Jump to content
Practically Shooting

Soot on outside of case...problem?


Tom

Recommended Posts

I loaded up some .40 S&W with 200 gr FMJ and a light charge of 5.6gr IMR 800x. I like the way it shoots for range use because it has hardly any snap and my M&P cycles just fine. I'm getting soot on the outside of the brass which I'm guessing means it's not developing much pressure to expand the brass.

Does that hurt anything?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tom,

I load pretty low recoil loads myself and have experienced the same symptom of sooty cases. I've asked several reloaders I know and across the board, everyone says it doesn't matter. The only factor is cycling the slide with light loads. If the M&P works, then load, shoot, and repeat.

Wayne

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tom,

5.6gr is a light starting load of IMR 800x for your bullet weight. In my experience, in my .40 guns, 800x tends to do better when loaded in the upper end of powder load weights. You are correct in that lower pressure tends to not expand the brass causing some soot. The degree of crimp can also be a factor. Finally, some powders just burn a lot dirtier than others regardless of pressure developed.

xtell

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...