OAL Variation
Quote from Reloader on November 27, 2009, 5:43 pmI've purchased 500 125gr LRN bullets from a local caster and am trying to work up a load for the XD. Problem I've been running into is a varying OAL of the loads produced. Example: 50 rounds' OAL will vary between 1.129 to 1.138. This seems like too much variation.
There is no lube build up in the seating die, and the primers are seating deep enough. I was looking at the press when I went through the motions and noticed that the toolhead moves a bit in the 550's frame. Could this contribute to the deviation spread of the OAL?
Being new to loading 9mm, I'm aware that changes in bullet depth or powder charge has a more dramatic effect than say in a .45acp load. The loading of the 9's on the 550 is very fast, but I don't want to crank out 500 rounds only to find trouble down the road.
BTW - I'm loading 3.8 grn of W231
I've purchased 500 125gr LRN bullets from a local caster and am trying to work up a load for the XD. Problem I've been running into is a varying OAL of the loads produced. Example: 50 rounds' OAL will vary between 1.129 to 1.138. This seems like too much variation.
There is no lube build up in the seating die, and the primers are seating deep enough. I was looking at the press when I went through the motions and noticed that the toolhead moves a bit in the 550's frame. Could this contribute to the deviation spread of the OAL?
Being new to loading 9mm, I'm aware that changes in bullet depth or powder charge has a more dramatic effect than say in a .45acp load. The loading of the 9's on the 550 is very fast, but I don't want to crank out 500 rounds only to find trouble down the road.
BTW - I'm loading 3.8 grn of W231
Quote from Reloader on November 27, 2009, 11:05 pmIt helps to adjust the seat die with a fired case in station one. This way you have the same upward pressure on the toolhead as you will when actually loading ammo. Actually, up to .020" or so in OAL variation is typical. Most of the variation is in the nose of the bullet, where the seat stem contacts it.
It helps to adjust the seat die with a fired case in station one. This way you have the same upward pressure on the toolhead as you will when actually loading ammo. Actually, up to .020" or so in OAL variation is typical. Most of the variation is in the nose of the bullet, where the seat stem contacts it.
Quote from Reloader on November 28, 2009, 1:48 amHi Extreme Mike,
I think you may be overly concerned about this. Nine thousandths is a little less than the thickness of most sheets of paper. Just a tiny bit of "flash" on the tip of the lead bullet will cause a larger variation than this. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.
Gerry
Hi Extreme Mike,
I think you may be overly concerned about this. Nine thousandths is a little less than the thickness of most sheets of paper. Just a tiny bit of "flash" on the tip of the lead bullet will cause a larger variation than this. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.
Gerry
Quote from Reloader on May 23, 2010, 2:38 pmYou might try a better quality bullet to reduce OAL variance, I use 124 9MM from PD and it varies .002"-.003"
You might try a better quality bullet to reduce OAL variance, I use 124 9MM from PD and it varies .002"-.003"