New to reloading

[the simple life]

Hello All
I have a Dillion 550B. I am looking for recommendation on bullets and power for .40 cal. I am new to relaoding and am not sure what to use. Any guidance or information is a great help. Thank you

[ffemt300]

I have that same press and am currently loading .40 myself. I'm using a 180 gr. lead cast bullet with Hodgdon HP-38 pistol powder. I'm just stocking up on target rounds right now. If you havent already, buy a reloading manual, heck get five different ones. Also you can check powder manufacturers websites for load data.

Here's Hodgdon's

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[OldCannon]

I've been reloading .40 in my Hornady LnL press. I like using Montana Gold 155gr with Titegroup powder. I can reduce the powder enough to have a fast-shooting 40 cal for IDPA/USPSA.

One thing I've recently discovered is http://ammoguide.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I really like the site's paid features. However, ALWAYS verify recommended powder charges back to the powder manufacturer's guidance.

[Jumping Frog]

Just remember that bullet seating depth is absolutely critical in .40 S&W. It is a much trickier cartridge to load safely than low pressure cartridges like .45 ACP or .38 SP.

You cannot just blindly substitute a different bullet of the same weight when looking at loading data. The cartridge is so short with relatively high pistol pressures that a 0.10" difference in seating depth can mean the difference between going over the red line or not.

Being careful is always a good idea with handloading, but especially so with .40 S&W.

Good luck.

[CDH]

I buy Hodgdon Universal in 8 lb jugs for my 40 (and other calibers). I stick to 155 and 180 grain bullets, and the plated ones from Berry or Ranier work great for plinking and practice rounds.

I also load light powder charges...usually about halfway between starting and max book charge. It cycles the pistol well, reduces recoil, and doesn't mess with aim significantly vs. carry ammo. Brass life is greatly improved too. Experiment with seating depth and try to load on the long side.

The Lee factory crimp die is your friend for all autoloading pistol ammo.

I'm one of those crazies that reloads his Glock 40 too.

Don't push this cartridge and you'll have a long and happy reloading career.

[Justinbhutto]

Use ones you can find :) I think we are all finding ourselves using powder and bullets we don't normally use right now...

[nvald1982]

I have a lnl ap, powder I use is alliant pistol power with xtreme bullets. Powder is universal calibers in reloading manuals. Xtreme bullets are copper plated bullets and recommends a speer book using fmj load data. Cannot exceed 1,400 feet per sec. I this combination for affordable/accurate plinking for my glock 22 40s&w. (changed barrel for support). Hornady has good hollow point projectiles, but would not use them as plinking round. Wasting money in my honest opinion. That was the first projectile I learned with to reload, before using other brands like Rainer.