OAL for .40 Xtreme 180 Grain HP

Xtreme prints reloading data and lists that at 1.120” COL. That’s a pretty common published COL for .40. I used to shoot Montana’s HP at 1.125” which again some loads are published at.
Lately I’ve been loading .40’s at 1.200” for a 2011 style gun that likes the longer length for reliable feeding. Actually just finished a production run of both Blues and JHPs.

Your auto pistol cartridge OAL depends on how YOUR bullet interfaces to YOUR barrel. Each brand/weight of bullet is different. Each barrel maker cuts their barrel differently.

• Since you have both the bullet and the barrel, no one here can tell you the Max OAL.
• SAAMI can advise you on the Min OAL for 40S&W.

Any OAL between the Max and Min will be fine, as long as you account for your manufacturing tolerances.

Always good to do a plunk test….

slowr1der said:

Where did you find the Xtreme load data?

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rfwobbly said:

Any OAL between the Max and Min will be fine, as long as you account for your manufacturing tolerances.

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There’re a few provisos. Published load data specifies a COL, and that relates directly to seating depth which is pretty important with highly flammable solids in a confined space. Shorter than published COL, and you’d be wise to adjust the powder charge, down. COL choices also have to be considered for feeding, magazine restrictions and of course bullet jump.

slowr1der said:

I get that, but I don't want to know my "max" OAL. I want a load that'll work in most any 40S&W I want to shoot it in. I also don't have the barrel since I'm waiting for it to come back from Jagerwerks.

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Friend, you're missing the point.
• Yes, you do want to know your Max OAL because if your ammo is any longer than Max, then the cartridge will jack the chamber open. This creates an "Out Of Battery" condition. If you fire the handgun in OOB, then 33,000psi of hot gas and brass shrapnel will rip through your "strong hand", and if your livelihood depends upon using that hand, then your means of making a living can disappear forever. And if your handgun is plastic, it can be totaled as well. This isn't badminton. When you fire a handgun, you're holding a junior bomb in your hands.





• There's no such thing as "most any 40S&W". Ammo loaded for a Ruger or S&W may create an OOB condition in a Berretta, CZ or Springfield XD series. I even have doubts as to whether all ammo OALs loaded for a Gen 1 Glock are safe in a Gen 5 model.

slowr1der said:

I usually try to fine tune the OAL to my gun when I'm loading rifle ammo and trying to work up an accurate load, but for pistol plinking ammo I'd rather just have a load that'll work in a variety of pistols.

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And to do that you'll need to know the Max OAL for that specific bullet in EACH of your handguns, because how the bullet interfaces with the chamber changes for each bullet shape AND each gun maker's chamber. Here's a cartoon to explain why...



• It's just not as simple or safe as the marketing departments for the various press makers make it sound.

• Is there a number? I'm sure there is, but it is going to be based on the type, weight and brand of bullet, and not a "one size fits all" proposition. My point is, you need to list all the handguns you intend to use this ammo in, and NOT accept any guidance from anyone else unless they are shooting the exact same bullet in the exact same handgun.

Shoot safe.

lordpaxman said:

Xtreme prints reloading data and lists that at 1.120” COL. That’s a pretty common published COL for .40.

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• Yes, they print an OAL. But no where in their data do they say it's a recommendation !!

• They are simply reporting the OAL that they used during their testing. (Reporting a powder load without the OAL and velocity would be silly.) From that data you can build a proportion for your Starting Load, and then with the aid of a chrono, work up your loads and verify. This is how it's done safely.

• There is one exception: You can use their OAL without further analysis if you are shooting the same gun. Their "handgun" looks like this...

rfwobbly said:

Yes, they print an OAL. But no where in their data do they say it's a recommendation !!

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My point is, ignore the published COL in the wrong way and suffer the consequences. Experienced reloaders understand the relationship between seating depth and pressure, but newbies may not. If they’re reading this forum, it behooves us to educate them in the correct way.