Why are some 9mm different sizes?

[The Unknown 1087]

So I was comparing some of my bullets today.

Both are 9mm 115 grain. Why are different brands different sizes?



Left Hornady Custom, right Speer Gold Dot.

I just never took notice to this before.

[GoldWinger]

Why does a Ford not look like a Chevy? Different design philosophies. Different performance requirements. And just about any other reason that you can imagine.

Different strokes for different folks.
And so on and so on and
Scoobie doobie do on

[PisnNapalm]

So I was comparing some of my bullets today.

Both are 9mm 115 grain. Why are different brands different sizes?



Left Hornady Custom, right Speer Gold Dot.

I just never took notice to this before.

This is the exact reason for trying different ammo if one particular brand is not feeding or ejecting properly.

[The Unknown 1087]

This is the exact reason for trying different ammo if one particular brand is not feeding or ejecting properly.

Very true, although I only use both of these type. Well atleast what I have stock piled lately. Although both feed/eject fine. It just had me go "wait a min." when I checked them out side by side.

[H.E. Pennypacker]

This is the exact reason for trying different ammo if one particular brand is not feeding or ejecting properly.

Would the bullet affect that, or would it be the cartridge that causes feed/ejection problems?

[knight0334]

what was mentioned above is part of the reason.


A bigger reason is that even though (2) bullets weight the same, there are other factors that will determine the size of it, and the overall size of the cartridge.

If the hollowed out nose is deeper or wider, for that bullet to still be 115gr, that metal has to go somewhere else. Types and amounts of metals will determine size.

If one bullet is bigger, but both weight the same, the bigger one may have to be seated in, or even out farther, to keep pressures and OAL within spec.

The ogive also will determine the length, size, and seating depth. Some profiles will not feed properly unless you have a shorter OAL.

[knight0334]

Would the bullet affect that, or would it be the cartridge that causes feed/ejection problems?

The bullet, as a part of the cartridge, can effect that. As I mentioned in my prior post, the ogive(nose shape and profile), can very much effect feeding.

Some guns do not like truncated profiles. Some do not like flying ashtray ogives. Some only like roundnose "ball".

With certain shapes, the mass is distributed differently. Some causing the same weight of bullet to be longer, some shorter.

[The Unknown 1087]

Both of these brands shoot well in my Glock 19. That's all I care about.

Although has anyone had any problems with either of these brands with a Glock?