The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Lands......Where are the lands for this 9mm?

Poodleshooter · February 27, 2012, 08:11 PM

If I understand this right, you're trying to put a 9mm bullet .010" off of the rifling?

Some problems here: your computed OAL seems to be measuring to the top of the nose of the bullet (unless you have a way of measuring to the ogive while the cartridge is chambered!). The bullet only engages the rifling at the ogive (highest point at which the bullet reaches maximum width). That's not the same as the nose of the bullet.
As a practical matter, just seat a bullet to the max OAL that will function using a dummy cartridge. If it sticks, seat it deeper.
I have to say that it's extremely seldom that I find myself seating any handgun bullets based on distance to the rifling. Function and magazine OAL generally dictate OAL in my handgun loads.

February 27, 2012, 08:11 PM	#3
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	If I understand this right, you're trying to put a 9mm bullet .010" off of the rifling? Some problems here: your computed OAL seems to be measuring to the top of the nose of the bullet (unless you have a way of measuring to the ogive while the cartridge is chambered!). The bullet only engages the rifling at the ogive (highest point at which the bullet reaches maximum width). That's not the same as the nose of the bullet. As a practical matter, just seat a bullet to the max OAL that will function using a dummy cartridge. If it sticks, seat it deeper. I have to say that it's extremely seldom that I find myself seating any handgun bullets based on distance to the rifling. Function and magazine OAL generally dictate OAL in my handgun loads.