9mm OAL Shadow 2

[Rixxie33]

 I keep hearing- shadow 2 likes shorter OAL- So with that being said:
Question- using PD 124 JHP- what is a good all around OAL

Thank you

[Rixxie33]

Did the search- and found what I needed- thank you

[Wobbly]

In my SP01, 1.100" works very well, but be aware that there is more variation in the chambers of newer CZ pistols, so you'll need to verify this in your own barrel. A method for doing this is outlined in the stickies above.

Let us know how it turns out.

[Tok36]

I can already hear the plunk sound. 

[anonymouscuban]

I can already hear the plunk sound. 

Haha. Is there no sticky that talks about plunk testing to determine the actual AOL for the specific barrel and cartridge one is loading?

EDIT... I see that Wobbly directed then to said sticky.

Sent from my SM-G930U using Tapatalk

[Wobbly]

Is there no sticky that talks about plunk testing to determine the actual AOL for the specific barrel and cartridge one is loading?

To get technical...
1) There is no "actual AOL" for any auto pistol. The reloader is free to choose any length between Max OAL and Min OAL. On very rare occasions Max and Min may end up so close to each other that the decision is made for you, but 99% of the time you'll be working with a "range" of permissible OALs.

2) A single "plunk test" really only tells you your bullet is not buried in the rifling, but it doesn't tell you by how much. So you really have no idea if you are missing by 0.001" or 0.010" unless you do multiple plunks at many, many lengths. So generally the "plunk" is a lot more work and results in a lot less knowledge than a simple "push test". So while a "plunk" will certainly give you a valid Yes/No answer, if you need in-depth information there's not a lot of data in Yes/No.

 

[Tok36]

Now that a read the above, i am reminded that i meant push when i said plunk. But the push test dose not make a defined sound and that makes my previous post not work. Facts have a habit of complicating things when ones is confused. 

[noylj]

Per Ramshot:
"SPECIAL NOTE ON CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH “COL”
It is important to note that the SAAMI “COL” values are for the firearms and ammunition manufacturers industry and must be seen as a guideline only.
The individual reloader is free to adjust this dimension to suit their particular firearm-component-weapon combination.
This parameter is determined by various dimensions such as
1) magazine length (space) (ed) and when magazine lips release the round,
2) freebore-lead dimensions of the barrel,
3) ogive or profile of the projectile and
4) position of cannelure or crimp groove.
• Always begin loading at the ‘Start Load.’"

Your COL (OAL) is determined by your barrel (chamber and throat dimensions) and your gun (feed ramp) and your magazine (COL that fits magazine and when the magazine lips release the round for feeding) and the PARTICULAR bullet you are using. What worked in a pressure barrel or the lab's gun or in my gun has very little to do with what will work best in your gun.
Take the barrel out of the gun. Create two inert dummy rounds (no powder or primer) at max COL and remove enough case mouth flare for rounds to chamber (you can achieve this by using a sized case—expand-and-flare it, and remove the flare just until the case "plunks" in the barrel).
Drop the inert rounds in and decrease the COL until they chamber completely. This will be your "max" effective COL. I prefer to have the case head flush with the barrel hood. After this, place the inert rounds in the magazine and be sure they fit the magazine and feed and chamber.
You can also do this for any chambering problems you have. Remove the barrel and drop rounds in until you find one that won't chamber. Take that round and "paint" the bullet and case black with Magic Marker or other marker. Drop round in barrel (or gage) and rotate it back-and-forth.
Remove and inspect the round:
1) scratches on bullet--COL is too long
2) scratches on edge of the case mouth--insufficient crimp
3) scratches just below the case mouth--too much crimp, you're crushing the case
4) scratches on case at base of bullet--bullet seated crooked due to insufficient case expansion (not case mouth flare) or improper seating stem fit
5) scratches on case just above extractor groove--case bulge not removed during sizing. May need a bulge buster.

[1KPerDay]

Every bullet design is different. You can't just look up the published OAL for one FMJ or JHP load and use it for all bullets. Plunk and feeding tests are the only way to do it properly.

[noylj]

handloader vs reloader.