Deciding on OAL for 9mm?

**Yoder** · August 3rd, 2009, 09:46 AM

How do you guys decide on the best OAL for your 9mm? I really haven't seen anything that tells you a recommended OAL, just min and max. I picked 1.150 for 115gr FMJ based on what my factory loads were. Shorter OAL=increased pressure and velocity since the bullet is seated deeper, correct?

**shooter357** · August 3rd, 2009, 04:45 PM

I load my 115gr HP to 1.090 and then just a hair under. I found that it improves feeding.

**QUADZILLA** · August 3rd, 2009, 05:09 PM

I might be a dummy, but.....

I just took a round that I KNEW worked reliabily in all my pistols (a S&B), took a caliper and measued that. It fell within the specs of a chart provided with my Lee dies....so I used that. I've not had ANY issues in 2000+ rounds.

I've used that with both 9mm & .40......(not sure if that's a great idea with the .40 now that I think about it....?)

**bang-flop** · August 3rd, 2009, 05:27 PM

hi yoder,,,i have been reloading for the past 13 years or so for mostly rifles and for 3 357 mags,all the bullets i bought for the 357 were either sierra or nosler,both of their aol's for their bullets are listed in their manuals,,,however i recently picked up a 9mm carbine and decided to load for it,,,went out and bought some montana gold 115 grain jhp's and was in the same boat you are in,,,called MG up and they said follow noslers or hornadys book,,,i love their bullets but their tech support sucked,,,here's what i come up with,,,,,,,,

WWB 115 grain FMJ

A- CAOL---1.160
B- CASE LENGTH---.748
C- BULLET LENGTH---.595
D- TOTAL BULLET AND CASE---1.343

add B and C then subtract A and you get .183 OF BULLET IN CASE

MY RELOAD

B- AVERAGE CASE LENGTH---.747 after sizing
C-MONTANA GOLD BULLET LENGTH---.550
D-BULLET IN CASE---.183

add B and C than subtract D,,,,,my COAL for montana gold 115 grain jhp is 1.114

thats how i did it and it worked perfectly