Loading 40 cal. Pistol

[Sgt. Tee]

So how important is COL when reloading 40 cal. A comparator can help measure this bullet?
I just want to shoot a safe bullet. I am measuring 5 grains with 180 grain bullet. No issues doing this but I am finding my measurements are not consisten.
I purchased a comparator kit but guys are saying this is not the tool for pistol reloading.
is there a tool that will measure this bullet. I own a good caliper and reads thousands in differences. I just want to be able to shoot this bullet safely. I read as long as they chamber and shoot in the handgun you are good. I just wanted to write my concerns here.

 

[Rocketvapor]

The important length is the CASE length. Spec for .40 S&W is 0.850".
Overall Length with bullet is a Maximum of 1.135".
Some bullets per Hodgdon Reloading Data have a overall length of a little less.
Flat pointed bullets are typically 1.120", Round nose about 1.130".
Trying to use a comparitor with pistol bullet with widely varying nose profiles is a waste of time.


Inconsistent measurements might be due to your reloading process.
Slight bell on case mouth, adjusting seating die for the proper length, slight taper crimp.
Sometimes adjusting a seating die with built in crimp can scrunch the length a little if adjusted for too much crimp.

What bullets are you using? How inconsistent are your measurements with a caliper?
What powder are you using?

The Max overall length for a .45APC round is 1.275", with a case length of 0.898".
You should be able to load to an OAL +/- 0.002" or so.
+/- 0.010" might matter depending on your pistol and how it cycles rounds from the mag.
I load 230gr round nose a little shorter.

Length REALLY matters with my wildcat .45-40.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Id follow recommendations in loading manuals for load and length. I always measure OAL, no comparator

 

[Sgt. Tee]

The important length is the CASE length. Spec for .40 S&W is 0.850".
Overall Length with bullet is a Maximum of 1.135".
Some bullets per Hodgdon Reloading Data have a overall length of a little less.
Flat pointed bullets are typically 1.120", Round nose about 1.130".
Trying to use a comparitor with pistol bullet with widely varying nose profiles is a waste of time.


Inconsistent measurements might be due to your reloading process.
Slight bell on case mouth, adjusting seating die for the proper length, slight taper crimp.
Sometimes adjusting a seating die with built in crimp can scrunch the length a little if adjusted for too much crimp.

What bullets are you using? How inconsistent are your measurements with a caliper?
What powder are you using?

The Max overral length for a .45APC round is 1.275"
You should be able to load to an OAL +/- 0.002" or so.
+/- 0.010" might matter depending on your pistol and how it cycles rounds from the mag.
I load 230gr round nose a little shorter.
View attachment 1418684
Length REALLY matters with my wildcat .45-40.
View attachment 1418685

The important length is the CASE length. Spec for .40 S&W is 0.850".
Overall Length with bullet is a Maximum of 1.135".
Some bullets per Hodgdon Reloading Data have a overall length of a little less.
Flat pointed bullets are typically 1.120", Round nose about 1.130".
Trying to use a comparitor with pistol bullet with widely varying nose profiles is a waste of time.


Inconsistent measurements might be due to your reloading process.
Slight bell on case mouth, adjusting seating die for the proper length, slight taper crimp.
Sometimes adjusting a seating die with built in crimp can scrunch the length a little if adjusted for too much crimp.

What bullets are you using? How inconsistent are your measurements with a caliper?
What powder are you using?

The Max overral length for a .45APC round is 1.275"
You should be able to load to an OAL +/- 0.002" or so.
+/- 0.010" might matter depending on your pistol and how it cycles rounds from the mag.
I load 230gr round nose a little shorter.
View attachment 1418684
Length REALLY matters with my wildcat .45-40.
View attachment 1418685

The important length is the CASE length. Spec for .40 S&W is 0.850".
Overall Length with bullet is a Maximum of 1.135".
Some bullets per Hodgdon Reloading Data have a overall length of a little less.
Flat pointed bullets are typically 1.120", Round nose about 1.130".
Trying to use a comparitor with pistol bullet with widely varying nose profiles is a waste of time.


Inconsistent measurements might be due to your reloading process.
Slight bell on case mouth, adjusting seating die for the proper length, slight taper crimp.
Sometimes adjusting a seating die with built in crimp can scrunch the length a little if adjusted for too much crimp.

What bullets are you using? How inconsistent are your measurements with a caliper?
What powder are you using?

