Redding Reloading: A Total Resizing Die for .40 S&W; Cartridge Case
Redding Reloading has brought out a total resizing die for the .40S&W cartridge case. The product is designed to totally resize the .40 S&W cartridge case by allowing the case to pass fully through the die. The dimensions in the start of the chamber in the barrel of .40 S&W calibre pistols intended for police duty use, such as the Glock, are very generous to allow the chambering of any style of bullet in extreme environmental conditions of dirt, dust and moisture. During firing the cartridge case will expand and retain the dimensions of the chamber it was fired in. As the military and law enforcement do not reload this is not an issue for them.
The Resizing Die
The resizing die in our reloading press will not fully resize the case and will leave a small section at the base of the case not resized. It is this part of the case that will not fit the chamber of the pistols typically used in IPSC events. Most of us will have encountered .40 S&W calibre cases that will not fully chamber in the barrel of your pistol. This is due to an expanded section of the case just in front of the extractor grove that is not resized when the normal resizing die is used. The shell plate in your reloading press grips the case and covers the section of the case just in front of the extractor grove, thus preventing the resizing die from reaching this area.Redding Reloading has brought out a total resizing die for the .40S&W cartridge case. The product is designed to totally resize the .40 S&W cartridge case by allowing the case to be pushed fully through the die.
Redding Reloading has developed a die that allows the .40 S&W cartridge case to be fully pushed through the resizing die. As the .40 S&W is a rimless case this method of total resizing works very well. This is a two part kit, with a resizing die and a push rod. Titled the G-Rx Push Thru Base Sizing Die, the resizing die screws into a single stage press and the push rod clips into the slot for the shell holder. Pull the handle on the press fully down thus raising the push rod. Screw the resizing die into the press until it contacts the push rod and then lock it in place using the locking ring.
This case which has a bulge at the base will not fully chamber into this .40 calibre STI barrel.
The Process
Over the years I have gathered up a box of some 400 cases that would not chamber in my STI. I placed the cases in a container and sprayed some lubricating oil on them to assist with the resizing process. I them resized all the cases. Place a case on top of the push rod and then pull the handle. Then lift the resized case out of the top of the die.When the case was pushed through the Redding G-Rx resizing die it would then properly chamber in the STI barrel.
I used a Lee single stage press, which is one of the smaller single stage presses that you will encounter to perform the resizing operation. The leverage from this press was more than adequate to resize all the cases.
The push rod clips into the shell holder and the resizing die screws into the press. Position the case on top of the push rod and then force it through the die.
Place the resized cases in your case tumbler for 10 minutes to remove any trace of lubricant. When you use these cases make sure you run the cases through your normal .40 S&W resizing die to provide the correct neck tension for the seated bullet. DO NOT under any circumstances try to resize live ammunition! Lubricate the inside of the resizing die and push rod before you store them away. If you have a quantity of .40 S&W cases that will not chamber in your pistol the G-Rx resizing die from Redding Reloading will remove any bulge near the base and give these cases a new lease of life.
Once it is resized the case can then be lifted out of the top of the resizing die.
