LugerForum Discussion Forums - Determining Proper Cartridge O.A.L.

Hi Everyone:

Well, this is how you can determine the correct cartridge O.A.L when handloading a new type of bullet for your Luger shooting.

Please remember that not all bullet designs will properly function through a Luger, no mater how their cartridge O.A.L.s are set. These are usually hollow point bullets with very wide "mouths". Sierra's designs are often of this type; better for terminal expansion, but not so friendly for Luger shooting. Most hollow point bullets I've tried, over the years, will, indeed, function perfectly after their proper cartridge O.A.L.s have been determined.

Your Test Procedure:

Pick a magazine that you know is in spec, as far as its spring goes. Also, do your tests with a magazine that you will actually be shooting.

Tools, etc. needed for your test: eight unprimed cases, eight of the subject bullets and a caliper for measuring.

All testing must be done with a full magazine of eight dummy cartridges. This is so because, with a Luger, these cartridges slide up the magazine at a very steep angle. Thus, the proper or improper lengths of the cartridges below the cartridge attempting to chamber will have a great impact on the top cartridge's ability to properly feed and chamber without jamming.

Start your test by seating all eight of your bullets quite longly. All eight must be of exactly the same length. Try to load all eight into the magazine. Keep reducing the length of all eight until all of them will just fit into the magazine. After you have determined the "relative range" in this fashion, you are ready for final testing.

Again, with a full magazine of eight cartridges, all of exactly the same length, load the magazine into your pistol, with its action held open. Next, start working the action until all eight have been chambered and ejected. Then, ask yourself if the top three or four cartridges "felt" the same as the lower ones, or was there binding in the magazine or hesitation in chambering? Start shortening all eight of your cartridges, by 0.001 inch increments and repeat the above test until the top cartridges feed and "feel" exactly as the last few do. You have found the proper O.A.L., for your subject bullet, when all eight cartridges will feed through the magazine and chamber as smoothly as silk.

Next, go to the range and test fire several magazines of eight rounds each. Note any problems and adjust accordingly.

Finally, keep a log of your bullet types, by their manufacturers' stock numbers, and the proper O.A.L.s you have found successful for each.

That's all folks!!!

Sieger

"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a Luger today!!!":thumbup: