tisch006

Sorry for the gap in info....doh! I'm using a lee breach lock challenger. Most of my brass is stuff that I've fired so I usually get 50 of the same head stamp before I do a batch. I really appreciate all the feedback!!!!!! oh....and by the way, yup.....I meant 0.010" variation! I get anywhere from 1.138 to 1.128 on average without touching (adjusting) the die.

OK....fairly new to reloading and have been getting variations in my OAL up to 0.010"!!!! Wasn't sure if this was even a big deal and, if it was, not sue what the cause may be. Here's some info I found and thought I'd share. First off, I've done tons of searching on this forum have have found this topic discussed regarding other brand presses and dies and the consensus seems to be this this is not a really huge issue as long and the seating depth is not to deep as to cause an unsafe increase in pressure. Also, I've read that the bullets I'm using are not the best quality. Here's the load that I'm currently using for 40 S&W: Berry's Plated RS 180 gn 5.4 WSF mixed brass CCI #500 primers OAL 1.135 (ish) I started to think the Lee may be able to provide some insight on this issue since they are called Lee "Presicion" and their press and die set are giving my a fairly large variance in OAL (even with low quality bullet). Here's what I've gotten from Lee: There are a number of possible causes for overall length variation. One is the way it is measured. If you measure overall length from the tip of the bullet to the base of the case, remember to subtract the variation due to bullet length tolerance. The bullets will vary in length due to manufacturing tolerances (bullets with exposed lead noses are the worst in this regard) and this will add to the overall cartridge length variation. Remember that the bullet seater plug does not (or shouldn't) contact the tip of the bullet when seating, but contacts farther down the ogive. For a more accurate seating depth measurement, take the seater plug out of the bullet seating die, place it on top of the cartridge and measure from the base of the case to the top of the seater plug. So, it does sound like it may be largely due to the bullet I'm using!!!! Well, as a new reloader, I just thought I'd share the info I found. Happy (and safe) reloading!!!! -tisch

Well that makes sense. Thanks! Being very new to reloading I wasn't sure if unburnt powder was generally indicative of one thing or another. The gun seems to really like this recipe and they fly straight! I'll run them over the chrono soon to see if they make major and then bump up the charge if needed.

I'm pretty new to reloading. Only a couple hundred rounds. I cleaned my stock XD-40 last night and found some unburnt powder. Not sure what this is telling me. Here's my recipe: 180 gr Berry's plated RS 5.4 gr WSF CCI #500 primers 1.135 OAL once fired federal bass I'm interested in any thoughts. Thanks!

Ozzie, my XD likes the 1.135 just fine however, at 5.4 gr of WSF I'm finding some unburnt powder?!?!? Not sure if I should try bumping it up a bit or not? Berry's 180 RS WSF 5.4 gr CCI #500 primers OAL 1.135 stock XD-40 w/4" barrel

Fairly new to reloading. I've produced approx 200 rds in the last couple of weeks. So, do I need to worry about cleaning my primer pockets? It's kinda a pain in the rear! I'm loading .40 s&w for a stock XD-40. I just shoot weekly matches at our local league and am shooting limited (major). Here's what I've been using 185 berry's plated 5.4 WSF CCI #500 OAL 1.135 Lee Breech lock Lee 4 die set Thanks for your opinion!

Billski, I wear contacts but, since I have astigmatism, I may still be having trouble as you described since I rotate and my contact doesn't. If I really concentrated I could, just as you described, make the sights somewhat clear however, the target would go fuzzy. Maybe I will just get a clear sight picture and shoot at the fuzzy things! Thanks for the advice.....

....see, that's my problem. My sights were blurry and I had trouble focusing on them. Hard to line them up if I cannot see them! Do you weat bi-focal eyeglasses? It's possible that you normally sight thru your lower lenses (near sight) to see the sights, but when you're laying down, all you can see is thru the upper lenses - (far sight). Then the sights are blurry. I "solved" the problem by getting a pair of single Rx shooting glasses that's a compromise - I focus at arms length (the sights) and can see "okay" at a distance - that's okay since I want to focus on the sights, anyway. Nope. Doc says I will need bi-focals in a couple of years but not yet! Hi, I'm not sure of any other info ie. last eye exam etc, but nobody can focus on two different distances at the same time. If you focus on your finger at arms length you must refocus on an object further out and vice-versa. If you focus on your sights you refocus to see your target.If you are 20/20 at all ranges without correction it's all good. If you are age challeged things are different, but that's another story. eye sight's good the doc says. I've not had problems shooting farther ranges standing-up so not sure if it's a laying-down thing?

I use a Lee case trimmer set-up in a drill. Give the case a spin while holding a sharpie to it. One ring = once reloaded, two rings = twice reloaded, etc. Everybody teases me about my rings!

