Quick question on OAL

[General Tso]

My recipe from the Lee manual for 9mm 124 gr. copper plated calls for a minimum OAL of 1.100 with AA#7, does it matter if I use round nose or flat point? I ordered flat point Berry's and loaded them at 1.155 OAL.

 

[Walkalong]

Yes. It matters. The RN is going to have a longer O.A.L. when loaded properly to function well.

That may be a bit long, but will not get you in trouble. If it feeds fine in your gun, you will be fine.

I load 124/5 Gr FP's in 9MM at around 1.030 to 1.060.

 

[General Tso]

Thanks, I re-seated them to 1.060. How do you know if a recipe is calling for RN or FP? It just says "124 grn. copper plated".

 

[Walkalong]

It should give the bullet shape as well. RN, FP, RNFP, SWC etc.

AA #7 is a bit slow for midrange 9MM, but will work. Keep the plated bullet under or at 1200 FPS and you should be OK.

I have shot the Berrys 124 Gr FP, and it shoots pretty well.

 

[1SOW]

Bullet nose "shape" will determine your maximum oal for 'that' bullet in "your" gun. It can be different in different guns.

There are a number of posts that give techniques for finding the max oal for 'your' gun for each different bullet shape and manufacturer you're reloading.

Hope this helps

 

[kimbernut]

Most Manuals

Most Manuals give or show the bullet shape or description. The Lee manual is pretty vague but is a wealth of info overall. Another reason for having multiple manuals to check and cross reference.