reloading for 40 S&W

[radian23]

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with 40 S&W and how many times they were able to reload their brass. I've heard mixed reports about reloading 40 S&W because of the high case pressures involved.

In my speer reloading book it says I can load almost up to 4.7 grains of Clays with a 180 grain FMJ bullet. If I look in the hogdon's powder pamplet for the same 180 grain bullet it maxes out at 3.5 grains of Clays. What gives? Does hogdon do this because of the glocks unsupported chamber?

Also does anyone have any personal suggestions as to which brand of brass to get. I've been purchasing CCI blazer brass to reload with but have also been picking stuff up at the range.

[beardman2]

I've yet to reload a single round myself but I've been looking at it for a long time. brassmanbrass.com is by far the cheapest. The idea on brass longevity seems to be to inspect it every time you reload it and shoot it until you see problems form. I've always used 5 reloads for my cost estimates but I have a feeling that could turn out to be low.

[fitter565]

I use winchester brass with my 40. I've loaded them 6-7 times with no problems. Just make sure you inspect them before you load them again.
The load that shoots the best out of my gun is 6.0g of universal clays with a 165g jhp. Hope this helps.

Fitter565

[brian40]

Alot of mine I have reloaded over 10 times. I reload them until they split. If you just load light target loads, you will most likely loose them before you wear them out. I use all kinds of brass but I DO NOT pick up range brass. If you do pick it up, look for bulged cases that came from an unsupported chamber.

Be careful with straight Clays. I use it, but it is a very hot powder, fairly easy to overload and overpressure. Start low and work your way up looking for pressure signs.

[ichy_trigger]

4.7 VV320with a 180 grain bullet, federal primers and winchester cases. I load my brass 5-6 times and then leave it lay. I order once fired breass from www.brassmanbrass.com.

[Jamess67]

6.5 -6.9 gr Power pistol for factory type load and down to 4.5 gr for minor Idpa (180 gr Rainier bullets).
I use once fired brass. I like Remington brass the best. I do have alot of bulging cases that wont fit in my case gage but they fire and cycle just fine. Probally Glock brass. Did I say GLOCK..anyway just follow the reloading manual. A chronograph is very helpfull to let you know if your loads are where they should be.

[radian23]

Thank you all for the responses. This helps greatly.

[brian40]

Originally Posted by Jamess67

6.5 -6.9 gr Power pistol for factory type load and down to 4.5 gr for minor Idpa (180 gr Rainier bullets).
I use once fired brass. I like Remington brass the best. I do have alot of bulging cases that wont fit in my case gage but they fire and cycle just fine. Probally Glock brass. Did I say GLOCK..anyway just follow the reloading manual. A chronograph is very helpfull to let you know just if your loads are where they should be.

I always wondered if it really mattered. But I figured brass was cheap enough not to risk a KB!

[Rico567]

I fire mixed range pickup brass, which is mostly Winchester headstamp. I don't pay any attention to the brass specifically. Some of it goes through the size die harder than the rest, but doesn't seem to affect anything. I have yet to have any get old enough for the cases to split. My load of choice is virtually idential to "fitter565," 5.7 gr. Universal, a WSP primer, and a 165 gr Rainier RNFP plated bullet.

My personal view on reloading .40- stay away from max loads and heavy bullets, and you'll be fine.

[JD McDorce]

Originally Posted by radian23

In my speer reloading book it says I can load almost up to 4.7 grains of Clays with a 180 grain FMJ bullet. If I look in the hogdon's powder pamplet for the same 180 grain bullet it maxes out at 3.5 grains of Clays. What gives? Does hogdon do this because of the glocks unsupported chamber?

My copy of Speer 13 does not have a recipe for 180gr and Clays. My 2006 Hodgdon Manual does show a max charge of 3.5gr of Clays for 180gr, but it also lists a pressure of 34,300 psi. SAAMI max for .40S&W is 35,000 psi, so Hodgdon is likely giving themselves a little margin.

I shoot a USPSA Major load in .40S&W and typically discard brass after the third use (assuming that I am actually able to recover it after the first and second use).