Reloading: Maximum Overall Length and non-FMJ Bullets

Airweight38 · 07-13-2008, 10:40 PM

Hi Guys,

New member here! I stumbled across your site doing a Google search for articles pertaining to Hollow Point Bullets and Maximum Overall Length when reloading.

What I currently have are 125gr 9mm Luger bullets that I'm reloading. My question is: How do I determine Maximum Overall Length for non FMJ rounds--specifically, hollow-points? Of course the books only mention FMJ. Should the maximum overall length on hollow-points be less than that of FMJ rounds? If so, how do I gauge? I know bullet seating depth can raise and lower pressure.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. This is my first lot ever.

For anyone about to ask, yes I am switching to 115gr FMJs after this hundred.

Thanks for any input!

/Jason

billy · 07-14-2008, 06:36 AM

greetings!

OAL 1.125

you might want to try putting this in the reloading section next time.

wunhunglo · 07-14-2008, 07:06 AM

Not having my old notebooks with me, Billy's 1.125 sounds about right. I'd go with whatever fit's the magazine, feeds reliably and shows no signs of excess pressure.

Why are you going over to 115gns?

I found that the Jacketed 120-124gn SWC or FMJTC were the most accurate in my CZ75.

PS. I know a nice little Chinese girl looking for a boyfriend in Kansas City, if you're interested!!!

Airweight38 · 07-14-2008, 07:51 AM

Hey guys, Thanks for the replies. Sorry for posting off-theme. I swear when I first registered, all those other categories didn't appear on the forum listing. Anyway, I see them now and will mindful of that in the future. Billy, where did you find that OAL? Just curious for my own future reference. I'm using a Lee book and it only lists FMJ specs. Do I need a new book, or is there an algorithm in play? Wunhunglo, good question. I am loading for just normal target practice at the range. I'm assuming that 115gr will be a solid, cheap, lower-pressure (read: lower wear) round than with the heavier bullets? Those are just my thoughts anyway. I'm open to suggestion otherwise as well. Also and finally--I added it up and this batch of 100 is going to run me around $35.00. I suddenly realize that buying bullets and primers in bulk of 1,000 is about the only way that reloading will save me money. Where can I buy in these quantities? I went to Cabelas on Monday (which I'm guessing shouldn't be my first choice anyway) and most of the bulk bullet bins were empty. I'm also assuming shipping is going to be astronomical on lead. So where's a guy to look? Thanks for all your help! /Jason PS. Wun, I'm intrigued at your offer, but I'm not sure my wife would share my enthusiasm.

TexasT · 07-14-2008, 10:41 AM

Moved it.

Airweight38 · 07-14-2008, 10:42 AM

Thanks.

runfiverun · 07-14-2008, 11:07 AM

35.00 for 100 9mm'?????
for 4 gr powder. 3 cent primers. and 20.00 for brass.
that is your usual starting outlay.......you gotta look around for bulk bullets try midway etc.... your local gun club may have some guys that get together and do group buys also.

phoenix79 · 07-14-2008, 11:14 AM

In your price breakdown don't forget that the $20 you spent on powder will go a LOT further than 100 rounds and the brass is re-usable usually at least 5-6 times.

gandog56 · 07-14-2008, 11:40 AM

Or more!

SwedeSteve · 07-14-2008, 11:50 AM

AW38- You are headed in the right direction. Just keep reading and come back often, and whenever you have questions !! Welcome to G&G !!

Airweight38 · 07-14-2008, 12:53 PM

Yea, I'm afraid that $35.00 includes my own used brass and me netting my powder cost. I spent $22.00 on a box of Sierra 125gr hollow-points alone, because the store was out of pretty much everything else. Stupid, but man, I had everything else and couldn't wait to get started. You know how it is. I've been seeing where I can get 115gr FMJ bullets for about ten cents apiece if I order 1,000 or more...but then there's shipping. So I'm guessing that's where gun shows come in? Most of the fellas at the gun club don't reload 9's, but maybe I can get in on primers or powder or something... I'll keep checking. I know I'm coming off as a complete newbie, but I've read my Lee book cover to cover and am doing everything I can to learn...looks like again, I'm going the "hard way" route, but hopefully I'll settle into becoming proficient and doing something affordable. Thanks again for all your help!

jimkim · 07-14-2008, 05:46 PM

Have you thought about loading hard cast bullets for plinking? These are 6 cent each.Thank Billy for telling me about them.
Hard Cast Lead Bullets - Order

gandog56 · 07-14-2008, 06:02 PM

I prefer moly coated ones from Precision Bullets. 6.1 cents a bullet, and no leading.

Precision Bullets Index Page

jimkim · 07-14-2008, 06:28 PM

Now you have two to choose from. lol

Airweight38 · 07-15-2008, 07:37 AM

I'm liking those moly-coated ones. I Emailed the company to see if the FP tip affects OAL... waiting to hear back and then I very well may place an order. Are there any drawbacks to these types of bullets? Obviously I wouldn't go hunting or CCH with these, but aside from the obvious?

07-13-2008, 10:40 PM	#1
Airweight38 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 145	Reloading: Maximum Overall Length and non-FMJ Bullets Hi Guys, New member here! I stumbled across your site doing a Google search for articles pertaining to Hollow Point Bullets and Maximum Overall Length when reloading. What I currently have are 125gr 9mm Luger bullets that I'm reloading. My question is: How do I determine Maximum Overall Length for non FMJ rounds--specifically, hollow-points? Of course the books only mention FMJ. Should the maximum overall length on hollow-points be less than that of FMJ rounds? If so, how do I gauge? I know bullet seating depth can raise and lower pressure. Any input would be greatly appreciated. This is my first lot ever. For anyone about to ask, yes I am switching to 115gr FMJs after this hundred. Thanks for any input! /Jason

07-14-2008, 06:36 AM	#2
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,183 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	greetings! OAL 1.125 you might want to try putting this in the reloading section next time. __________________ Last edited by billy; 07-14-2008 at 06:40 AM.

