Hey guys!
As title suggests, in the next day or 2 I'm gonna start my first batch of reloads. I finally got my equipment set up in the shop and can't wait to try it. I'm using a Lee Classic Turret press (as a single stage, auto-index rod removed) with Pro Auto Disk powder measure and Safety Prime system. Have a set of lee deluxe pistol dies in my chosen caliber (.40 S&W), 4-piece carbide set. My components are CCI small pistol primers, tumbled-clean once-fired brass (variety of manufactures), Win 231 powder, and generic 165 gr flat-nose (RNFP?) copper-plated bullets I got from the gun show. I had asked for 180 gr. boolits, but didn't notice till i got outside the bag was labelled 165 gr. (I checked both weight and diameter, so I'm not worried about a mix-up).
I have a few (ok a LOT of) questions before I get started. Figured better to ask a dumb question for clarification or to double check than to make a mistake. So here goes:
1 - The only load data in my Modern Reloading manual (ca 2011)is for a "165 Grain Jacketed Bullet". There is no heading in .40 for "165 Grain Plated Bullet" as I have seen for some other calibers. Can I use the data under "Jacketed Bullet" when reloading with a same weight copper 'plated' bullet?
2 - the load i reference in question #1 lists (for w231) a "Starting Grains" of 4.8 and a "Never Exceed" of 5.3 grains. I assume I should start at 4.8 grains (or as close as my auto-disk will allow) for my first few batches, and only work up higher loads until I feel comfortable with the process (and even then only do it gradually in steps up to the "never exceed" value. Just wanna double-check my plan.
I will be using my turret press as a single stage (do each step to a batch of cases before moving on to next station). My understanding is the process will go basically like this:
A) Deprime/resize
B) Re-prime
C) Expand and Charge with powder
D) Seat Bullet
E) Crimp
My questions are about this are:
3 - Which die should be over the ram when i re-prime? My understanding is the priming is done on the down-stroke as the ram reaches the bottom of its throw. This suggests that the die that happens to be over the ram at that time is not significant. Please correct me if I am wrong.
4 - How do I initially set-up my primer arm? I assume there is an adjustment to control primer-seating depth. Is there an initial set-up process for this part (equivalent to the "screw die in until it touches ram then back 1/2 turn" type instructions for initial setup on dies). Or is it just try it, check depth, and adjust as needed to get correct primer depth? My concern is if it came outta the box adjusted to set the primer way to deep, and accidentally detonates a primer.
5 - With straight-sided pistol cases, do i need to worry about re-sizing (checking for case length)? I understand once I've reloaded them several times this may be an issue, but all this brass is once-fired.
6 - Since I have carbide dies, i do not need to worry about lubricating the cases prior to resizing/expanding correct?
7 - My die set came with a "Factory Crimp" die, but the instructions indicate you can crimp using the bullet-seating die also. What is the difference between a crimp from the bullet seating die and one from the "factory crimp" die? Is it one-or-the-other or can (should) you use both crimps? Is crimping even necessary for pistol rounds (I remember reading somewhere that it is not)
Sorry for swamping you guys with questions, but there are all these little tiny details I wasn't quite sure of, and the various manuals and such I've read don’t give clear-cut unequivocal answers. And since I'm gonna be making ammunition, I want to be COMPLETELY clear about what I'm doing. Thanks for the help guys!! Wish me luck!
As title suggests, in the next day or 2 I'm gonna start my first batch of reloads. I finally got my equipment set up in the shop and can't wait to try it. I'm using a Lee Classic Turret press (as a single stage, auto-index rod removed) with Pro Auto Disk powder measure and Safety Prime system. Have a set of lee deluxe pistol dies in my chosen caliber (.40 S&W), 4-piece carbide set. My components are CCI small pistol primers, tumbled-clean once-fired brass (variety of manufactures), Win 231 powder, and generic 165 gr flat-nose (RNFP?) copper-plated bullets I got from the gun show. I had asked for 180 gr. boolits, but didn't notice till i got outside the bag was labelled 165 gr. (I checked both weight and diameter, so I'm not worried about a mix-up).
I have a few (ok a LOT of) questions before I get started. Figured better to ask a dumb question for clarification or to double check than to make a mistake. So here goes:
1 - The only load data in my Modern Reloading manual (ca 2011)is for a "165 Grain Jacketed Bullet". There is no heading in .40 for "165 Grain Plated Bullet" as I have seen for some other calibers. Can I use the data under "Jacketed Bullet" when reloading with a same weight copper 'plated' bullet?
2 - the load i reference in question #1 lists (for w231) a "Starting Grains" of 4.8 and a "Never Exceed" of 5.3 grains. I assume I should start at 4.8 grains (or as close as my auto-disk will allow) for my first few batches, and only work up higher loads until I feel comfortable with the process (and even then only do it gradually in steps up to the "never exceed" value. Just wanna double-check my plan.
I will be using my turret press as a single stage (do each step to a batch of cases before moving on to next station). My understanding is the process will go basically like this:
A) Deprime/resize
B) Re-prime
C) Expand and Charge with powder
D) Seat Bullet
E) Crimp
My questions are about this are:
3 - Which die should be over the ram when i re-prime? My understanding is the priming is done on the down-stroke as the ram reaches the bottom of its throw. This suggests that the die that happens to be over the ram at that time is not significant. Please correct me if I am wrong.
4 - How do I initially set-up my primer arm? I assume there is an adjustment to control primer-seating depth. Is there an initial set-up process for this part (equivalent to the "screw die in until it touches ram then back 1/2 turn" type instructions for initial setup on dies). Or is it just try it, check depth, and adjust as needed to get correct primer depth? My concern is if it came outta the box adjusted to set the primer way to deep, and accidentally detonates a primer.
5 - With straight-sided pistol cases, do i need to worry about re-sizing (checking for case length)? I understand once I've reloaded them several times this may be an issue, but all this brass is once-fired.
6 - Since I have carbide dies, i do not need to worry about lubricating the cases prior to resizing/expanding correct?
7 - My die set came with a "Factory Crimp" die, but the instructions indicate you can crimp using the bullet-seating die also. What is the difference between a crimp from the bullet seating die and one from the "factory crimp" die? Is it one-or-the-other or can (should) you use both crimps? Is crimping even necessary for pistol rounds (I remember reading somewhere that it is not)
Sorry for swamping you guys with questions, but there are all these little tiny details I wasn't quite sure of, and the various manuals and such I've read don’t give clear-cut unequivocal answers. And since I'm gonna be making ammunition, I want to be COMPLETELY clear about what I'm doing. Thanks for the help guys!! Wish me luck!
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