[Variations in OAL frustrations]

Still, the press info will be helpful.

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.

[Variations in OAL frustrations]

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

[Why am I seeing unburnt powder?]

It really depends. Some powders will leave some unburned, or partially burned, granules even at normal pressures. Factory Winchester Ranger 124gr FMJ+P leaves all kinds of unburned powder in the gun, and it's definitely at full pressure....not sure what powder they're using in that, but it does leave a lot of residue (not that it seems to hurt anything). R,

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.

[Why am I seeing unburnt powder?]

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!

[Help! Powder selection for newbee!]

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

[to clean or not to clean]

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!

[I cannot see my sights!]

Do you wear corrective lenses while shooting, or only eye protection?

I found during the period I was competing in High Power (Service Rifle) that the correction I needed when I was in prone and sitting positions we use in High Power (and rotating the eye upward) was different from the correction I needed while standing (and looking straight out of the eye socket). The eye doc could not argue with the apparent difference, but it was only about a quarter diopter. This difference would probably not be the huge thing you saw, but maybe it is. Perhaps a corrective lens in your shooting eye that is biased a little towards the sights will help you see the sights better in general...

The other possibility is that your eye protection is optically poor up near the top edge...

I have had cataracts corrected, have zero ability to focus on the target then the sights, and have to accept that my glasses can only give me one thing. My shooting eye is corrected to see the front sight, and the target goes fuzzy. I have had no trouble shooting teeny tiny groups with my AR15 Service Rifle, and don't usually drop points on 25-35 yard shots on the IDPA target with my pistols.

I can tell you that letting the target go fuzzy is no hinderance, and indeed must be accepted. Just put sharply defined sights with excellent alignment onto the fuzzy target and break that trigger without disturbing the sight picture. This type of group shooting is excellent practice. Brian Enos himself recommends some of this during your practice sessions.

Billski

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.....

[I cannot see my sights!]

On long shots like those I take couple seconds to make sure Im seeing my sights and lining them up on target. I know its all time but a slower hit is better than a few fast misses in my mind.

....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!

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 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!

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!

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!

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?

[Best way to mark/color code brass?]

I have seen guys that will paint or mark their brass so that after a stage, theirs can be identified for return to them. What is the best way to do this? I have seen stuff that is red or maybe black across the head, but what do they use to do this? Paint could gum up the action or breechface, maybe even the fireing pin, if you use the wrong stuff. What kind of paint would work? Will a marker work? Fingernail polish? What do you guys use? Is it better left alone?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Gene

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!

[I cannot see my sights!]

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!

[pushing the gun down during rapid fire]

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?

[1st order with Zero.....good experience!]

Not to burst your bubble, but you got lucky. I'm still waiting for an order of bullets I place back on 12/2/09. If they happen to be making the bullet you want, and have some left over after backorders, you'll get them. If not, expect to wait a long time...so don't be surprised if you place another order and wait weeks or months.

Don't get me wrong, I like the quality of their bullets, but certain kinds are either impossible to get...or nearly so. My M&P shoots their 147gr JHP more accurately than any of the other half dozen bullets I tried, but they haven't been available for about a year, so I save a couple of bucks per K and use the MG 147, which is almost as accurate (in my gun). R<

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!!!

[1st order with Zero.....good experience!]

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....

[Digital Scale Recommendation Please.]

Anybody ever try one of these?

http://www.scales-co.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=376&category_id=96

[Hello from Minnesota]

From one Minnesotan to another...Welcome to the forum Hope to see you at the range sometime...may have already bumped into you??

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!

[Help! Powder selection for newbee!]

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!

[how do you measure crimp?]

Use calipers and measure at the very top of the case mouth.

If you do a search on the forum you can find the correct measurement for .40 (I can't remember it exactly)

Britin,

good call. I found it! Looks like .420 is a commonly accepted measurement.

Thanks again!

[Help! Powder selection for newbee!]

Are you shooting L10 (major) or production(minor)?

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?

[how do you measure crimp?]

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!

[Help! Powder selection for newbee!]

Are you shooting L10 (major) or production(minor)?

production (why minor?)

[New 40 XDm and Federal Ammo]

I invited a friend at work to come out and try USPSA at my club last weekend. He had a great time, but was surprised to find that his new blaster was not getting along with the Federal Ammo he had purchased at Wally Mart. Had a couple of failures to feed, but the most interesting thing was the rounds were key holing in the targets. Has anyone else experienced this with the Federal loads from Wally World? I was curious if these were plated bullets vs jacketed? It is a shame, as the they were only $12.95 a box. Winchester White Box seemed to perform well.

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...

[Hello from Minnesota]

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!

[Tips for Newbies]

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!

[Your First USPSA Match]

A short guide in .pdf format that will help to guide you through your first USPSA match. Local details may vary but this should give you a rough idea.

Your_First_USPSA_Match.pdf

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

[Help! Powder selection for newbee!]

First off, welcome!

Second, the horror stories about .40 are mostly from folks that simply aren't taking the time to learn the proper way to load ammo. Take the time to get the basics down, work off published data, take your time and you won't have any problems.

231 isn't a bad powder, but it's a little dirty (it's also the same as HP38). I loaded some .40 with it back in the mid-90s and then moved on to other powders. Titegroup and VV N320 are probably the two most popular powders for .40, both Major and Minor.

From an economy standpoint, unless you're getting some sort of break on Berry's bullets, I'd look elsewhere. At $116/K Berrys are more expensive than Precision Delta 180gr FMJs at $110/K and slightly less than Montana Gold 180gr FMJs ($120/K if you buy a case of 2500). Both PD and MG bullets are better bullets....why pay more for less?

Thanks G-Man! I'll be definitely switchin to delta. Can't beat that price!

As for powders, I bought a small container of WSF. They didn't have the power pistol and though I'd read somewhere to start with a slower burning powder. Besides, I figured it'd be easy to work with as the 231 was and they are both ball powders.

I'll load up a few mags and try them his wed night and report back.

Thanks agaan or the advice!