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9mm seating depth

Mikelove

I will keep this short lol.
I am reloading 9mm for the first time and have a question about OAL. My experience is with rifle calibers and know how to se it with that type of ammo. So when I started my journey I did what I know. Take a case, put a dent in it to hold it, put it in the barrel and see what the distance is to the lands. So I got 1.193". When I went to my reloading books and online load data I got kind of a lot of different lengths. I am loading just armscore 115 gr FMJ and couldn't really find anything specific to this actual bullet so I looked for similar rounds. I tried to find speer FMJ load data but struck out for some reason so I settled on Sierra 115gr FMJ. The OAL for that bullet was 1.100". That was too deep for the bullet I have so I kinda took the avererage because yes I know different bullets have different profiles. ETC. So I settled on a OAL of 1.135 for this bullet and am going to use a start load of 5.4gr and max at about 6.5gr. This is an average load with accurate #5 and load data for Sierra 115gr. I think this is solid but just wanted to (since I haven't loaded 9mm) if someone sees anything bad about this data? I would like to see if anyone has loaded these bullets before and have a good hold on a good combo? The pistol used is a SIG p365. The mai question is that the distance to the lands was just a lot longer than suggested OAL and my experience is to keep it closer to the lands for better accuracy. But this is handgun stuff so just wanted to see if I am in a good ballpark?
Thanks All
 
I load 9mm and 45 ACP for some tuned 1911’s; I load to the OAL recommended for the bullet. OAL probably has more to do with reliable feeding than trying to kiss the lands like we do with rifles.
I'm not sure you’ll be able to detect improvement in accuracy in a pistol with a 3” barrel by changing OAL from recommended OAL unless you shoot like a Ransom rest.
 
1911nut said:
I load 9mm and 45 ACP for some tuned 1911’s; I load to the OAL recommended for the bullet. OAL probably has more to do with reliable feeding than trying to kiss the lands like we do with rifles.
I'm not sure you’ll be able to detect improvement in accuracy by changing OAL from recommended OAL unless you shoot like a Ransom rest.
Click to expand...
As stated by 1911, and also use your magazine as a gauge as well as use your barrel (Removed from pistol) as a gauge. You can also make up about 5 or 6 dummy rounds and test function (hand cycle) and play with the OAL to determine what works well with your particular pistol. Bullet style can play a part as well so what works with one type, may not with a different type (Hollow Point vs FMJ etc).
Tim
 
The deeper the bullet is seated into the case the more pressure... In 9mm or short cases in general it can get out of hand very fast.... Your not going to find armscore data just use your Speer , Hornady etc manual for the weight of bullets your using... EXEPT when using bullets like Berry's bullets which are basically lead bullets with the copper coating to reduce fouling.... Their even .001 bigger normally than a FMJ so I use lead data on them without problems.... You will also see that the plated bullets normally aren't seated deep like the FMJ... I think on the hodgens site their listed even longer now at 1.160 although I am still loading them at their old data using 1.150... loading pistol is pretty easy but all the same safety rules of loading rifle are used... Don't over crimp only use enough to remove the belling....

Edit... There's plenty of 9mm 115gr data out there , check a few more places before you start loading....
 
Mikelove said:
The mai question is that the distance to the lands was just a lot longer than suggested OAL and my experience is to keep it closer to the lands for better accuracy.
Click to expand...
I haven't found the distance to the lands to really affect accuracy on the 9mm round in a semi auto pistol. With your longer distance to lands, I tend to load cartridges to the same overall length as WWB (Winchester White Box) which is 1.169". As mentioned the 9mm is very sensitive to deeper seating due to the small case capacity. And if you are having setback, it can create big problems quickly.
 
As mentioned above the attention to seating depth for pistols and handguns is more related to proper functioning rather than an accuracy subject. I find from experience that if you seat long for a 9mm you will most likely encounter feeding issues. I have found in some cases the need to seat a few thousandths deeper for reliability. (CAUTION) Always adjust powder if seating deeper.
 
Seated long, not only will you possably have feeding issues, you will have extraction issues if you did not shoot the round in the chamber.
Bullet can/will stick in the rifling, causing extraction to be a major PITA.
 
have your barrel out of gun on your loading bench with your magazine, when setting bullet length for bullets of different nose profiles load a couple dummy cartridges your chamber of your barrel will be your gauge seat bullet until your loaded case freely drops in make sure its compatible with your magazine, cycle your dummy rounds check to see how they feed. some nose profiles require short oal some much longer.
 
