new to reloading, .40 s&W starting point?

[jglass]

i have 165g RNFP and looking for a good starting point with powder, i Lyman's manual and has no suggestions for this style bullet. any help or insight would awesome. shooting a Glock 22
thanks

[BenHa]

Start with the min load for the 165 TMJ and slowly work your way up from there.

[aaRdog]

I have found that neither baking powder nor talcum powder in any capacity seem to work. I also noticed that caps in placer of primers did not work, nor did other caliber cases. I then consulted a variety of reloading manuals and read them. After that, I went out and got an appropriate available smokeless powder, primer, and cases for reloading my pistol and started at the minimum recommended charge and worked up the load to meet my needs.

[thenodnarb]

What pistol powders do you have to use?
The speer manual has a listing for 165s in 40 S&W.

N350 Startign charge 6.7
HS-7 9.0
WSF 6.2
Power Pistol 7.0
Universal 5.7
AA no 5 7.6
unique 6.2
hs-6 8.0
AA no 7 9.6
titegroup 5.0
231 5.8
bullseye 5.3


Please note, its my day off and I've had a beer or two and I am not being particualry careful with my dictation or typing. Get the speer manual to confirm.

[3RDGEARGRNDRR]

Another reason its almost time to join some other reloading forum.

[J-cat]

I like 4grs of Bullseye or TiteGroup, 1.150" OAL.

[ducky_0811]

5.1 gr unique loaded to 1.125". In the future try not to use the forums as a reloading manual, most people here are more than happy to give you suggestions and help, but even the weakest of google-fu can turn up loads of advice, just remember to cross reference all data. Btw, hodgdons website offers complete data for the 165, that's where I got my start.

[thenodnarb]

Another reason its almost time to join some other reloading forum.

Do it.

[Paperchasin]

Depends on the powder you're loading with.

[Coyotegunner]

If a reload manual is without information,the internet is my friend.
I usually just call the manufacturer of the powder or the bullets.All of them I have spoke to over 35 years of loading have helped me without any trouble.

[jglass]

well thank you everyone for your insight and advice it is much appreciated,

[CGT80]

Every gun is different. Start low and work up. Your case overall length will vary from gun to gun. I like the lyman 47th reloading book, iirc, and hodgdons web site. My perfect 40 load may suck in your gun. 231/hp38 is my favorite powder. Red dot is cheap and popular too.

[rix]

Every gun is different. Start low and work up. Your case overall length will vary from gun to gun. I like the lyman 47th reloading book, iirc, and hodgdons web site. My perfect 40 load may suck in your gun. 231/hp38 is my favorite powder. Red dot is cheap and popular too.

This :hurray:

[sjb269]

I have called powder manufactures, bullet manufactures, and primer manufactures directly.
They have all been more than willing to help with information and data. When you call, just be sure to have a definitive question for them and don't ramble. Reloading component companies have a vested interest in giving out good info.

With that being said…Be conservative with the .40 S&W… high pressure rounds can bite those who don't respect it.

I have no qualms starting LOW and working up from there…sooooo what if my first couple powder charges don't cycle the action. AND GET A CHRONOGRAPH!
if you don't have one already. :)

[Kappy]

I'm a big fan of Winchester 231. I'd try about 5.0 gr to start.

My thing about loading pistol is that I want the lightest load possible which will fully function the firearm. I've noticed that they usually shoot more accurately and likely wear things out more slowly.

[Pauliedad]

What everyone here already said. All of it. Its gtg. Read it. Read it twice.

[EclipseDS]

I like 4grs of Bullseye or TiteGroup, 1.150" OAL.

For my benefit, I thought max OAL for .40S&W is 1.135"?

[J-cat]

Yes, but 1.150" shoots tighter groups than 1.135"

[EclipseDS]

Thanks. I guess there's still enough clearance in the mag and chamber to accommodate 1.15". Good to know

[Kappy]

Yes, but 1.150" shoots tighter groups than 1.135"

But.... a better idea would be to pull out your barrel, make a round but leave it long, then drop it in the chamber. It likely won't sit flush. Seat it deeper. Keep checking it. When it sits perfectly flush, you've got your length.

At least... that's what the old guys told me. :oji:

Works well.

[Mike402]

I agree with all of the above, especially w/ the statement that each gun is different. With that being said, the OP said he was looking for a starting point.

I spent about a week experimenting w/ different charges/seating depths in my Sig X5 to find the most accurate round. At the time, I didn't have access to Titegroup, but here is what I came up with:

165gr FMJ
7.4gr of HS6
COL 1.125

[ducky_0811]

I also liked hs6, but was pretty snappy in my guns, which is why I switched to unique, also availability of hs6 is about zero right now

[Mike402]

availability of hs6 is about zero right now

Tell me about it. I managed to snag 8lbs a few months ago, so I'll burn through that, and then work up another load with Titegroup once I run out.

[J-cat]

But.... a better idea would be to pull out your barrel, make a round but leave it long, then drop it in the chamber. It likely won't sit flush. Seat it deeper. Keep checking it. When it sits perfectly flush, you've got your length.

At least... that's what the old guys told me. :oji:

Works well.

Why would it be a better idea? A round that long won't fit in the magazine.

[Kappy]

Why would it be a better idea? A round that long won't fit in the magazine.


I've never had a round in a pistol seat so long that it will chamber properly but be too long for the mag. YMMV.


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[J-cat]

Then you haven't shot a Glock.

[CalTeacher]

I always had bad feeding issues with any oal over 1.135 in my Glocks, but know some who could load out to 1.15 with success. The only way to find out is to give it a try. I have an STI Trojan in 40 that I load out to 1.2 with Clays and it feels like cheating.

[Kappy]

Then you haven't shot a Glock.


That would be correct, sir. No plastic in my safe aside from my AR. I'm sure they're fine guns... Just not my style.


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[Lead Waster]

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol


Is a nice site to try, and it doesn't contain snarky unhelpful comments.

[bigedp51]

jglass

Try and get some more manuals, the Speer number 14 manual has some good loads and lists 40 lite loads with the 165 grain bullet.

Make Right With a “.40 Lite”
http://www.handgunsmag.com/2010/09/24/ammunition_40lite_091806/

Below 40 lite loads using titegroup and 231 with Rainier plated bullets.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/bigedp51/40SampW001_zpsfc7e7b54.jpg

Topic: How to determine Max OAL for a CZ Pistol
(good read no matter what pistol you have)
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=34225.0

[barearms562]

I like 6.0 grains of herco with 180 grain bullet and OAL of 1.130 I love herco