10mm with Lee Hand Press

[Getoffthecomputer]

I recently visited the range and was successful with my first 50 rounds of .308.

I used the Lee Classic Loader and worked up my modest loads with this.



Now I want to start loading 10mm with this ( Lee Hand Press ) :



and this ( Lee Carbide dies ) :



I know some of you might say that I should just by a turret and be done with it but I don't shoot often enough or have the space. I really like making 10-20 rounds at a time.

Apparently there is no Lee classic for .40 cal/10mm.

My question is: Are the .40 cal dies good to go for 10mm? and Do I use any .40 cal bullet I want?

Now that I asked that last question it might be premature. I am sure there are limits to what grain bullet is compatible for 10mm pressures. So can I get some advice on your 10mm loads and input on the equipment I want to purchase?

[SixPointEight]

My question is: Are the .40 cal dies good to go for 10mm? and Do I use any .40 cal bullet I want?

Now that I asked that last question it might be premature. I am sure there are limits to what grain bullet is compatible for 10mm pressures. So can I get some advice on your 10mm loads and input on the equipment I want to purchase?

Yes, and yes. The lee hand press and .40/10mm dies will do you good. I loaded my first 800 .40 rounds on a lee hand press. Pistol cases are EASY PEASY even on a hand press. The worst part is the powder. Buy a lee Perfect Powder Measure, and load to your hearts content.

As for 10mm bullets. Yes you can use any. Most common for 10mm are in the 180-200gr range.

[Munk]

a very few brands of die will not have the full length needed in the .40 to size a 10mm. However, the expander or bell die, and the seat & crimp will assuredly be interchangable. However, most are completely interchangable and will advertise as such.

yep. 10mm and .40 use almost all the same bullets (with a few outliers on the heavy end for 10mm)

[LGB Loader]

Hand press looks like a good idea and maybe it is but I would still go with a Lee single stage, even that cheap little $25 job. You can still make 15 - 20 at a time if you want but you will also have the option of doing 100 at a time too. That little Lee single stage would be more than plenty for sidearm brass.

* also something to think about, depending on the condition of your 308 brass, you can only neck size so long before you will need to push that shoulder back a hair.

LGB

[Getoffthecomputer]

Hand press looks like a good idea and maybe it is but I would still go with a Lee single stage, even that cheap little $25 job. You can still make 15 - 20 at a time if you want but you will also have the option of doing 100 at a time too. That little Lee single stage would be more than plenty for sidearm brass.

* also something to think about, depending on the condition of your 308 brass, you can only neck size so long before you will need to push that shoulder back a hair.

LGB

I have a case length trimmer and calipers also if that is what you are referring to.

How many loads can I expect from 10mm brass using average powder loads?

The perfect powder measure seems like a good idea. Thanks.

[uscbigdawg]

You'll easily get 15-20 loads from new brass if you're not running super hot loads. 10mm is not a "high energy"/"high pressure" round.

Rich

[SixPointEight]

You'll easily get 15-20 loads from new brass if you're not running super hot loads. 10mm is not a "high energy"/"high pressure" round.

Rich

You don't know what you're talking about.

Yes, you could probably get anywhere from 10-20 loads on a piece of brass depending on your loads and the quality.

But how do you define high pressure?

9mm is commonly called high pressure. It's max pressure is 35000PSI.
.40 is viewed by many as being extremely high pressure. It's max is 35000PSI also.
10mm is rated to 37500. So higher pressure than those for sure, yet not a high pressure round?

As for energy, comparing apples to apples. 45 is often touted as the lowest acceptable round of SD(Coughbscoughcough). With a 200gr projectile the .45 can carry a little over 500ft/lbs. A 10mm carries about 750ft/lbs. And with a 230gr the .45 carries around 420ft/lbs and 10mm has about 620ft/lbs.

[7anthony7]

I have just started reloading and purchased the Lee Breech lock hand loader. It has worked great. I also purchased the Lee 4 die set and the Lee buldge buster for the 10. I use Berry Bullets for the range and Hornady 200gr for carry. Works great and is fast enough for me. I like the 800x so I just weigh each load on a Dillon electric scale.

[J-cat]

I got 30+ loads out of a 9mm at full throttle.

[Getoffthecomputer]

I have just started reloading and purchased the Lee Breech lock hand loader. It has worked great. I also purchased the Lee 4 die set and the Lee buldge buster for the 10. I use Berry Bullets for the range and Hornady 200gr for carry. Works great and is fast enough for me. I like the 800x so I just weigh each load on a Dillon electric scale.

Thanks. I didn't know about the Breech lock model. Is the bulge buster something you consider necessary? Are bulging cases common?

[SixPointEight]

Thanks. I didn't know about the Breech lock model. Is the bulge buster something you consider necessary? Are bulging cases common?

If you use the Factory crimp die, it will perform the same function as the bulge buster. The bulge is semi-common if you use pick-up brass. Chambers with generous dimensions, most commonly glocks, can cause a bulge on the case from high pressure loads. In most cases it's not an issue, but if the bulge is so large it is more like a blister, the case will start to thin in that area and can cause ruptures.

[mark2203]

To assist with resizing the bulge brass out of my glock, I've switched to this die on my Lee progressive press. It works well. The 40 S&W works with the 10mm, which is what I reload.

http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=40&products_id=40