Reloading the .40 S&W

dennishoddy · Dec 2, 2011

I bought tons of .40 ammo when the obimination got voted into office, and I can finally see the back of the cabinet, so thought Its time to get started reloading.
I'm going with carbide dies, and noticed some dies have a roll crimp, and some have a taper crimp.
Since the majority of this ammo is going to be ran through my Kahr CW-40, which crimp is preferred?

bsdubois00 · Dec 2, 2011

I use the EGW Undersize die to get the bulge out from glock'd brass

Wall · Dec 2, 2011

I use the LEE Factory Crimp Die. It post sizes the round as well as crimp.
I've never had any feeding issues with them.

Strokin04 · Dec 2, 2011

I use the Lee FCD die too, and have not had any issues.

Ksmirk · Dec 2, 2011

Dennis don't take this to heart as I'm going off memory but the auto pistols use the taper crimp. Can't say enough good things about the cheap Lee dies either! that's what's in my 550 and so far so good except for that one primer that got installed backwards

damn woodland tree fairies! Later,

Kirk

dennishoddy · Dec 2, 2011

The .45acp uses a tapered die, and I assumed the .40 did as well. Then while browsing dies on the net, came across the choice of tapered or roll crimp.
I know from loading rifle bullets that have a cannelure, one would use the roll crimp.

Scott Hearn · Dec 2, 2011

Yes, you want a taper crimp, it headspaces off the shoulder. Also if you are running cast lead bullets, be aware that the Lee FCD die can size the bullet down too small causing tumbling. Not saying it will, just that it can. I use a Redding carbide grx push through die before loading, and station 5 on the 650 just has a plain old taper crimp die in it. I don't even bother to case gage anymore. I've never had a single round not gage or feed.

dennishoddy · Dec 2, 2011

My plan was to use the carbide Hornady taper crimp.(Bonus is 100 free bullets) I bought 100 cast bullets to try.
The Polyagonal barrel in the Kahr has introduced another factor.
I can't see what difference that makes, but maybe somebody has been down this road?

Scott Hearn · Dec 2, 2011

dennishoddy said:
My plan was to use the carbide Hornady taper crimp.(Bonus is 100 free bullets) I bought 100 cast bullets to try.
The Polyagonal barrel in the Kahr has introduced another factor.
I can't see what difference that makes, but maybe somebody has been down this road?

Does the CW40 have polygonal? My CW9 doesn't and I like it that way to be honest. But many thousands of hard cast have been through Glock barrels. Just keep it cleaned regularly. I use the Hornady die too. I have several sets and like them pretty well. Heck of deal and a box of bullets sweetens it more.