hello brand new to reloading and the man i bought my press from give me h.universal powder to start with but it does not give data to charge with. i have been loading 180 solid nose with 5gr powder and works well but does not work with lead wad cutters dont know why but dont want to increase it becouse dont know what the max would be.
40 s&w charging data help
- Thread starter ericsloan
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Welcome to the forum.
You really need to go out and buy a reloading manual or two. Don't rely on what someone told you on the internet for load data, it's not worth the risk. Also, there are a few websites available from manufacturers that list load data, such as Hodgdon and Alliant. Take a look around these websites for ideas, then go shopping for a reloading manual.
You really need to go out and buy a reloading manual or two. Don't rely on what someone told you on the internet for load data, it's not worth the risk. Also, there are a few websites available from manufacturers that list load data, such as Hodgdon and Alliant. Take a look around these websites for ideas, then go shopping for a reloading manual.
What do you mean by "does not work with lead wad cutters??
Full wad cutters. semi wadcutters, bullets do not come out of barrel, do not chamber??
What gun and what exact bullet??
midminnesota
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Here is hodgdon,
Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com
here is alliant,
Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide
Hope this is helpful, I would also suggest getting some reloading manuals as well, they have allot of good info in them.
Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com
here is alliant,
Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide
Hope this is helpful, I would also suggest getting some reloading manuals as well, they have allot of good info in them.
Mikey217
US Veteran
I have a question about inconsistencies between manuals. I have some 40 S&W 165gr Montana Gold JHP bullets with HS-6 powder. I've got several manuals, and this is what I see:
Lee book - COAL=1.125", 7.3gr - 8gr
Speer book - COAL=1.120", 8gr - 8.5 gr (huh?!)
Sierra book - COAL=1.125", 6.4gr - 7.9gr
Hodgon book - COAL=1.125", 7.3gr - 8gr
How the heck do I decide with such a wide difference between powder manufacturers? Do I just go with the Hodgdon data since it's their powder I'm using? What the heck is up with the Speer data? More powder in a smaller space? In fact, their starting data is what most other powders call the max! I was thinking of just going with the Hodgdon data, but thought I would throw this out there.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!
Mike
Lee book - COAL=1.125", 7.3gr - 8gr
Speer book - COAL=1.120", 8gr - 8.5 gr (huh?!)
Sierra book - COAL=1.125", 6.4gr - 7.9gr
Hodgon book - COAL=1.125", 7.3gr - 8gr
How the heck do I decide with such a wide difference between powder manufacturers? Do I just go with the Hodgdon data since it's their powder I'm using? What the heck is up with the Speer data? More powder in a smaller space? In fact, their starting data is what most other powders call the max! I was thinking of just going with the Hodgdon data, but thought I would throw this out there.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!
Mike
First off you need to know that all reloading manuals have been made safe by the lawyers of the companies that list the data and that have done the tests on powders and bullets. The manuals published today list max loads reduced from in the past because of the fear of law suits. It wasn't that the loads tested weren't safe it was because they weren't safe in 100% of the guns that they could chamber that round in.
All of my reloading manuals are from the late 70's and early 80's and the data in them is way different then the data in the new reloading manuals. The new ones have been made safe by the lawyers that dictated what a top load could be and made sure iut was safe in every gun that could ever chamber that round.
Also a 180 grain lead round and a 180 grain jacketed round create vastly different pressures on ignition because of the friction required to move the round down the barrel.
All of my reloading manuals are from the late 70's and early 80's and the data in them is way different then the data in the new reloading manuals. The new ones have been made safe by the lawyers that dictated what a top load could be and made sure iut was safe in every gun that could ever chamber that round.
Also a 180 grain lead round and a 180 grain jacketed round create vastly different pressures on ignition because of the friction required to move the round down the barrel.
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NICKTHEFISH
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yeah that speer data is alarming! smaller space = higher pressure all by itself! why would they want more powder too??? i would call them direct if i were you. i called hodgdon with a question and it saved me a possible nightmare!!!
I use Hodgdon hp38 for pistol loads so i would go with their load data. and as always to newb's...START WITH STARTING LOAD DATA FIRST!!!
yeah that speer data is alarming! smaller space = higher pressure all by itself! why would they want more powder too??? i would call them direct if i were you. i called hodgdon with a question and it saved me a possible nightmare!!!
I use Hodgdon hp38 for pistol loads so i would go with their load data. and as always to newb's...START WITH STARTING LOAD DATA FIRST!!!
The exact bullet used matters, especially when loading hot loads. I have seen two .40 bullets of the same weight that created vastly different pressures with the same powder because of jacket hardness and bullet shape.
When you switch components, your data may no longer be valid. Why do you think we old reloaders have a pile of reloading manuals, plus notebooks full of load data?
When you switch components, your data may no longer be valid. Why do you think we old reloaders have a pile of reloading manuals, plus notebooks full of load data?
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Mikey217
US Veteran
Thanks for your replies! Yeah, I got a batch of 1000 165gr Montana Gold JHP that I'm just about to start using, so I'm starting with the minimum charge for both the HS-6 and Power Pistol. I just thought it was odd that the numbers were so different. I think I will call Hodgdon/Alliant and/or the Montana Gold guys and see what they recommend.
Now that I think about it, last time I used Ranier plated bullets at 165gr with the minimum charge of Power Pistol, it shot out fire like a dragon. I ended up going below the minimum charge. I didn't have a chrono back then, but I do now, so that's going to the range with a test batch of each this time. I took a lot of good advice when I started reloading, so thankfully I have a notebook of my own going.
Thanks again, guys!
Mike
Now that I think about it, last time I used Ranier plated bullets at 165gr with the minimum charge of Power Pistol, it shot out fire like a dragon. I ended up going below the minimum charge. I didn't have a chrono back then, but I do now, so that's going to the range with a test batch of each this time. I took a lot of good advice when I started reloading, so thankfully I have a notebook of my own going.
Thanks again, guys!
Mike
tappedandtagged
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How did you come across 5 grains of Universal for the 180 jacketed without any data? I have no idea what your level of experience is, but may I suggest you buy read this book before you do anything else. The ABCs Of Reloading: The Definitive Guide for Novice to Expert: Rodney James: 9781440213960: Amazon.com: Books
Also, read at least one manual cover to cover and own more than one. I suggest Sierra's, Speer's or Lyman's 49th. Lyman's covers a broad range of different bullet and powder manufacturers and I believe is a must own for every reloader.
Also, read at least one manual cover to cover and own more than one. I suggest Sierra's, Speer's or Lyman's 49th. Lyman's covers a broad range of different bullet and powder manufacturers and I believe is a must own for every reloader.
