- Location
- West Quebec
+1 True you don't need lube but it's easier on the press and smoother causing less powder spills but don't go overboard
Reloading .40 s&w
- Thread starter RTF2
- Start date
+1 True you don't need lube but it's easier on the press and smoother causing less powder spills but don't go overboard
I ordered the whole kit. I'm leaving for offshore this Wednesday for 4 weeks so I'll be pretty anxious to get home and start haha. Are there any hazards to look out for while reloading, common mistakes than cause a KB or an accident at the press? Any experiences?
Thanks
Good lighting, a roll of painters masking tape and a felt pen for labelling things, a 1/2" and 3/4" wrench to adjust the dies. Keep things neat and clean up and put away everything when you're done. No booze until after.
So basically you just flare it enough to get the bullet to sit there without falling off? Yes, exactly. And this setting never changes.
Or is seating depth a flat standard no matter the bullet or charge? Your magazine will determine the absolute max OAL if you want your ammo to fit the mag. But in 99% of pistols, the max OAL is much less than the magazine length. Take the barrel out of the gun and use it as a bullet seating gauge. the round has to fit the chamber without touching the rifling. Push the round in with your thumb and see if it drops free. This is called the "plunk" test. This is how you determine your OAL. Start seating the rounds long, and make them shorter and shorter until they drop free. make a note of that OAL. It is the OAL for that particular round.
is the seating depth going to depend on the bullet weight and charge used? Seating depth is different for each bullet, because the nose shape determines when the bullet hits the magazine wall or the rifling. The powder charge has nothing to do with COAL.
TiteGroup is a good powder for your application. MAx is determined by pressure. That would be about 5.0 gr for the 165 and 4.7 for the 180. I have never loaded TG that hot. If I want high velocity, I use Power Pistol. I use TG for accuracy loads.
Take you first bullets (165 or 180) and load a survey of various powder charges; say 10 of each. Load 3.4 gr, 3.7, 4.0 and 4.3.
Shoot these off a rest and see if any particular load groups much better. My Glock 22 likes 3.5. And this load feels quite mild.
According to Hodgdons website the starting load for .40 S&W for a 165gr bullet is 4.5gr and a COL 1.125 in. This does not mean that I shouldn't put less in there correct? I can go as low as I want and still leave the COL at 1.125 in? I'm going to have lots of fun with powder charges haha
That turret press will work very well for you, if you get the primer feeder, and flow through powder measure it really makes reloading easy once your set up.
Carbide dies are the same as the steel dies except for the carbide inside that makes them wear better over time, they can withstand a little dirt and abuse over the steel dies.
You can use a lower powder charge than the published start load, so long as you are cognizant of two things:
1. A reduced recoil may spring be required for proper function.
2. Too light of a charge can leave a bullet stuck in the barrel. If you hear a "pop" instead of a "bang," do not shoot again until you have confirmed the barrel is clear.
OAL is dictated by whatever fits your pistol, as described above. You don't even need calipers to determine this. First establish what length works for your gun, then experiment with different powder charges.
- Location
- West Quebec
- Location
- West Quebec
I'd get a couple of manuals and start on the lower end for loads plus check everything twice use a case guage often
in addition to others already said which are all good advice, concentrate on every step of the way and do NOT use brute force when there are any resistance from any station because usually it means something is wrong. check and double-check.
- Location
- West Quebec
You may find this site of interest ...h ttps://ammoguide.com/ lots of detail is available there plus shooters loads
Jonesyatpl
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nanoose Bay, BC
Did you order from American versus Canadian Cabela's? Not being a smart aleck, but is sounds like an import permit fee. If you can't pick stuff up in person, it does get expensive, but not THAT much!
You were looking for Titegroup? Try Henry at Budget Shooter Supply
Sorry if it has been mentioned already, I only skimmed the thread.
Cabelas is uber-expensive for powder shipping no matter where you are. Budget Shooter Supply has had very reasonable rates but they're about as far away from you as you can get. Check Bullseye in London and X-Reload in Quebec as well. The powder might cost more but shipping might be less because they are way closer.
