New to forum. Need suggestions.

[Beebe]

First off hello everyone. I am new to shooting hand guns and would like to get more involved with the sport. I have a S&W Model 410, and would like to reload for it. I have read in another forum I belong to and on the web that the .40 can have issues with unsupported cases and am a bit worried. I was looking for powder suggestions (any others that you think will help) for reloading .40 cal S&W ammo. I am new to reloading, and am not looking to experiment for some high performance ammo. I just want a nice load that will work in my gun, (not go Kaboom especially) that I can target practice with and get use to my gun. This is my first handgun, and I want to get into shooting more. Lee's recipe book has "Longshot" powder as the first choice and I just wanted some suggestions from folks that have done this before. Here are the other variables.

165gr Berry Prefered plated bullets
Range brass (most once fired from my gun)
A friends Lee's Pro 1000 press

Thanks,
Beebe
AKA Dave

[john16443]

Welcome Beebe, you'll find a lot of good information here. As you're just getting started, getting some good loading manuals is a must. They will contain information on powder and bullet combinations that you can use. While I don't reload for 40SW, I don't think you'll have any issues. The chamber support issues you're referring to were more prevalent in older model Glock pistols, and I believe are less of an issue today. There are also dies available from Redding and EGW that addresses the bulge if you're still concerned.

[MrApathy]

standard lee 40sw sizing die does good job sizing the brass EGW uses lee dies ground bottom up.

I dont recommend you use Longshot I am not familiar with the 410 model you mention
is it the alloy frame 40sw pistol S&W had out for a little while?
Longshot loads are stout and hard on guns though it does deliver fast velocities.
I would recommend trying something else like WSF or if you have good eyes and dont mind case not filling up entirely titegroup is good though can warm up a gun due to nitro in it, titegroup uses low charge weights.

Unique will fill the case but doesnt meter greatly, want a flash powerpistol can be fun unique fills up case a little more than power pistol. Hodgdon Universal is similar to Unique but can be touchy with changes in OAL and powder weight it burns cleaner than unique but doesnt fill case as much as unique.

unsupported chambers still exist in some 1911 barrels another factor is bullet setback ie when bullet for whatever reason seats itself deeper than OAL recommended it can happen when chamber the cartridge especially repeated chamberings which can lead to increased pressure.

welcome to world of reloading hope you readup all you can it is fun a bit tedious but fun when you get to the range and shoot some accurate shots.

stay safe

[Rule3]

The M 410 is a 3rd gen "value line" SS slide, alloy frame. They are fine guns, value line was just different sights less bells and whistles (no front serrations) internals are the same.

Anyway, the 40 SW is no harder to load than any other handgun caliber. Just stay withing the load data. Get some more manuals, Lee is fine but the load data all comes from some where else.

Start at the min powder and work up.

Here is Hodgdons website. For plated bullets use the low to mid FMJ data.

HP 38, W 231 *same powders are good for the 40SW

Longshot is listed in the load data BUT the bullets used are JHP so the OAL is going to be different!. This is IMPORTANT!

Buy some more manuals like SPEER and/or HORNADY so you can find a bullet with the same profile.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

[sourdough44]

Lee usually has the fastest loads listed 1st. That is the powder/charge combo that gives the highest velocity. My load for a 165 grn plated bullet in my 40's is 5.2 grains of H Universal. You won't get yourself in any trouble near that range, cycles fine. I'd look to one of the 'medium' burn rate powders for the 40 with those 165 grn bullets, or on the faster side of medium.

[Beebe]

Thanks alot everyone. My friend and I decided to get 3 powders. He reloads his 9mm, and .45. We got Unique, Win 231, and Universal. Well Last night I made my first reload. IT WORKED GREAT!!! Felt like stock loads, cycled and didn't blow up. I used the the starting grains of Universal according to Lee's book. (5.1gr) Made the OAL at 1.125 and works like a champ. Thanks for all the help.

[OK Hog Shooter]

Hello the camp and welcome to the forum from central Oklahoma. You'll find a wealth of freely shared information and knowledge here. Kudos to you for jumping into reloading so quickly. You're ahead of me! All l gotta say is learn what you can from forum members, definitely get several reloading manuals, and be safe!

Blessings,
Hog

[PDL]

Welcome to the forum and to reloading.

You've made decent choices for your powders. But Unique and Universal are so similar in performance, load, and burn rate that they might as well be clones.

I've used Unique for years in a number of callibers. I've just picked up some Universal to try. I've heard it's a bit less smokey. I won't keep both on the shelf from here out, but I did want to compare them.

For .40 S&W I've been using W231 but also have some other powders to try in the future.

Range brass from your own gun should be fine. If you pick up other .40s that have been used with an unsupported chamber there may be a bulge near the extraction groove.

There are 'push thru' dies that will eliminate any bulge if you find a need for them. For me, I'll buy fresh brass when necessary and only reload brass fired from my gun.

Good luck, keep safe, and have fun.

[TSQUARED]

Find a copy of Alliant 2005 and W-W 14th Edition reloading manuls which have pressure tested data for their powders. Most of the other manuals use subjective indicators for pressure. If you cannot find them PM me your e-mail address and I will send you the 40 S&W pages.

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by TSQUARED

Most of the other manuals use subjective indicators for pressure.

Would you expand or clarify this??

[hawgleg]

Welcome to the board and the wonderful world of reloading. All three powders should be fine for what ya'll reloading for. Just try them out and pick the one that meters the best for you.

As PDL said Unique and Universal Clays are very similar just pick one of the two. W231 is a tad faster on most burn rate charts and may work out for lighter plinking loads. Have fun and enjoy.