Reloading .40SW

BradS · February 28, 2013, 09:55 PM

I am a newbie to reloading and purchased my first press. I bought a Dillon Square Deal set up for .40SW. My timing may be off, due to the Obama scare.
I am looking for recommendations for powder and primers and a recipe for practice loads. Any information will be appreciated.

snooze · February 28, 2013, 10:12 PM

Any small pistol primer that you can find. These were selling out quickly before things went nuts. I'm glad I bought a few thousand at ~$20/k right before this madness.

Check a reloading manual to see what powders are recommended for the bullet types you plan to load.

serf 'rett · February 28, 2013, 10:30 PM

The starting question may be "What primers, powders or bullets can you find?"
I have been loading 165 grain and 180 grain Berry's plated bullets, seated over Power Pistol or N340 or Unique powders with CCI 500 primers.

My 40S&W pistol has a polygonal barrel so I don't load lead bullets for that caliber.

Have you read any reloading manuals? Your manuals should have load data.

zxcvbob · February 28, 2013, 10:51 PM

Last time I checked (a few days ago) Powder Valley had WSF in stock in 8 lb kegs for a good price, and quite a few different flavors of 1 pounders -- mostly Hodgdon powders. No primers though.

Sevens · March 1, 2013, 03:41 PM

I load a lot of Berry's 180 grain plated, either the flat point or the rounded shoulder for .40 S&W, and I tend to stick with Alliant Power Pistol for my propellant.

Nathan · March 2, 2013, 07:29 AM

Personally, I like AA#5 and Win SP in 40 behind cast plated or jacketed 155 gr bullets.

I have been told I should look at Universal Clays also.

I'm currently playing with Longshot, but I haven't found a load I like yet.

Gster · March 2, 2013, 07:50 AM

I really like Titegroup for all my pistol loads. I read where a lot of people shy away from it because of of the very small amount you need and the dangers of double charges ect. If you pay attention (which you should) to every stage of your reloading process and check your charged cases before bullet seating, Titegroup is an excellent choice. For plinking, I use 4.2 grns. in my .40 and 9mm rnds. without ever having to adjust my Lee PPM. Components are hard to come by nowadays so good luck to ya.

L2R · March 2, 2013, 08:26 AM

Confusious said, "He who is self-taught has a fool for a master".

I recently started and wanted to make sure I started out safe and start with good habits.

Get a Lyman's 49 somewhere like amazon.
Get the ABCs of Reloading too.

If you don't have someone local to see their set up or help you set yours up, join a local or regional gun forum and ask for some help, preferably with someone that has the same machine.

When you have a powder, look up their website for loads. stay back 10% on the powder until you get a chronograph.

I also like handloads.com as a quick reference.

good luck, it is theraputic and addictive.

David Bachelder · March 2, 2013, 09:08 AM

Berry's 180 grain flat nose
Hodgdon Universal @ 5 grains (4.6 to 5.1)
Small Pistol Primer
COAL @ 1.125"

Works for me.

I have a Glock 23 with a Lone Wolf Barrel and I shoot cast bullets with this same load.
Cast 165 gr Hollow Point and 175 grain Flat Nose, 95/2.5/2.5 lead/tin/antimony alloy , bhn somewhere around 12.

.40's are a bit snappy I find that a load over 5 grains with any of the above bullets are uncomfortable for me and I loose accuracy.

