40 S&W Reloading with LNL AP

[WLE]

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=131352&stc=1&d=1291085052




The case you see is a once fired 40 S&W federal case. The Dies are Hornady in a LNL AP press. The case can not fully engage into the die during the resizing because the die comes in contact with the shell plate. Notice the ring about .050 away from being completely resized down the entire length of the case. The case length measures .845. The area where the die did not resize measures .426 in diameter. The case resize area measures about .418. After reloading a few cases I dropped the rounds in the barrel with no head space problems. The tech. at Hornady told me it was not a problem. I would still like to get some others insite as well. Thank-you, Bill

Has any one else experienced this situation with 40 S&W?

Would a different press allow the case to be fully engaged in the die?

Will this condition weaken the case after several reloads?

Those little buggers build up alot of pressure.

 

[GJgo]

While I don't know what the official answer is, if it were me, I'd feel a little funny about it in an unsupported chamber like a Glock. If your chamber is supported then I wouldn't worry as much.

I can tell you that after trying multiple dies from all the major makers, I'll only be buying Redding from now on.

 

[Bovice]

If you want that section resized, you need a full length resizing die. The Lee factory crimp die is a commonly discussed die on here in the reloading section of THR, and it would fix this for you. It is a full length resizing die (goes ALL the way down the case) and also crimps the case mouth on the bullet. Lots of people like to argue about it and whether or not it's necessary. Before it blows up into a thread like one of those, what you should understand is that much of the .40 brass you will encounter will be bulged pretty good near the rear of the case. This die will "fix" that for you. You will still need to watch for signs of imminent case failure though.

Don't listen to them and just get one. It makes life so much easier. All you have to do is make it your final stage on your progressive. Bullets get crimped and case is fully resized.

 

[Xfire68]

I will second the FCD from Lee! Love that it makes sure all cases are the right size every time!

 

[WLE]

I just looked at one of my carbide Lee sizing die. The measurements and the internal chamfers are the same as the Hornady except for the overall length of the die….Lee being shorter. I could sand off the bottom of the die but then the chamfer would be removed and eliminate the ease of entry for the case. I wonder if the Dillon Press and Die set up would achieve a full case re-size….or some other Progressive Press.

 

[Walkalong]

That is normal. Sizers do not size any farther down. Looks like the sizer has a sharp edge at the bottom the way it makes a ridge on the case. That would worry me, not how far down it is sized. The FCD won't fix it. Not what it was designed to do. It's carbide ring is larger than the sizers and will not go any farther down the case than the sizer will.

 

[Walkalong]

I loaded some .40 earlier this evening on my LNL. I just took a look at them and my sizer does not go as far down as yours did there, and it leaves no ridge.

 

[WLE]

Walkalong,

you are correct you can actually catch a fingernail in the crease. The case measures .430 + or - before sizing and after sizing .418. The SIG 229 does completely support the chamber however it seams to me that area could be a stress fatigue point. Federal cases seam to be a little softer then the Starline which is not as pronounced.

 

[WLE]

What Brass are you using??? What does your case measure before and after??

 

[rfwobbly]

Walkalong is right. However the Hornady die is supposed to used a tapered carbide ring to prevent that abrupt diameter change. Looks like a little case lube wouldn't hurt.

 

[WLE]

The Bass I am reloading has Mixed Head Stamps...Speer...Federal..Winchester...Blazer..R P....The federal seams to be the softer. The picture view was the worst one.

 

[WLE]

I will try some case lube.

 

[Walkalong]

I am using mixed brass as well. I picked this round off the top in the Midway box they are in. It happens to be Winchester.

 

[cfullgraf]

Redding makes a push through die that resizes the 40 S&W case down to the case head and removes the bulge from unsupported chambers.

Of course, it makes an extra off line step on the progressive press. It is a reason to keep a single stage press around.

I am in the process of setting up my Hornady L-N-L for 40 S&W but am waiting on the shell plate.

 

[WLE]

I am using mixed brass as well. I picked this round off the top in the Midway box they are in. It happens to be Winchester.

Excellant photo's. What die are you using? I see absolutly no transition ridge at all.

Even on new starline brass the die leaves a slight visual line. Sounds like a die problem. Could I chuck the die in the lath and taper the mouth of the die a few thousands?? This will remove the coating at the mouth of the die. Or, Would you send it back to Hornady with a few shells for their review?

 

[Walkalong]

I used a Redding carbide sizer, but I have a Lee carbide sizer that does just as well.

I think you are trying to size too far down the case. Adjust the sizer up a little. If it still puts a ridge in many of the cases I would say it is defective. Hornady will replace it. I am not a fan of the Nitrided dies. I bought one in 9MM years ago and withing 1000 rounds the coating was worn nearly off. It required tremendous effort to size. That was my last Hornady die set. I also did not like the fact that the expander plug did not come out if it needed polishing down etc. That said, I really like the Hornady pistol seaters. I have them for several calibers. The Redding competition seaters are the best, but pricey. I use a Hornady seater with the micrometer top in my 9MM set. I had to trace the markings with a fine sharpie so I could read them though.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6224532&postcount=20

 

[WLE]

Walkalone…..I first backed of the Hornady Resizing Die as you suggested about 1/8 then ¼ and still the same condition existed. I had a Lee carbide die that I use to use in the Lee 4 hole Classis and installed that Die in the resizing position on the LNL. I set the ram about 3/16 away from the shell plate and resized several cases……they look like yours in the picture. They measure about .424 +- . Good call!!! I always thought that carbide was a better way to go. It is harder and less likely to wear. I greatly appreciate all the input from all.
As a side note….. when I purchased my LNL AP over a year ago the powder metering always seamed to fluctuate a few grains. I recently purchased a new powder drop assembly because I am going to purchase another LNL at some point in the future. This one came with an internal sheet metal powder baffle. I installed the baffle and now the powder measures consistent. Hornady is sending me free of charge a baffle for my other powder drop. I will be sending the Resizing Die and a few case back for their review. Great folks at Hornday. God… how I love Capitalism. Try doing that with the new Health Care Bill.

 

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http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=131352&stc=1&d=1291085052




The case you see is a once fired 40 S&W federal case. The Dies are Hornady in a LNL AP press. The case can not fully engage into the die during the resizing because the die comes in contact with the shell plate. Notice the ring about .050 away from being completely resized down the entire length of the case. The case length measures .845. The area where the die did not resize measures .426 in diameter. The case resize area measures about .418. After reloading a few cases I dropped the rounds in the barrel with no head space problems. The tech. at Hornady told me it was not a problem. I would still like to get some others insite as well. Thank-you, Bill

Has any one else experienced this situation with 40 S&W?

Would a different press allow the case to be fully engaged in the die?

Will this condition weaken the case after several reloads?

Those little buggers build up alot of pressure.

WLE Im new to the form, but not to reloading. I spent most of my time on the Cast Boolits fourm SO HI to everyone. I saw you picture and thought that you may have somthing going with that set up.
I see it now a .40 WLE belted magnum wildcat.