[cyzonyx]

Hey gang, I just recently started reloading 40 caliber. I just tried these reloads out this past weekend in my M40-A1, and had several problems with failure to eject.
Here is my load data.
135 Grain Berry plated bullets
8.5 Grains of Unique
OAL 1.20

They all went into the chamber with no problems, but 1 out of every 5 shots failed to eject. At one point, I had to use needle nosed pliars to pull a casing out of the chamber (this only happened once).
Any ideas why I am having these problems? If the rains stops here today, I plan to try these reloads out of my Glock to help me determine if it's the ammo or the gun.
All the reloads were done on a single stage press, weighing each charge and using Lee carbide dies. I would like to think I did that correctly, but I'm fairly new to reloading, so who knows.

Thanks,
ez

 

[MrApathy]

how many rounds through the gun?

though I havent had any trouble with brass fired out of a glock then sized with a Lee carbide sizing die or a EGW U die. was your brass fired out of a glock?

bit surprised case would get stuck in chamber and had to get pryed out.

any dirt in the chamber? new or old unique?

your using plated bullet with jacketed data is on the hot side usually lead data is used for plated bullets. :?

on totally other subject
what are you hearing Trans Texas Corridor? http://www.keeptexasmoving.org

 

[cyzonyx]

Approximately 800 rounds through the gun now. Prior to trying the reloads, I had 200 rounds of Speer Lawman through the gun without a single FTE.

Brass was from the Steyr in question, and from an XD40.
Chamber was clean. I'm using new Unique.

My reloads were definitely louder and snappier than WWB that I was comparing against. I don't have a chrono to test my reloads at this time.

Regarding the corridor. No clue, I don't keep up with too many domestic current events. I'll be passing through Laredo tomorrow, which is where it looks like it will be starting.

How do you ask for "donkey show" in spanish? :wink:

 

[Shooter]

Have you been checking the rounds in a case gage??

 

[cyzonyx]

Case gauge.. What's that?
Actually, no I have not been checking them.. I just resize and go.

 

[Shooter]

A good little investment for quick checking rounds. I'll bet some of your rounds wouldn't pass the gauge test.

 

[ShelbyV8]

If it was a sizing problem it would show up on chambering not extraction.

 

[Shooter]

If it was a sizing problem it would show up on chambering not extraction.

Yep, i agree. I'm thinking though that a round slightly out of gauge would still chamber and fire, but expand and get stuck.... :idea: :?:

 

[cyzonyx]

I'll pick up a gauge Friday. If I do find that my reloads are out of spec, does that mean my sizing die needs to be replaced?

Thanks again for all the input.

ez

 

[MrApathy]

do you have a Lee Factory Crimp die? it has a sizing ring.

sizing the cases as far down as you can go?

dont think I have encountered the problem with 40sw but it could be you set your die to touch the shellplate without using a case then insert a case and it doesnt size down as much. :?

 

[ShelbyV8]

Also check to make sure you are not over crimping with the plated bullets. They are softer than jacketed bullets and could be causing a pressure problem. Are your primers showing pressure signs?

 

[Shooter]

I'll pick up a gauge Friday. If I do find that my reloads are out of spec, does that mean my sizing die needs to be replaced?
ez

Nope.....check Mr. Apathy above.. :idea:

 

[Wulf]

Howdy

Bud Watson at Berry's Mfg. emailed me:

"Note: Our standard copper plated bullets are designed for medium - moderate velocities & pressures !....We suggest no velocity over 1200 FPS & no heavy roll crimps. Suggest you go to http://www.berrysmfg.com & read the FAQ section."

Conservatively speaking, you are at "Max load" for 8.5 gr's of Unique with a 135 gr jacketed bullet, according to the Lee Reloading guide provided with their dies...and you're pushin' 1300 fps.

I wonder....

 

[cyzonyx]

MrApathy:
I do not have a Lee factory crimp die. Is this something that I need? The Lee instructions referred to this as an optional step, so I didn't think I needed one.
As far as resizing, I followed the Lee instructions. From what I recall, it was screw in the die until it touches the shellholder, and then maybe backout 1/4 turn. I would have to go back and look at the instructions that came with the die. I think it was something similar to that.

ShelbyV8:
I'm really not sure what signs of pressure would look like. I did inspect the brass that gave me problems, but nothing "stood out" as being out of the ordinary.

