fuel prices and reloading .40
$4.00/gal
I continue to ride the scoot as much as possible because of rising fuel prices. They tipped into $4/gal last night but by morning were back under. Yay for elective wars and causing global chaos, I guess.
reloading
.40 S&W
The last thing I own that I hadn’t reloaded for is .40 cal. I tried to pick up a used set of dies off eBay but got outbid. So I picked up a new set from Cabela’s; with the 10% vet discount it was the same as from online sources.
I worked on two loads:
- 180gr Berry’s RN, with both 231 and CFE Pistol. In both cases I aimed for the FBI’s 180gr @ 1000fps spec for 10mm reduced / .40. The CFE-P makes the velocity with less pressure so it will be interesting to see how they compare.
- 155gr Speer Gold Dot with a ladder of 5 CFE-P charges. Velocities estimated by GRT to be 1115-1225fps (428-516 ft/lbs) from the 5” barrel.
update: an error
The velocities I got from the .40 loads were lower than expected and the rounds did not play well with the magazine. I went back and checked my dummy loads and found I had loaded them incorrectly. Almost looks like I loaded them to 10mm length. So I pulled the dummies and reseated them to the correct length. I will remake the .40 ladders and retest.
I admit this mistake in public to remind onlookers (and myself) that handloading can be dangerous and to double check the load data.
making use of 147gr plated RN for .38 special
The 147gr projectile is too heavy for the bolt of my blowback 9mm carbine, so I want to make other use of the remaining 200 or so. I’ve been reading reports of successful use in .38/.357 loads – these are plated with a 1250fps limit so I’m going to test them in .38 spl loads. GRT predicts 1100fps (396 ft/lbs) out of the Rossi carbine’s 16.5” barrel.
Update: the Berry’s 147gr loaded and shot well. Some sooting so there is bypass from undercharge and/or undersized. Will try with CFE Pistol next. Also tried to use some 147gr FMJ FN I had in a baggie but they were too small to hold tension. They are likely .355 and not .356 like the plated ones. Some folks online are using undersized dies with .38 to make it work but I don’t care that much. I’ll use them in 9mm.
Another update: the 147gr bullets work great in the XD’s 9mm conversion barrel so I’ll probably use them for that instead.
powder thrower
Used the Auto Charge for this session. It’s accurate but on the slow side. I’ve used three approaches so far:
- hand measuring - fastest for one-offs; no setup or takedown.
- volumetric thrower - fastest for many throws of the same weight; dialing in the throw is time-consuming.
- Auto Charge - fastest for ladder loading where the powder is the same but the charge weight changes; just punch in the weight and hit
Enter.
load list
As seen in the pic above I finally realized I can copy/paste from my load spreadsheet to make a slip for the ammo box. I print it on the little thermal printer.
Srsly: do not take my word (or anyone else’s) on matters of reloading. Get some manuals, start with light charges and work up, etc. You are responsible for your own loads as I am mine.
Also see the BSK reloading calculator announced in this reddit thread.