40 smith frustration

tlo7mm · Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 9:58 pm Post subject: 40 smith frustration

I loaded up 20 rounds a while back to try through my 40. I went through and belled 50 cases after sizing and priming. Then I loaded my 20 test rounds using the ladder system just like I would my rifle cartridges. Mostly just to insure that the lowest charges will cycle my action. Anyhow The issue I had was today when I began belling the rest of my cases I found that some of them seemed to bell just fine and others acted like they had already been belled. I sized all of them before I belled them so I would assume that they would all feel the same when belling. Is this normal or have I done something wrong that I am not aware of? I want to be sure as I know that the 40 smith can be problematic if not handled properly when reloading. I do not want to risk ruining my gun or hurting myself.

Vince · Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:07 am Post subject: Re: 40 smith frustration

I'm not familiar with the .40...but back in the day when I was reloading cast projectiles for my S&W revolver I found that
1. so long all of the brass was the same brand,
2. they had all been loaded the same number of times,
3. all cases were the same length,
4. after inspection all cases with a split in the neck (mouth) of the case were discarded to the practice box,
there was generally no perceivable difference in feel when belling the mouth.

If I felt a difference I could usually trace it back to one of the things listed above.

Having said that, I feel certain that there will be Nuts experienced with the .40 and autos in general who can offer more detailed advice.

Bushmaster · Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:37 am Post subject: Re: 40 smith frustration

Check case length. You may find that some are shorter then others. Then again...Maybe just softer brass.

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:00 pm Post subject: Re: 40 smith frustration

What they said! I once resized a bunch of mixed brass, to be sorted later, and got where I could almost tell which brand of brass it was by running it through the sizer.

I've never heard of any particular difficulties when loading .40 S&W, compared to any other similar cartridge.