CZ SP01 Shadow max OAL, barrel slugging and some more

[Nordeste]

I'm happy to inform you that last week I got my brand new SP01 Shadow home, and that so far, I couldn't be happier with it. It will serve the purpose of being my main range/IPSC competition handgun, relieving my venerable Star 30M from that task. As you know, spare parts for Star pistols are scarce, and this way, my 30M can enjoy her "retirement" peacefully, only seeing some action every once in a while, but not enduring +5000 shots per year as she's been doing until the present day.

First thing I did when I got her was determining max OAL with the bullets I'm currently using, which are the German made HN TC .356" 125 grains copper plated. It's likely that you are unfamiliar with these bullets. They're a quality product. The manufacturer advises an "ideal" OAL of 1.118", and that was what I was using in the 30M, with no problems. Great accuracy.

However, in the Shadow, the max. OAL I obtained was 1.124", so I decided to back off my OAL to 1.090". Great results. Very tight groups. The pistol shoots like a champ.

What I haven't done yet is slugging my bore so as to find out its actual dimensions. I've heard CZs have "tight" chambers and it's seems that there is actually less free bore than in the Star and it appears kind of short to me. I don't know if this is also true for the bore, hence my question. It would be nice to know what your max OAL is in this pistol, and if you have slugged your barrel, what the result has been.

Inputs appreciated.

 

[LiveLife]

Unless another owner of CZ SP01 has the same exact bullet, they won't be able to give you the max OAL.

 

[Nordeste]

Unless another owner of CZ SP01 has the same exact bullet, they won't be able to give you the max OAL.

True, I know that. And I know that over there in the US, you enjoy a wider array of bullet brands and types than we do here in Europe. It's unlikely that someone uses the same HN bullets that I'm using here, however, it is likely enough that someone uses TC bullets and have some data that could be close enough.

It's the "tight chamber" thing that I'm also interested about, and on the outcome of whatever it has turned out if someone has slugged the barrel of the pistol.

 

[Big Nugget]

I have a SP01 Phantom and it slugged at .356.

 

[1SOW]

Nordeste, you got a great pistol for your uses.

However, in the Shadow, the max. OAL I obtained was 1.124",

Because I don't personally know 'how' you found your pistol's maximum OAL, I don't want to give you bad information. That oal suggests a round nose bullet--true?

IF that is an accurate maximum OAL ( the OAL that fully chambers and IS just contacting the rifling or chamber wall), then you can subtract .015 of an inch and load safe ammunition. That gives plenty of room for reloading press, operator and bullet nose-shape variations.
I competed with my reloads using a 75B for many years. My son reloads and shoots an SPO1 Shadow. I now use a 75 Shadow, and all have short chambers with minor differences.

For me, the best way to determine the maximum OAL for a new bullet is to use the "Push Test" by rfWobbly--Post #3: http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php?topic=34225.0

Hope this helps