Why all the questions about OAL? Am I missing something?
For rifle if crimping the OAL will be so the case mouth is in the crimp groove. If not going to crimp the best way to figure out the OAL for a rifle is a DIY or bought OAL gauge with a bullet comparator so where the ogive of the bullet is touching the lands can be found and then bullet seating depth adjusted accordingly. If one wants to take the easy way then an average book listed OAL and or factory ammo OAL can be used.
Handgun is crimped most of the time so there will be a crimp groove on most bullets. If not crimping then an average book listed OAL and or factory loaded ammo OAL is a good starting point. Hell with a revolver as long as the bullet isn't sticking out of the front of the cylinder you are good to go. With an auto pistol take the barrel out of the gun and make sure the case head is not to high. Plenty of pics on the internet showing this.
We all know that OAL or more specifically ogive to case head length (comparator length) can and dose effect accuracy but in the overall scheme of things as long as a reasonable OAL from a book or other source is selected, then the loads are worked up from low powder charge to high and pressure signs are watched for then all is well. Chances are a good load will be found but it won't be the best until bullet seating depth is tweaked a little.
People need to understand that just because the book says this or that it doesn't make it so as there is variation in chambers from the same lot of barrels. OAL's need to be established for each weapon and loads need to be worked up, there is no two ways about it.
When loading a general all weapon blasting round say for an AR its hard to beat an established factory OAL as these rounds are made to chamber in anything. But work up the powder charge and shoot it in at least one of the weapons to be used, also keep the load below max for all weapon safety.
When guys ask about the cost of reloading and is it really worth it there will be a few comments stating that money might not be saved but better ammo then you can buy is produced. Just throwing some powder in a case and cramming a bullet on top probably isn't going to produce ammo any better then factory and in most cases it will shoot worse. To get the benefits of reloading since we all know that you never save money one has to spend the time at the press and range to figure out just the right combo.
For rifle if crimping the OAL will be so the case mouth is in the crimp groove. If not going to crimp the best way to figure out the OAL for a rifle is a DIY or bought OAL gauge with a bullet comparator so where the ogive of the bullet is touching the lands can be found and then bullet seating depth adjusted accordingly. If one wants to take the easy way then an average book listed OAL and or factory ammo OAL can be used.
Handgun is crimped most of the time so there will be a crimp groove on most bullets. If not crimping then an average book listed OAL and or factory loaded ammo OAL is a good starting point. Hell with a revolver as long as the bullet isn't sticking out of the front of the cylinder you are good to go. With an auto pistol take the barrel out of the gun and make sure the case head is not to high. Plenty of pics on the internet showing this.
We all know that OAL or more specifically ogive to case head length (comparator length) can and dose effect accuracy but in the overall scheme of things as long as a reasonable OAL from a book or other source is selected, then the loads are worked up from low powder charge to high and pressure signs are watched for then all is well. Chances are a good load will be found but it won't be the best until bullet seating depth is tweaked a little.
People need to understand that just because the book says this or that it doesn't make it so as there is variation in chambers from the same lot of barrels. OAL's need to be established for each weapon and loads need to be worked up, there is no two ways about it.
When loading a general all weapon blasting round say for an AR its hard to beat an established factory OAL as these rounds are made to chamber in anything. But work up the powder charge and shoot it in at least one of the weapons to be used, also keep the load below max for all weapon safety.
When guys ask about the cost of reloading and is it really worth it there will be a few comments stating that money might not be saved but better ammo then you can buy is produced. Just throwing some powder in a case and cramming a bullet on top probably isn't going to produce ammo any better then factory and in most cases it will shoot worse. To get the benefits of reloading since we all know that you never save money one has to spend the time at the press and range to figure out just the right combo.
