124 grain bullet lengths

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ClemsonAl

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I was loading Winchester 124 gn fmj bullets to a col of 1.125 These bullets measured from .589-.591 I bought some Precisio Delta 124 grain fmj. I measured a few of those, and they were between .603 and .607, so I settled on .605 and shot a couple hundred of them with a col also of 1.125 All shot just fine. I was using starting loads of powder. Then the other day while it was raining, I measured a bunch of the PD's, and the lengths ranged from .584 to .625. That seems like a huge difference to me. The weights weren't any higher than 124.5. This brings me to my question: If my bullets were the same weight, and I'm using starting loads with a col (1.125) which is way above minimum col (1.095), should there be a problem? I know I must have already shot some of the longer ones.......Thanks
 
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What caliber are you talking about? The bullet weight alludes to 9mm but OAL of 1.250 sounds too long to me.

Bill
 
ClemsonAl said:
It is 9mm and i edited my thread. It was 1 125 not 1.250. Sorry bout:banghead: that
Click to expand...
OK, now we know. The maximum length for a 9mm OAL is about 1.165. So at 1.125 you are still fine with the same OAL. With slightly more case capacity due to the bullet length, will probably result in a slight decrease in velocity and pressure, but it should not be significant.

You first post threw me a little due to the typo, but we got it all straight now.

Good Luck
Bill
 
and I'm using starting loads with a col
Click to expand...
Seating depth makes no differance, within reason, with starting loads.
Thats why we use starting loads.

Work up to MAX at the COL that feeds in your gun, and misses the rifling when chambered. Or don't.

Just work up to a mid-level 4F load you like.
(4F = Feeds, Fires, and Functions Freely)

rc
 
you can always go longer than the COL listed in the data, as long as they feed in your gun. If you start to get a lot of failures to feed, then they are too long.
I had loaded the PDs in 9mm (147 grainers) and like the bullet. I never loaded 124 grs.
 
Precision Delta experience

:D ClemsonAl,

I've been testing several powders with the PD 124 gr. FMJ. I load to 1.125" OAL and .356" dia taper crimp. 1.5" groups at 20 yds. from a SIG with 3.6" barrel. I just measured length of 10 - got .595-600" (purchased 3000 in early Nov. this year) - I used a caliper as the anvil of the mic was seating on the exposed lead base which is recessed into the jacket. My best results - at this time - is W231 at the low end of the manual. Had yet to get good results with the PD 115 gr. bullet. PS - I shoot IDPA in Greenville.
 
I was shooting PD 124 fmj some time back. On a new order, I got poor bullet length & nose shape variation like you did.

I emailed PD and they sent me another 500 free of charge. They said someone must have accidently picked up the QC rejects. I ordered again and the same thing happened again. I divided the bullets into "3" different length groups and loaded with 3 different oal's. I was trying to set the seating depth somewhat consistently with a known load.

I've never ordered another PD. I know many have success with them, but it won't be me.

Zero and MG have some variation in bullet length and shape, but nothing even close to what I experienced with the PDs. (Many thousands)

I put a thread out when it happened.
 
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I wouldn't mind .005 variation in lengths. When I sorted them into groups like that, they shot really well. I just think .020 is a little excessive, and I'll try another brand. I'd rather spend more time shooting and less time measuring. I read good things about PD and I might have gotten a bad batch.:confused:
 
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