? About OAL on these 9mm loads

MFInc said:

I figured I use up the WSF i had in my throw on some 9mm loads. Using 5.3 Grains of WSF, My OAL is suppose to be 1.169" for Speer 115gr GDHP. When I have it set to that OAL. there isn't much bullet in the case. Should this be a concern? TIA
View attachment 994393 View attachment 994394

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=53

Click to expand...

Is that the exact bullet listed in the recipe?
Does it plunk in your chamber?

That's the max saami oal not what it should be.

https://www.speer.com/reloading/handgun-data.html

Speer site says 1.125" OAL for that bullet.

I like shorter oals. Is this going to be run in more than one pistol.

MFInc said:

Yeah. Making them to test my Pmag that wasn't feeding properly.

Click to expand...

Make a dummy to cycle with. 1.100 seems common and I run 1.090 with my 115s.

1.169" is the max length for 9mm ammo in general, not the recommended length for any specific bullet.
Only the 'long nose' FMJ are loaded near 1.169".
The Speer link is the way to go.

MFInc said:

I was looking at the Powder loads by Speer vs Hodgdon, they seem to run them Hotter on Hodgdon.. I'm totally confused again Enough for today. Thanks guys,.

Click to expand...

Dont get flustered. Work it from a mechanical aspect and then move to the load issue.

Longer oal is a big thing with heavier bullets to manage under bullet volume.

For Rocky Mountain MPR's and Speer Gold Dot's I use a COAL of 1.075" in my CZ PCR's and Dan Wesson 9mm Vigil. These shoot and run well.

Ignore Hodgdon's OAL for their WSF data. It's a long story.

I’d want to run them shorter than that, no matter the published data

mrawesome22-250 said:

https://www.speer.com/reloading/handgun-data.html

Speer site says 1.125" OAL for that bullet.

Click to expand...

PO2Hammer said:

1.169" is the max length for 9mm ammo in general, not the recommended length for any specific bullet.
Only the 'long nose' FMJ are loaded near 1.169".
The Speer link is the way to go.

Click to expand...

Definitely go with the Speer OAL data. You’ll be just fine it’s long as you start low and work up to find your best charge weight.

MFInc said:

I figured I use up the WSF i had in my throw on some 9mm loads. Using 5.3 Grains of WSF, My OAL is suppose to be 1.169" for Speer 115gr GDHP. When I have it set to that OAL. there isn't much bullet in the case. Should this be a concern?

Click to expand...

Yes.

MFInc said:

The 1.125" does make more sense as that's what I used on some CFEP charges with the same bullet. Those fed and shot normally at 1.125 btw. But Man Hodgdons site caused me a whole lot of anxiety. I sent them a note as if it matters lol.

Click to expand...

Lot’s of good advice so far, just make sure you understand that for a given load, shortening the COL will increase pressure. Regarding the Hodgdon site, they do list two occurrences of SPR GDHP, and both are at 1.125”. However WSF isn’t one of the powders, so I suspect you looked at the JHP data? Bullet profiles can vary greatly and I had the same issue when trying to find data for a powder I wanted to use. VV seems to like 1.142” for a lot of their loads, so, we just have to adjust the COL along with the charge data.
I will say WSF does very well in 9mm, at least in my guns. Good luck.

Just checked Hodgdon's load data site; "generic" JHP OAL listed at 1.169". Two loads down further; 115 gr. SPR GDHP (Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point) OAL is 1.125"

For what its worth some chrono numbers with WSF and RMR 115 FMJs
S+B SP, mixed range brass, charges as thrown after setting measure, Sig P226

I think you would should be fine with 5.3 at a reasonable OAL.
Edit: Might be nice if I mentioned the OAL I used, brain fart
OAL was 1.125.


WSF 5.2
String: 4
Date: 3/20/2021
Time: 12:13:55 PM
Grains: 115
Hi Vel: 1185
Low Vel: 1164
Ave Vel: 1176
Ext Spread: 21
Std Dev: 9.8

Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
1185 136.275 358.539
1164 133.86 345.944
1184 136.16 357.934
1167 134.205 347.729
1180 135.7 355.52

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


WSF 5.5
String: 5
Date: 3/20/2021
Time: 12:16:19 PM
Grains: 115
Hi Vel: 1265
Low Vel: 1241
Ave Vel: 1255
Ext Spread: 24
Std Dev: 10.4

Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
1265 145.475 408.583
1241 142.715 393.227
1247 143.405 397.038
1261 145.015 406.003
1261 145.015 406.003

Primers on all looked fine no flattening
Hodgdon lists this for WSF
115 GR. JHP Winchester WSF .355" 1.169" 5.2 1095 28,700 PSI 5.7 1165 32,100 PSI
Thinking 5.5 is a bit to much at this OAL even though I didn't see pressure signs vel is up there.....


I like WSF in 9mm, match load is a RMR 124gr MPR 4.5gr WSF @ 1.09