PPK ammo

A.Mifsin · 09-27-2009, 12:24 AM

Hi All,
I have a PPK and tried to hand load some ammo for it. The manual stated that OAL is 24.99mm, but that size, the bullet will not chamber, because it is too long. I made the OAL 23.75mm and it works fine. Now I am worried because by reducing the OAL by 1.24mm I could be compressing the powder, which it might produce too much pressure.
Checking on a factory load bullet the OAL was nearly close to 24.99mm.

I am using a Lee bullet mould 90gr.
Any help is much appreciated.
Alf.

PhilOhio · 09-27-2009, 12:29 PM

You didn't say what kind of powder. If it's Bullseye, Unique, W231, or some light flake powder like that, slight compression will cause no problems. Most reloading manuals include a notation or asterisk where the recommended charge is compressed, so you won't worry when you discover that this must be done.

I prefer not to do it, but have done so when required. I would not do it with a relatively hard, long grain powder, as rifle powder. And in most cases, where compression would be "required" to fit it into the case, the charge would be dangerously high.

Check to see that the last fraction of an inch of the lands in the rifling of your PPK barrel have been properly reamed away, relieved, at the factory. Even Walther makes mistakes. If the lands go back all the way to the front ledge of the chamber, they would cause the problem you describe, and should be relieved.

My progressive reloading press once caused a powder compression problem I only discovered on the shooting range. Some 9mm rounds were getting a DOUBLE CHARGE of Bullseye, compressing it by about 100%! Happily, I was shooting a heavily overengineered Uzi. Nothing broke, but the bases of the brass cases were being partially extruded into the ejector slot in the bolt face. Don't try that at home.

A.Mifsin · 09-27-2009, 12:57 PM

Thanks PhilOhio, for the information. The powder is REX 24 ( I use it also for my 9mm reloads ) and I stared with 1.3gr and my last load was 1.1gr. The gun recycled without any problems, but accuracy was very bad.

Alf.

Neil Young · 09-27-2009, 01:35 PM

I reload rounds for my bolt action rifles so that the bullet is as close to the lands as possible to improve accuracy. I determine the correct OAL by loading one "long" and then carefully use the bolt cam action to seat the bullet. I then back off that OAL by a few thousands and it works fine.

Could you not determine the maximum OAL for your pistol the same way? Of course, don't crimp the test round.

Just a thought.

RWS · 10-06-2009, 03:04 PM

Try another bullets, not only the OAL can cause this, maybe this mould make bullets wide enough at the point to reach grooves.

I experimented similar problem in rifles, some bullets touch grooves at the same OAL others don't.

09-27-2009, 12:24 AM	#1
A.Mifsin User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Malta Posts: 570 Thanks: 74 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	PPK ammo Hi All, I have a PPK and tried to hand load some ammo for it. The manual stated that OAL is 24.99mm, but that size, the bullet will not chamber, because it is too long. I made the OAL 23.75mm and it works fine. Now I am worried because by reducing the OAL by 1.24mm I could be compressing the powder, which it might produce too much pressure. Checking on a factory load bullet the OAL was nearly close to 24.99mm. I am using a Lee bullet mould 90gr. Any help is much appreciated. Alf. __________________ I prefer a Luger

09-27-2009, 12:57 PM	#3
A.Mifsin User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Malta Posts: 570 Thanks: 74 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Thanks PhilOhio, for the information. The powder is REX 24 ( I use it also for my 9mm reloads ) and I stared with 1.3gr and my last load was 1.1gr. The gun recycled without any problems, but accuracy was very bad. Alf. __________________ I prefer a Luger

09-27-2009, 01:35 PM	#4
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 540 Thanks: 546 Thanked 438 Times in 165 Posts	I reload rounds for my bolt action rifles so that the bullet is as close to the lands as possible to improve accuracy. I determine the correct OAL by loading one "long" and then carefully use the bolt cam action to seat the bullet. I then back off that OAL by a few thousands and it works fine. Could you not determine the maximum OAL for your pistol the same way? Of course, don't crimp the test round. Just a thought. __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

09-27-2009, 12:29 PM	#2
PhilOhio User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 145 Thanks: 5 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	You didn't say what kind of powder. If it's Bullseye, Unique, W231, or some light flake powder like that, slight compression will cause no problems. Most reloading manuals include a notation or asterisk where the recommended charge is compressed, so you won't worry when you discover that this must be done. I prefer not to do it, but have done so when required. I would not do it with a relatively hard, long grain powder, as rifle powder. And in most cases, where compression would be "required" to fit it into the case, the charge would be dangerously high. Check to see that the last fraction of an inch of the lands in the rifling of your PPK barrel have been properly reamed away, relieved, at the factory. Even Walther makes mistakes. If the lands go back all the way to the front ledge of the chamber, they would cause the problem you describe, and should be relieved. My progressive reloading press once caused a powder compression problem I only discovered on the shooting range. Some 9mm rounds were getting a DOUBLE CHARGE of Bullseye, compressing it by about 100%! Happily, I was shooting a heavily overengineered Uzi. Nothing broke, but the bases of the brass cases were being partially extruded into the ejector slot in the bolt face. Don't try that at home.

10-06-2009, 03:04 PM	#5
RWS User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Europe Posts: 34 Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Try another bullets, not only the OAL can cause this, maybe this mould make bullets wide enough at the point to reach grooves. I experimented similar problem in rifles, some bullets touch grooves at the same OAL others don't.