Factory Ammo - How much seating is too much?

[ez bake]

So I've got some old carry loads that I've re-chambered (from taking the mag out and cleaning the gun) a bunch and I know that this can seat bullets too far into the shell-casing and cause higher pressure than desired (especially in +P rounds), but how much is too much?


I've got some Speer Gold Dots that measure (with calipers) 1.126" and I've got some that came out of a mag when I was inspecting that are only 1.122" and one that is 1.121".

Is that too much seating? I've taken the shorter rounds out of the rotation (and yes, I should have shot them off a long time ago just to get some practice/testing with the carry ammo once in a while), but I'm not sure if they're usable anymore or not.

 

[criticalbass]

If it was me, I would shoot 'em in anything that fully supports the case upon firing. (unlike Glock) I wouldn't be very concerned with this small amount of setback even in a Glock. I suspect you won't be able to feel the difference in recoil or notice a change in accuracy.

That's me, but I will be interested in seeing what others who are into reloading say.

 

[ssgrock3]

I would blast them. Not that great of a difference. I also would shoot off the top round every once in a while. No reason not too, 9mm is cheap. Why are you chambering then downloading so often?

 

[ssgrock3]

according to the alliant website with a 124gr golddot bullet, the minimum oal is 1.12, those rounds are within spec.

 

[ez bake]

Appreciate the info. Normally I'd shoot what was in the mag every so often and replace with new carry ammo. I've had a Category 3 before in a semi-auto that I didn't get out and shoot/clean enough (just enough dust and lent got in there to affect the slide/mag), so every since then I make it a point to shoot what's in the mag (and sometimes the spare) and then clean, function test, reload, and stick it back in the holster.

I've had a spell of several months that I haven't shot this particular gun (Walther PPS), and seeing as how it's a tiny semi-auto, I'm still nervous about function checking it and cleaning/lubing it properly - so I make sure to do that. The ammo ends up going back in afterward if I'm not shooting it, and I've read stories of over-seated bullets and the extreme pressures that can cause.

Definitely appreciate the info and I'll shoot this shorter stuff the next time I make it to the range (which needs to be sooner rather than later).