Pistol Seating Depth

[gene10pntr]

Do you pistol loaders try to get as precise on seating depth as rifle shooters? I just started reloading pistol and was curious as to it makes a big difference in accuracy? Do you go about using the same process as you do rifle? Any other help and input is appreciated too!!!
Thanks!
Gene

 

[Jammer Six]

No.

 

[CaptainMal]

Handgun, for me, is reliability first. Revolvers have no rifling through the cylinder and a giant jump across an air gap. Semi-automatics need crimping for function and are restricted by bullet design.

Next issue is most all handguns, targets ones are the exception, just go bang to be good. What they can hit is really dependent on design and shooter quality. How well the gun can actually shoot is usually not much of a factor.

 

[Rsadams]

I used to, , but now if it's supposed to be say 1.150 and turns out 1.147 or 1.152 etc it seems to not matter. Just remember that in cases like 9mm the deeper the bullet is seated the higher the pressure. So try and stay fairly close..

You don't want bullet setback in short cases like 9mm , so also make sure your neck tension is good.. So you don't get setback when it's auto loading.. Tight roll crimp for revolver and just remove the bell in automatics, overcrimping in autos will result in crazy flyers especially on platted bullets like berry bullets.. just remove the bell in automatics..

Also most people don't trim pistol brass but I do to get a uniform crimp. Plus unlike rifle brass once it's trimmed you are good, since the brass doesnt stretch like rifle brass and you can reload it till the cows come home , especially on target loads say 100 fps slower than a full power load.

 

[Shaggy357]

I have coffee cans of 9mm, 38s, and 357s for plinking. They are mixed headstamp brass and have a mild load. Bullets are seated in all of them based upon crimp groove or cannelure. I have 100 round boxes of 9mm, 45acp, etc that have same lot of brass, brass is trimmed, bullet is seated at max length, and loads are reloaded for 100% reliability and accuracy. Minute of paper plate, or minute of playing card; take time to tailor the load you need.

Steve

 

[Rsadams]

I have coffee cans of 9mm, 38s, and 357s for plinking. They are mixed headstamp brass and have a mild load. Bullets are seated in all of them based upon crimp groove or cannelure. I have 100 round boxes of 9mm, 45acp, etc that have same lot of brass, brass is trimmed, bullet is seated at max length, and loads are reloaded for 100% reliability and accuracy. Minute of paper plate, or minute of playing card; take time to tailor the load you need.

Steve

Yes, Steve is correct I left that out.. Do some tinkering to find what you and the gun really like before loading a ton of it.. What bullet and powder your gona use etc.. If you have been reloading rifle? Pistol will be fun and easy.

I have two 5 gallon buckets of real nice brass but I also keep one with say kinda crappy range pick ups for reloading one time and useing for shooting at a place were I don't want to or can't pick up the brass.. You can reload pistol brass ALOT....

 

[snert]

Also most people don't trim pistol brass but I do to get a uniform crimp. Plus unlike rifle brass once it's trimmed you are good, since the brass doesnt stretch like rifle brass and you can reload it till the cows come home , especially on target loads say 100 fps slower than a full power load.


+!1

 

[wboggs]

Also most people don't trim pistol brass but I do to get a uniform crimp. Plus unlike rifle brass once it's trimmed you are good, since the brass doesnt stretch like rifle brass and you can reload it till the cows come home , especially on target loads say 100 fps slower than a full power lo

 

[wboggs]

I trim to have uniform OAL. Have tried different seating depths. Does not make a lot of difference within 0.02-0.03". It is remarkable that such ammo is so accurate. The primer type and powder type/charge does make a great deal of difference. My groups were cut in half by these two factors. Changing to CCI from WIN cut groups by almost 50%. Power Pistol gave groups almost 50% smaller than 231.In my CZ 75, cheap plated bullets will group 5/8" for 5 shots at 15 yds. So you can work up a good load. My best are below max around 1025-1050 fps for 115 gr bullets,