Just started reloading 40 cal s&w. Shooting px4 storm subcompact. The slide will not come completely forward after each round. Happens with both old and new brass. Also tried lead and fmj bullets. Have tried col from 1.10 to 1.125. Slight crimp and tighter crimp. Lighter loads and heavier loads. Nothing seems to matter. Using hs-6 powder. Factory rounds work just fine. Any suggestions? Showed my reloaded rounds to experts at local reloadind department. They did measurements and said they looked fine.
Reloading 40 s&w
- Thread starter Freeland
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KansasSasquatch
Member
You're either not seating the bullet deep enough or not removing all the flare on the case mouth when you crimp. If you seat the bullet deeper you may want to dial the powder charge down a little.
cowtownup
Member
Have you tried dropping some of those loaded rounds into the barrel to see how they fit... Brass that has been fired in an unsupported chamber such as a GLOCK will have a bulge near the head and could cause issues..
Encoreman
Member
If you don't have one a case gauge will let you quickly and safely make sure your reloaded rounds are to factory specs. Midway and Dillon are 2 makers of these. These are relatively inexpensive and can let you check each round for specs. You can drop each round in your barrel, but this is easier.
LiveLife
Member
To rule out bulged cases that are not being full-length resized, first resize/deprime a test batch of cases. Then take the barrel out of the pistol and check to see if all the resized cases drop in the chamber freely.
Set aside any cases that failed to drop in freely as these would prevent the slide from returning to full battery (cases that won't fully resize on second attempt I deem them too far stretched and recycle them).
Then take all the resized test cases that passed the chamber drop test with a "plink" and reload them as usual. Then drop test them in the barrel to make sure they all fall in freely with a "plonk". If they don't, take rcmodel's usual recommendation and paint the round with a marker to see where the round is rubbing when you try to chamber.
Once you have all the test rounds dropping freely in the chamber with a "plonk", function test by feeding/chambering from the magazine by releasing the slide (you may need to decrease the OAL).
Now, range test your test batch of rounds.
Set aside any cases that failed to drop in freely as these would prevent the slide from returning to full battery (cases that won't fully resize on second attempt I deem them too far stretched and recycle them).
Then take all the resized test cases that passed the chamber drop test with a "plink" and reload them as usual. Then drop test them in the barrel to make sure they all fall in freely with a "plonk". If they don't, take rcmodel's usual recommendation and paint the round with a marker to see where the round is rubbing when you try to chamber.
Once you have all the test rounds dropping freely in the chamber with a "plonk", function test by feeding/chambering from the magazine by releasing the slide (you may need to decrease the OAL).
Now, range test your test batch of rounds.
My rounds feed just fine when i do plunk test. Also feed when i rack the slide by hand. Problem is that when i shoot, the slide does not return fully. Stops about 1/8 inch short. Have tried various oals and crimps. Doesn't matter. Gun is px4 sub.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
What bullet weights, powder types, and powder charges you have tried would be helpful in guessing what the problem could be.
However, if the loads pass the "Plunk Test"??
And fully cycle the slide and lock it open on an empty mag every time??
And measure .421" at the case mouth taper crimp??
Only the Shadow Knows!
I would need more details on what you have already tried to out-guess The Shadow!!
rc
Stormin.40
Member
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- Feb 17, 2011
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I use HS-6 in my PX4 Storm (full size) and at first hand similar issues. I increased the charge towards the upper end data and my feeding problems stopped. I can now load light after a fair amount of shooting without issues. HS-6 doesn't like to loaded light so I used Titegroup for those loads.
How much HS-6 are you using?
How much HS-6 are you using?
Stormin.40
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Sorry just saw your last post with load data. I have to say that is pretty close to my preferred load. I use 6.6 with lead 180gr FP and RN bullets. OAL of 1.120 for FP and 1.125 for RN. I do run all range brass up through the Lee FCD as an extra prep step.
Sorry I can't help?
