Getting ready to start reloading 40 S&W. First timer advice appreciated!

[Turo]

I use a simple F1 Chrony...i think they run about $100...I got mine used for $50. You can spend a lot but you don't really need to. You definitely need the feedback from the chrono.

The flinching you could work on with some snap caps. Have your buddy slip them in your magazine randomly so you don't know the order. This is also a good drill for clearing failures and you can practice tap and rack.

Art

Good to know. I've never really used a chronograph before, but I'll see if I can't find a decent use one before I start loading.
Yeah, the flinching is almost gone. I just need to keep doing what I'm doing.

[humgunner]

Your load data is from xtp bullets not plated bullets.
xtp requires more powder, has more pressure, and sometimes has longer min. oal.

I would start with a smaller load since your using plated and not xtp. maybe 6gr.

[Turo]

Your load data is from xtp bullets not plated bullets.
xtp requires more powder, has more pressure, and sometimes has longer min. oal.

I would start with a smaller load since your using plated and not xtp. maybe 6gr.

Even though I'm using the minimum load data? I can't find anywhere that mentions plated bullet load data, and I found a few places where just random internet folks (whom I know not to trust blindly) have mentioned not exceeding medium-hot loads for FMJ when using plated, but I was assuming that the absolute minimum load for FMJ should be a decent indication of a starting load for plated bullets. Am I wrong?

[SixPointEight]

Your load data is from xtp bullets not plated bullets.
xtp requires more powder, has more pressure, and sometimes has longer min. oal.

I would start with a smaller load since your using plated and not xtp. maybe 6gr.

I haven't found that to be the case. When I was loading plated or lead bullets, I found that I could use JHP data. JHP tend to be longer, take up more case volume, and require more powder for a given velocity. Since your plated FN bullets will take up less case volume, there will be a slight drop in pressure. I recommend you use a chrono though. I found I was pushing some lead 180's to 1075fps from my XD 5" one time with a load that was under max for the JHP data I had.

They say to reduce 10% when using jacketed bullet data for lead or plated bullets.

With that said, it will NEVER hurt you to work up from a lower load than you think you need. That can't be said for starting with a load read from a book and substituting components.

Even though I'm using the minimum load data? I can't find anywhere that mentions plated bullet load data, and I found a few places where just random internet folks (whom I know not to trust blindly) have mentioned not exceeding medium-hot loads for FMJ when using plated, but I was assuming that the absolute minimum load for FMJ should be a decent indication of a starting load for plated bullets. Am I wrong?

Many people, including advice directly from Rainer, is to take FMJ, find the middle of the charge weights. Use that as your max. Reduce 10%, and use that as your min.

[Bill Steele]

Berry's recommends using start to mid-range jacketed loads.

[Turo]

I haven't found that to be the case. When I was loading plated or lead bullets, I found that I could use JHP data. JHP tend to be longer, take up more case volume, and require more powder for a given velocity. Since your plated FN bullets will take up less case volume, there will be a slight drop in pressure. I recommend you use a chrono though. I found I was pushing some lead 180's to 1075fps from my XD 5" one time with a load that was under max for the JHP data I had.

They say to reduce 10% when using jacketed bullet data for lead or plated bullets.

With that said, it will NEVER hurt you to work up from a lower load than you think you need. That can't be said for starting with a load read from a book and substituting components.



Many people, including advice directly from Rainer, is to take FMJ, find the middle of the charge weights. Use that as your max. Reduce 10%, and use that as your min.

Okay, so my best bet is to start the load out at 6.0gr and work up from there? I can do that.

Again, I appreciate all the help from everybody! It's greatly appreciated.

[SixPointEight]

Okay, so my best bet is to start the load out at 6.0gr and work up from there? I can do that.

Again, I appreciate all the help from everybody! It's greatly appreciated.

