need .40 s&w reload info

[coastie sai]

good evening i would like some info on reloading the .40. where can i get data on bullet dimensions. ie. what is length of projecticle from tip to base? are there different measurements for same bullet wt? again, ie. would 180gr rnfp measurement from tip to base be same as 180gr ball(rn)? thanks.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

good evening i would like some info on reloading the .40. where can i get data on bullet dimensions. ie. what is length of projecticle from tip to base? are there different measurements for same bullet wt? again, ie. would 180gr rnfp measurement from tip to base be same as 180gr ball(rn)? thanks.

A couple GOOD reloading manuals are in order here. HORNADY, etc. Above all else, - "go by the book", do not try and hot rod this round. JMHO -

 

[coastie sai]

i have a speer manual -- couple years old--has info on .40 however, it does not give projectile measurements only OAL on 180 gr HP and FN. My problem is i loaded the 180 RNFP to the OAL specs. then i ran out of the RNFP and got the 180gr round ball (RN). . . i checked the oal and it was longer with the same settings of the dies. to get the same oal from the RN i have to adjust the seater plug down. I am afraid to do this because i'm not sure how far into the case i am pushing the RN . . I'm concerned about the raised pressure. so i am trying to find out if the bullet tip measurements are diff or same.

 

[tappedandtagged]

i have a speer manual -- couple years old--has info on .40 however, it does not give projectile measurements only OAL on 180 gr HP and FN. My problem is i loaded the 180 RNFP to the OAL specs. then i ran out of the RNFP and got the 180gr round ball (RN). . . i checked the oal and it was longer with the same settings of the dies. to get the same oal from the RN i have to adjust the seater plug down. I am afraid to do this because i'm not sure how far into the case i am pushing the RN . . I'm concerned about the raised pressure. so i am trying to find out if the bullet tip measurements are diff or same.

The seater plug is hollow in the center so when the round nose hits it, more of the nose is going into the plug than the flat nose. If you have both bullets, just put a pair of calipers to it and measure yourself. I have never seen a reloading manual give the length of the bullet itself. I know you said you ran ounof the flat nose, but if you still have a loaded round, you could still pull one and measure it. Some bullet manufacturers do list that info on their site, but I have seen that to be the exception and not the rule.

 

[coastie sai]

hey tapped .. thanks for the help. . i was going to pull one of the RNFP but just as things go, i've had the puller for years, used it many, many,( to many to mention) times and this time was the last for it. . . it cracked. . . .. currently being sent back to Texas I am waiting for replacement. . . while I wait, i was just wondering if there was a place to look for dimensions/measurements. Guess I just gotta wait, though i will check couple mfg sites. .. thanks again...

 

[fyimo]

Reloading manuals just give the OAL spec's for usually two or three types of bullets like a round nose, hollow point, and a truncated cone. I've never run into a pressure problem using those measurements as my guide when I change bullets.

I generally shoot the following tyoes for semi auto ammo and they are round nose full metal jacket bullets for target practice and I load jacketed hollow points for defensive rounds. On some hollow point bullets that I use for reloading I have had to buy a box of 20 hollow point factory ammo that was similair in shape and then I measure the OAL of the factory round and use it on my reloads.

For revolvers I shoot lead cast bullets for practice and they are usually semi wad cutter type and for defensive ammo I shoot jacketed hollow point ammo.

 

[coastie sai]

thanks for the input

 

[Saugus]

Buy several reloading manuals if you can, and you can check out this online reloading data center at Hodgdon's.

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

Good luck and be safe!

 

[coastie sai]

thanks saugus . . . i'll check site .. .

 

[blujax01]

The nice thing about Hornady manuals is that they list the exact part number of their bullets and include all the dimensions and weights.
Of course for this to be useful you need to purchase Hornady bullets.

Amazon.com: Hornady "Handbook of Cartridge Reloading: 9th Edition" Reloading Manual: Sports & Outdoors

 

[coastie sai]

good point . . i've been using "X"TREME bullets . . . soon as my bullet puller comes in i'll be able to measure the tips i have. thanks again