Over-All-Length

[816ronp]

How important is OAL to accuracy. I set my Lee die for 1.130 for a 9mm. I get OAL's of 1.127 to 1.135 I then put the long cartridges back in the die and try to get them down to 1.130. I usually come out with 1.127 or 1.128
Is some tolerance good enough? Like +/- 0.002

 

[Walkalong]

Is some tolerance good enough? Like +/- 0.002

+/- .002 is pretty good. It will be fine.

Welcome to THR

 

[something vague]

Yes, that is more than acceptable OAL variance. Grab yourself a box of high end match or self defense ammo and measure their OAL and you'll find that no one produces consistant OAL down to +/- .001" on a regular basis.

 

[The91Bravo]

On a magazine gun, the only limit to your length is the length of the magazine. And to make sure the bullet is in contact with the rifling of the barrel.

On my M-24 I neck up the OAL about .003 just shy of the barrel grooves.

 

[Slamfire]

For a semi auto, your most important criteria (after safety) is function. Load for reliable function.

OAL is a consideration for bench rest rifles, and those chasing throat erosion in a rifle.