40S&W reloading for the first time...jesus

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PBNJ

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Guys I am just unsure, I have been searching online for a picture or anything clear that I could see and couldnt find anything, My question is that is this too much flare on the shell? check the pic, also, is going 6 grain on my first loads too much?

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Im using the Dillon XL650...this is my first go....been at this flare thing for an hour!!!


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Way too much flare. You need just enough so the bullet will sit in the case. 6 grains of what powder. Do you have a reloading manual?
 
PBNJ said:
The powder is winchester 231. Okay I'll get the flare down thanks
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If you put the flared case on the bench like in your photo, and you can easily set the bullet onto the top of it and the bullet easily sits even where you want in the flare (i.e. it doesn't tip and it doesn't take you 3 or 4 tries to balance the bullet on the flare), you've got it right. The less flare, the better. You're shooting to have just enough flare that when you start to push the bullet down into the case, it slides in nicely and doesn't crush the case.

I use plated or jacketed bullets and the bullet will stretch the brass out a little as it gets pushed down into the case.

Also, I use Win 231 for my IPSC major loads and I only use 5.3 grains pushing 180 gr plated or jacked bullets. If you're new to loading, use a good load manual and work your way up in powder. I used steps of .1 or .2 grains and loaded about 10 rounds of each starting at whatever the book gave for a recommended starting load. I marked the side of each loaded round with a red sharpie with the amount of powder. Then when you pick up all that fired brass, it is easier to tell if any particular loads are giving you grief with possible overpressure indicators.

6 gr might not be too hot for your set up but you really should start at minimum and work your way up from there. It does matter what weight and type of bullets you are using as well.
 
"WHAT DOES YOUR BOOK SAY ABOUT 6 GRAINS OF THAT POWDER BEING A SAFE LOAD?"

Are you sure you are ready to do this??

What is your bullet weight? That is critical info.

Gentlemen, I believe we are witnessing the beginning of the end of our new brother...

GET A BOOK!!! STUDY IT!! You have no idea how wrong this could go for you if the information you gave in your original post is all the information you have!!

I heartily suggest that you stop. Back away. Get informed. Shoot safe. PLEASE.
 
rookie wildcat said:
"WHAT DOES YOUR BOOK SAY ABOUT 6 GRAINS OF THAT POWDER BEING A SAFE LOAD?"

Are you sure you are ready to do this??

What is your bullet weight? That is critical info.

Gentlemen, I believe we are witnessing the beginning of the end of our new brother...

GET A BOOK!!! STUDY IT!! You have no idea how wrong this could go for you if the information you gave in your original post is all the information you have!!

I heartily suggest that you stop. Back away. Get informed. Shoot safe. PLEASE.
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What? You mean you don't just fill the case up all the way with powder? :eek:

:HR:
 
For sure buy a book, and read it first! Also get someone to help you if you can. For 180gr FMJ and 175gr SWC lead I use 4.0 gr of titegroup.
 
ABC's of Reloading

Buy the ABC's of reloading for 10.00 alomost anywhere that sells loading books, then a buy a loading manual, hornady is my favorite. Read the entire introduction before jumping into the loading section.

It would be wise to find someone to load with the first time to give you a 101 on the actual physical steps for saftey issues you need to know. I'm fairly new at it and I"ve loaded over 1000 rounds so far and I took my own advise.

So unless you like looking like the coyote after his ball of ### goes off in his face chasing the roadrunner, take my advise too. Cheers and be safe, oh and have fun too.
 
i don't shoot 40, but 9mm and 45, and i'd sure QUESTION that load of 231- my 9mm i shoot RIGHT AT 5, AND THAT'S A 38KPSI LOAD- the 45 i use 6 grains for a 200 and that's about 17-18k, right where it should be- now with the 40, i'd EXPECT it to fall somwhere BETWEEN the 2 extremes- BOTH OF THE LOADS I USE ARE MAXIMUM according to speer
 
rooster22 said:
Buy the ABC's of reloading for 10.00 alomost anywhere that sells loading books, then a buy a loading manual, hornady is my favorite. Read the entire introduction before jumping into the loading section.

It would be wise to find someone to load with the first time to give you a 101 on the actual physical steps for saftey issues you need to know. I'm fairly new at it and I"ve loaded over 1000 rounds so far and I took my own advise.

So unless you like looking like the coyote after his ball of ### goes off in his face chasing the roadrunner, take my advise too. Cheers and be safe, oh and have fun too.
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Excellent advice.
 
The metal plate on dillon scale holding in beam pivot V-groove is twisted. Make sure V-groove is in proper place. Five thou of flare should be enough.
 
OP, you really should just stop now like the guys said here. Grab a manual and do some reading, it will save you a wreck and possible injury.

Seriously, do it.
 
Colin said:
For sure buy a book, and read it first! Also get someone to help you if you can. For 180gr FMJ and 175gr SWC lead I use 4.0 gr of titegroup.
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Just for interest sake - are you making major with that load? I load 4.5 gr. of Titegroup behind 180 gr. JHP with an OAL of around 1.79" and at the last Level III match I've barely made major by a skin of my teeth. What's your OAL and how tight do you crimp?
 
albog said:
Just for interest sake - are you making major with that load? I load 4.5 gr. of Titegroup behind 180 gr. JHP with an OAL of around 1.79" and at the last Level III match I've barely made major by a skin of my teeth. What's your OAL and how tight do you crimp?
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I use 4.5gr. of Titegroup with a Plated 180gr. bullet out of my Glock 22. Taper crimp, standard length. Makes major easily for me, averages about 970fps for me.
 
Spotted jesus? Is that like a spotted frog? Some special reloaders' jesus? We probably need one, judging by these types of threads.

By all means, buy a copy of the ABC's of Reloading. Probably $30 now days, but well worth the cost. Look, reloading isn't hard. It's a mechanical process, and as such, has variables you MUST consider. Read and learn. I will never understand folks who are ok spending thousands on guns, hundreds on loading gear, but balk at less then $100 that will save their fingers and face if they pay attention. - dan
 
Spotted jesus. . . bahahaha. Read through the whole thread, but not my own post apparently!:redface: I do agree that we need a patron saint of munitions assembly - perhaps St. Hodgdon, propellant of goodness.
 
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