I did my certification target, for my CHL, in Texas shooting 498 out of a possible 500 with the hollow points. I had 10 shots outside of the 9 ring. Did me well, normally I'm a pretty bad shot with a pistol. Only two shooters did better than me. One of them was an ex marine, he put all 50 shots dead center mass, nothing touching the 9 ring. This guy was amazing.

ocymmv

February 28, 2013, 09:55 PM	#1
BradS Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2005 Location: Salisbury,Pennsylvania Posts: 173	Reloading .40SW I am a newbie to reloading and purchased my first press. I bought a Dillon Square Deal set up for .40SW. My timing may be off, due to the Obama scare. I am looking for recommendations for powder and primers and a recipe for practice loads. Any information will be appreciated. __________________ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

February 28, 2013, 10:30 PM	#3
serf 'rett Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Stuttgart, AR Posts: 1,569	The starting question may be "What primers, powders or bullets can you find?" I have been loading 165 grain and 180 grain Berry's plated bullets, seated over Power Pistol or N340 or Unique powders with CCI 500 primers. My 40S&W pistol has a polygonal barrel so I don't load lead bullets for that caliber. Have you read any reloading manuals? Your manuals should have load data. __________________ A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part.

February 28, 2013, 10:51 PM	#4
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Last time I checked (a few days ago) Powder Valley had WSF in stock in 8 lb kegs for a good price, and quite a few different flavors of 1 pounders -- mostly Hodgdon powders. No primers though. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

March 2, 2013, 07:50 AM	#7
Gster Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2012 Location: N.central Pa. Posts: 302	I really like Titegroup for all my pistol loads. I read where a lot of people shy away from it because of of the very small amount you need and the dangers of double charges ect. If you pay attention (which you should) to every stage of your reloading process and check your charged cases before bullet seating, Titegroup is an excellent choice. For plinking, I use 4.2 grns. in my .40 and 9mm rnds. without ever having to adjust my Lee PPM. Components are hard to come by nowadays so good luck to ya. __________________ Gun control means: Being able to hit what you are shooting at. Last edited by Gster; March 2, 2013 at 09:40 AM.

March 2, 2013, 08:26 AM	#8
L2R Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 358	read Confusious said, "He who is self-taught has a fool for a master". I recently started and wanted to make sure I started out safe and start with good habits. Get a Lyman's 49 somewhere like amazon. Get the ABCs of Reloading too. If you don't have someone local to see their set up or help you set yours up, join a local or regional gun forum and ask for some help, preferably with someone that has the same machine. When you have a powder, look up their website for loads. stay back 10% on the powder until you get a chronograph. I also like handloads.com as a quick reference. good luck, it is theraputic and addictive. __________________ L2R

February 28, 2013, 10:12 PM	#2
snooze Member Join Date: January 13, 2013 Posts: 46	Any small pistol primer that you can find. These were selling out quickly before things went nuts. I'm glad I bought a few thousand at ~$20/k right before this madness. Check a reloading manual to see what powders are recommended for the bullet types you plan to load.

March 1, 2013, 03:41 PM	#5
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	I load a lot of Berry's 180 grain plated, either the flat point or the rounded shoulder for .40 S&W, and I tend to stick with Alliant Power Pistol for my propellant. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

March 2, 2013, 07:29 AM	#6
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,328	Personally, I like AA#5 and Win SP in 40 behind cast plated or jacketed 155 gr bullets. I have been told I should look at Universal Clays also. I'm currently playing with Longshot, but I haven't found a load I like yet.

March 2, 2013, 09:08 AM	#9
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 636	Berry's 180 grain flat nose Hodgdon Universal @ 5 grains (4.6 to 5.1) Small Pistol Primer COAL @ 1.125" Works for me. I have a Glock 23 with a Lone Wolf Barrel and I shoot cast bullets with this same load. Cast 165 gr Hollow Point and 175 grain Flat Nose, 95/2.5/2.5 lead/tin/antimony alloy , bhn somewhere around 12. .40's are a bit snappy I find that a load over 5 grains with any of the above bullets are uncomfortable for me and I loose accuracy. I did my certification target, for my CHL, in Texas shooting 498 out of a possible 500 with the hollow points. I had 10 shots outside of the 9 ring. Did me well, normally I'm a pretty bad shot with a pistol. Only two shooters did better than me. One of them was an ex marine, he put all 50 shots dead center mass, nothing touching the 9 ring. This guy was amazing. ocymmv __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06