newbie realoader with some questions

[bitone40]

hey wguys . i just had some quick questions before I start getting into this thing . I bought the 2008 Hodgdons Reloading mag, and i was looking at the .40sw for what ill be loading, and it has

CASE : hornady---- where do i get those ? have only seen the winnes .
TWIST : 1:16 ---- whats is TWIST
everything else i under stand like the pimers ,barrels ect.
now onto the grids. It has the bullet type and grain which I know and also the dia which is .400 for all of them and then it has Col: 1.25 , 1.35 ,depending on what gr.and bullet you are using . What is COL: ?
This is the only book i have on the subject, i have been seaching all me show for manuals and i would rather not buy only because i hate waiting . But I will if I have to .
And also for the Winchester cases, all it has is the maxium loads. why? is this the only one to use or they jsut dont know ? Ill wait untill i get at least two more refrences to compare .

[agalindo]

You don't have to use Hornady cases but you will have to lower your max loads by 10% and work up from there if your not using all the listed componets (case type).

COL Cartridge Overall Length

Twist the number of turns the rifling in the barrel has per inch. 1:16 mean the bullet makes a full rotation in 16 inches.

Not sure about the winchester cases only having max loads only in you book. You can check the power manufactures websites they also have load data for pistol and rifle calibers. Most of the also have a reloading basics area that can answer many of your questions. Best advice is read, read, read anything you can find on the subject and as questions.

[bitone40]

thank you . That clears it up for me on the COL. it makes sense now why the number would be higher for a rifle . But that number shouldnt really matter to me if im going to be loading for general range shooting ? Thanks again .

bd

[agalindo]

Originally Posted by bitone40

But that number shouldnt really matter to me if im going to be loading for general range shooting ? Thanks again .
bd

That number does matter because if the OAL is too long or short you will get unreliable feeding, and dangerous pressure build up. All rounds have a min and max COL that must be met for each bullet weight and type your loading.

[bigun]

Originally Posted by agalindo

That number does matter because if the OAL is too long or short you will get unreliable feeding, and dangerous pressure build up. All rounds have a min and max COL that must be met for each bullet weight and type your loading.

Yep grasshopper follow the instructions closely or a Kaboom may be in your future. Never exceed the posted loads and dont assume that all .40 S&W cases have the same volume. I would also avoid reloading brass fired from a Glock .40 as the lower portion of the case is unsupported and may bulge.

[joerockt]

Originally Posted by bitone40

thank you . That clears it up for me on the COL. it makes sense now why the number would be higher for a rifle . But that number shouldnt really matter to me if im going to be loading for general range shooting ? Thanks again .

bd

They don't just print that number for ****s and grins. If you start going below the minimum length, you increase psi...too much psi = kaboom.

Make sure you have a caliper handy and make sure your seating die is seating at the COL or a bit over.

[bitone40]

WOW !!! thanks for looking after me . but i feel so dumb right now .. I dont know why I put COL in there as if it didnt mean anything. I was mistaken and I know it is a very important number to follow .But actually I was meaning to talk about the TWIST number . Do i have to follow that number during the ROUND build as closely as the COL ? Or is there for fun?

thanks again guys
bd

[agalindo]

Twist rate really doesn't mean much in a pistol round unless your going to use really unusual bullet weights. As an example the .223 rifle round some rifles may have a 1 in 7 or 1 in 9 or 1 in 12 twist rate. The 1 in 12 will not stabilize a heavy 70gr bullet which means it will tumble in flight.