.40S&W Reload Data

[galena]

I am getting geared up to start reloading .40S&W. Can anyone suggest a good factory equivilent load for the 155 and 180 bullets? I am not a "hot rodder" and only want to come close to factory stats, etc. I use a lot of Blue Dot and WW 231 but can go another direction if recommended. If you aren't comfortable giving your loads, can you point me to a current reload manual, I am due a new one anyhow? Thanks. Keep shootin'

BTW- I will be loading for a Browning Hi-Power, a S&W M&P, a Para-Ord 1640, and a S&W 646. No Glocks!!!!!!

 

[CZ57]

http://www.ramshot.com Look at data for Silhouette and you will find many factory equivalent loads. 231 is too fast for factory duplication. Blue Dot will get you there, but at the expense of excessive muzzleblast. Silhouette is treated for flash and is in the ideal burn range for .40 S&W.

 

[[email protected]]

galena you can check my posts as I have several on the 40S&W. It is kind of my pet caliber to reload since I shoot it more than anything else. That being said I cant help you any in the 155 grainers as I never loaded them. WHY NO GLOCKS? first lets start with what bullet are you planning to use. I only load for the evil glocks so I never bothered with lead. In fact i never liked shooting lead in any of the higher pressure pistols and only use it in 38special and 45acp. I have good success loading the berrys rs ds and the rainer fp in 180gn. I also like the hornady 180gn fmj, but they are tooooo expensive. Since you said your not a hot rodder i assume that you will load plated and powder valley has the best price on the berrys at $91 a thousand. An actual velocity of around 900 to 960 will be close to factory but the powder you use will effect the way the recoil feels (snappy or not). In fact as long as the velocity is reasonable it seems to me that recoil has more to do with point of impact than velocity. This is in my expierence and others will vary. For a snappy feeling recoil I use a faster powder which is usually bullseye. at 4.5gn I get an average velocity of 886.4 and the recoil is similar to factory. with 5.1 unique i get better velocity, but the recoil is not as snappy and I end up hitting lower. I have been winging myself off the faster powders and been trying acc#5 in the 40. I have not tried it with the berrys but i have with the rainiers 180gn fp. Note some rainiers have a hollow base and will effect pressure so they are not interchangeable. But I load the rainiers with 6.3gn of acc#5 with a col of 1.135 for a velocity of 840. This is a easy shooting load and has a good point of aim/point of inpact.

 

[gamestalker]

I don't know what factory is producing so far velocity is concerned, but my pet load for the .40 cal. is with longshot. A 155 JHP is at 1250s fps with Longshot. I love the acuracy and general performance it delivers. And another plus to using it is, accidental double charges are not going to happen. It isn't an average or middle of the road powder, regarding it's working pressure range. But even though pressures are up there, they are well managed and very consistent and have worked well in all the .40s I load for and shoot, Taurus 24/7 Pro, Melenium compact, and an XDM.
Although I haven't experienced any issues, it has been brought to my attention that because this powder has a higher than average working pressure, it has been recomended they be fired from a full chambering weapon.

 

[GLOOB]

The loads I've stuck with so far:

180 grain Berry's plated
6.2gr WAC / 6.3gr Unique
OAL 1.135"

155 grain Berry's plated
7.6gr WAC
OAL 1.135"

The thing I like about Auto Comp is you can get higher velocities with it on the cheap. (I don't have a chrony, but others have reported getting close to the mark using Hogdon's data). It's a close second only to Longshot, out of Hodgon/Winchester's lineup. But it costs less than Longshot per pound, and it gets there with 20% less charge weight to boot.

 

[winchester1886]

I reload the 40S&W in 155gr Speer Gold Dot for my Firestar. 7.6gr Unique COL 1.120 Brass Winchester Primer CCI SP.I have been using this load for a while.

 

[gamestalker]

Winchester1886. I like the sound of that load. Any idea what velocity it's producing?

 

[galena]

Thanks to all. It looks as if I am going to have to try some different powders. I've never tried Unique but a lot of folks seem to really like it.

Why no Glocks? Only because I don't have one in .40. I have a 19 in 9mm and like it. I am not a Glock hater, just like steel guns with wood grips. But, I admit, Glocks are darn good guns. Keep shootin'

 

[youngda9]

 

[winchester1886]

I haven't chronograph the load yet but I sure it will be close to 1,000 fps.

 

[traveling1253]

7.0gr Hodgdon Longshot behind 180gr Berry's RS
5.5gr Ramshot True Blue with 180gr Missouri Bullet TCFP