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Old March 21, 2001, 06:51 PM   #2
Chris McDermott
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Join Date: March 30, 2000
Posts: 245
OAL is critical for another reason - it helps determine what maximum pressure is reached. With the same powder charge, if the bullet is pushed into the case and takes up more room, a higher pressure is reached than if the bullet is seated farther out. I think that this effect is more apparent on small pistol straight wall cases than big magnum rifle bottle-neck cases, but it does matter for both. That is why the reloading manuals list an OAL for the cartridge with their loads, and you should stick fairly close to that listed OAL. Yes, small differences to put the bullet where you want in relation to the rifling lands can improve accuracy, but be prepared for the max pressure of the load to change.
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