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wncchester · April 13, 2009, 06:48 PM

"Proper" OAL is much agonized over by loaders of little experience and it need not/should not be. OAL ain't critical to safely and it's largely up to the user. What you see in the loading books is only the OAL the book makers used to compile the data for that bullet in the gun they used. You aren't using their firearm and that's okay because ANY book's OAL is only given as a starting point; it is NOT a "law" to be slavishly followed or you might die!

For pistols, either seat to match, or nearly match, simular factory loads OR seat so the crimp groove is at the case mouth.

For rifles, seat at least a little off the lands AND short enough to feed through the magazine. After you find your chosen load, vary the seating depth until you find the best OAL for YOUR RIFLE AND BULLET! For sporting rifles, that is rarely at the lands and many shoot best as far back as .125" or more off the lands.

April 13, 2009, 06:48 PM	#4
wncchester Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2002 Posts: 2,832	"Proper" OAL is much agonized over by loaders of little experience and it need not/should not be. OAL ain't critical to safely and it's largely up to the user. What you see in the loading books is only the OAL the book makers used to compile the data for that bullet in the gun they used. You aren't using their firearm and that's okay because ANY book's OAL is only given as a starting point; it is NOT a "law" to be slavishly followed or you might die! For pistols, either seat to match, or nearly match, simular factory loads OR seat so the crimp groove is at the case mouth. For rifles, seat at least a little off the lands AND short enough to feed through the magazine. After you find your chosen load, vary the seating depth until you find the best OAL for YOUR RIFLE AND BULLET! For sporting rifles, that is rarely at the lands and many shoot best as far back as .125" or more off the lands. Last edited by wncchester; April 13, 2009 at 06:59 PM.