So, last night during a league night match, we had a course of fire that included getting under a table and shooting two steel and one cardboard target at 50 yds! What a blast! Never shot at that distance or laying down! Now for the surprise....when I got down on the ground (carpet piece), and went to line up my sights for the long shots I couldn't see my sights! They were so blurry I couldn't hardly tell that there were little white dots on them! I fired a shot, then another, and then I heard the RO say, "high right" (giving me a little support). Another shot, "high right" and again and again. It took me 5 shots to get the first steel to fall over and three for the second. I was, and still am, flabbergasted about not being able to focus on the sights! I could change my focus and bring the sights into focus but then couldn't see the targets... So, anybody else have experience with laying down and/or taking really long shots? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

WOW! What a great thread! I've got to get to the range as fast as i can so I can practice some of the exercises described. I think the biggest epiphany is the idea that I try to fire a shot by jamming the trigger as soon as the sight passes the bullseye instead of being smooth. Perhaps what I thought was "anticipation" is really a need for better trigger control?

WOW! Sorry to here 'bout that! Now I do feel fortunate! Well...next time it's time to order I'm going to save my pennies and try precision delta. I'd like to give'm a try also. Thanks for the info!!!

based on a lot of the feedback I've read, I was assuming that I'd have to wait weeks for my 1000 .40 TCFMs to show up but, there they were! Sittin' on my doorstep 4 business days after I placed the order! So, allowing 3 days for shipping that means they shipped the day after I placed my order! Can wait to begin loading/shooting with them! Just thought I'd share my experience....

Anybody ever try one of these? http://www.scales-co.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=376&category_id=96

Well.....I've been dabbling with the Minnetonka Game and Fish on their Wed night leagues and I go to Bills during the "off-season". Very friendly bunch of guys up at the MG&F. I think I'll run up to SCAPSA some Tuesday night and join in and say hi! Thought it might be fun to try a different club. I'll have to check out your website and find our where MAPSA is and maybe join you guys some evening!

Just thought I'd report back on my 1st impressions. 180g Berry's plated 5.4g WSF CCI 500 primers once fired federal brass OAL 1.135 XD40 stock service model Everything seemed to work just fine w/my 1st attempt at reloading. No malfs in the XD. Accuracy was good (probably my fastest time shooting steel this year!), recoil seemed similar to factory ammo, and not too dirty. I think I'll burn through this bottle and give the Universal a try next. I appreciate all of the advice! BTW - I ordered 1000 of the Zero 180 TCFM. I wanted to order the Deltas but the 2000 minimum order was out of my current budget. Thanks again to everyone!

Britin, good call. I found it! Looks like .420 is a commonly accepted measurement. Thanks again!

production (why minor?) Because if you're shooting Minor, you can use fast powders, that are softer feeling, cleaner burning, and less expensive (use less) and still have a huge safety margin....it's the tastes great, less filling of the reloading world! Nice! ...but seriously, I don't have a preference yet as to Major/Minor. I was under the impression that the faster burning powders cause pressure spikes that are a no-no in .40?

Here's what I've recently loaded: 180 gn Berry's Plated 5.4 gn WSF CCI #500 Federal range brass I want to make sure I get proper crimp from my Lee FC Die. How do I measure the amount of crimp I'm getting and what would the appropriate amount for my set-up be? Thanks!

production (why minor?)

Until I just began reloading, this is pretty much the only ammo I used because of the price. I bought my XD40 from a guy at work who has a very good reputation when it comes to firearms. The guy told me the gun had 500 rounds through it and it appeared he was honest by the looks of the gun. Needless to say, I took it straight to the range and had 4 FTFs and 2 FTEs in 100 rounds!!!! So, I took it home and cleaned the heck out of it a generously lubed it....I now do this after every trip to the range or league night. I've had 2 FTEs since (6 months and 1000 or so rounds) and one was because my mag was very dirty from being repeatedly dropped in the sand (new mag brush since purchased). Keeping it clean and well oiled has worked for me...

This is my 1st season shooting USPSA and it has been a blast. I've also participated in a local IDPA club a few time. Both clubs are comprised of a very helpful and friendly bunch of people who've taught me much in a short time! I've even just purchased my 1st reloading press and, w/the advice from a fellow reloader I met at league night, have began reloading my own ammo. Earlier this spring a purchased a used XD40 and really like this pistol. The gun really shoots straight (remember....I said the GUN shoots straight ) I've found some great info on this forum and plenty of advice geared towards us beginners. Thanks to all who take the time to help out the new guy. Just think, because somebody was nice enough to stop what he/she was doing and give me a few pointers, the level of fun I have has greatly increased and I now may have another hobby that I can pass along to my kids!

WOW! A lot of GREAT info here! Thank so much for starting this thread from a newbee! This is my 1st season and, after a couple of practice nights, I developed a plan to improve in the sport: first: learn to participate safely (doing pretty good so far w/the help of the guys on my league) second: learn what penalties I've been assessed and learn how to avoid them (currently working on this one but doing much better) ....when I get these 2 down, I'll then focus more on shooting technique and speed. Keep the advice coming. Us newbs REALLY appreciate it!

BritinUSA, this is my 1st season. Thank you very much for the guide! I've not attended any official matches yet (just been going to the wed night leagues at my local club). I thought this was written very clearly and makes it sound soooooo easy!! I'll give it a try soon! tisch