.40 S&W Powder loads

[5thSFGroup]

I have been using Clays powder for all of my pistol rounds. However, I noticed a long time ago that it is difficult, at times, to find a spec for cast bullets for the .40 SW. I always can find Clays powder charges for FMJ or hollow points but on the Hodgdon site, there is no listing for the powder charge for cast .40 rounds. I have just used the FMJ settings.

What have you folks used for 180 gr or 165 gr cast rounds in the .40 S&W?

 

[Presto]

I run 4 grains of Clays under a 170gr. LSWC. It runs clean and very soft, but it is just under the 1000 fps that I want.

I also run 4.6gr of Rex II behind a 170gr. LSWC with great results. I also use a lot of WST for the same bullets with a charge weight of 5.6gr. The WST is probably a little cleaner and softer shooting, but the Rex was cheaper and I wanted to try a can of it. This seemed to be the application that suited it best. Both of these loads are just a few FPS over 1000.

Ramshot Sillhouette and Zip worked well, and HP-38 is a great powder in this application as well. I'm sure there are several out there that will work well for you.

 

[5thSFGroup]

I have been using 3.2 -3.5 grains with a 180 gr round. I am thinking of switching over to a Penn 165 gr round for my .40. I love Missouri Bullet and will continue on all other rounds but I would like to try the 165 gr TCBB round...it appears to be outstanding and has some of the same characteristics as a .357.

 

[Walkalong]

700X for light loads with lead or plated (Shot better than Clays for me). Universal for middle to near the top loads with any bullet.

 

[5thSFGroup]

I just got off the phone with Hodgdon about another matter and while I had them on the horn, I asked about their powders with a .40. The technician that I was speaking with said that on .40 calibers he does not like lead bullets because of the pressures. When I advised him that I was loading 3.2 grains in 180 gr rounds that were going into a Sig and an XD-M, he saw no problem but said he personally liked HS-6 in all of his .40 rounds.
He had no problems with Clays behind a .45.

How many of you folks are using Clays behind a lead .40? Seems like his biggest concern was that the pistol be of good quality.

 

[REL1203]

I have developed a GREAT load for my 40 XDM, 180g Berry FP, and 5.2g Universal Clay... My XDM loves it

 

[winchester1886]

I shoot a 175gr TTC lead bullet with 4.9gr W-231 for 968fps OAL 1.130"

 

[Brian10]

I run 3.2 gr of Clays in my 170 gr SWC.

 

[Walkalong]

That must just go "poot" when it goes off.

 

[5thSFGroup]

What is odd is that there is only 100 psi difference between using Clays and a 180gr round and using HS-6 on a 180 gr round. HOWEVER.......... when loading a 165gr round....look out....HS-6 is 28,700psi and Clays is 29,900 psi...the highest in the group of powders listed on Hodgdon's web page.

 

[kfox]

I really like 5.2-5.4 grains Unique under a 180 gr TCFP (IDPA#5) from Missouri Bullet Company. This load runs like a full power load that it is and also has very good accuracy for me. As with all load recomendations start low and work your way up where you want them to be.

 

[kludge]

LOL, You're not going to get any lead/.40S&W data from Hodgdon. I've tried.

I went to No.7 for lead in .40S&W and I am using Accurate's published data for the 175gr lead under a MB 170gr TCFP (I guess they are heavier now since I bought mine).