Sorry this is long.
I have an S&W .40 M&P. I'm just getting started with reloading (Noob Alert!) and the one thing I have learned from all I have read during the past few months is "GO SLOW." I have no problem with that and have read the following books:
- The ABCs of Reloading, 9th Edition
- Modern Reloading, Second Edition
- Sierra Rifle and Handgun Reloading Data
-Hornady of Cartridge Reloading
- Speer Reloading Manual #14
- Lyman 49th Reloading Handbook
- The Complete Reloading Manual for the 10mm/40 S&W
In addition, I have spent countless hours reading everything from every web site I could find in my searches. That search led me to the purchase of a Lee Classic Turret Press, .40 S&W dies, scales, and all the other goodies, many of which I probably didn't need right now (but I like toys so I bought them).
I also ordered what I believe to be anyway, the best components for me to start with. They are:
- A whole lot of once-fired brass
- Montana Gold .400 180 grain CMJ bullets
- CCI #500 Small Pistol Primers
- Powder (Win 231, HP-38 and WSF)
Various sources I have read say that the above components are favorites of many of the more experienced and a good start for the newly indoctrinated.
Researching load data for my first test loads has left me more than frustrated. I have looked in all the books I own, checked out all the manufacturer web sites and fine no load data really comparable to the components I have. It appears you have to but the bullet manufacturers bullets (if they publish data) and then with only a minimal subset of powders they chose to use in their testing. The same goes for the Powder manufacturers. In my case Hodgdon/Winchester owns the powder and makes bullets. Additionally, Montana Gold doesn’t publish data.
I understand about using like bullets regardless of manufacturer and should be able to use FMJ or TMJ data for CMJ. But, about all I am finding is JHP and a wide swing in O.A.L. that leads me to believe that I may encounter pressure problems by not keeping an eye on this. I just lack experience at this point to know how to judge it. Somce information I have been able to glean from printed sources include the following:
Source Bullet Powder Starting Load Grains Velocity fps Pressure C.U.P. Max Load Grains Velocity fps Pressure C.U.P. O.A.L
Lyman's 49 Edition 180 JHP 231 5.00 927 20,400 5.60 1015 22,800 1.115
Speer's 180 JHP 231 4.40 800 5.60 1000 1.135
Complete RM / Sierra 180 JHP 231 4.40 800 5.60 1000 1.125
Complete RM / Hodgdon 180 XTP 231 4.10 797 23,800 5.00 947 32,900 1.125
GlockTalk.com MG 180 JHP 231/HP38 5.20 1.125
Complete RM / Hodgdon 180 XTP HP38 4.10 797 23,800 5.00 947 32,900 1.125
Lyman's 49 Edition 180 JHP WSF 5.00 853 17,700 6.20 993 23,400 1.115
Speer's 180 JHP WSF 5.00 800 6.60 1050 1.135
Complete RM / Sierra 180 JHP WSF 5.00 800 6.60 1050 1.125
Complete RM / Hodgdon 180 XTP WSF 5.40 946 28,000 5.80 1013 32,900 1.125
I just want to learn to hand load and shoot my gun to it just goes bang and doesn’t end in pieces on the floor.
Can some maybe point me in the right direction or tell me what I may be doing right or wrong so far?
I have an S&W .40 M&P. I'm just getting started with reloading (Noob Alert!) and the one thing I have learned from all I have read during the past few months is "GO SLOW." I have no problem with that and have read the following books:
- The ABCs of Reloading, 9th Edition
- Modern Reloading, Second Edition
- Sierra Rifle and Handgun Reloading Data
-Hornady of Cartridge Reloading
- Speer Reloading Manual #14
- Lyman 49th Reloading Handbook
- The Complete Reloading Manual for the 10mm/40 S&W
In addition, I have spent countless hours reading everything from every web site I could find in my searches. That search led me to the purchase of a Lee Classic Turret Press, .40 S&W dies, scales, and all the other goodies, many of which I probably didn't need right now (but I like toys so I bought them).
I also ordered what I believe to be anyway, the best components for me to start with. They are:
- A whole lot of once-fired brass
- Montana Gold .400 180 grain CMJ bullets
- CCI #500 Small Pistol Primers
- Powder (Win 231, HP-38 and WSF)
Various sources I have read say that the above components are favorites of many of the more experienced and a good start for the newly indoctrinated.
Researching load data for my first test loads has left me more than frustrated. I have looked in all the books I own, checked out all the manufacturer web sites and fine no load data really comparable to the components I have. It appears you have to but the bullet manufacturers bullets (if they publish data) and then with only a minimal subset of powders they chose to use in their testing. The same goes for the Powder manufacturers. In my case Hodgdon/Winchester owns the powder and makes bullets. Additionally, Montana Gold doesn’t publish data.
I understand about using like bullets regardless of manufacturer and should be able to use FMJ or TMJ data for CMJ. But, about all I am finding is JHP and a wide swing in O.A.L. that leads me to believe that I may encounter pressure problems by not keeping an eye on this. I just lack experience at this point to know how to judge it. Somce information I have been able to glean from printed sources include the following:
Source Bullet Powder Starting Load Grains Velocity fps Pressure C.U.P. Max Load Grains Velocity fps Pressure C.U.P. O.A.L
Lyman's 49 Edition 180 JHP 231 5.00 927 20,400 5.60 1015 22,800 1.115
Speer's 180 JHP 231 4.40 800 5.60 1000 1.135
Complete RM / Sierra 180 JHP 231 4.40 800 5.60 1000 1.125
Complete RM / Hodgdon 180 XTP 231 4.10 797 23,800 5.00 947 32,900 1.125
GlockTalk.com MG 180 JHP 231/HP38 5.20 1.125
Complete RM / Hodgdon 180 XTP HP38 4.10 797 23,800 5.00 947 32,900 1.125
Lyman's 49 Edition 180 JHP WSF 5.00 853 17,700 6.20 993 23,400 1.115
Speer's 180 JHP WSF 5.00 800 6.60 1050 1.135
Complete RM / Sierra 180 JHP WSF 5.00 800 6.60 1050 1.125
Complete RM / Hodgdon 180 XTP WSF 5.40 946 28,000 5.80 1013 32,900 1.125
I just want to learn to hand load and shoot my gun to it just goes bang and doesn’t end in pieces on the floor.
Can some maybe point me in the right direction or tell me what I may be doing right or wrong so far?