Help loading 40 S&W for USPSA

[RugerNo1]

I bought a STI Edge in 40 S&W to play in Limited, but I have reached a snag. My dealer, who is a well known and capable Limited shooter, recommended 200 grain TC Bear Creeks for shooting major so I took his advise. Here is where I have reached my dilemma, I made a few dummy rounds with the 200s at 1.200" and dropped them into my removed barrel and got this:




Ok, so that was too long. However, after I tried 1.190", 1.180", and 1.170", and achieved similar results, I tried 1.135". My results were the same and I noticed a unique marking on each bullet after giving them a push: (1.135", 1.190", 1.200")



The Moly/Poly coating is only getting shaved off on one side. On a whim, I tried several of my 180 grain HAP loads at 1.135" and they dropped and fell out flawlessly. I also had some 180 grain Berry's RN laying around and got the same problems. So, I have some questions:

1. Does this mean my barrel is throated too short for the 200s or loading long in general?
2. Do the 200 TCs have an incompatable profile for my barrel? I suspect this to be the case.
3. What may I be missing here?

[Wildeman_13]

Having only ever loaded 180's max, I can't really give you too much advice. But I'd be worried that the combination of having to smoosh the 200gr bullet in further to make it load right, along side the higher level of powder to push a 200gr bullet would create unsafe pressure levels.

[RugerNo1]

I am aware of the higher pressures and that is why I want to load out to 1.180" or more to reduce pressure. My gun should be able to load these rounds out to as much as ~1.240", but I seem to be hitting the end of the throat far too early.

[DRAB_81]

The ring that's being cut into the bullet is probably just the seater stem. I had a similar issue with a RCBS seating die & Bear Creek 45 230gr RN's. I polished the inside of the stem, which had some burrs from machining.

As far as the OAL issue, I'm baffled as well. The S_I guns are usually designed to run 1.20" OAL, and TONS of USPSA shooters use that bullet. The only thing I can think of, is that it doesn't look like you have much, if any crimp on those dummy rounds. If that's the case, play around with the crimp and see if it helps.

[RugerNo1]

The ring that's being cut into the bullet is probably just the seater stem. I had a similar issue with a RCBS seating die & Bear Creek 45 230gr RN's. I polished the inside of the stem, which had some burrs from machining.

As far as the OAL issue, I'm baffled as well. The S_I guns are usually designed to run 1.20" OAL, and TONS of USPSA shooters use that bullet. The only thing I can think of, is that it doesn't look like you have much, if any crimp on those dummy rounds. If that's the case, play around with the crimp and see if it helps.

The shaving is taking place after I seat the bullets, I literally have to push them into the chamber and pull them out of the barrel. Take a look just above the casemouth to see the "shaving" I am talking about (I know, ****ty pictures, but it is still visible). However, I do have the means to polish the seating stem on my Hornady dies so I take a stab at that too. I will also try crimping more to see if that solves the issue. I am a rifle reloader first and foremost, so I never really thought of crimping more. Thank You.

[Bill Steele]

Your throat is lilely just a little tight.

The HAPs are .400" (and have a rounded ogive which also helps) and your BC lead bullets are likely just over .401". A smith can ream a slight amount out of your throat and you will be able to chamber them no problem.

[adrenalinejunkie]

You mentioned you're loading .40, to me it seems like you may have some "glocked" brass. Did you buy it new?

[lpspinner]

You mentioned you're loading .40, to me it seems like you may have some "glocked" brass. Did you buy it new?

That's what I was thinking, "Glocked" brass.

[adrenalinejunkie]

That's what I was thinking, "Glocked" brass.

Yup and even looking back at the pic now it seems like there's a line around the bottom of the case above the ejector groove

[Fjold]

Dane, resize an empty case and see if it drops all the way into your chamber. That will check your sizing die setting and if it is small enough to iron out the Glock bulge.

[RugerNo1]

Thanks guys. Turns out, I was just barely ironing out the flare from the expander and was not technically crimping the round as the crimp was about .423". Once I got a .419-.420" crimp on the bullet everything started working just fine. I guess I need to play with handgun reloading more.

What looks like was happening was that the bullet was not being held in place strait enough and was getting a little nose down tilt. The concentricity gauge told me what I needed to know.

Some of the brass did have some glock buldge, but the sizing die is taking enough out. The brass was free so I cannot complain too much. But, I doubt I would knowingly buy brass that was "glocked." Too much of a pain in the you-know-what.

Now I just need to get to load testing. My favorite part of reloading.

Here is an obligatory gun pron. Not bad for a 24th B-day present.

[oddjob]

Just a FYI.......I shoot a Trojan .40 in Single Stack. I load long at 1.198 with 180's. Had a few similar problems with the TC design of Bear Creek bullets. I had the local gunsmith throat the barrel a tad to accommodate the longer rounds. Runs great now.

Nice looking STI by the way!

[lpspinner]

Dang, at 24 I didn't have anything that nice. Congrats

[RugerNo1]

Just a FYI.......I shoot a Trojan .40 in Single Stack. I load long at 1.198 with 180's. Had a few similar problems with the TC design of Bear Creek bullets. I had the local gunsmith throat the barrel a tad to accommodate the longer rounds. Runs great now.

Nice looking STI by the way!

Thanks and I will keep your words in mind. I may have more work done to the handgun as I get more acquainted with it. Right now, I am just moving on from plinking on the odd weekend to really starting to go to matches.

Dang, at 24 I didn't have anything that nice. Congrats

Well, being a full time student got me most of last year's taxes back, substitute teaching helps fill in the gaps, and I have a family that still loves me for some reason...