What is a good OAL for CZ 75

[RossHenderson]

I've had some FTFs with hand loads in my CZ 75BD.  It has been suggested to me that CZs like a shorter OAL and that when loading 124gr round nose (mine are plated) the best OAL is between 1.1 and 1.125.  My rounds that were hanging up on the ramp had an OAL of 1.15.  Is there any truth to the idea that CZs feed better with a shorter OAL?  Thanks!

[1SOW]

No.

9mm CZs do have shorter chambers.  This often requires a shorter oal for "some" FN, JHP,  heavier (147gr) and larger diameter lead/coated lead bullets.  They are designed for Eastern European 9mm RN bullets.
 
What brand name bullet? What diameter?

Other things can also cause FTFeed problems.

[The Guardian]

I've owned a lot of CZ's....can't say I've ever had an issue like this....probably fortunate I suppose.  Does the round not go into battery at all or does it partially but not fully. If the latter is the case (no pun intended) it could be the case is slightly bulged at the base.  Even sizing dies sometimes don't eliminate and can sometimes cause a slight bulging of the case at the base.  Just a thought, an issue I had once with reloads. 

[Morbid1X]

I generally load short for my CZS but every bullet type is different. You just have to play around with OAL and see what works and sticking to it

[Longshanks]

Bullet shapes vary . And CZ's tend to have shorter chambers as mentioned.

Seat to the depth that gives you an OAL that makes the bullet just touch the rifling and you're goo to go. Make a dummy round and press it in the barrel with your finger. Reduce/increase the depth as long/until it falls off on its own weight . That will be your optimal OAL.

Chambering a bullet too deep in the rifling should be avoided ( longish OAL ) .

[Earl Keese]

See reply #3.
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=34225.0

[RossHenderson]

No.

9mm CZs do have shorter chambers.  This often requires a shorter oal for "some" FN, JHP,  heavier (147gr) and larger diameter lead/coated lead bullets.  They are designed for Eastern European 9mm RN bullets.
 
What brand name bullet? What diameter?

Other things can also cause FTFeed problems.

The diameter of the bullet is 0.354.  They are likely a brand you are not familiar with as it is Canadian, CanPro.  It's a good quality product.

To be clear, the rounds at 1.15 were hanging up on the ramp - they were not going into chamber at all.  Not fully out of the magazine.

After reading the forum's feedback, I ran some loads at 1.14 and 1.13.  I found at 1.14 I had one FTF out of 50, but the 1.13 ran perfectly.  My 75 Pre-B and P226 also ran them without issue.  So I guess 1.13 is the load my 75BD likes best.

I would be interested to know what OAL others are loading their 124gr round nose to.

Thanks to all for their input/suggestions.

[whitecap]

I am questioning your bullet diameter. If .354 is a true measurement, I would not expect good accuracy from this head. .356 is more common for 9mm. Even among 124 gr. rn heads, the Ogive configuration may be different amongst casters. Determine "your pistols" max and then subtract the recommended .010- .015 from that length. I am currently loading 124-125 gr. heads between 1.090 &  1.115 depending on which head I currently have to work with. Do the "plunk & spin" test and you will know.

[RossHenderson]

Thanks whitecap, as the only measuring instrument I have is a well-used 26 year old Dillon dial caliper I can't be certain that the reading might not be off by .002.  I'm regularly printing 2.0 inch groups at 15 meters with these bullets which is about as good as I ever shoot - I'm no marksman.  Thanks for the input and suggestion which I will certainly experiment with.

[1SOW]

JMHO:  The fact they aren't getting out of the mag and started into the chamber suggests the recoil springs and or mag springs may contribute to the problem.  OAL can change the amount of push needed,  but at those lengths they should feed fine.
Make sure the case extractor is clean inside the channel and around the spring.

[Smitty79]

Here are the OALs for my first Shadow.    My second Shadow was a little shorter on some bullets.   I all of these work fine in all other 9mms except an M&P Shield.



YMMV Read this post.

http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=34225.0