The Max overral length for a .45APC round is 1.275", with a case length of 0.898".
You should be able to load to an OAL +/- 0.002" or so.
+/- 0.010" might matter depending on your pistol and how it cycles rounds from the mag.
I load 230gr round nose a little shorter.
View attachment 1418684
Length REALLY matters with my wildcat .45-40.
View attachment 1418685

Using Rainier. 180 gr. Hollow point and Bullseye powder

 

[Rocketvapor]

1.125" +/- 0.005" should work fine.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Measure OAL.

 

[Sgt. Tee]

Thanks guys, I will check things out. I do feel better with the suggestions

 

[Sgt. Tee]

1.125" +/- 0.005" should work fine.

I understand the first measurement but what is -0.005
1.125 I get.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Plus or minus 0.005".
1.120" to 1.130" should cycle.
Just remember, not much crimp.
.40 cal case headspaces on the case.

Once you get used to loading pistol you will find it is much easier than rifle.

 

[Sgt. Tee]

Ok understand

 

[jrb06]

What gun are you loading for? As others have said case length check and OAL rather than using a comparator. SAMMI spec of 1.135 OAL works for most profiles but with some profiles(very few) may be to long. Since the round headspaces off of the case mouth the best way to determine if it is too long is remove the barrel and do what is known as the plunk test.
Remove the barrel and take a loaded round and drop it into the barrel, it should "plunk" into the barrel and be able to be spun and you can see if it is fully into the barrel.

Not to muddy the waters but if this is a 1911 style gun a lot of those are loaded with rounds longer than the SAMMI 1.135 and anywhere between 1.180-1.200 to assist in better feeding. This typically only applies to guns used for competition, DO NOT LOAD TO THIS LONGER LEANGTH IN STOCK FACTORY PISTOLS!

 

[Sgt. Tee]

What gun are you loading for? As others have said case length check and OAL rather than using a comparator. SAMMI spec of 1.135 OAL works for most profiles but with some profiles(very few) may be to long. Since the round headspaces off of the case mouth the best way to determine if it is too long is remove the barrel and do what is known as the plunk test.
Remove the barrel and take a loaded round and drop it into the barrel, it should "plunk" into the barrel and be able to be spun and you can see if it is fully into the barrel.

Not to muddy the waters but if this is a 1911 style gun a lot of those are loaded with rounds longer than the SAMMI 1.135 and anywhere between 1.180-1.200 to assist in better feeding. This typically only applies to guns used for competition, DO NOT LOAD TO THIS LONGER LEANGTH IN STOCK FACTORY PISTOLS!

It’s a S&W M&P 40 cal.

 

[kenhwind]

It is my understanding that the bullets in the 40 S & W should never be loaded shorter than specified.
I usually do not load any shorter than necessary, but I also load the MC / FMJ and if they chamber and fit into the magazine you should be okay as long as the round feeds.

 

[acloco]

Case length gauge is used for straight wall cases rather effectively.

Provides that the case is sized properly (FITS the case length gauge) AND.....projectile should not protrude past the other end of the gauge.

 

[Sgt. Tee]

Case length gauge is used for straight wall cases rather effectively.

Provides that the case is sized properly (FITS the case length gauge) AND.....projectile should not protrude past the other end of the gauge.

Where is these sold? Should I goggle case length gauge?

 

[Sgt. Tee]

Where is these sold? Should I goggle case length gauge?

Ok I know what you mean now. I have one for my 223

 

[Sgt. Tee]

How about this

https://www.amazon.com/Lyman-7810209-P-Ammo-Checkers/dp/B01M0UWEXY

 

[Rocketvapor]

Checks case length but NOT OAL.
The BIG give away is the 44mag/44spl and the 38spl/357 holes.
Caliper should be good enough.

 

[Sgt. Tee]

I am reading this is the gauge to purchase

https://www.amazon.com/Dillon-Precision-Handgun-Stainless-CaseGage/dp/B00MJGG44O

 

[Rocketvapor]

Checks CASE dimensions to minimum SAAMI chamber diameter and length.
Dropping a sized case in your barrel does that for YOUR barrel.
One question about a case gauge, how do you check OAL of a loaded round with different bullets?
Load data shows slightly different OAL for different bullets.
Is this a smart gauge?
Go through your reloading manual, and/or online reloading data.
What range of OAL do you find?