Going to load some .40 S+W. Primer choice, starting loads?

I want to start reloading some 40 S+W rounds. I don't have any SPP until my NFT order comes in, I do have some but they are Remmy 1 1/2's which aren't recc'd for that load. I've been using those solely on 9mm loads. I have some SRM but those are for the 300AAC loads. I do have SRP by Federal and Winchester along with SPM by CCI and Federal. So it boils down to SPM or SRP to use atm.
That being said. I'm assuming Powder is also a factor in this as the different burn rates can be a factor?
As far as weighing charges, I've read to start at 10% less than the lowest powder weight. Would this be correct? I have 4 diff powders to choose from. TG, CFEP, WSF, and H110. Thinking of using CFEP as it's already been opened.

I have new Starline brass that I will use as well. TIA

1KPerDay said:

Of those choices I would go with SPM. Definitely not H110. What is WIN F? If WSF I would use that or CFEP.

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Yes sry meant WSF. My coffee isn't working yet and I fixed it.

mdi said:

I agree with 1K. And unless you have your BS filter working well, ignore "what I've read" stuff. The 10% reduction is noted for starting loads when only one powder charge is listed, which is the max. charge. Many reloaders pay little or no attention to book starting loads and begin with reducing the max. listed charge 10%. If you reduce your loads 10% below starting charges, you risk your semi-auto not functioning/cycling and bullets stuck in the barrel.

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Yeah, don't want any more squibs and that makes sense. Main concern is if the hotter primer would make a drastic difference and need any compensation. Thanks.

1KPerDay said:

It will likely make very little difference IME and unless you’re loading max loads I wouldn’t worry about it. I loaded a crapload of 9mm range loads during the last panic using SPM and could discern no difference. I don’t have a chronograph though.

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Thanks.

Dudedog said:

SPM is probably best but I would try whatever I had the most of and didn't need for the rifle or mag pistol use first.
I haven't used all those flavors so I don't know which is easiest to set off. Striker fired guns may be more picky than a hammer fired gun.
You might have to back off a 1/10 or 2/10s at MAX charges but you might not.
I sure wouldn't load a bunch until I made sure the gun would make them go bang. I would think 10-20 would give you a good idea.
Hope your NFT order gets to you soon.

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I Have an equal amount of SPM and SRP, may try both but will prolly use the SPM to start. Definitely going to start out small to see if they will even work in the Glock. I too hope my NFT order comes soon, I'm sure many others are as well lol. Thanks for the feedback.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

I’m about to start down the same path. I have the advantage of a small supply of SPP and a variety of powder but I don’t have any.400”/.401” projectiles. Picked up a Hornady Custom Grade 3-die set today. I have 3300 cases on the way. Still waiting for them. I will be following your progress with bait on my breath.

No, wait...

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I have 100 new brass, and about 600 pre fired brass at least. A lot of it is bulged, I have the Bulge buster for my LEE APP, but need the factory crimp die to use it. My RCBS carbide die was able to size some to be able plunk in my barrel but not in my case gauge, but you can still see a bulge. I have about 50 that it was able to size where it would plunk in both.

It did occur to me If my striker fired pistol hitting hard enough to make it pop could be an issue. Rather than spend time doing loads that might not light due to that, couldn't I just primer the case and try to fire it with no bullet? If it pops it, then I assume I'd be good to go. I figure I could try both the SPM and SRP without wasting time loading on rounds that may have to come apart.

Been meaning to follow up here. Tested both the CCI and the Federal spm's in the Glock, and it popped them both. So I'm going to work up some loads. Will do the 5 at lowest and probably 5 at .2-.3 more and go from the their. I think I'm going to use the WSF or the TG as that is what I have the most of. I have one of those books with all the published data combined, using that to start. Still verifying it's current as well. I appreciate the input. Thanks

vaalpens said:

So what bullets do you have?


I would probably keep the new Starline brass for later and start with the pre-fired brass. Keep the new Starline brass for when you have settled on a load and maybe want to find tune something or push the limits.

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I'll be using Berry's 180gr FP plated bullets. I loaded up 10 Starline with 5.5 and 5.7 gr at 5/5. Did about 7 more of some once fired federal brass at 5.5 as well. Set my OAL to 1.125" I went with WSF and the Fed SPM's.. Just about to go crimp them now. May get a chrony in the AM before I go test

Mark_Mark said:

My last load for .40 was

175 JFP 6.0 Auto Comp 1.145 doing 950fps

case was also bulge busted for consistency

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Yeah I'm ordering a crimp die tonight So I can take care of my bulgers that my sizing die couldn't fix. Getting a match barrel for the glock so hopefully i wont have to worry about the case bulging anymore.

Mark_Mark said:

you know that .40 can become a .357 Sig very easily

same case too... my next project

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Yep.I hear you.I have too many right now. I still need to get on some 300AAC, and now 10mm since I'm upgrading my woods gun.....