9mm 124/147 RN OAL

[UXO Aware]

Having read a couple years' posts, and many manuals, on OAL, I'm confused.
124 gr recommendations run from 1.075 to 1.160, and 147 gr from 1.058 to 1.165. They seem to be in two groups, one centering on 1.090 - 1.095 (HP, FP?), another around 1.140 - 1.150 (RN?). New and remanufactured rounds run from 1.050 (124 FP) to 1.130 (Rem 124 GoldDot). Middle of the road seems to be 1.112 - 1.120.
I want to load Berry RNs in both weights. SUGGESTED OAL?
(BTW, the 124 gr runs 0.580, the 147 gr 0.670)
Second question is powder - W231, Unique, Universal, TiteGroup and Power Pistol seem to be most frequent non-VV recommendations. YOURS? TNX!

 

[BAE984]

I'm loading Berry's 147gr at 1.115 OAL. It's extremely accurate over a middling load of titegroup and very soft shooting.

Everybody's gonna tell you titegroup is fast for a heavy bullet, and it barely covers the bottom of the case, so you gotta really pay attention. I also use Clays, but that's even faster (which pushes the bullet slower...you may have a hard time getting the gun to cycle...mine will, but a buddys Sig 226 wouldn't). I think my next batch is gonna be 147gr lead over a more moderate powder (231 or WSF).

 

[Peter_S]

Take a look/search for Walkalong's guide to determinimg OAL somewhere in this forum.

It really is a good tutorial. Setting OAL for your particular gun is the best way to go.

I use the 115 grain Berry's for plinking and have found them to be very accurate at 1.125 to 1.130" in my M&P9

 

[mongoose33]

Make up some dummy rounds at different OALs and see what fits in your own barrel. It's the best gauge.

One rule of thumb is to load as long as your gun will reasonably handle.

I'm loading the 125gr Smallball Missouri Bullet 9mm bullets for my XD-9. A bit shorter throat, plus the Smallball has a fairly fat Ogive compared to other kinds of bullets.

With Precision's 125gr FP Black Bullet I use an OAL of 1.118. But with the Smallball, the basic OAL that works is about 1.09, but I load it to 1.085 to account for any variations in seating depth I might get w/ a lead bullet.

It just depends on the bullet. I like that Smallball, BTW. Just ordered 3k of them.

 

[LiveLife]

124 gr recommendations run from 1.075 to 1.160 ... I want to load Berry RNs in both weights. SUGGESTED OAL?

9mm OAL also depends on the bullet profile used. Some reloaders like to use the longest OAL that will feed/chamber well to reduce the distance between the bullet nose and the start of the rifling in the barrel to increase accuracy.

For most jacketed/plated 115gr/125gr bullet profile, I use 1.125" OAL. For 115gr FMJ, OAL shorter than 1.12" makes the bullet diameter smaller than inside case neck diameter.

Some older lead bullet profiles have pointed "step down" nose, so using OAL shorter than 1.12" causes the same problem as above. For these bullet profiles, I seat the bullet so the "step down" is right at the case neck rim (for my 125gr "step down" bullet profile, this results in 1.125" OAL).

Newer lead bullet profiles (like MBC 125gr Small Ball) have a more rounded nose without the "step down" so you have more OAL options. I have test loaded MBC 125gr bullets from 1.08" to 1.12" OAL and they all fed/chambered well for my pistols/barrels (you can use the OAL that feeds/chambers best in your pistol/barrel).

Since I use Pro Auto Disk, some of my powder charges are not where I want to be (say you want 4.2gr but disk options give you either 4.0gr or 4.3gr). Having more OAL options allow you to use the lower powder charge with shorter OAL and still have good chamber pressure for consistent powder burn that results in accuracy and proper cycling of your slide. Depending on the powder I use, my current OAL for 125gr MBC bullet vary from 1.09" - 1.10".

Second question is powder

For 9mm, you will find load data for powder as slow as Accurate #7, but I prefer the faster powders like Bullseye, Red Dot/Promo, W231/HP38. Usually, faster powders give more snappy recoil and slower powders give less snappy recoil. Powder selection also depends on how well it meters in your powder measure. In general, smaller flat ball powders meter better than larger flat flake powder.

