[revchuck]

I finally got enough .38 Special loaded for a couple of matches, so I got out the new .40 S&W dies and shellplate for my Dillon and set it up.

For my fiirst load, I just wanted to make up some ammo that would reliably and safely go bang, and head in the general direction of where the front sight was pointed. I have some Precision 155 grain RN/FPs, so I looked at the Alliant data for Bullseye (I have most a 4 pound can of it) and they show 4.9 grains for a cast lead bullet. I set the measure up for that load and loaded 49 rounds...would've been 50, but I mashed a primer. :roll: I went with 1.13" for OAL, and a .421" taper crimp.

I took them to the range this morning and was pleased to see that they group well enough (seven of eleven rounds going into one hole at seven yards) and function perfectly. I didn't bring the chrono, so I don't know what the velocity is. My SWAG is about 1050 fps. I'm shooting a USPSA match Saturday and will chrono it there, so I can decide whether to sign up for L10 or Production.

I know that some of the once-fired brass I used had been Glocked, and I'm glad that the Lee dies take the guppy belly out. This was my biggest concern with loading for .40 S&W.

Now I just have to load the rest of the bullets I have.

 

[MrApathy]

..

 

[revchuck]

how dirty is bullseye with lead?

It's not bad. The bullets I'm using are coated lead - they didn't lead at all, and from what I've heard work at Magnum velocities with no problems.

Do you have any problems with LCI dents? It gives a good way to track how many times the cases have been through a Steyr.

I've used Longshot for jacketed .357 and .41 Magnum loads - good stuff, and relatively low flash. Shooting a .41 Magnum at a night IDPA match gets people's attention.

I've got 1k of these same bullets but heavier (185 grains) on the way to use for competition. I haven't yet decided whether I'm going to load them to major or minor.

 

[MrApathy]

..

 

[revchuck]

I have some Precision 155 grain RN/FPs, so I looked at the Alliant data for Bullseye (I have most a 4 pound can of it) and they show 4.9 grains for a cast lead bullet.

Well, I chronoed it really quickly this morning. Five rounds averaged 968 fps, SD of 12 with mixed brass. PF is 150. I ended up shooting L10 minor. :roll: The gun ran the whole match with absolutely no problems. I'm stiil afraid of the trigger reset, and shot slowly. With practice, that'll get better.