[SWO1]

As a general rule ..... Yes. However as always it depends on the "gun". All Ammo makers will tell you that Factory ammo is produced for "function" ( NOT ACCURACY OR PERCISION ) across the spectrum of firearms who comply with the SAAMI standards. SAAMI is a Non regulated body governed by the members (companys who decide to join and who set the standards ) No maker of arms or ammo HAS TO COMPLY with SAAMI standards. It is NOT regulated by ANY government agency, by member companys ONLY. Custom gun makers build firearms " and cut chambers" to their OWN specs and those of their customers. A custom reamed chamber will require custom cases that may/may not fall within the SAAMI quidelines.

BOTTOM LINE .... You are the producer of the AMMO, you decide what specs to use to produce the product, and take all responsibility for the outcome. If you stay within the standards for AMMO in a SAMMI spec gun you are pretty well assured of a good outcome.....Remember NOTHING is 100%.

Final Answer: Max length for a .38 specl. case is 1.155, Min length is 1.135 ..... assuming you are loading to SAAMI specs. The spec you should use is the one given in the loading data of your Manual of choice. Sierra calls for a COL of 1.150 and Hornady says 1.145. If my cases aren't to those lengths I chuck em, if they are longer I trim them.

 

[SWO1]

So Basically,there is no such thing as brass being to short of course brass don't shrink.

Yes, No, Maybe ..... again depends on the gun. In autos you may have a feed problem with short rounds. In revolvers they will seat but may not have enough length left on the bullet to get a proper crimp. This could cause problems in an auto also as the bullet may be cocked and having a longer setback off the lands could cause accuracy problems in an auto and could result in Shaved Rounds in a revolver. Its best to pay attention to the "Minimum" case length also.

Also in a case that is shorter than suggested minimum for a particular load it will require you seat the bullet deeper on some type bullets to get a proper crimp thus reducing the case volume which will raise pressures.

Every time you change one thing it affects a lot of other properties.....

 

[SWO1]

Thats some good to know info, as I`ve yet to reload pistol rounds I`ll keep my yapper shut and listen to the pros, after all a 9mm is not a 30-30

The Pros write and publish the Manuals, that's where the Real info is. Ain't none on the internet. Like the commercial says, you end up with a French Model off the Net .....

Only safe advice is Read a Loading Manual for any round. Using load data off the net comes with a free nickname .... stubby.