Sorry I can't help?
gamestalker
member
I use HS6 regularly for my .40 loads and I can tell you from personal experience that it functions very well when the charge is at least mid level. I have had similar issues in 4 different firearms until the charge was increased enough. With 180 gr. jacketed bullets I run at least 7.1 grs.. Speer Gold Dots I run from 7.5 to as high as 8.2 (max) with no pressure issues or feeding problems. I have loaded Hornady's, Sierra's, & Nosler all at 7.5 +, also with no issues.
As for OAL, I let the barrel's determine that. And since I only load with jacketed bullets, I don't bell the case mouths, so I don't apply any crimp at all.
GS
As for OAL, I let the barrel's determine that. And since I only load with jacketed bullets, I don't bell the case mouths, so I don't apply any crimp at all.
GS
advict on 40S&W Load
hi all,
Due to the scarcity of reloading supplies I have had to switch from my beloved WIN 231 to Alliant bullseye. I'm not complaining it is just that this will be a new load for me with 180 grain swc bullets. I load up on a Lee Pro 1000 and have done so for years but have stayed with a few tried and true recipies for my .38 and .45. I am thinking about using between 4.0 and 4.5 gr of powder, a CCI 500 small pistol primer and brand new brass with an OAL of 1.130. What I am looking to achieve is a light target load. What do you guys think....
hi all,
Due to the scarcity of reloading supplies I have had to switch from my beloved WIN 231 to Alliant bullseye. I'm not complaining it is just that this will be a new load for me with 180 grain swc bullets. I load up on a Lee Pro 1000 and have done so for years but have stayed with a few tried and true recipies for my .38 and .45. I am thinking about using between 4.0 and 4.5 gr of powder, a CCI 500 small pistol primer and brand new brass with an OAL of 1.130. What I am looking to achieve is a light target load. What do you guys think....
[email protected]
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- Dec 2, 2010
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- 839
Freeland, what you describe sounds like the col is too long. When you do the plunk test drop the round in the chamber and push on the case head. You should still be able to turn the round, and afterwards it should fall freely. You may be running on the edge of them not working, and when you shoot any free space it filling up with bullet lube/ deposits. Your barrel is the best case gauge that you can get for pistol rounds. for what its worth I have to load cast bullets at 1.095 for one gun.
Buy a case gauge specific to the caliber that you are reloading. They are usually less than 20 dollars and are worth the money. It eliminates dropping a loaded round in the pipe to check the resizing. This way you know if your brass is in spec before you load it.
twice barrel
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- Oct 21, 2009
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"My rounds feed just fine when i do plunk test. Also feed when i rack the slide by hand. Problem is that when i shoot, the slide does not return fully. Stops about 1/8 inch short. Have tried various oals and crimps. Doesn't matter. Gun is px4 sub."
Perhaps a stiffer return spring?
Perhaps a stiffer return spring?
1KPerDay
Member
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=161694
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-252979.html
http://mp-pistol.com/mp-reloading/21543-recipe-40-cal-140gr-cast-lead-conical-fp.html
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=107453
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=412143
http://glocktalk.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-1360550.html
disclaimers, etc.
I personally like 4.0 grains of Red Dot, OAL 1.125. That's in MY barrel, with MY bullets. You should check yours and work up. Lyman's manual has info on 135 and 150 grain bullets FYI.
Get a manual.
Also, for future reference, if your topic/question isn't directly related to the original post, you should start your own thread and ask your question. Welcome to THR.
gamestalker
member
I don't know what to suggest, I have never had those problems. Just the fact that factory is feeding just fine, I would have to lean toward it being a problem with your reloads.
GS
GS
wackemanstackem
Member
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- Mar 19, 2013
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- 50
I to had this problem with my brand new px4 and switched from hs6 to power pistol since i use it in alot of other loads and it has been great for me with a 7.4 load which is a starting load in the book and 9 is never exceed and it worked fine havent had 1 prob since though i did back the load down to 7 as it is compressed at 7.4 and pressure signs showed up on my primers the 7 grns load of power pistol is a good fast clean load.Just what i do be careful with pressure! Have also used unique and had no problems with it.
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