feeding problems with Berry's 180 FP .40 in Storm Lake

[1KPerDay]

How-do... some of you may remember my continuing saga of suckiness with this particular bullet. Berry's 180 FP, flat base. Can't get an accurate load despite multiple attempts with several powders, charges, FCD, no FCD, adjusting crimp, etc.

Anywho, that's beside the point. These are the flat point, NON-round shouldered version.
http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14499-c14-g8-b0-p0-40_Cal_401_180gr_FP_1000ct.aspx

Having a lot of FTFs using these in a Storm Lake G23 barrel. The OEM barrel seems to feed fine. I haven't had any issues with the SL barrel using Berry's 155 FP or 165 HBFP-TP, which would seem to have a similar shoulder profile, or with the MBC 140 or 180 leads, which shoot great.

I'm wondering if it's just something about the angle/shape of the nose of the bullet combined with the tighter chamber or different ramp profile of the SL barrel, and if so, should I try seating deeper or longer to see if it meliorates the problem? I'm loading to 1.125" like I normally do. Should I try some at 1.135"?

 

[leefan]

Only thing I can think of is that as best I recall all the 40 S&W factory loads I have are round shoulder. And I have had no problem with the Berry's round shoulder in my reloads.

 

[leefan]

FWIW when I was developing my 40 S&W load I measured the OAL of seven factory loads. The range was 1.112 to 1.125 inches. I load the Berry's RS at 1.118.

 

[1KPerDay]

Only thing I can think of is that as best I recall all the 40 S&W factory loads I have are round shoulder. And I have had no problem with the Berry's round shoulder in my reloads.

Yeah, I haven't either. Next purchase will be round shoulder. But I have a bunch of these FP to deal with now.

 

[mokin]

Very interesting.......

I loaded and shot many, many of those in my Glock 29 with a Storm Lake .40 cal. conversion barrel. I have experienced a few failures to chamber but not enough to complain about. It only occurred when I was loading from slide lock and I figured I had my hand on the slide a little longer than necessary. I think I dialed my seating die out a little, 1.130 or so. I haven't had any problems since. Good luck.

BTW, I thought the 180 grain round shoulders were discontinued. Is it true they may not be extinct?

 

[rcmodel]

If I was you, I would seat that bullet so the end of the full diameter shank is just barely sticking out of the case mouth.

Whatever OAL that turns out to be should be right.

If that don't feed, I would suspect the barrels fed ramp.

rc

 

[leefan]

Just got some RS. And they show in stock today. Now all I have to do is use the box of round nose I mistakenly ordered. Talk about a bullet no manufacturer uses!

 

[1KPerDay]

If I was you, I would seat that bullet so the end of the full diameter shank is just barely sticking out of the case mouth.

That's about where it is now, thanks.

Maybe I'll polish the feed ramp. It's almost like they're jamming against the top of the chamber.

I think I dialed my seating die out a little, 1.130 or so. I haven't had any problems since.

Thanks, I may try that.

 

[1KPerDay]

BTW, I thought the 180 grain round shoulders were discontinued. Is it true they may not be extinct?

http://www.berrysmfg.com/product-i14502-c14-g8-b0-p0-40_Cal_401_180gr_RS_1000ct.aspx

 

[sexybeast]

I have a storm lake in my G20 so I can shoot 40 and have no problems feeding anything it seems. But my friend has a storm lake in his G23 and had fits feeding lead. Had it polished and even a smith re-shaped it. Seems to work now but it prefers jacketed still.
Do you have the original barrel? So many posts about aftermarket barrels for glocks, i just don't see why one would do this unless they want to do a conversion. Glock barrels are the strongest and most accurate you can have in your gun.
Stock Glock barrels are on Ebay, Gunbroker, used. Or even new for $150. Much better barrels than Lone Wolf!!!!

 

[1KPerDay]

Do you have the original barrel?

Yeah, otherwise I wouldn't have posted "The OEM barrel seems to feed fine."

I prefer not to shoot lead through the OEM barrel as I tend to go a few (or more) hundred rounds between proper cleanings.

Also I am not a fan of the blast from the ported G23C barrel and prefer the non-ported Storm Lake 99% of the time.

 

[sexybeast]

Yeah, otherwise I wouldn't have posted "The OEM barrel seems to feed fine."

OOps! Missed that. Probably not a good idea to shoot lead or even plated through a ported barrel either.
i've just tried some 155gr semi wadcutters. They seem to feed and function in all of my 40cal guns.