Correct Overall Length of Reloaded Cartridge

[bobjd]

I have been reloading for a couple years, all 9MM. The overall length that seems to work for all of my pistols is 1.135". Yesterday I acquired a nice Shadow2. My reloads seem to be too long so I started shortening the length using the plunk test method in the Shadow2 barrel. They seem to plunk nicely at 1.100 to 1.105. My question is is that difference normal for a CZ barrel?

TIA Bob

[RoverSig]

From my limited experience, yes - although your OALs seem a tad shorter than what I am using.   

When I brought my CZ-75BD home a few months ago, die settings that I had been using for years in a variety of pistols were suddenly too long, resulting in the bullets contacting the rifling before the round was fully chambered.  Internet research on the topic found a couple of mentions of CZs being "known" for having a short leade.

The problem could be more pronounced depending on the shape of the bullet being used; I would guess the least tapered bullets are jacketed hollow points and maybe some bullets with heavier weights, e.g., 147 grain.

Plunk testing, what I came up with was this:  for Berry and Xtreme 115 grain round point bullets, an OAL of 1.125" works in my CZs.  By comparison, the OAL on the rounds in a box of Remington UMC 115 grain RP bullets I just looked at measures 1.110" -- indicating they think that OAL (with that shape bullet) will work for most of their customers' pistols, presumably including CZs.

There is also a discussion of the same issue at https://czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=106372.0 and probably some other places in this forum.

[anonymouscuban]

All my CZs run short. 1.10 is what I load Round Nose 135gr projectiles with mixed brass.

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[bobjd]

Thank you both for your replies. I am using 9mm 125gr. RN Blue Bullets. I have used the 1.135" OAL on Glocks, Dan Wessons, and S&W with these bullets with no issues. So I thought why not the CZ also. Slide would not go into battery about 50% of the time. Slight nudge on slide and it worked until next time. Removed barrel and did plunk test and determined I need to shorten the OAL. I just did not think that I would have to shorten it that much. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something else. It appears that the ogive is rather high on this type of bullet. That and the closer tolerances on the CZ barrels make for some adjustments. I do like them so if what I am doing is in the ballpark for CZ barrels I would like to continue using them. I am also open to other ideas.
I am using range brass and Ramshot Silhouette powder and a Dillon 650.

Regards, Bob

[anonymouscuban]

Yup. I'm not loading Blue Bullets now but I have and OAL was same. I am loading a different coated RN bullet now but same shorter OAL. I also loaded the truncated nose blue bullet in the past. Those I was able to load a bit longer. 1.14 if I recall.

Regardless, you should be good for minor 9mm load at 1.10.

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[Wobbly]

The info you want is inside the very first Stickie at the top of the forum. That particular Stickie is a Directory of reloading things you need to know about working with the CZ pistol.

Hope this helps. 

Welcome Aboard !

Issues encountered while reloading for the CZ are on a PER BULLET basis, meaning each and every bullet responds to the barrel in a unique way. Because if this, making gross generalizations about any specific OALs to use with a CZ is a complete waste of time.

So let me encourage you to spend some time in our library of reloading tips, and then modify your reloading processes to suit.

Let us know if you need help or clarification with the details.

 

[bobjd]

Yup. I'm not loading Blue Bullets now but I have and OAL was same. I am loading a different coated RN bullet now but same shorter OAL. I also loaded the truncated nose blue bullet in the past. Those I was able to load a bit longer. 1.14 if I recall.

Regardless, you should be good for minor 9mm load at 1.10.

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Thanks for the reply. I did load some at 1.10 and they cycled fine, will fire them tomorrow. I am sure they will function fine. How did you like the truncated nose Blue Bullets?

[bobjd]

The info you want is inside the very first Stickie at the top of the forum. That particular Stickie is a Directory of reloading things you need to know about working with the CZ pistol.

Hope this helps. 

Welcome Aboard !

Issues encountered while reloading for the CZ are on a PER BULLET basis, meaning each and every bullet responds to the barrel in a unique way. Because if this, making gross generalizations about any specific OALs to use with a CZ is a complete waste of time.

So let me encourage you to spend some time in our library of reloading tips, and then modify your reloading processes to suit.

Let us know if you need help or clarification with the details.

 

Thank you for the reply. I did read the Stickys. They are very well done and I did understand them. Then the dreaded over thinking started so I thought I would ask to make sure. I appreciate the reply's I received. I did load some at 1.10 and will try them tomorrow.     

[Wobbly]

I don't shoot any lead, so I can't address your Blue Bullet OAL directly. But I can tell you that the larger diameter of a lead bullet will scuff in the freebore and give you a false reading when you do the pushing test. That's why the instructions ask you to reduce a lead bullet's diameter by about .002-.003" so you can find the true Max OAL determined by the ogive to land interface.

Most RN bullets allow OALs out to about 1.125", however there are stepped RN and blunt RN that have Max OALs way shorter than what you listed. The 124gr FMJ RN from Rocky Mntn Reloading is so blunt, people usually load it in the range of 1.060". At the other end of the spectrum are the Berry Mfg RN which will allow Max OALs around 1.180"... or longer than what the magazine can accept.

That's why I say the term RN does not equate to an OAL. Each bullet has to be taken on a case-by-case basis.

[tde44]

Thank you both for your replies. I am using 9mm 125gr. RN Blue Bullets. I have used the 1.135" OAL on Glocks, Dan Wessons, and S&W with these bullets with no issues. So I thought why not the CZ also. Slide would not go into battery about 50% of the time. Slight nudge on slide and it worked until next time. Removed barrel and did plunk test and determined I need to shorten the OAL. I just did not think that I would have to shorten it that much. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something else. It appears that the ogive is rather high on this type of bullet. That and the closer tolerances on the CZ barrels make for some adjustments. I do like them so if what I am doing is in the ballpark for CZ barrels I would like to continue using them. I am also open to other ideas.
I am using range brass and Ramshot Silhouette powder and a Dillon 650.

Regards, Bob

When I was using the Blues (still love them but switched to Acme's) I went with their 125 TC as it allowed me to load much longer.

[Dan_69GTX]

If the blue bullets 125gr for 9mm have the same profile as the 125gr .358 38 special, then yes, I have to load short.  1.075 MAX for my CZ gun

[bobjd]

I did shot the 1.10" OAL125RN Blue Bullets yesterday in my Shadow2 and they functioned just fine. Thanks again for all the info.

[Mcgiiver]

My experience is pretty much in line with yours, I find that I must load 9mm 115 g  lead round nose bullets to no more than 1.100" OAL, 1.095 is what I shoot for. Apparently the CZ has a very short leade.

[Wobbly]

Welcome Aboard !

My experience is pretty much in line with yours, I find that I must load 9mm 115 g  lead round nose bullets to no more than 1.100" OAL, 1.095 is what I shoot for. Apparently the CZ has a very short leade.

Yes, the CZ does have a very short leade. That's why making gross generalizations about OAL and bullet shapes will get you into big trouble. There simply is NO single ogive formula for RN bullets. Again...

Issues encountered while reloading for the CZ are on a PER BULLET basis, meaning each and every bullet responds to the barrel in a unique way.

Friend, I'm not telling you that just so I'll have something to type.   

[Rdneck]

I used to use Blue Bullets 115gr round nose in my Shadow 2 and loaded them with an OAL of 1.100".  I've recently switched to Bayou Bullets 120gr truncated cone and load them at 1.030".  I determined the OAL with the Bayou Bullets by making dummy rounds starting with a longer OAL and working down until I had a round that fit.  I think the longest one that fit was about 1.040" and I backed off that a little for reloading.