Lee Load Master .40 S&W setup

[mtheroux]

Hey guys,

Newbie here. Been waiting since June and finally received my Lee Load Master setup for .40 S&W. After I get my feet wet I'll load some .223 also, but not yet.

Time to tune back in to get your advice for a good setup. I have not bought supplies yet.

1 - I need primers. Lee wants me to use CCI primers. I understand the .40 S&W uses a small pistol primer #500.

2 - I need powder. I've read certain powder issues. What are the most common/most reliable ones, and what ones should be avoided.

3 - I need bullets. I imagine I have quite a few choices. What are your favorite bullet types/grains?

4 - I'll be back later with Load Master setup questions , but here is a quick one now. What advantage does the Factory Crimp Die provide (I may want to order one)?


Thanks

 

[daboone]

You might want to check out http://loadmastervideos.com/. That site is all about the LM, it issues, fixes, tips and tricks. It is much better than Lee's manual.

go ahead and order the FCD. It provides much better control of the crimp and it's placement on the turret helps keep the OAL consistent.

 

[Walkalong]

Any small pistol primer will work. It doesn't have to be CCI, although they are fine primers. These days where primers are still a bit hard to find, some are even using small pistol mag primers (with a slight reduction in powder). Anyway, whichever small pistol primer you can find will work.

I really like Universal Clays in the .40, and it could serve you well if you branch out to other pistol calibers such as 9MM or .45.

Folks use anything from 135 to 180 Gr, and a few use heavier, bullets in .40. I kind of like 180's at leisurely speeds (900 to 950 FPS) for plinking, but I also shoot 155's and 165's, both mainly for light loads.

The cheapest bullet route will be lead, with plated or jacketed being a good bit more expensive.

There are many good bullet suppliers. I really like Berrys plated bullets, but I shoot some jacketed and some lead as well. I just tried some Powerbond plated bullets and they shoot quite well. X-Treme makes nice plated bullets as well.

Missouri Bullets is a member here and gets good reviews for his cast bullets, but there are many good lead bullet makers.

 

[youngda9]

My load for target shooting: 6.5gr Unique, 165gr Rainier, Fed#100M, 930fps

Any small pistol primer will do. Get yourself a reloading manual.

Hogdon will give you lots of loads also. There are other sites as well.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[Historian]

First, welcome to this hobby. It can be fun and teach you a lot. For .40 S&W, I prefer W231 for my powder. It measures well and consistantly. Right now I am shooting 180g
plated bullets over 5.2g of 231. This slighly above the starting load but it gives you a pretty healthy recoil. You may want to start with a lighter bullet. The powder weight will not be the same and the recoil will be less. +1 on getting a couple or three manuals. Lyman #49 seems to be popular around here and I use mine all the time. Best of luck and good shooting. Be safe.

Historian

 

[mtheroux]

Is that Over maximum?

Historian,

I went to the Hodgdon Reloading Center and it says:
.40 S&W / W231 / 180g / starting load 4.1 / maximum load 5.0

Am I reading the information, or are you shooting above the maximum load?

For those who wondered - I have bought a reloading manual and a reloading CD already.


Thanks,

 

[Historian]

I am at work and cannot check my Lyman #49, but I am thinking that the starting load for a 180g is 5.0g of W231. Could someone please check you #49 and get back to me? Thanks,

Historian

 

[Nate1778]

You also want to order a universal depriming die for station 1, put the sizing die in station 2 for primer alignment.

 

[mtheroux]

Thanks Nate. I have one.

 

[Jumping Frog]

You might want to check out http://loadmastervideos.com/. That site is all about the LM, it issues, fixes, tips and tricks. It is much better than Lee's manual.

I'll second that notion. You'll find both daboone and I over there as well.

There are a couple of recommendations that will help you set up and get running effectively.

1. Watch the videos to understand the press and die setup.
2. Especially watch the videos on the primer system. Taking the time now to take apart the primer tray and make sure there are no burrs or plastic flash will pay off. Everything must be smooth. It also shows how to setup the primer seating depth.
3. Make sure the press is mounted more securely than you would ever anticipate needing. I cracked my first table top and my press is now mounted on a 2x12. Press movement due to a flimsy mount flexing creates problems.

The most common complaint you hear about the Loadmaster has to do with primers flipping or other problems. Taking the 10 minutes to setup your primer system correctly makes a huge difference. I usually have 1 or 2 primers per thousand that are a problem, but I've heard people complaining about 1 primer in 10. Good setup makes a difference!

I agree with the powder recommendations, but also want to put in a plug for Ramshot Zip. It does a great job.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

Historian - you are correct. Lyman #49 shows 5.0 starting and 5.6 max for 231 under a 180gr jacketed for 40 S&W.

 

[RON in PA]

Remember that those loads are for a jacketed bullet, lead bullets use a max of 5.0 grains and can go down to 4.0 grains of 231. Data is from a Winchester powder manual.

 

[Jumping Frog]

Setup questions

4 - I'll be back later with Load Master setup questions,

If you want, you can PM me and I'd be glad to call you on the telephone to talk through and answer any questions.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

RON in PA - good point. I have never used plated bullets, didn't realize they were treated differently than jacketed. Now I know - thanks!