first time pistol loader

Hey guys this is the first time I am loading pistol. I load 100% rifle. I got a 3 die rcbs set and I want to load some 40 s&w. I am just a tad confused on the whole taper crimp thing can someone point me to a good link that explains how to this step. Also with the carbide sizing die, drop the handle full extension and just barely kiss the shell holder with the die mouth right? dont cam over like on rifle sizeing dies is this the way its done?

Yes on the sizing die. As far as the crimp goes I just barely reverse the bell that you put on the case.

thanks xd! I was sucessfull in producing a dummy round that was at the oal I wanted and chambered and ejected from my xd-40! sooooo I reckon its time to powder and and prime!

the only thing is my brass is all .840. Lyman says a min of .845, speer says min .840 so i just went with speer and let her rip. should be ok ya think?

Load up 10 and test fire. If all goes well, then let her rip!

Load a few up and barrel check them. Take your barrel out and drop em in and drop em out. It's a good idea to do this with every round to catch any that won't chamber causing malfuctions. They should drop in and out easily. You can also run your finger over the primer, feeling for an high primers.

thanks xd357. I got a case gauge on the way. I never worry with my rifle rounds cause well they are not headspaced off the case mouth lol! and they are wayyyy longer than sammi OAL anyway. I will try the barrel trick till i get my case gauge in thanks bro!

o and btw I am loading 6.2 g of wsf behind 155 gr hornaday xtp using Remington 1.5 primers and a oal of 1.125

just want to see how this powder and load combo works. I am most like going to go with wst or 231 and precsion delta 180 gr bullets. My xd likes 180's the best I think.