USA1911 Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 OK, I think I had a brain fart while loading some .40 S&W last night. I only made 100 rounds, but here is my question: The OAL measured at 1.117 and I wanted to load to 1.17 (I know better now ) The rest of the load is: 180 gr West Coast plated FP 3.6 gr VV N320 Federal SPP Winchester case Is this load safe to shoot or should I just pull the bullets and start over? TIA for your response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeFoley Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 This is my opinion only, do what you think is best. The manuals usually call for 1.125 as factory length. 40 S&W has a lot of case pressure, and shortening it usually increases this, but you are using a very light powder charge at 3.6, not a major load to begin with. With a difference of .008, I would fire them in practice, but that is just me, do what you think is best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skywalker Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 USA1911, you might try and compare what you've loaded with actual loading table from the Vitavuori reloading manual. They list the following: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XRe Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 While it's a 5% error in OAL, it looks awful big, to me (set calipers to .053). Keeping in mind what fomeister said (it's apparently a light charge), and that he's quite possibly right, I might still err on the "weenie" side, and pull 'em. But, that's me.... High pressure cartridges with fast burning powder are probably the least forgiving to load, and with my expensive pistol (and priceless hand) as my only means to "test" such loads, well.... not worth whatever potential risk there is, to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XRe Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 USA1911,you might try and compare what you've loaded with actual loading table from the Vitavuori reloading manual. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> There's no 180gr load w/ N320 on the table Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyG23 Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 If in doubt pull the bullets. I've got 200 rds. of .40 in the garage I need to do that with due to a glitch, now fixed, in my 1050. I loaded the ammo, slept on the idea that there MIGHT be a double charge somewhere in the batch, and got up at 0500 the next morning and loaded more ammo for that days match. Even if I scrap it it's cheaper than replacing a gun to say nothing of the peace of mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USA1911 Posted April 19, 2005 Author Share Posted April 19, 2005 Thanks folks. I think I will weenie out and pull them. I have a brand new STI Eagle 5.0 in .40 S&W and pulling the rounds is a LOT cheaper than ruining a new gun. Appreciate the advice. Stay safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhunter Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Thanks folks.I think I will weenie out and pull them. I have a brand new STI Eagle 5.0 in .40 S&W and pulling the rounds is a LOT cheaper than ruining a new gun. Appreciate the advice. Stay safe. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> OK, quick question! Why are you loading so short for an STI? Seems most people load STI's to about 1.20"! Mine loves them at 1.20" I would pull them too if that makes ya feel any better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robomanusa Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 If there is ever any doubt in your mind as to whether your reloads are good or not pull the bullets and start over, better to be safe and KNOW your safe than to have an accident of any kind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Just a 100...pull the suckers. It will help you to remember to get them right next time too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mistral404 Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 You can email your question to the VV technical advisor. He is located in the US. I really do not know that much about reloading. It is my understanding that the shorter the OAL the more pressure you build. As others have said, this is not good for a high pressure round. On the other side, 3.6 grains is pretty light. I used 4.9gr, 180 JHP MG, OAL of 1.19-1.2. This gives me a power factor of around 170. I use significantly more powder. I use about 36% more powder and my case is only 6% longer. You could always spend $15 for a bullet puller, pull the bullets and reuse your components. I load long because my guns feeds more reliable with the longer round. If I do not load long, my nice expensive gun turns into a Jam-O-Matic. I know many folks with STI Edges that feed factory ammo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBoyd Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 You know for years and years and years, I shot 40's, 45, 9m and 357 and never ever even once mearsured the OAL. I used a chamber gage and if it fit and didn't stick out the top........Too Much.......I shot it. In my .45 colt I never ever had any feed problems, nor with any 9mm through 2-3 different guns. I have had some feeding problems with 40's but the problems were mag springs and not related to OAL. as long as you don't put a double charge in a casing, I don't think you would ever have a problem. just my thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin c Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 While it's a 5% error in OAL, it looks awful big, to me ... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's worth remembering that what makes for higher pressure in a shorter round is not the change in the length of the cartridge, but the change in the powder volume inside the case. The length of the bullet and the thickness of the case web are fixed for the round being loaded (a total of 0.800" to 0.825" for 180 grain jacketed loads) so a change in OAL is going to be at the expense of the powder volume. Loaded to the SAAMI spec maximum OAL of 1.135", a 5% change in OAL will cause a powder volume decrease of 17% or more, which is an awful lot. XRe is right, it IS awful big... Kevin C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin c Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 You know for years and years and years, I shot 40's, 45, 9m and 357 and never ever even once mearsured the OAL. I used a chamber gage and if it fit and didn't stick out the top........Too Much.......I shot it. In my .45 colt I never ever had any feed problems, nor with any 9mm through 2-3 different guns. I have had some feeding problems with 40's but the problems were mag springs and not related to OAL. as long as you don't put a double charge in a casing, I don't think you would ever have a problem. just my thoughts. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm glad you had some tough, well made guns there, were probably using published recipes, and have good luck and good fortune with you (remind me to stick with you come the next earthquake or tidal wave ) Personally, I would never handload ammunition without calipers, scale, chrono, well made guns I trust, and a healthy dose of caution on top of everything else. Just my two cents. Kevin C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R/T Performance Posted May 3, 2005 Share Posted May 3, 2005 I was told round nose should be 1.115 and load mine to 1.120 with out any problems fp jhp Berry's plated 180 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJPoLo Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 USA1911,you might try and compare what you've loaded with actual loading table from the Vitavuori reloading manual. They list the following: <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Wow. Is anyone using 3N37 under 180's (as listed in the table above)? What's that like? -Chet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin c Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I started with one cannister each of N320, N330, N340 and 3N37. Like most using Viht in .40, I ended up w/ N320. 3N37 worked, but it was a lot more powder than the N320 load for the same velocity. Kevin C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sterling White Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Lets put this into dollars and time: 100 rounds estimated cost $6.50 Load time less than 30 minutes Driving to the range...not much time. Here's the what if..... Either the rounds run or KABOOM (case failure) = lots of downtime! So the question becomes - are you prepared to deal with the consequences over a $6.50 mistake? I agree with Flex. OAL should be 1.17 to 1.20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now