Overall length vs Charge weight for pressure

[clongest]

Specifically, this is regarding 45 ACP in a Remington M1911.
Am I correct in thinking that I can increase pressure by either decreasing OAL OR increasing weight of powder? The OAL is good as long as the cartridge will chamber correctly, right? So if I need to increase pressure I can leave the charge constant and shorten the OAL?

 

[rcmodel]

Reliable feeding in a 1911 is very dependent on the correct OAL for the bullet being used.

So no.

If you want to adjust the power level, you change the powder charge and leave the OAL alone.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

Yep. For autos pick an O.A.L. that feeds well in your guns, and then work up a load at that O.A.L..

 

[rfwobbly]

I'd say you have the right idea, but the wrong cartridge. The 45ACP is so dang big in diameter that it needs all the assist it can, just to get into the chamber. So much so that some cheaper 1911 versions will only feed RN bullets. Even "good" 45's are sometimes sensitive to OAL, especially when it comes to SWC and other non-RN bullet nose shapes.

So once you find an OAL that feeds in your gun, you better stay with it.