OAL is only a function of bullet shape. It could be anywhere between 1.060" to 1.170". As long as it case gages and chamber checks. Generally speaking a shorter OAL will feed more reliably. Check the OAL on factory self defense rounds. They are shorter.

 

Correct except oal can be anywhere from 1.020"-1.165" & work fine, just depends on bullet shape.

 

I load my 124’s to 1.125, That’s straight out of my Lee manual.

I have never had a jam with any of my
9mm reloads. It’s been one of my easiest reloading ventures.

.380 is the only round I have fired where OAL seemed to be an issue with reliability. I had fits trying to get XTP’s to feed reliably in my Beretta 84F. They work perfectly at any length in my P232. I gave up on them in the Beretta. They couldn’t be trusted for carry purposes.

 

The OAL is limited by the magazine, too long won't feed up the mag. Some hollow points can get stuck on the feed ramp so shortening the OAL will fix this. The longer the OAL the lower the recoil, the longer the better and not as snappy. However, you must take into consideration the magazine dimensions and your barrels accuracy length. I know my glocks very well. If I go beyond 1.160 with precision delta hollow points I will get some that will drag in the mag and not feed up or get caught on the feed ramp, shorter no problem feeding. Now for accuracy my barrels like 1.140 as far as the bullet jump in the chamber. So, I have to work within the range of 1.140 and 1.160 to perfect my load for lowest pressures, recoil and most accurate. If a bullet gets by me at 1.165 or so I will get a miss feed. So, stay below 1.160 even with hollow points and test your loads for feed issues, accuracy and if you have a chrono, velocity ranges with lower standard deviations to meet your needs.

 

1.130 neighborhood for me with 115 or 124. I say neighborhood because with mixed brass and progressive loading it can vary generally less than .005" in either direction. Tested down to 1.110" and didn't notice any accuracy increase for me.

Check your OAL when opening a new lot within same brand. I had dies set for my RMR 115s and checked OAL after loading a few in a new lot. Each round was consistently .005-.010" short. Backing the seater out to my 124 setting got it back to 1.130.

 

1.145" for me. I use mostly Precision Delta FMJ, Zero FMJ, and Berry's plated 124 gr bullets. Same OAL, but slightly different powder charges to meet the minor power factor reliably.

 

This graphic shows why seating longer can sometimes facilitate more reliable feeding.

 

Al guns are designed around saami spec rounds. So when we go to a totally diff bullet, sometimes it requires adjustment & sometimes, no matter what you do, it wont feed.

 

I load 115 gn RN blue Bullets at 1.090 with HS-6 and have had zero problems with feeding or function in Glocks, CZ P10C , or in a beretta M9. These chrono at 1100 FPS and are more accurate than the trigger puller.

 

My general rule is, I want to load ammo that'll function in any of my guns in that caliber...so it comes down to bullet shape and whichever gun has the shortest chamber/leade.

 

I've always gone as long as my chambers and mags will allow for (theoretical) feed reliability.
Although I've never had a problem with bullets that force you to load them short, like MBC Small Ball.
Excellent post Taterhead.

 

Good visual! Thanks.