The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

**Mal H** · February 7, 2000, 04:38 PM

There could be several things to look into.

First of all a flattened primer may be an over pressure indicator, but not necessarily.

A 200 gr jacketed bullet is not usually loaded for .40 S&W, 10mm yes. Check the OAL, it should be a tad longer than, say, a 180 JHP. If he is seating the 200 grainer in so that it fits a standard .40 S&W OAL gauge, he might be seating it too deep. I don't have any bullets of that type to check so I'm not sure they will even fit in the magazine with the correct OAL.

The powder load may actually be too small instead of too large causing the OP. This might be a case of the bullet sliding out to the lands and stopping, pressure builds over max and the bullet takes off. This happens in rifles more than pistols.

Don't use a "mild" crimp, use a good solid taper crimp.

[This message has been edited by Mal H (edited February 07, 2000).]

February 7, 2000, 04:38 PM	#2
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	There could be several things to look into. First of all a flattened primer may be an over pressure indicator, but not necessarily. A 200 gr jacketed bullet is not usually loaded for .40 S&W, 10mm yes. Check the OAL, it should be a tad longer than, say, a 180 JHP. If he is seating the 200 grainer in so that it fits a standard .40 S&W OAL gauge, he might be seating it too deep. I don't have any bullets of that type to check so I'm not sure they will even fit in the magazine with the correct OAL. The powder load may actually be too small instead of too large causing the OP. This might be a case of the bullet sliding out to the lands and stopping, pressure builds over max and the bullet takes off. This happens in rifles more than pistols. Don't use a "mild" crimp, use a good solid taper crimp. [This message has been edited by Mal H (edited February 07, 2000).]