com/table3.html

woods · February 16, 2010, 09:24 PM

Damn steve, beat me to it!

We're even now but the game is on!

February 15, 2010, 12:57 PM	#1
physikal Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2008 Posts: 135	OAL Diagrams Hello, I would like to have printed and laminated diagrams for cartridge length info on brass I load most and staple them to my bench. (9mm Luger, 7.5x55, 45 acp, .223, 30-30, .270) Is there a site that has a lot of these diagrams in one spot? Also, any of the diagrams I have found from searching only show 1 number. I would like to have a min-max sort of thing. So I know the full range. Or am I always safe assuming -.020 of max cartridge length is usually safe ? Thanks! Last edited by physikal; February 15, 2010 at 02:53 PM.

February 15, 2010, 05:23 PM	#4
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	physikal It appears that you may be confusing Max/Min Case Length with OAL. Here are the definitions to clarify. Case - Hollow brass container housing the propellant of a cartridge, the neck of which grips the bullet, and the head of which accepts the primer. Cartridge - Complete unit of ammunition, comprising cartridge case, bullet, powder and primer. Overall Length ( OAL ) - The total length of a cartridge, measured from bullet tip to base of case. It is sometimes written as COL (Cartridge Overall Length). MKL is correct! Good Shooting! __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

February 15, 2010, 08:24 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	If you actually meant case length, then +0"/-0.020" is common for most rifle cases. Some cases with short necks allow less room for error. The .357 SIG, for example, is +0"/-0.006" IIRC? For cartridge length there is a SAAMI maximum to ensure they will fit in commercial magazines made for the round, but if you are going to load singly, you can exceed it. Note that in pistols, some of the blunt shaped bullets, like truncated cone, won't feed if they are out at the length of round nose bullets, so using the manufacturer's recommended COL for the particular bullet, as was already advised, is usually best. There is no minimum until the bullet falls into the case, I suppose, but you have to be aware that seating too deeply increases peak pressure. How much depends mostly on the powder and the load? In some instances the case capacity is also a factor as is the primer choice. For those reasons, whatever you choose, work your loads up for it from low levels. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; February 16, 2010 at 10:07 AM. Reason: typo

February 16, 2010, 05:12 AM	#6
Randy 1911 Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2009 Location: Western Arkansas Posts: 273	At the start of the caliber you are loading in the reloading manual there is usually a diagram. Just scan it and print and laminate. __________________ Been Reloading 27 Years NRA Member Member Old Fort Gun Club www.ofgc.org

February 16, 2010, 07:08 AM	#7
gregjc9 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 501	I downloaded the various cartridge specs from SAAMI, printed the pages of the calibers I reload, and put them in my binder for reference. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Greg

February 15, 2010, 01:15 PM	#2
mkl Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 494	OAL is dependent on the bullet you choose to load, so there is not a single answer to your question for a given cartridge. For revolver cartridges, you should crimp in the crimp groove and not worry about OAL. For pistol cartridges, set the OAL length to what is shown in your reloading manual for the bullet you are using. If you have feed or chambering problems, you can vary the initial OAL a few thousandths either way until it feeds and chambers smoothly in your pistol. Crimp only enough to straighten out the bell you put in the case mouth; do not fold the case mouth in as you do for a revolver. For rifle cartridges, use the OAL shown in the manual for the bullet you are loading. Conversely, you can seat the bullet .020 off the lands of the rifle you are using and be perfectly safe. You can move the bullet forward a few thousandths at a time until you get the best accuracy. If you choose to allow the bullet to touch the lands, reduce the charge by four percent and work up again. Crimping is a seldom used option for light to medium recoiling rifle cartridges; most of us have better accuracy with no crimp. For heavy recoil rifle cartridges such as the 45-70, crimp in the crimp groove on the bullet. Hope this helps.

February 15, 2010, 02:53 PM	#3
physikal Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2008 Posts: 135	You're right. I worded everything wrong hah. I am talking cartridge length not OAL.

February 16, 2010, 08:09 AM	#8
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,952	http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm http://stevespages.com/table3.html

February 16, 2010, 09:24 PM	#9
woods Member Join Date: January 6, 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 70	Damn steve, beat me to it! We're even now but the game is on! __________________ Guns have 2 enemies, rust and politicians