07-14-2008, 07:06 AM	#3
wunhunglo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: currently "Sunny West Africa" Posts: 1,659	Not having my old notebooks with me, Billy's 1.125 sounds about right. I'd go with whatever fit's the magazine, feeds reliably and shows no signs of excess pressure. Why are you going over to 115gns? I found that the Jacketed 120-124gn SWC or FMJTC were the most accurate in my CZ75. PS. I know a nice little Chinese girl looking for a boyfriend in Kansas City, if you're interested!!! Last edited by wunhunglo; 07-14-2008 at 07:10 AM.

07-14-2008, 07:51 AM	#4
Airweight38 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 145	Airweight38 Hey guys, Thanks for the replies. Sorry for posting off-theme. I swear when I first registered, all those other categories didn't appear on the forum listing. Anyway, I see them now and will mindful of that in the future. Billy, where did you find that OAL? Just curious for my own future reference. I'm using a Lee book and it only lists FMJ specs. Do I need a new book, or is there an algorithm in play? Wunhunglo, good question. I am loading for just normal target practice at the range. I'm assuming that 115gr will be a solid, cheap, lower-pressure (read: lower wear) round than with the heavier bullets? Those are just my thoughts anyway. I'm open to suggestion otherwise as well. Also and finally--I added it up and this batch of 100 is going to run me around $35.00. I suddenly realize that buying bullets and primers in bulk of 1,000 is about the only way that reloading will save me money. Where can I buy in these quantities? I went to Cabelas on Monday (which I'm guessing shouldn't be my first choice anyway) and most of the bulk bullet bins were empty. I'm also assuming shipping is going to be astronomical on lead. So where's a guy to look? Thanks for all your help! /Jason PS. Wun, I'm intrigued at your offer, but I'm not sure my wife would share my enthusiasm.

07-14-2008, 10:41 AM	#5
TexasT Mrs. HMFIC Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Everywhere you want to be. Posts: 4,218 Blog Entries: 16	Moved it. __________________ I'm just a little bit caught in the middle. Life is a maze. Love is a riddle.

07-14-2008, 10:42 AM	#6
Airweight38 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 145	Thanks.

07-14-2008, 11:07 AM	#7
runfiverun Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: soda springs idaho Posts: 288	35.00 for 100 9mm'????? for 4 gr powder. 3 cent primers. and 20.00 for brass. that is your usual starting outlay.......you gotta look around for bulk bullets try midway etc.... your local gun club may have some guys that get together and do group buys also.

07-14-2008, 11:14 AM	#8
phoenix79 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 221	In your price breakdown don't forget that the $20 you spent on powder will go a LOT further than 100 rounds and the brass is re-usable usually at least 5-6 times.

07-14-2008, 11:40 AM	#9
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 4,328	Or more!

07-14-2008, 11:50 AM	#10
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 10,383 Images: 1	AW38- You are headed in the right direction. Just keep reading and come back often, and whenever you have questions !! Welcome to G&G !! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

07-14-2008, 12:53 PM	#11
Airweight38 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 145	Yea, I'm afraid that $35.00 includes my own used brass and me netting my powder cost. I spent $22.00 on a box of Sierra 125gr hollow-points alone, because the store was out of pretty much everything else. Stupid, but man, I had everything else and couldn't wait to get started. You know how it is. I've been seeing where I can get 115gr FMJ bullets for about ten cents apiece if I order 1,000 or more...but then there's shipping. So I'm guessing that's where gun shows come in? Most of the fellas at the gun club don't reload 9's, but maybe I can get in on primers or powder or something... I'll keep checking. I know I'm coming off as a complete newbie, but I've read my Lee book cover to cover and am doing everything I can to learn...looks like again, I'm going the "hard way" route, but hopefully I'll settle into becoming proficient and doing something affordable. Thanks again for all your help! Last edited by Airweight38; 07-14-2008 at 12:56 PM.

07-14-2008, 05:46 PM	#12
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Near the Little Ocmulgee river in GA Posts: 2,051 Blog Entries: 11	Have you thought about loading hard cast bullets for plinking? These are 6 cent each.Thank Billy for telling me about them. Hard Cast Lead Bullets - Order __________________ Jan. 4, 2007...Gasoline $2.10/gallon HMMM? Jim

07-14-2008, 06:02 PM	#13
gandog56 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery, IL. Posts: 4,328	I prefer moly coated ones from Precision Bullets. 6.1 cents a bullet, and no leading. Precision Bullets Index Page

07-14-2008, 06:28 PM	#14
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Near the Little Ocmulgee river in GA Posts: 2,051 Blog Entries: 11	Now you have two to choose from. lol __________________ Jan. 4, 2007...Gasoline $2.10/gallon HMMM? Jim

07-15-2008, 07:37 AM	#15
Airweight38 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 145	I'm liking those moly-coated ones. I Emailed the company to see if the FP tip affects OAL... waiting to hear back and then I very well may place an order. Are there any drawbacks to these types of bullets? Obviously I wouldn't go hunting or CCH with these, but aside from the obvious?