Delta L problem

The delta L problem (ΔL problem) is a condition that occurs when a C.I.P. minimum sized chamber in a firearm is shorter than a non C.I.P. maximum sized cartridge. This leads to chambering and/or feeding problems in the shoulder area or other headspace issues.

It should be noted that there is no cause for alarm regarding any cartridge designated as a ΔL problem cartridge, as the problem does not create a dangerous condition in the rare event ΔL problems actually present.

The exact technical details of the ΔL problem will be explained further on in the article.

Conflicting industry standards

The main cause for the ΔL is that the two main civilian ammunition and firearms industry standards organizations C.I.P. and SAAMI have assigned different standards for the same cartridges. This leads to officially sanctioned conflicting differences between European and American ammunition dimensions and chamber dimensions. Since C.I.P. and SAAMI do not rule nor control civilian ammunition standards worldwide other causes for conflicting standards leading to ΔL issues are also possible.

Delta L (ΔL) problem

The length specification „S “ is a basic dimension for the computation of the dimensions of fire arms cartridges and chambers. It designates the distance between the breach contact surface and the apex of the junction cone. When the length values for the peak of the junction cone measure of the cartridge and the chamber are compared it becomes clear that these values do not always agree. A precondition for such a comparison is that the shoulder angles are identical, since otherwise shifts will occur, which are not recognizable at first glance.

.30-06 Springfield maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions. All sizes in millimeters (mm).

Junction cone dimensions
alpha (α) = Angle of junction cone (Americans would define the shoulder angle as alpha/2)
S = Length of the peak of the junction cone
r1 min = Radius of junction at the extremities of diameter P2
r2 = Radius of junction between junction cone and collar

The diameters of the cartridge are, logically, smaller than the appropriate diameters of the chamber. But the corresponding lengths „L1“ and „L2“ are larger. This condition results from the fact that the length on the junction cone becomes larger, if the diameter becomes smaller. With most European cartridges the dimension „S “ is always identical. On the other hand many American calibers exhibit an oversize designated as delta L (ΔL). This leads to the situation that a cartridge, which is manufactured at the permissible upper tolerance limit can not be loaded into a chamber that was manufactured, at the likewise permissible, lower tolerance limit. Due to the fact that cartridges are dimensionally often manufactured in the lower dimensional tolerance limits and chambers tend to be dimensionally manufactured in the higher dimensional tolerance limits these problems are often avoided with (semi) automatic and repeating arms. The locking mechanism normally compensates a light oversize of 0.02 mm – 0.03 mm without any problems.

On the other hand this oversize is a major problem with break barrel arms, which are less common in the USA than in Europe, because correct cartridges cannot be loaded into correct weapons in the event ΔL was not considered during manufacturing. Break barrel arms will not simply close when the cartridges and chamber dimensions are not in concert. For this reason the chambers of break barrel arms are generally manufactured with reamers that take ΔL into account.

Generally bolt action hunting rifles in C.I.P. regulated countries are not cut to the minimum C.I.P. chamber dimensions so this problem is mostly theoretical. The arms manufacturer Swiss Arms AG (in the US known as SIG SAUER) brands Blaser and Mauser are however known for hammer forging tight (but still C.I.P. conformant) chambers in their Blaser R93 straight pull bolt action and Mauser M03 bolt action switch barrel rifles and some rifle owners reported ΔL problems with those rifles. These problems can also occur with other European made rifle brands.

Delta L (ΔL) cartridges list

The C.I.P. published a ΔL cartridge and theoretical C.I.P. minimum chamber length shortage dimensions list. The value of ΔL must however be taken from the relevant cartridge data information in the C.I.P. Tables. Most cartridges on the list are of American origin, and many are only chambered in commercial firearms manufactured by American comapanies using SAAMI specifications. The table shows the popular .30-06 Springfield cartridge family with ≈ 0.15 mm (0.0059 in) theoretical chamber length shortage to be the most prominent ΔL problems candidate.

List of cartridges for which C.I.P. lists ΔL and the amount in millimeters (mm)

Calibre (C.I.P. nomenclature) ΔL (mm)

• .17 Libra 0.25
• .17 Remington 0.07
• .220 Swift 0.10
• .221 Remington 0.09
• .222 Remington 0.07
• .222 Remington Magnum 0.09
• .22-250 Remington 0.08
• .223 Remington 0.07
• .223 Winchester S.S.M. 0.08
• .243 Winchester 0.10
• .243 Winchester S.S.M. 0.08
• .25-06 Remington 0.15
• .257 Roberts 0.15
• .260 Remington 0.10
• .270 Winchester 0.15
• .270 Winchester Short Magnum 0.10
• .280 Remington 0.14
• .284 Winchester 0.10
• .300 Lapua Magnum 0.07
• .300 Remington Ultra Magnum 0.11
• .300 Winchester Short Magnum 0.10
• .30-06 Court Cartry 0.16
• .30-06 Springfield 0.16
• .308 EH 0.10
• .308 Winchester 0.10
• .338 Lapua Magnum 0.05
• .338 Remington Ultra Magnum 0.12
• .338 Winchester Short Magnum 0.10
• .35 Remington 0.13
• .35 Whelen 0.15
• .358 Winchester 0.10
• .375 Remington Ultra Magnum 0.10
• .50 Browning 0.28
• 5.45 x 18 0.19
• 5.45 x 39 0.13
• 5.6 x 39 0.06
• 5.7 x 28 0.08
• 6 mm BR Norma 0.07
• 6 mm BR Remington 0.07
• 6 mm Remington (.244 Rem) 0.10
• 6 x 47 SM 0.08
• 6 x 62 Freres 0.12
• 6.5 x 55 SE 0.09
• 6.5 x 64 Brenneke 0.19
• 7 mm BR Remington 0.08
• 7 mm Exp. Remington 0.14
• 7 mm Remington Ultra Magnum 0.10
• 7 mm Winchester Short Magnum 0.10
• 7 mm-08 Remington 0.10
• 7 x 33 SAKO 0.09
• 7.21 Firebird 0.05
• 7.62 x 39 0.21
• 7.65 x 53 Argentine 0.18
• 7.82 Warbird 0.05

The value of ΔL must be taken from the relevant calibres in the C.I.P. Tables.

Firearm cartridges with otherwise problematic headspace

There are also some firearm calibers with problematic headspace listed by C.I.P.
The headspace defined by:
Depth of rim recess

• .303 British
• .38 Sp AMU
• 6.35 Browning
• 7.65 Browning
• 9 mm Browning long

Chamber cone

• .220 Swift
• .225 Winchester
• .307 Winchester
• .356 Winchester
• .357 Auto
• .38 Super Auto
• 6.5 x 51 R Arisaka
• 7.62 x 54 R
• 9 x 22 MJR

End of chamber

• .357 SIG
• 9 x 25 Super Auto

External links

• C.I.P. decisions, texts and tables. (free current C.I.P. CD-ROM version download (ZIP and RAR format)