Won't hurt anything. Might use up like...30 bullets? But it'll gain you data. Knowledge is power, so take it how you will. If it were me I'd start at 6.0

[p1choco]

I'll offer my two cents. If you are just plinking, there is no need for a chrono. If you are tayloring a load for a particular bullet or competition, then I wouldn't spring for a chronograph. The starting load will be fine if you are using XTP load data. More on that a little later. I load for .40 using longshot, Lee equipment and Berry's plated bullets and other bullets. If you look on the Hodgdon site, it'll will have XTP data for longshot. Under "bullet weight" select 180 gr then click on "get data", it will sort for 180gr. If you click print, it will give you additional info. It tells you that the load data was shot from a gun with a 4" barrel length with the barrel being 1:16" twist rate and a case trim length of .845 using Winchester small pistol primers. I happen to use CCI primers and have never had a failure to ignite. CCI primers are said to be the tougher primer. Federal primers are said to burn a little hotter. All in all they all do the job. Get what you believe to be the better product. No back to the Berry's. Bullet diameters vary. Jacketed bullets like XTP's measure .40", Berry's measure .405" and properly sized (provided your bore measures .40") Lead bullets measure .41". The larger diameter of the Berry's will cause more pressure and give you slightly faster velocities. It's recommended to load plated bullets 10 percent under the jacketed load data and that's right around lead bullet load data. Keep that in mind when working up your load. I recommend staying near the starting load unless you can find a way to measure the pressure and stay safe. A chronograph wont do that for you.

[oldcodger44]

I load .40 for my CZ75 and use plated bullets too. I have had really good results with Unique..it has bigger granules but for plinking it will measure close enough. I have used HS-6 which was bought when there was no other powder to grab. It worked flawlessly. Good for the lower to midrange loads too.
I bought Longshot due to the fact it posted the highest velocities. It 's recoil is snappier than the others in my opinion and even kicked more than the other powders at mid power loads.
hope this helps

[Turo]

I'll offer my two cents. If you are just plinking, there is no need for a chrono. If you are tayloring a load for a particular bullet or competition, then I wouldn't spring for a chronograph. The starting load will be fine if you are using XTP load data. More on that a little later. I load for .40 using longshot, Lee equipment and Berry's plated bullets and other bullets. If you look on the Hodgdon site, it'll will have XTP data for longshot. Under "bullet weight" select 180 gr then click on "get data", it will sort for 180gr. If you click print, it will give you additional info. It tells you that the load data was shot from a gun with a 4" barrel length with the barrel being 1:16" twist rate and a case trim length of .845 using Winchester small pistol primers. I happen to use CCI primers and have never had a failure to ignite. CCI primers are said to be the tougher primer. Federal primers are said to burn a little hotter. All in all they all do the job. Get what you believe to be the better product. No back to the Berry's. Bullet diameters vary. Jacketed bullets like XTP's measure .40", Berry's measure .405" and properly sized (provided your bore measures .40") Lead bullets measure .41". The larger diameter of the Berry's will cause more pressure and give you slightly faster velocities. It's recommended to load plated bullets 10 percent under the jacketed load data and that's right around lead bullet load data. Keep that in mind when working up your load. I recommend staying near the starting load unless you can find a way to measure the pressure and stay safe. A chronograph wont do that for you.

Oh nice, I didn't know that. Thanks!

I bought Longshot due to the fact it posted the highest velocities. It 's recoil is snappier than the others in my opinion and even kicked more than the other powders at mid power loads.
hope this helps

More and snappier recoil is the reason I bought my 40, I love it!

[Turo]

Won't hurt anything. Might use up like...30 bullets? But it'll gain you data. Knowledge is power, so take it how you will. If it were me I'd start at 6.0

More data is always good, I'm definitely going to be doing a lot more research before anything actually gets reloaded.

[Fishslayer]

Remember crimp is not really crimp. It should be named debelling. The idea is to remove the bell on the brass created to seat the bullet.

^^^ This. .40S&W and the .40 S&W Magnum (10mm ) headspace on the case mouth. No roll crimp! If you get the Lee 4 die set you'll have a taper crimp die AKA Lee Factory Crimp Die AKA LFCD. You shouldn't need more than light to moderate crimp. Different headstamps have different wall thickness. Be aware of that. RP in particular is notorious for thin brass. I don't even use it for plated or jacketed bullets in .45ACP.

40sw is a high pressure round.....so my suggestion is take the minimum load for your type of bullet and always work your way up with charge. It is some effort but each barrel is going to behave slightly different.
Art

Be careful. Seems like most KABOOM stories involve .40 S&W.

If ya got any .357 Magnum brass I have a **** ton of .40 S&W brass to trade.