.40 s&w c.o.a.l.

[Ky Larry]

I need C.O.A.L for .40 S&W. Bullets are 165gr plated RNFP 0.5415 length. Thanks.

 

[rg1]

All data I've seen for 40 S&W 165 FMJ-FN bullets in plated or jacketed shows an oal at 1.125". I have seen one example at 1.130". All 165's I've loaded feed fine at 1.125" in pistols and carbine rifle.

 

[Walkalong]

1.125 to 1.130 (Taking into account a small variance in seating) is a good place to start.

 

[chief99]

40 s&w coal

I increased my oal from 1.225 out to 1.140 . Chambers smooth and the most accurate 165 copper plated I have ever loaded.

 

[snakeye]

Does that not bother you that at 1.140 you are exceeding max SAMMI specs of 1.135

 

[AABEN]

Some guns shoot better with the bullet set closer to the glands.

 

[vaalpens]

I load all my 165gr RNFP bullets at 1.142" COL. I have tried a few at 1.125" COL, but always go back to 1.142".

These are mostly Xtreme 165gr bullets with an average bullet length of .5348".

 

[LiveLife]

Does that not bother you that at 1.140 you are exceeding max SAMMI specs of 1.135

While SAAMI max for 40S&W is 1.135", I guess many pistol/barrel makers did not get that memo as many factory/aftermarket barrels will accommodate longer lengths.

With typical 165/180 gr TCFP lead/plated/jacketed bullets, Glock magazines will limit them to 1.165" and my Glock and Lone Wolf 40S&W barrels will allow 1.149" max OAL and feed/chamber reliably at 1.143" (With RMR HM RNFP, 1.155" will work with my barrels) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9362819#post9362819

 

[Walkalong]

I had a Witness Elite Match that I loaded stuff at 1.140 to 1.145 for, but I would still suggest staring at 1.125 to 1.130, or 1.130 to 1.135.

 

[LiveLife]

Yes, 1.125" - 1.135" is more the norm for 165/180 gr TCFP bullets and my barrels fed/chambered up to 1.143" for TCFP bullets.

If your barrel allows longer lengths, you may be able to squeeze out more accuracy by loading longer - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=506678

I need C.O.A.L for .40 S&W. Bullets are 165gr plated RNFP

With RMR HM RNFP, due to nose profile, my Glock/Lone Wolf barrels fed/chambered lengths up to 1.155" - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9639622#post9639622

Due to the nose profile/ogive of the bullet, Glock magazine max length of 1.165" dropped in the Lone Wolf and Glock 40S&W chambers freely with a "plonk" and spun without hitting the start of rifling. Taper crimp used was .421". However, 1.165" dummy rounds got stuck in the magazine tube when I loaded 3 rounds. While 1.160" dummy rounds fed and chambered from the magazine even in tight chambered Lone Wolf barrels, 1.155" was decided as the final working OAL to compensate for variations in resized mixed range brass lengths.

180 gr RMR HM RNFP loaded to 1.135" compared to 1.155"

By loading longer than SAAMI max of 1.135", accuracy improved with these two powders: