Video: Loading 40S&W with the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP

40 S&W is one of the most popular cartridges with handgun shooters, and it’s not hard to see why. Packing a powerful punch in a package smaller overall than 45 ACP, it’s a great cartridge for target shooting as well as defense/carry. Recently, I picked up a Glock 20 and 40 S&W conversion barrel, and decided to put together a bunch of content on both 40 S&W and 10mm auto. First up, loading 40 S&W on the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP.

40S&W-completed-cartridges
A beautiful sight: completed 40 S&W cartridges

 

Before loading any cartridges, I ran all of my range pickup brass through a GRX die, you can read more about that process here. Some reloaders have issues with 40 S&W and the Hornady case feed system, some complain that the small drop tube is too tight. I haven’t yet had that problem, but I did have a similar issue: cases did get hung up occasionally at the mouth of the upper drop tube adapter (aluminum bushing). I took the “sharp” edge off the inner chamfer, and all was good.

Upper drop tube adapter after slight modification
Upper drop tube adapter after slight modification

After that process was complete, I  finished setting up the press for 40 S&W loading. Here’s my die station utilization:

  1. Size/de-prime
  2. Expander
  3. Powder charge
  4. [reserved for next post/video]
  5. Seat/crimp

This is just one of many good options for how to use the die stations on this press. The components used for this loading session consisted of the following:

  • Hodgdon CFE pistol powder
  • Hornady 200 grain XTP hollow point bullets
  • Federal small pistol primers
Components used for loading 40 S&W during this session
Components used for loading 40 S&W during this session

The dies I used are Hornady New Dimension (3 die set), and I decided not to use any case lube to avoid having to clean off any residue. The loading went smoother than I thought with no lube! I’ve been using these dies for both 40 S&W and 10mm auto, and they have been working great. I’ll be posting a cool way to use these dies for both cartridges without having to re-adjust here shortly.

Hornady Custom Grade Dies work great for loading 40 S&W or 10mm Auto
Hornady Custom Grade Dies work great for loading 40 S&W or 10mm Auto

Because I’m shooting this 40 S&W ammunition from my Glock using the Lone Wolf 40 S&W converstion barrel, I don’t have to worry about bulged brass, as long as my brass doesn’t get mixed up with other people’s brass. The reason for this is because the Lone Wolf barrel has a fully supported chamber unlike the “stock” Glock barrels.

Now, to put this all together, here’s a video showing the smooth-and-fast loading sequence:

…but things are about to get even faster- and with a bit of a twist. Stay tuned!

Thanks,
Gavin

5 thoughts on “Video: Loading 40S&W with the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP”

    1. I guess as long as we can find anything that burns in a 40 S&W round it is good enough….if a powder burns right and give decent ballistics….I’m guessing it will have to do.

      Man I hate to be a hoarder but I’m getting to the point of buying up 20 to 30 pounds of anything pistol powder (9mm…357 Sig…40 S&W….400 Corbon…45 ACP….357 Mag) when it shows in stock with online powder dealers. I see powder out of stock within hours…minutes even when a powder shows in stock.

      I preach against hoarding….guess I will have to become a hypocrite. I am downright disgusted with this hoarding B.S. taking place. But I guess as it is said…If ya can’t beat’m…well…you know the rest.

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