I load 9mm and 45 ACP for some tuned 1911’s; I load to the OAL recommended for the bullet. OAL probably has more to do with reliable feeding than trying to kiss the lands like we do with rifles.
I'm not sure you’ll be able to detect improvement in accuracy in a pistol with a 3” barrel by changing OAL from recommended OAL unless you shoot like a Ransom rest.

Your not going to find armscore data just use your Speer

So when I measured? My OAL is 1.193 is to the lands and max (because of magazine) 1.169. I was going to seat to 1.135 according to Speer but in the load data they didn't list FMJ bullets, am I missing something? I am just assuming their TMJ's are basically some new fangled jacket but IDK. Isn't very clear. I landed on 1.135 basically so I dont have feed issues and it agrees with COAL in the speer data. But I probably wont have issues at 1.150 I am sure. But will try some dummies ;b haha
I am starting with the lowest charge I came across to be safe and work up for sure. Never know.
 
Mikelove said:
I will keep this short lol.
I am reloading 9mm for the first time and have a question about OAL. My experience is with rifle calibers and know how to se it with that type of ammo. So when I started my journey I did what I know. Take a case, put a dent in it to hold it, put it in the barrel and see what the distance is to the lands. So I got 1.193". When I went to my reloading books and online load data I got kind of a lot of different lengths. I am loading just armscore 115 gr FMJ and couldn't really find anything specific to this actual bullet so I looked for similar rounds. I tried to find speer FMJ load data but struck out for some reason so I settled on Sierra 115gr FMJ. The OAL for that bullet was 1.100". That was too deep for the bullet I have so I kinda took the avererage because yes I know different bullets have different profiles. ETC. So I settled on a OAL of 1.135 for this bullet and am going to use a start load of 5.4gr and max at about 6.5gr. This is an average load with accurate #5 and load data for Sierra 115gr. I think this is solid but just wanted to (since I haven't loaded 9mm) if someone sees anything bad about this data? I would like to see if anyone has loaded these bullets before and have a good hold on a good combo? The pistol used is a SIG p365. The mai question is that the distance to the lands was just a lot longer than suggested OAL and my experience is to keep it closer to the lands for better accuracy. But this is handgun stuff so just wanted to see if I am in a good ballpark?
Thanks All
Click to expand...
I've loaded 9MM for years, I for the last 20 years have loaded +P 124 grain XTP projectiles for a Berretta Model 92 and a Glock 19. I aso create several subsonic loads in 124 and 147 grain.

I do not compete, for me a handgun is what you use to fight your way to your rifle. I practice regularly and find the 9mm when loaded to near max pressures a viable round, IMO in tactical work only superseded by the 357 Sig.

You've been getting decent advice, gauge your specifications on the handgun you use. Work your loads cautiously, you'll need to make sure with +P loads to test them in hot and cold conditions. SAFETY FIRST!

If my memory serves all the 9mm brass as well as 45ACP brass I ever had new or once fired was a few thousands of an inch short.
 
Mikelove said:
I load 9mm and 45 ACP for some tuned 1911’s; I load to the OAL recommended for the bullet. OAL probably has more to do with reliable feeding than trying to kiss the lands like we do with rifles.
I'm not sure you’ll be able to detect improvement in accuracy in a pistol with a 3” barrel by changing OAL from recommended OAL unless you shoot like a Ransom rest.

Your not going to find armscore data just use your Speer

So when I measured? My OAL is 1.193 is to the lands and max (because of magazine) 1.169. I was going to seat to 1.135 according to Speer but in the load data they didn't list FMJ bullets, am I missing something? I am just assuming their TMJ's are basically some new fangled jacket but IDK. Isn't very clear. I landed on 1.135 basically so I dont have feed issues and it agrees with COAL in the speer data. But I probably wont have issues at 1.150 I am sure. But will try some dummies ;b haha
I am starting with the lowest charge I came across to be safe and work up for sure. Never know.
Click to expand...
Looking at a few manuals, 1.135” OAL looks in the ballpark.

A starting load and sufficient bullet tension to prevent setback, should be good.
Check them in your barrel as was suggested. Seems like in my 1911’s the base was below the hood? Never measured it, I used the cartridge gauge.
let us know how it goes.
 
OK. Thank you all for the input. I think I did it right lol. I do appreciate it guys, fo sho safety first. I just wanted to put it out to you so I keep my pretty face in tact. Now I can be OK with loading. Then its off to the range.
 
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