.40 S&W OAL Length

This is a discussion on .40 S&W OAL Length within the Reloading forums, part of the Defensive Ammunition & Ballistics category; Although I haven't started reloading (yet)...I came across some old ammo that I don't remember if I set aside as previously chambered rounds or whatnot ...

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Thread: .40 S&W OAL Length

  1. January 21st, 2010 10:59 AM #1
    SIGguy229 [OP]
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    .40 S&W OAL Length

    Although I haven't started reloading (yet)...I came across some old ammo that I don't remember if I set aside as previously chambered rounds or whatnot (been gone for a while)....

    I got the calipers out to measure the OAL and got some varying results. I set that ammo aside.

    Since then, I've bought some Winchester defensive rounds (PDX1, JHP,165gr), and for grins, took out the calipers again to measure OAL "straight out of the box". Again, I got some varying results.

    The shortest OAL was 1.1135
    The longest OAL was 1.230

    What is the accepted range of OAL for .40 S&W rounds? I've done some searching on the interwebz....but haven't found my answer.
    Magazine <> clip - know the difference

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  2. January 21st, 2010 10:59 AM Remove Ads
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  3. January 21st, 2010 11:07 AM #2
    GottaCarry
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    According to my documentation, Maximum Cartridge OAL is 1.135". I measured my case gage and it measure 1.135" exactly. Most of the load data I have seen give a recommendation of 1.120" OAL.

    You mileage may vary...
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  4. January 21st, 2010 11:48 AM #3
    dukalmighty
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    yep 1.135 is max,depending on powder and bullet weight I'm showing some minimums as low as 1.105,Like gottacarry says I would stay around 1.120 to 1.125 average,I'm not even sure if 1.230 will even fit in a magazine
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  5. January 21st, 2010 01:13 PM #4
    SIGguy229 [OP]
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    What about the shortest OAL? That is what I'm mostly concerned with...in terms of overpressure and Ka-Booms...
    Magazine <> clip - know the difference

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  6. January 21st, 2010 05:23 PM #5
    Loadedtech
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    The SAAMI minimum/maximum cartridge OAL for 40 S&W is 1.085"/1.135".
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  7. January 21st, 2010 09:35 PM #6
    boscobeans
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    If you stay under 180 grains the 1.120 should be fine... There are some 200 grain bullets out there and I think they might compress your powder if you stay at 1.120. I only load 155 and 180 and stay around 1.125.

    bosco
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  8. January 22nd, 2010 08:25 AM #7
    SIGguy229 [OP]
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    Thanks, all...BTW...in my OP, the longest OAL was 1.123 (typo)
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  9. January 22nd, 2010 08:26 AM #8
    SIGguy229 [OP]
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    Quote Originally Posted by Loadedtech View Post
    The SAAMI minimum/maximum cartridge OAL for 40 S&W is 1.085"/1.135".
    For how large a bullet? 165 or 180 gr (or does it matter?)
    Magazine <> clip - know the difference

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  10. February 18th, 2010 04:44 AM #9
    smilinbob
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    I just reloaded some .40 for my xdm with new winchester brass and 155gr Hornady XTP bullets. The OAL is 1.126. the first 10 or 15 rounds didnt give me any problem but since then every 2 or 3 it jams.
    I'm gonna go down to about 1.120- 1.123 and see what happens. Hopefully this fixes my problem.
    RA
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