Loading 10mm using .40 S&W dies?

[Lou_NC]

I’ve been loading .40 S&W for some time for both semiauto and revolver. I might want to get some 10mm brass to noodle around with in my 610. I think I can use the .40 die set, of course the crimp die would have to be adjusted higher in the press to crimp a 10mm round, but I think it should work ok. Has anyone else done this?

Thanks,
Lou

 

[dutch686]

I would think if it's only set for 40 S&W you wouldn't be able to size the whole case. That's the only downside I can think of.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I would think if it's only set for 40 S&W you wouldn't be able to size the whole case. That's the only downside I can think of.

The sizing is done at the case mouth!

Ivan

 

[STORMINORMAN]

What kind of dies do you have? The Hornady Custom dies, for example, are marked 40 S&W/10mm. These are modern enough calibers that there shouldn't be any older steel sets out there like can be found in 38/357 or 44 Special/Magnum floating around...

Cheers!

 

[Sevens]

When reloading straight wall handgun, think of loading dies the OPPOSITE of the firearms we chamber them in.

You can shoot .38 from .357 revolvers
You can shoot .44 Spl from .44 Mag

In dies, you buy the SHORTER dies and they will happily load the LONGER cartridge cases.

Depending on who has made your dies, you will find many stamped with both right on the dies themselves.

You can definitely use the .40 S&W die set to load 10mm Auto.

 

[Hair Trigger]

My die set for .40 S&W is made by Lee and will also load 10mm.

 

[Alk8944]

I would think if it's only set for 40 S&W you wouldn't be able to size the whole case. That's the only downside I can think of.

Sorry but I can't let this go! Obviously you are not a re-loader or you would not have made this comment. It is not prudent to give advice on subjects you do not know about.

Other than that, stick around and enjoy, you will be amazed how much you can learn on the S&W Forum!
First lesson:

Any 10mm/40 cartridge can be loaded with .40 S&W dies.
Nearly any .32 cartridge can be loaded with .32 ACP dies.
.38 Special, .357 Magnum and some .38 automatic and 9mm cartridges can be loaded in .38 Super dies.
Many .44 cartridges can be loaded with .44 Special dies.

There are others, but you get the picture.

 

[tlawler]

The only pain is having to change the settings. I finally picked up two more sets, so now I have toolheads set up for .40, 10mm, and 10mm Magnum for my Dillon 550.

 

[gwpercle]

I’ve been loading .40 S&W for some time for both semiauto and revolver. I might want to get some 10mm brass to noodle around with in my 610. I think I can use the .40 die set, of course the crimp die would have to be adjusted higher in the press to crimp a 10mm round, but I think it should work ok. Has anyone else done this?

Thanks,
Lou

Yes it is very easily done ...
a 40 S&W is just a shorter 10mm case ...
Like a 38 special is a short 357 magnum case and...
a 44 Special is a short 44 magnum case ... no not literally but you can use the shorter dies 40 S&W , 38 special and 44 special to load the longer 10 mm , 357 magnum and 44 magnum ... all you have to do is adjust your dies for the longer brass ...

Now it won't work the other way around ... 357 magnum dies can't be adjusted to load the shorter 38 special ... 44 magnum dies can't load 44 special brass and 10mm dies can't load 40 S&W . Short brass will give seating and crimping problems ...Maybe !!! Ain't nothing written in stone ...Try your dies and brass , adjust proper;y and you never know .

Look at your dies and die boxes , many will be marked for more than one round ,,, 38 special/357 magnum is typiical as is 40 S&W/10mm ...
these will load both !
Gary

 

[Lou_NC]

Folks, thanks for the replies! I'm actually traveling and can't check my die set right now, but it is a Dillon set, and based on checking their website I see that their .40 S&W set is a combination .40 S&W/10mm.

I totally spaced out on the .38/.357 analogy, which I should have remembered since I've been reloading that caliber for 30+ years. In my defense, I have been away from the bench for a couple of years, but am planning to get back into it in the near future.

I'll start my casual shopping for some 10mm brass. This is a back-burner thing for me (I have several reloading projects on my list ahead of this) but at least now I know I won't have to buy another die set. Thanks for coming through as always!!

Lou

 

[rosewood]

Been using my 40 S&W marked Lee dies for 10mm for years. Works perfect. You leave the sizing dies the same and adjust out your powder die, seating die and crimp die the 1/8" difference. Been using my Dillon .45 Colt dies for .454 also.

Rosewood

 

[mikerjf]

And getting the proper size washer to put under the die makes even that pretty easy. I do it with 38/357, they basically sit in the same place, just with or without the washer.

 

[Neumann]

Resizing dies should work on any case with the same diameter. I bought a set of 7/8"x 0.100" washers, to be used under the expansion, seating and crimping dies when changing between 38spl/.357 and /44spl/.44M. It should work with .40sw/10mm as well, with only minor adjustments for reloading.

 

[e3mrk]

My 40 cal Lee die set states you can also use them on 10mm You just need to adjust for the difference.

 

[Ruger 13]

It works for me!

 

[e3mrk]

The Lee 40cal.Deluxe Die Set also does 10mm, I use it all the time for My 10mm and have had no problems.

 

[DWalt]

The .44 Special die set will be OK for loading both .44 Spl and .44 Mag. .44 Mag mouth expanding and seating dies may (or may not) work for .44 Special cases.

I use a .38 Super sizing die for .38 S&W. But I must use 9x19 mouth expanding and seating dies. I have loaded .45 Colt using a .45 ACP die set.

 

[nedlate]

I'll start my casual shopping for some 10mm brass. This is a back-burner thing for me (I have several reloading projects on my list ahead of this)

Lou

I see Starline Brass has 10mm Auto brass in stock. Really reasonable if you want to buy 500 cases!
Ed

 

[jcelect]

(I have several reloading projects on my list ahead of this) but at least now I know I won't have to buy another die set.
Lou

You might want to rethink this statement! There are many factors that make this statement false! How much time can you devote to reloading, how many rounds do you do at one setting, do you enjoy readjusting your dies for every caliber you reload, and simply put, how lazy are you? It sounds like you reload on a Dillon, as I do! Take full advantage of the tool head design!
With one set of dies for your 40S&W/10mm you will need to readjust your dies every time you reload for the other caliber! With a completely different tool head you are able to swap the tool head in seconds and start reloading! I have tool heads set up for 40S&W, 10mm, 38Spl, 357 Mag, 44Spl, 44 Mag, 32 long, 32H&R mag and 327 Fed Mag! The only adjustment I make is for a different bullet in each caliber.

jcelect