40 S&W Load- Help a Newbie

shooter_john · October 11, 2005, 04:45 PM

I will be making my first ever reloading in the morning, and I wanted some help on a good load. I am loading with a friend of mine who has been doing it a while, but I wanted to see what TFL'ers thought about a load also.
I will be reloading Speer 165g GDHP's with BlueDot powder. I will be shooting these in a Glock (35,22,27), and will be used to get ready for SWAT tryouts at my LEA, so superior accuracy is not most important, reliability is.

Later I plan to start reloading a good bit of .223, with 55g HP's and will probaly go with Winchester748 powder for plinking and general shooting purposes. If anyone has any good starting loads in this genre, or any good tips or specifics on reloading for an AR, I'd love to hear them!

Please just reply here or PM me with any advice you may have!

Thanks.

Archie · October 11, 2005, 05:40 PM

If your reloading manual gives you a suitable load for the bullets and powder you're using, you will probably be okay.

The 40 rounds I load are essentially practise stuff, and I use primarily WW231 in low to moderate amounts. No point in trying to max out every time.

I suggest you stay to the middle section of the powder weights; pay attention to priming, seating and the finished round. People do have problems with Glocks and reloads, but usually by trying to get the last couple extra f/s from the bullet.

Examine your brass and discard any with excessive bulges at the web. Normally, those are weak in that area; don't push your luck.

Slip Shooter · October 13, 2005, 07:37 PM

Sorry! Double post.

Slip Shooter · October 13, 2005, 07:38 PM

Shooter John

My favorite load for my AR-15 and Ranch Rifle is a 55 gr. FMJ bullet, 26.5 gr. Winchester 748, CCI primers, and commercial brass. I prefer full charge loads in the .223 for plinking or what ever. One load, one sight setting, and always reliable. Runs about 3000 to 3100 fps, and I get 3/4 to 1 inch groups at 100 yards out of the AR with 1:9 twist. Caution: the load is "Near Maximum", if you try it, "remember to reduce 10% and work up". Always check loads against a good loading manual.

October 11, 2005, 04:45 PM	#1
shooter_john Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,472	40 S&W Load- Help a Newbie I will be making my first ever reloading in the morning, and I wanted some help on a good load. I am loading with a friend of mine who has been doing it a while, but I wanted to see what TFL'ers thought about a load also. I will be reloading Speer 165g GDHP's with BlueDot powder. I will be shooting these in a Glock (35,22,27), and will be used to get ready for SWAT tryouts at my LEA, so superior accuracy is not most important, reliability is. Later I plan to start reloading a good bit of .223, with 55g HP's and will probaly go with Winchester748 powder for plinking and general shooting purposes. If anyone has any good starting loads in this genre, or any good tips or specifics on reloading for an AR, I'd love to hear them! Please just reply here or PM me with any advice you may have! Thanks. __________________ TROTAC.com

October 11, 2005, 05:40 PM	#2
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	John... If your reloading manual gives you a suitable load for the bullets and powder you're using, you will probably be okay. The 40 rounds I load are essentially practise stuff, and I use primarily WW231 in low to moderate amounts. No point in trying to max out every time. I suggest you stay to the middle section of the powder weights; pay attention to priming, seating and the finished round. People do have problems with Glocks and reloads, but usually by trying to get the last couple extra f/s from the bullet. Examine your brass and discard any with excessive bulges at the web. Normally, those are weak in that area; don't push your luck. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

October 13, 2005, 07:37 PM	#3
Slip Shooter Member Join Date: February 4, 2005 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 85	Sorry! Double post. __________________ My wooden nickel's worth. Laissez les bon temps rouler. NRA Benefactor Member. Last edited by Slip Shooter; October 13, 2005 at 07:48 PM. Reason: Please delete - Double post

October 13, 2005, 07:38 PM	#4
Slip Shooter Member Join Date: February 4, 2005 Location: NW Louisiana Posts: 85	Shooter John My favorite load for my AR-15 and Ranch Rifle is a 55 gr. FMJ bullet, 26.5 gr. Winchester 748, CCI primers, and commercial brass. I prefer full charge loads in the .223 for plinking or what ever. One load, one sight setting, and always reliable. Runs about 3000 to 3100 fps, and I get 3/4 to 1 inch groups at 100 yards out of the AR with 1:9 twist. Caution: the load is "Near Maximum", if you try it, "remember to reduce 10% and work up". Always check loads against a good loading manual. __________________ My wooden nickel's worth. Laissez les bon temps rouler. NRA Benefactor Member.