Loading 40sw tips request (kaboom prevention)

[Sixshot87]

Hi guys, i am going to load 40sw this weekend for the first time. It will be my first time reloading anything and i will use lee precisions cheap beginner set.

Ive heard that 40sw is a sensitive round. I will be using titegroup and plan to use about 4.3 grains of the stuff with 180 grain berrys bullets.

I bought lees 4 die set including the crimp die.

What are common mistakes that cause kabooms? Should i avoid using the crimp die?

[croue]

It can be a high pressure round. But i don't know that it's that sensitive. Worst thing about 40 for me is that I've found my XD-40 to be very sensitive to any case bulging with cases that have been fired in Glocks. Bought a push-through sizing die to deal with that. I crimp mine nice and snug.

[sofbak]

Well... Two points of caution:

1. LOOK at each powder charge, and check charge weight often. A double charge alone is the biggest source of the dreaded kaboom.

2. Be very careful if you are using the factory crimp die. Make very small adjustments on the die to get there. A little crimp goes a long way. Too much and you have a lot of recoil/ muzzle flip/ over pressure.

[Jjwisled]

Make sure you get your load data from a current reputable manual and read the manual as well. Start at the lowest grain and work up from there until you find the one works for your gun.

[Carcassonne]

....

Ive heard that 40sw is a sensitive round. I will be using titegroup and plan to use about 4.3 grains of the stuff with 180 grain berrys bullets.

....

What are common mistakes that cause kabooms? Should i avoid using the crimp die?

It is not anymore or less sensitive than any other round - whatever you mean by sensitive.

The most common mistake in 40cal kabooms is too much powder. The next would probably be shooting right after a squib.

If you have the Lee Factor Crimp die, you don't have to worry about over crimping.


.

[Mike402]

Hi guys, i am going to load 40sw this weekend for the first time. It will be my first time reloading anything and i will use lee precisions cheap beginner set.

Ive heard that 40sw is a sensitive round. I will be using titegroup and plan to use about 4.3 grains of the stuff with 180 grain berrys bullets.

I bought lees 4 die set including the crimp die.

What are common mistakes that cause kabooms? Should i avoid using the crimp die?

Well unfortunately you picked the most risky powder & bullet weight combo in the .40. The titegroup charges are very small compared to other pistol powders. A lot easier to throw a double charge in there and not notice.

Also you have to seat the 180gr bullets deeper in the case than the 165s, which leads to less case volume & more pressure. A lot less margin of error for overpressure situations.

My advice? Sell the 180s, get 165s and use a powder like Blue Dot or Longshot, or any other of a number of powders which take up a lot more space inside the case.

My personal favorite is Berry 165s behind HS6

[Dnele928]

Um, can't double charge...the case is quote full with a single charge. If you tried to go double, the powder would be spilling out, hint...

[enzo357]

Yeah Titegroup leaves a lot of space in the case. Be really careful to not double charge. Make sure you have inspected your brass. Take your time.

[Mike402]

Um, can't double charge...the case is quote full with a single charge. If you tried to go double, the powder would be spilling out, hint...

I just wanted to quote this so you can't delete your post once you figure out (or are told) how retarded this is.

[sofbak]

It is not anymore or less sensitive than any other round - whatever you mean by sensitive.

The most common mistake in 40cal kabooms is too much powder. The next would probably be shooting right after a squib.

If you have the Lee Factor Crimp die, you don't have to worry about over crimping.


.

The Lee FCD for straight wall cases is a roll crimp. You most assuredly can over crimp if you adjust the bushing down too far.

[Sixshot87]

Thank you guys for the tips. I'm still not 100% on titegroup as I have yet to pick up the powder ( buying at the reload place in Covina this weekend).

I really like 180s but I will consider 165 for the next go around.

I am new to uspsa which is why I am reloading and I am going for major power factor.

[Sixshot87]

Sofbak is it easy to push the bushings down too far? How do I know If it's been pushed too far?

[balmo]

180gr plated (xtreme) and Titegroup is my choice for USPSA Limited division.

I did not make major pf with 4.3gr when I first did a ladder test with Titegroup. 4.6gr of Titegroup with 1.128" COL gives me ~170 power factor, chrono confirmed. Also 180gr is the bullet weight most Limited division shooters use.

Check for double charge. 9gr can fit the case, but the difference between 9 and 4.5 gr is pretty obvious. Whats important (for me) is to check the case with stuck debris. Clumped media and even rocks can get wedged into the case.

As far a Lee FCD, a 0.001~0.002 reduction is good to go.

[Sixshot87]

thank you Balmo. I was hoping 4.3gr would make major out of my glock 35. I'll start at 4.3 and work my way up to 4.6.

180gr plated (xtreme) and Titegroup is my choice for USPSA Limited division.

I did not make major pf with 4.3gr when I first did a ladder test with Titegroup. 4.6gr of Titegroup with 1.128" COL gives me ~170 power factor, chrono confirmed. Also 180gr is the bullet weight most Limited division shooters use.

Check for double charge. 9gr can fit the case, but the difference between 9 and 4.5 gr is pretty obvious. Whats important (for me) is to check the case with stuck debris. Clumped media and even rocks can get wedged into the case.

As far a Lee FCD, a 0.001~0.002 reduction is good to go.

[fguffey]

Hi guys,

What are common mistakes that cause kabooms? Should i avoid using the crimp die?