Wulf:
I found it odd that the starting and max loads both showed 8.5 grains on the paper that came with my Lee dies. As I stated before, the reloads were definitely louder and snappier than some 165 gr WWB that I was comparing against. Perhaps I am just too hot. What do you suggest the starting load of Unique be?

Tomorrow, I plan to bring some of my reloads to a local reloading store, hopefully they can drop them in a gauge or something to see if they are in spec. I'll pick up a factory crimp die while I'm there also.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

ez

 

[MrApathy]

its a quality controll die imo. I use it as a case gauge of sorts though sometimes I do use it to apply taper crimp and post size.

not all pieces of brass size down right some will spring right back out sometimes right after sizing others after seating.

have had this happen with Federal Brass consistently and intermittently with other brands.

recommend you down charge that 5-10%. gotta watch data like that its usually good idea to get several books and compare the load data.

get a few handloading books they should have sections on pressure signs. primer flattening, case expansion.

get the 40sw pdf file from Accurate Arms it has case spec for 40sw. from casehead and trim length to casemouth and crimp. same as on the lee page though more detailed.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/loaddata_ ... _40cal.htm

would recommend Lymans 48th reloading handbook and Lee's modern reloading

Loadbooks USA 10mm,40sw and 41AE but dont get the 10mm data confused with 40sw.

lymans 48th list start charge of 5.8gr 1025fps and max of 6.8gr 1198fps with Nosler 135gr JHP and 1.085" OAL good thing you used 1.120" reduced pressure a little.

would suggest you use a little more caution and dont be affraid to ask others for data before jumping in.

 

[Shooter]

The Lee factory crimp die is a goody, but you can still load till you get one. If you don't have a reloading guide from Lee, Speer, or one of the other companies, I'd get that before the Lee die. You need to know the perameters of what you're loading. Sounds like you have reloading supplies nearby, you will probably be able to pick up everything you need at one stop......

Anybody know the best reloading guide... I vote for Speer but that one is half a decade old on my shelf..........

 

[Wulf]

Hiya CY

I'm wondering if the difference is in the "jacketed" vs. "plated". If for instance you were to use a true copper jacketed bullet as opposed to a copper plated bullet, the results wouldn't be different enough so the 8.5 gr Unique charge would hold true to the Lee data. The use of Berry's Mfg 135 gr "copper plated" with the concept that 1200 fps was "max velocity and mild - moderate pressure" was breached by the copper plated bullets then perhaps backing off the Unique charge to 6.5 gr's and working your way back toward the 1200 fps max velocity might show favorable results in this situation. A quick challenge may be to use 135 gr jacketed bullets and not copper plated bullets with the same 8.5 gr Unique charge. Sierra 135 gr JHP's may work well for this experiment. If the FTE problem is solved then the Berry's Mfg warning is indeed given to protect their liability interests and the safety of their consumers and for good reason. <shrug> Just a thought. :roll: Of course, I could be wrong. <shrug> Anyway, I'm kinda curious what the results would be should you load the 135 gr Sierra JHP's instead of the 135 gr Berry Mfg's. I do have a 40SW Sierra 135 gr JHP reload recipe using Alliant Power Pistol that is an awesome load. 9 gr of Power Pistol to a COL of 1.135". I'd suggest starting at 8 gr Power Pistol and working your way up, for tax purposes. Anyway, good luck and have fun, but for now, I'd deffinitely tone down the load using the Berry's. <shrug> Better safe than sorry, IMHO.

Wulf

 

[cyzonyx]

Update to reloading problems..

So I stopped by my local reloading shop, and explained to them what had happened. He also suggested that I was running too hot since I had a case get stuck and that I should back down from 8.5gr. So I didn't buy a case gauge :?
I went back out to the range and shot the last 15 bullets loaded with 8.5gr of Unique. I shot 8 of them from my Glock, no problems, then I shot the last 7 out of my Steyr, again no problems.. ??
So last night, I decided to reload 50 more, and started at 6.0gr. I loaded 20 at 6.0gr, and another 30 at 6.6gr. I went out to the range today and had much better results. The 6.0gr felt like I was shooting light 9mm loads, very little recoil. The 6.6gr ran equally well.
I did run into some FTE's on 2 of my reloads, and 3 of some WWB. I believe I am having a problem with a magazine, so I have taken that mag out of the rotation.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I still need to get a case gauge, and probably will not bother with the Lee factory crimp die.
I think my next purchase needs to be a chronograph so I can get an idea of my velocities.

Thanks again.

ez