Thank you THR members! First reload - 40S&W

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Gr8apmech

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Mar 27, 2011
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Just a quick thanks to all who've helped me get my first reload going. It wasn't the specific help that any individual gave, but the plethora of knowledge and experience on THR that allowed me the research to have a successful first time out with my reloaded 40's!

MBC IDP#2 Lead 170gr bullets
Winchester shells, once fired
Win SPP
Win231, 4.3gr
1.124 OAL

This set up worked fine for my Sigma 40.

I shot approximately 80rnds off with 2 FTF due to lead buildup not allowing to fully chamber the rnds - bullets were not cleaned/tumbled after loading and had some lead shavings on a couple...gaining experience!

Thanks THR!:D
 
Congrats. A little more belling should stop the lead shaving. That is part of how we get our dies adjusted sometimes. Trial & error.

Feels great, doesn't it. :)
 
Along with Walkalong's suggestion, take a mouth chamfer tool and cut the corner out of the inside of the case mouth. Not much and a one time thing for each pistol cartridge case. It will remove the sharp corner which will aggravate the lead shaving.

It is gratifying to shoot your own reloads.
 
No, it is not, but I do not recommend tumbling to try to remove lead shavings. There should be very little to none, and it can be wiped off by hand easily.
 
Most of the lead shaving will come off with your fingers and finger nails.

If you need more draconian methods like a knife or flat screwdriver, something else is wrong and needs to corrected post hast. Most likely is the case mouth has not been expanded enough or seating a cocked bullet but there can be other reasons.

In those situations, tumbling will not help anyway. The lead is jammed too hard in the case mouth.

People tumble finished rounds all the time. I elect not to. All of my cleaning/polishing is done before the bullet gets stuff into the case.
 
If you need more draconian methods like a knife or flat screwdriver, something else is wrong and needs to corrected post hast. Most likely is the case mouth has not been expanded enough or seating a cocked bullet but there can be other reasons.
Click to expand...
Exactly. :)
 
Wow, 40 S&W for a 1st reload?
Starting on the hard end, huh?

Glad to hear they worked for you & +1 to Walkalong's suggestion.
Bell 'em just a bit more to stop the shaving.
 
My first reloads were .40s also. But I loaded a thousand plated before I started with MBC lead. Both worked perfectly. I don't tumble my rounds after loading, and I wouldn't try with lubed/lead bullets.
 
Hondo 60 said:
Wow, 40 S&W for a 1st reload?
Starting on the hard end, huh?
Click to expand...

What's so difficult about loading 40 S&W? While it wasn't around when I started reloading, I have not found it any more difficult than anything else I reload.
 
Thanks again guys! I'll take that belling idea and put it to work...picked up some more brass today!!!

Yes, it does feel great to shoot my own hand loads. I also make my own beer! I really like to see how things are made and do it myself...until it takes up too much of my time (BIL now owns my brewing equipment!)
 
What's so difficult about loading 40 S&W? While it wasn't around when I started reloading, I have not found it any more difficult than anything else I reload.
Click to expand...

When I first started reloading I was told to start with low pressure rounds like .38 spl.

Because the 40S&W is a high pressure round any little mistake can be disastrous.
 
Hondo 60 said:
When I first started reloading I was told to start with low pressure rounds like .38 spl.

Because the 40S&W is a high pressure round any little mistake can be disastrous.
Click to expand...

And double charging a 38 Special case is not disastrous?

Reading, following directions and being vigilant are key to safe reloading.
 
I shot approximately 80rnds off with 2 FTF due to lead buildup not allowing to fully chamber the rnds - bullets were not cleaned/tumbled after loading and had some lead shavings on a couple...gaining experience!
Click to expand...

If your belling is correct, try backing out your seating die a scosh. The seating die also removes the belling and if it closes down to soon/too much (you're not roll crimping a .40 S&W) it can shave lead. Don't forget to readjust the seating punch. ;)

You'll want to spend a very long time scrubbing your hands when moving between those 2 hobbies !!
Click to expand...

Blue nitrile gloves from WalMart. Keeps your hands clean & gives good grip on those polished cases & moly coated boolits.

Reading, following directions and being vigilant are key to safe reloading.
Click to expand...

True, but some rounds are more forgiving of minor errors. .40 S&W is not one of those.
 
Congrats and starting a very satisfying hobby! :)

BTW, I also have dabbled in making my own beer (as well as some mead). It's just in my nature to want to craft something myself rather than take what's on the shelf.

As a matter of fact I need to try and dig up an article I read recently. It was a psychological test that indicated that people specifically took more pride in using as well as better care of items or things that they had made themselves vs something someone else made.
 
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