First reload 9mm for a carbine...

[Bimmer]

@Big_Rso

Shot these reloads today, I am happy with results 1/2 inch groups at 80 yards. 5 shot groups. :jester:

The joker means that you’re kidding about shooting 1/2-inch groups at 80yds with a 9mm carbine, right?

This seems way too good to be true.

[Big_Rso]

@Bimmer

The joker means that you’re kidding about shooting 1/2-inch groups at 80yds with a 9mm carbine, right?

This seems way too good to be true.

Yes I was being a little sarcastic in all reality it was at 60 yards. I wanted to see who would point it out

[Big_Rso]

@NWcityguy2

A lot of people misunderstand OAL/COL, I think Accurate’s manual states things best when it says…

SPECIAL NOTE ON CARTRIDGE OVERALL LENGTH “COL”
[i]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),
2. freebore-lead dimensions of the barrel,
3. ogive or profile of the projectile and
4. position of cannelure or crimp groove.[/i]

(emphasis by me)

The number one purpose of OAL in an autoloading firearm is to ensure proper chambering and cycling. Treat OAL like any other component in a reload. Work up from a reduced load with a specific OAL, and then leave it be if it works fine. 1.075" is fine. Min recommended OAL for an 124 XTP for example is 1.06" and there are other JHPs with even lower minimum lower OALs. Fearing minimum OAL is just as irrational as fearing max load. One might as well fear standard pressure factory ammo, which is usually at or around both to ensure proper functioning in a wide array guns.

On the subject of “Can I go over max load if I lengthen my OAL a bit?”. Well you certainly can, but that doesn’t mean you should. That being said Max load isn’t a constant and will vary from manual to manual. You say that you are at 5.7gr which is max in the Lyman manual. Alliant currently lists 6.4gr as max for power pistol with a 124gr jacketed bullet. In 2005, the last year before they completely dumbed down their load data, it was listed as 6.6. So while one poster cautioned against going over a published load, which is excellent excellent advice, that published load is conservative anyway and is well under other published maximum loads, namely the maker of the powder itself.

Awesome reply thank you. You have clarified a few of my questions with your response it is greatly appreciated.

[Bimmer]

@Big_Rso

Yes I was being a little sarcastic in all reality it was at 60 yards.

OK. I hesitate to call bullshit, but that’s what 1/2" groups at 80yds seemed like…

1/2" groups at 60yds is still pushing the bounds of credulity, but it’s plausible, at least.

[Big_Rso]

@Bimmer

OK. I hesitate to call bullshit, but that’s what 1/2" groups at 80yds seemed like…

1/2" groups at 60yds is still pushing the bounds of credulity, but it’s plausible, at least.

No those are legit results I was able to duplicate that 3 times out of 11 goes at it. I shot 5 rds 3 grouped and had two fliers each time. More then likely due to the shooter. the others grouped around an 1" to 1 1/4" with a flier here or there. I was punching paper in a very bright indoor range with no elements of mother nature to cause interference…

[Bimmer]

@Big_Rso

No those are legit results I was able to duplicate that 3 times out of 11 goes at it. I shot 5 rds 3 grouped and had two fliers each time. More then likely due to the shooter. the others grouped around an 1" to 1 1/4" with a flier here or there. I was punching paper in a very bright indoor range with no elements of mother nature to cause interference…

Again, I hesitate to call “bullshit,” but… They’re not “fliers” if you’re consistently doing it twice in every five shot group.

When you describe it this way, then it sounds like you’re consistently shooting 1" to 1-1/4" groups, NOT 1/2" groups.

[judgecrater]

@Bimmer

Again, I hesitate to call “bullshit,” but… They’re not “fliers” if you’re consistently doing it twice in every five shot group.

When you describe it this way, then it sounds like you’re consistently shooting 1" to 1-1/4" groups, NOT 1/2" groups.

Well that is one way to improve your groups, just take the best 3 out of the 5 and call it a group.

[Bimmer]

@judgecrater

Well that is one way to improve your groups, just take the best 3 out of the 5 and call it a group.

Wouldn’t it be better to call 3 fliers, and just measure between the two closest hits?! LOL…

[judgecrater]

@Bimmer

Wouldn’t it be better to call 3 fliers, and just measure between the two closest hits?! LOL…

Naw, that would really be taking advantage of the term “group.”

[Big_Rso]

Well I am new to all this so I will take your sarcasm with a grain of salt. I would of hope that if I am doing the math wrong since we are allmen here that it would be explained to me the proper way to measure groups.

[judgecrater]

@Big_Rso

Well I am new to all this so I will take your sarcasm with a grain of salt. I would of hope that if I am doing the math wrong since we are allmen here that it would be explained to me the proper way to measure groups.

Forgive us a little humor. You are a good sport.
Generally, but not always, folks shoot a 5 shot groups and all shots are counted. Group size is then measured as the distance between centers of the farthest two holes. If you sneeze and a group is spoiled, just re-shoot the group again. But all shots count in a measured group.

[Big_Rso]

@judgecrater

Forgive us a little humor. You are a good sport.
Generally, but not always, folks shoot a 5 shot groups and all shots are counted. Group size is then measured as the distance between centers of the farthest two holes. If you sneeze and a group is spoiled, just re-shoot the group again. But all shots count in a measured group.

Thank you very much for breaking it down for me it is appreciated. So I was way off… lol