 

[Shrinkmd]

You really need to check the OAL for each pistol you have. Some will eat anything, and others have much shorter throats. I think I will standardize my 9mm 124LRN loads at 1.102", since they seem to feed well in what I have. But my 5906TSW would eat 1.125" with that bullet.

 

[Walkalong]

Throw WSF, HS-6, & AA #5 into the mix of non Vihtavuori powders.

bds gave an excellent post on O.A.L.

Link

Welcome to THR

 

[jfremder]

You really need to check the OAL for each pistol you have. Some will eat anything, and others have much shorter throats. I think I will standardize my 9mm 124LRN loads at 1.102", since they seem to feed well in what I have. But my 5906TSW would eat 1.125" with that bullet.

My CZ-75 won't properly chamber a 9mm Missouri Bullet 125gr LRN any longer than 1.055" OAL

It seems the ogive on that cast bullet is a bit steeper than any FMJ alternative, and contacts the rifling a bit sooner. 1.15"OAL with that same projectile works on my HiPoint 995TS w/o issue.

 

[mongoose33]

Newer lead bullet profiles (like MBC 125gr Small Ball) have a more rounded nose without the "step down" so you have more OAL options. I have test loaded MBC 125gr bullets from 1.08" to 1.12" OAL and they all fed/chambered well for my pistols/barrels (you can use the OAL that feeds/chambers best in your pistol/barrel).

As you say, BDS, it depends. I just ordered 3k of the MB Smallballs (I like 'em!), but in my XD-9, I have to go down to 1.09 to get them to chamber properly.

So I load them at 1.085 to give myself a bit of a margin for error.

 

[918v]

Having read a couple years' posts, and many manuals, on OAL, I'm confused.
124 gr recommendations run from 1.075 to 1.160, and 147 gr from 1.058 to 1.165. They seem to be in two groups, one centering on 1.090 - 1.095 (HP, FP?), another around 1.140 - 1.150 (RN?). New and remanufactured rounds run from 1.050 (124 FP) to 1.130 (Rem 124 GoldDot). Middle of the road seems to be 1.112 - 1.120.
I want to load Berry RNs in both weights. SUGGESTED OAL?
(BTW, the 124 gr runs 0.580, the 147 gr 0.670)
Second question is powder - W231, Unique, Universal, TiteGroup and Power Pistol seem to be most frequent non-VV recommendations. YOURS? TNX!

When you look at a bullet (projectile), you should see a shank (cylinder) and an ogjive (tapering nose).



The bullet shank stops at line #2. The ogjive starts at line #2 and continues to line #3.
You want the bullet to sit deep enough in the case so most of the shank is inside the case, but a little bit sticks out to center the bullet in the chamber freebore:



The freebore is the area of the chamber that is free of rifling. This is where that little bit of shank sits when the round is chambered.

Look at factory rounds for guidance and look at the relationship of the bullet shank, ogjive, and case mouth. Look at the position of line #2.

As long as the resulting OAL fits in the mag, you'll be fine. Bullets designed for the 9mm will fit in the magazine when they are seated to the correct depth as described above.

 

[UXO Aware]

WOW! Thanks to all for great ideas. After finding my G36 won't eat any SWC, and the 1911 doesn't like short OAL in Ranier HPs, I am goosey about loading for both my new G19 and Kahr PM9. Both, however, manually cycle everything from the 1.050 to 1.130 I mentioned -- it's a matter of finding an accurate, clean, economical load with low but cycling velocity/recoil for IDPA and indoor Police Practical. And I'm back to divining the benefits between about a dozen "favorite" powders, without becoming an arms factory in the basement! Clays and Titegroup may be too hot for plated, HS-6 takes twice as much powder as others, VV is much more expensive per pound - you see the dilemma.
I'll keep watching for more good ideas, but the dies are set up and I'm itching! TNX!

 

[Peter_S]

The heaviest 9mm bullet I reload is 135 grain lead RN from Magnus. For this I use HS-6.

Search a little for suggested loads using your bullet with HS-6...it seems to be quite popular for heavier bullets in 9mm.