40cal_joe

I have the Lee factory crimp die but it was wanting to seat the bullet deeper and was not really crimping the case. I will need to look at this further.

Great information here for a new 5.25" 9mm owner. New to this venue and loading 9mm, what are you guys crimping to? I loaded some Precision Delta 124 FMJ and JHP's with 3.8gr Tite Group and an OAL of 1.145 and 1.11 respectively. Mixed brass WSP and crimped just enough to be a measurable difference (.005) from 1/8" down on the case. Have not fired them yet but hope to get out this week and see what happens. Reminds me I need to dust of the chronograph. Speaking of which what is the correct distance for reading velocities to get correct power factor? Hate to work up a load then fail power factor because I used a different distance. Thanks in advance for the help!

Wow this is a lot to try and process for a guy looking for a starting load. I was hoping to at least narrow it down to a bullet weight! What I have is a new XDM 5.25 competition in 9mm. I am new to this game but not competition shooting. I ordered a bunch of zero bullets last night but they had nothing in 9mm. I was thinking 147g for the lower recoil, but it seems that heavy bullets leaves little room for powder and could lead to pressure issues. Somebody give me a an idea for a load with the XDM to start with. I have VV N310, Power Pistol, Unique, Bullseye and Clays powders lying around. Mixed brass and WSP. Need a bullet to work with. I ordered some PD sample packs a couple weeks ago but have not received them. Help? Joe

I typically shoot NRA Conventional Pistol (Bullseye) and I thought we had the market cornered on different loads to use. This USPSA/IPSC stuff is worse! I recently decided to get into some of this run and gun action (Dr. Told me to get some exercise ) so I picked up a SA XDM 5.25 Comp in 9mm. I ran a couple boxes of Remington 115gr rn thru it and not a bad shooter really. So anyway my point being (after reading multiple threads on load data) that I am clueless on where to start. OAL seems to be an issue with this gun? Are the 147gr of 124gr the better choice? It would seem the 147's would shoot softer, correct? I have some VV N310 which is right up there on the burn charts and some Power Pistol which is way down on the charts! Also Clays, Unique and of course Bullseye. I like the idea of a HP bullet as I feel they are more consistent in grouping is this also true with 9mm? I am also not opposed to picking up some VV N320 as that seems quite popular and it burns clean. Could someone that has successfully found a good load for the XDM in 9mm provide some of their data for me to start with it would be much appreciated. I hate reinventing the wheel! Best I could gather would be a Precision Delta 124g HP, 3.8 - 4.0gr VV N320 and a COL of 1.07" Close? Thanks for your input!

Thanks for the input gang. I do have a couple 1911's in 45 that I could use in SS and even a M&P 40c or revolvers that I could use just for fun. Budget is of course limited to a point otherwise I would just start building a custom 1911 with Caspian parts. I have learned from my Bullseye experience that you can spend a lot of money finding the right gun just to settle on a custom build in the end. I chose the Springfield XDM Competition for a couple reasons. 1.) Relatively new gun that will likely retain its resale value down the road if I choose to build. Or just decide USPSA/IPSC are not my game. 2.) There are some good aftermarket parts available for it 3.) Cost 4.) Availability 5.) I like Springfield guns I ordered the 9mm based on cost of operation and I have a bunch of Power Pistol and new 9mm Starline brass to use up. Thanks again for the input. I look forward to learning more about this sport from this forum. Joe Now I need to change my user name!

I am thinking about getting in to USPSA and do not have a dedicated gun for that. What is the best caliber to use long term? I have loading equipment for 9, 40 and 45 so that is not a problem. I have been shooting Bullseye for quite a while shooting 45 of course. The Springfield XDM Competition is what i am looking to buy just cant decide on caliber. Thanks, Joe

What a wonderful and thoughtful thread. We all have loss of one kind or another in our lives and the information provided by the survivors here is healing for them and helpful to others. I will keep this short as I am thinking of my own losses right now. Brave souls that have survived and shared ..... Thank you Peace be yours

That's why I am waiting until Thursday it's my day off ! So I will have all day to concentrate on getting this set up When do you open up in the am? I am CST Thanks! Joe

Thank you for your reply, Yes I did receive those items and also figured out what I was doing wrong or at least what I was misunderstanding. All is good now except set up for my .40 cal loads. I ordered a caliber change set of .40cal and thought they would come set up. My bad apparently... I have the dies and station 1 and 3 are working properly, 2 does not appear to be giving me enough flare or bell to start a bullet, the lead SWC are dragging down the sides of the shell case and do not appear to be "fitting" very well thus station 4 is not giving correct crimp. I think I will call you folks this Thursday when I have time and go over the set up process. I have tested all functions of the machine and for being 20 years old it seems to work great. The previous owner said he only loaded a couple thousand rounds and it shows. The low primer alarm is cracked from being overtightened but still functional. Thanks for your help! Joe

I am trying to assemble a used SD (1988 non B?) and the failsafe does not actuate the powder measure? I have it assembled per the instructions that came with the unit. However the SDB manual I downloaded has better directions and pictures and it would appear I am missing some parts. Any help would be appreciated, I cannot call Dillon until Thursday the 15th. Twiddling fingers until then Pics of press Thanks!

I have done quite a bit of reading already. I have an older version of a Hornaday manual, Alliant powders manual, one book/one caliber and my favorite 48th edition Lymans relaoding handbook. I also am going to sit one on one with a reloader from the gun club and he is going to help set up my system with me. I am here just looking for some info on good powder/bullet combinations to start picking up some supplies. Thanks again

Thank you for your replies, I am stuck shooting lead for now (range is lead only). I am also very, very new to reloading so if you could shy away from acronyms it will help me out as I am not familiar with them yet. I do not know what WST or TC are. Here is what I have to work with currently Winchester Small Pistol Primers Assorted brass 3000 pcs Magtech 165g lead Semi wad cutters Accurate Unique powder Dillon Square Deal The 165g bullets seem to be a bit more accurate to me, at least in factory loads. I am looking to get lots of practice!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again for your help

I am new to reloading due to the difficulty in finding lead bullets to shoot at the indoor range I belong to. I have purchased a used Dillon SDB, CCI small primers, 2500 rounds of once fired brass. and these bullets Magtech Bullets 40 S&W and 10mm Auto (401 Diameter) 160 Grain Lead Semi-Wadcutter Box of 100. If you have suggestions for a specific bullet I will take all the feedback I can get. I have not purchased any powder, so I am looking for suggestions for that and how many grains would you suggest for these bullets? Looking for plinking and accuracy at this point. Thanks for your help. PS I will be loading .38's as well soon. So if there is a powder that will work for both that would be great!

Need some advice here gang. New with one tool head $350 I can get this one for $200 but I still need to get .40 cal set up. Thoughts? I have the dies for 9mm, .38, and .357. I bought it in 1988. The extras include a powder scale (manual, not electronic), low primer warning, primer flip tray, primer pick up tubes, large powder bar, owner’s manual, lifetime factory warranty. Deal or no Deal!