The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old January 12, 2009, 11:11 PM   #1
INGunGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 11, 2008
Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana
Posts: 142
HELP with .40 S/W

Ok, I have a MAJOR problem. I have been reloading .40 S/W rounds I have already posted my problem on this thread

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=325622

Well, I got the firearm back, and wanted to run some reloads thru it. Well, I shot 23 rounds, and I had 4 pieces of brass that came out looking like the picture. I need help if anyone can offer any.

Thanks,

INGunGuy
Attached Images
File Type: jpg PICT0143.jpg (240.1 KB, 223 views)
File Type: jpg PICT0151.jpg (196.5 KB, 199 views)
__________________
Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.
INGunGuy is offline  
Old January 12, 2009, 11:28 PM   #2
joneb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 10, 2005
Location: Central , OR
Posts: 1,888
I would shoot more factory ammo, if all goes well I would rethink my re-loading procedure.
joneb is offline  
Old January 12, 2009, 11:35 PM   #3
INGunGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 11, 2008
Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana
Posts: 142
Reloading procedures

I have my procedures down to a science... or at least I think they are. Here I go.

1. I am using a recipe that calls for 5.5 grains of unique powder.
2. I use a RCBS uniflow auto powder measure
3. Before I reload anything, I verify my powder weights TEN times.
4. After I throw 9 charges, I weigh EVERY tenth charge.
5. I have verified my scales using a 165 grain bullet and I may be +/- 1/20th of a grain.
6. It would be physically impossible to throw a double charge of unique in a .40 s/w case since there isnt enough room.
7. I load my brass 50 at a time. I place the charged cases under a bright light to make sure they all look even.
8. I have verified that powder is not getting "hung up" inside the powder measure.


I dont know what else to do, but my loads are coming out HOT for some reason...

If anyone is using unique powder with 165gr TCFM bullets, please let me know how much powder you are using, and if the powder is 3/4 full in the case.

INGunGUy
__________________
Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.
INGunGuy is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 12:07 AM   #4
joneb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 10, 2005
Location: Central , OR
Posts: 1,888
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/for...4/m/3431095833
Unique ? I would make sure of that
reloading 003.jpg

Last edited by joneb; January 13, 2009 at 12:05 PM.
joneb is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 12:17 AM   #5
croc4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 9, 2006
Location: Idaho
Posts: 191
firing pin protrusion?

Have you checked to see if the firing pin protrudes more than before you sent the pistol off for repair?

Croc4
croc4 is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 01:02 AM   #6
bullspotter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 2, 2008
Location: Montana
Posts: 308
What is the TCFM bullet your loading??
bullspotter is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 01:15 AM   #7
joneb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 10, 2005
Location: Central , OR
Posts: 1,888
Bullspotter, I think he turned in
Are you thinking his Cartridge OAL is to long ?
joneb is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 01:24 AM   #8
bullspotter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 2, 2008
Location: Montana
Posts: 308
Im in the process of working up some 40 now, this weekend i shot my first loads, Ran 165 gr gold dot hp and raineer hp bulletts, using 6.5 grains of UNIQUE. The cases are at least 3/4 full and im sure they are compressed loads. I also started with a oal of 1.125 insted of the 1.20 as listed. They run awsom, no jams or any sighn of hot loads, starting powder charge on the gold dot is 6.2 and max is 7.2 grains of unique acoording to my book. I loaded factory remington 165, alternating each round with one of my reloads, and couldnt tell the difference. shot a box of factory (50 rounds) and 3 boxes (150 rounds) of my reloades. Im stoked, really like the 40 alot!! I cant really see whats going on in your pics. What is your bullet tension like when seating, do the bullets feel tight when seating in? The first set of dies i bought were oversized and causing bad tension on a lot of 40 i loaded, the bullets push back into the case, witch is verry verry bad!!!!! check a few of your loads by pushing the bullet against something, you should be able to push on it pretty hard and not move the bullet deeper into the case, also be sure your coal is right, seating the bullet to deep will cause alot higher pressure. are you over crimping and causing the brass to roll into the bullet, insted of the case having a nice straght flat edge? I have read this is a very picky round to reload for, small changes can make pressures change alot, their is a fine line with a good load and hot load.
bullspotter is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 01:28 AM   #9
bullspotter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 2, 2008
Location: Montana
Posts: 308
Hi jibjad, i was kinda thinking to short, having the bullet to far in the case will raise pressure in a hurry. and to far out pry will to i guess....And i dont know what a TCFM style bullet is...
bullspotter is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 01:44 AM   #10
Shoney
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 21, 2002
Location: Transplanted from Montana
Posts: 2,311
I would guess the TCFM means Full Metal Jacket Truncated Cone.

