[Logan901]

Recently, I've started hand loading and this past weekend I shot some of my hand loaded ammo.

I used Speer brass, CCI 500 prime, Hornady xtp 155gr and Hodgdon HP-38 powder.
Gun: H&K USP Comp. Tactical .40.
I was having a feed jam. The rounds would cycle, but it would catch on the lip of the casing and the round would be diagonal trying to enter the chamber. What causes this?

[Logan901]

Also, I've shot about 150 of my Handloads rounds, same reload components, except for only 4.6 gr of powder compared to 5.4.
Didn't have issues with previous rounds.

[sdiver35]

Are you sure you are seating your bullet deep enough in the casing? If the COAL isn't correct, the angle with the additional length could cause issues.

[Logan901]

Originally Posted by sdiver35

Are you sure you are seating your bullet deep enough in the casing? If the COAL isn't correct, the angle with the additional length could cause issues.

1.120 inches OAL

[sdiver35]

Originally Posted by Logan901

1.120 inches OAL

I just re-read the description of the jams. Did you flare more or crimp less on this batch? Same mags?

[locutus]

A LEE factory crimp die should solve your problem.

[Logan901]

Update. Shot more this weekend. Same gun and batch. Rounds cycled fine this time. I'm at a loss.

[sdiver35]

Was your firearm cleaned prior to each session?

[GilaDan]

Logan901,
I too have some feed problem experiences with .40's. I have 4 firearms in 40S&W and each can be a little finicky. Similar to what others have mentioned, like crimping and bullet seating, these two are the usual suspects. In my case, since I use a carbide crimper, the fix I have found is nearly always in bullet seating. Additionally, the shape of the bullet is a huge factor. For example, seating the XTP's is trickier than the FMJ's which have a more consistent shape.

What we found with XTP and Noslers is a larger variance by the bullet seater. In millimeters it could vary as much as 4 millimeters at the same setting on the bullet seater. So we simply take the bullet down a little further. Now, our reloads cycle in all the firearms just fine.

On crimping, I tend to crimp as little as possible especially in 9mm. The carbide ring should take care of any bulges going into the die. When we experimented between crimping and bullet seating - we kept crimping the same and seated the bullet deeper - nearly always, best we could tell, it was the bullet seating that made the difference on improved feeding.