40 S&W OAL input needed

[ski2me]

I'm finding out that my Glock 20 with a Lone Wolf 40 conversion needs some tweaking in the OAL.

I was loading
180gr LTC
4.5gr WST
Once fired mixed head stamp brass
Federal primers
1.125 OAL

I was having no problems at all

Now I have 5000 S&S 180gr LFP. all other components are the same. The problem is I have to use a 1.10 OAL for the loads to feed reliably. I'm worried about the pressure. Do you think I should load a little lighter? Maybe 4.3gr.

[geargnasher]

It's always a good idea to back a load down a notch or two and work back up ANY time you change a major component of the load, including production "lots" of the same powder.

Gear

[randyrat]

4.5 with a 180 gr JHP is starting load OAL is 1.25 that's 28,000 PSI. You have some wiggle room 35,000 ......... Like Gear said drop a little and shoot a couple, work your way back up. The forty is nothing to sneeze at, pressure peaks real quick with short OAL.
Besides it's a good habit for good reason with the forty.
Shoot a couple at 4 grains and look at your brass then work up.

I always loaded so i could use 4 or 5 shot used brass and saved the once shot brass for the stout loads.

[lbaize3]

Each gun is a law unto itself. I had to load my 175 grain SWC a bit longer to function perfectly in my P16-40 Para. The same loads would not fit in the magazine of my Springfield XD. The loads for the XD were a bit shorter and would jam with some frequency in the Para. So I have to mark the boxes of loaded ammo for the firearm they were loaded for.

[garym1a2]

I run 3.7 gr WST in 40S&W for my Storm lake in Glock 22. with the Lee TC 175GR. Nice and soft plus accurate. Great for USPSAmatch in Minor caliber and also practice.

In a Glock 20 with the heavy slide I thick 4.0gr is a good place to be.

[ski2me]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not used to thinking in such small dimensions. Is a difference of twenty five thousandths a big deal?

[BadDaditood]

i worry about my .40 reloads all the time--

take a look here for 180 gr. http://greent.com/40Page/ammo/40/180gr.htm

.025" can make a Huge difference:

1.100" = 32,900 psi

1.075" = 39,641 psi (saami max 35k)