I believe bullspotter and jibjab are correct about COL being at least part of the problem.

Please list the COL.

What brand of die are you using and what type of crimp are you using?

Is the crimp light or heavy?
__________________
I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111
Shoney is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 01:51 AM   #11
joneb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 10, 2005
Location: Central , OR
Posts: 1,888
Quote:
i was kinda thinking to short, having the bullet to far in the case will raise pressure in a hurry.
I agree, I'm having trouble finding any mention of COAL in Gunguy's posts. If his COAL is to long or to short and the tension on the bullet is not adequate there could bullet set back issues as the rounds are chambered.
Quote:
I shot 23 rounds, and I had 4 pieces of brass that came out looking like the picture.
joneb is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 02:25 AM   #12
joneb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 10, 2005
Location: Central , OR
Posts: 1,888
Hi Shoney, you snuck up on me, I'm a slow poster
joneb is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 02:41 AM   #13
Shoney
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 21, 2002
Location: Transplanted from Montana
Posts: 2,311
Ya gotta watch out for old pharts.
__________________
I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111
Shoney is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 03:54 AM   #14
guntotin_fool
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 18, 2004
Posts: 1,446
from the picture it looks like a pierced primer. I am thinking perhaps some malf in the weapon and the firing pin getting wedged in the extended or ignition position.
guntotin_fool is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 08:35 AM   #15
INGunGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 11, 2008
Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana
Posts: 142
Yes I had turned in for the evening. Ok, here goes. I am loading 165gr TCFM. My Lyman manual says that I should be using from 5.4gr - 6.0gr of unique for my bullet weight. Since I like to start low and work up the load I settled for 5.5gr my OAL is 1.120. I measure EVERY round with my calipers to verify the OAL. I am verifying case length, I havent had to trim any cases, but from what I have read normally pistol cases dont need much if any trimming. I am NOT crimping the cases in any way. As for being able to push the bullet farther into the case after seating the bullet, I am unable to by pressing it against my reloading bench.

Here is what I am using:

LEE Dies
Primers - CCI Small Pistol
Powder - Allient Unique 5.5 gr
Bullet - Magnus 165 gr TCFM (Truncated Cone Full Metal)
Case - Once fired multiple head stamp.
OAL - 1.120"


I hope that this is enough information to go by. If anyone needs more information, please let me know. Also, as for COAL, I am not sure off the top of my head, it is in my manual, but it is at home and I am at work right now. I do use my calipers to verify ALL cases are not longer than the trim to length.

Thanks,

INGunGuy
__________________
Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.
INGunGuy is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 12:11 PM   #16
Waldog
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 28, 2007
Location: SOCAL
Posts: 359
You don't say WHEN you get those punctured primers. Is it the FIRST or SECOND round out of the gun or, TENTH round out of the gun? Are you using a TAPER CRIMP die?

If your cases don't have enough tension on the bullet you can get bullet set back as a result of recoil from previously fired cartridges. That coupled with the slide slamming forward to chamber a round can cause significant set back. This will dramatically raise pressure.

You might try one of these: http://egw-guns.com/store/index.php?...products_id=40.

It's an .001 undersize die. I use it to resize all my reclaimed brass. It works wonders with "Glocked brass"

Also, buy a TAPER CRIMP die. Die sets don't have a taper crimp die and you need one. It also increases tension on the bullet.
__________________
I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!!

“Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.”
Winston Churchill
Waldog is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 12:48 PM   #17
INGunGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 11, 2008
Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana
Posts: 142
Waldog,

When I did my test firing yesterday, I shot 2 mags of 11 rounds in each plus 1 in the chamber. out of the 23 rounds that were fired, the one that was missing the primer was fired second. The other 2 were fired after that. No other rounds have the flattened primers or missing primers or punctured primers. All other primers looked just fine, the 3 that I took the pictures of plus one other with a pierced primer were the only ones out of the the 23 that I shot that showed signs of over-pressure. I contacted Allient, and was basically told to go buy new powder since this powder is 30+ years old. From what I understand and have read, powder stored correctly shouldnt go bad. The powder smells fine and looks fine. I think the guy over at Allient just wanted to sell some more powder. As for crimping the rounds, I do not crimp them, and I am unable to seat the bullet any further manually pressing the round against my reloading bench to see if I can get the bullet to move. I am firing the rounds out of a Smith and Wesson 4046.

INGunGuy
__________________
Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.
INGunGuy is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 01:12 PM   #18
Don P
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
I have loaded 155gr. lead cast round nose with 5.0 gr. of Unigue and as of now have not had any problems. Question, did you notice any change in recoil or sound with regards to the rounds that the primers were damaged. That would be a good indication that those loads were HOT! You could try and drop your charge weight by 10%. I have stopped using Unique because I could not get load charge weigth to be consistant to trust my powder thrower. I had to weigh every load. Titgroup powder charges with GREAT consistancy and I'm using less powder now.
__________________
NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer,
ICORE Range Officer,
,MAG 40 Graduate
As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.
Don P is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 01:23 PM   #19
INGunGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 11, 2008
Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana
Posts: 142
I didnt notice any change in the recoil or sound as I fired off the round. The only thing that I have noticed is that since I changed to unique from bullseye, the recoil is stronger, and it throws the brass a heck of alot farther.

INGunGuy
__________________
Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.
INGunGuy is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 02:00 PM   #20
Shoney
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 21, 2002
Location: Transplanted from Montana
Posts: 2,311
The powder has "cooked off" most of its volitile components with age, because the seal may not have been completely tight . The result gives you more powder per weight than a fresh powder.

It's sort of like cutting fresh bread into small cubes. Weighing out one ounce and count the cubes. Then allowing the cubes to dry over a long time, then weighing out another ounce and count the cubes.

The dried cubes are still good to eat, but have more cubes per ounce.
__________________
I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111
Shoney is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 02:15 PM   #21
INGunGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 11, 2008
Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana
Posts: 142
Shoney,

That is the best cause I have read up to this time. What I am going to do is to go buy a new container of unique and weigh out exact 5.5gr charges, then measure the volume of each charge. According to your example the OLD powder should have more volume than the new powder.

INGunGuy
__________________
Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.
INGunGuy is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 02:59 PM   #22
FM12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 5, 2007
Location: Monroeville, Alabama
Posts: 1,683
Primer pocket wrong size?
FM12 is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 03:12 PM   #23
Shoney
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 21, 2002
Location: Transplanted from Montana
Posts: 2,311
Not necessarily The old should have more flakes of powder, but it may have less volume.

It looks like you may have to count grains per weight:barf::barf::barf:, not fun.
__________________
I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111
Shoney is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 03:16 PM   #24
INGunGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 11, 2008
Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana
Posts: 142
Primer pocket wrong size? Hmmm I wouldnt think so, I mean, .40 S/W calls for small pistol primers, and that is what I am using. I havent measured the primer pocket diameter, or the diameter of the primer hole. I cant seem to find any data on that, if you can provide me a link or the data, I would appreciate it.

INGunGuy
__________________
Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.
INGunGuy is offline  
Old January 13, 2009, 04:24 PM   #25
glockster157
Member
 
Join Date: January 31, 2007
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 37
I had a pound of Alliant 2400 one time that I kept getting too much pressure from many of my long time favorite loads. I new it wasn't the loads because I had shot too many of them in the past. I use a Dillon 550 so I made some more using my Rock Chucker to be sure. Turned out to be just bad powder. Broke out a new pound with a different lot # and no problems whatever. I had a similar incident with Blue Dot. I love Alliant powders but I do believe I would try a different lot of powder if I were you. I would highly recommend Winchester 231/ Hodgon HP38 (same powder) as I use it exclusively now with most of my medium cases and have had great success.
__________________
.
.
For the law was given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17
glockster157 is offline  
Reply

Tags
.40 , primer , reload

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.07046 seconds with 9 queries