Is this normal?

[MadOtis]

It's me again, the FNG...

I just loaded up about 25 rounds of .40 with 6.7gr of Longshot using 180g JHPs. Since these are the very first .40's I've loaded, is this apparent case concavity normal? About 10 of the rounds out of the 25 have a slight concave sidewall on all the cases after loading. They all measure 1.129 to 1.131 OAL, and I checked every powder charge to ensure it was accurate.

I ask, because out of 500 9mm loads, NONE had that sort of slight distortion on the case walls.

If it helps, I'm using a Lee turret press with the Lee 4-die .40 caliber dies.

Here's a link just in case the image doesn't load: http://www.flickr.com/photos/madotis/9278315555/lightbox/

Just curious if I should try these out at the range tomorrow before I make alot more.

 

[Woolecox]

Yes that is normal. I would suggest using a max case gage to check 40S&W. Or you can just take the barrel out of your pistol and make sure they seat well. If you are shooting a Glock, you should not have any problems. On tighter chambers, you may.

 

[MadOtis]

Phew! Ok, good. I was worried there was something wrong with my dies or something.

Every one loaded fine in my barrel, nice and flush, as expected. No binding, etc.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Just curious if I should try these out at the range tomorrow before I make alot more.

That is always a good idea.

 

[ljnowell]

Just curious if I should try these out at the range tomorrow before I make alot more.

Didnt we cover that in your other thread with the 500 9mm that werent worked up, just loaded? Learn from your mistakes man.

 

[Walkalong]

I would definitely try those first and see how you like them.

I like 180s at 950/975ish FPS, and that is about what a lot of the store bought stuff is running from 4" guns, so I am loading 6.3 Grs Longshot and getting that from my sons S&W SD40 VE. The Federal 180 Gr Hydra Shoks ran right at 980ish FPS from the SD40 VE.

I know the data allows a good bit higher charges and velocities to match, but I am not interested in shooting 180s at 1100 to 1150 FPS.

Some people like em hot though.

 

[MadOtis]

@ljnowell: Yes indeed, I do learn. I was asking more about the slight case deformity BEFORE I go try these out.

I'm not interested in hot loads; I'm reloading now just to be able to economically feed my shooting obsession at the range. For defense, I'll buy factory until I get somewhat proficient at this new hobby. As soon as I find a decent source for lead, I'll start casting my own bullets, too.

 

[ljnowell]

Yes indeed, I do learn. I was asking more about the slight case deformity BEFORE I go try these out.

Ah, gotcha man. I thought you were debating cranking out a bunch without testing them.

 

[MadOtis]

Lol, nope. I listen to what the masters have to say and learn from their wisdom.

 

[mxjunky78]

That's why this place is so great, someone more than likely has been there and done that!

 

[gamestalker]

Just use the barrel to make sure they chamber nicely, if they do, just shoot em.

As for the load at 6.7 grs., that's a good starting load to work up from. But I have found that LS performs best when run at a bit higher pressure. I like to run 180 JHP's between 7.0 and 7.5 grs. of Longshot. So see what you get with that load, if it's dirty and doesn't consistently cycle, then you'll probably want / need to bump the charge up a little bit more.

In my opinion, you are working with one of the best powders for the .40 with jacketed bullets.

GS

 

[MadOtis]

I actually got back from the range an hour or two ago and shot all of the test rounds. They were much more consistent than the factory loads I had. I've never had a group that tight with factory loads.

I did have one squib load, so I either missed a charge or charged it way too light, and it happened to be one of odd-loads I didn't check (I checked about every 3rd round for charge weigh). Or, just a bad primer. So, until I'm satisfied it was MY mistake and not the Lee Pro-auto disk, I'm going to check each load for charge in the next batch; if one looks lighter than the others, I'll know.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Or, just a bad primer.

Usually not the problem. Look for soot.

I listen to what the masters have to say and learn from their wisdom.

Be wary. One of the masters just stained his reputation with a 44.
And us non-masters aren't any better.

 

[Walkalong]

Now that's some funny stuff right there, I don't care who you are.

But yes, always take internet advice with a grain of salt.

 

[MadOtis]

Usually not the problem. Look for soot

Yes, there was a good bit of soot in the chamber, and it was just enough pop to lodge the bullet into the rifling of the barrel.

But yes, always take internet advice with a grain of salt.

Wait, you guys AREN'T French Models? I'm sure I saw someone type "Bonjour" in another post!

 

[Jesse Heywood]

The soot says the primer worked. Sounds like you missed a charge. Many times that means the next round had a double. I have an RCBS turret, and don't check that many charged cases. I just try to make sure every handle pull is the same.

 

[MadOtis]

It's quite possible that it could have been one of the cases I spot-checked, and just simply didn't re-charge it once I dumped the charge on the scale. All the rounds except that one fired consistently. I would imagine if I had double-charged a case, it would have let me know somehow (i.e. recoil or kaboom). Since that didn't happen, I like my explanation better.