Adjusting .40 Major PF loads

[lordpaxman]

Informational post only. Long story, but the short version is I had a couple of mis-feeds that cost me dearly in a match, were probably due to a mag, but was advised to lengthen my COL.

My current .40 major load is:
180gr FP Blue Bullet, 1.160”, 4.6gr Sport Pistol, CCI500, 174 PF, SD 10

I loaded a couple of test loads with both SP and WST since I’m trying to balance the remaining powders I have.

Sport pistol:
180gr FP Blue Bullet, 1.180”, 4.7gr Sport Pistol, CCI500, 175 PF, SD 10
180gr FP Blue Bullet, 1.200”, 4.8gr Sport Pistol, CCI500, 175 PF, SD 08

WST:
180gr FP Blue Bullet, 1.160”, 4.6gr WST, CCI500,172 PF, SD 05
180gr FP Blue Bullet, 1.180”, 4.7gr WST, CCI500,172 PF, SD 10
180gr FP Blue Bullet, 1.200”, 4.8gr WST, CCI500,174 PF, SD 09

The numbers above are from a 5 shot sample. What I decided to load is:

180gr FP Blue Bullet, 1.200”, 4.7gr Sport Pistol, CCI500, xxx PF, SD xx

180gr FP Blue Bullet, 1.200”, 4.7gr WST, CCI500, xxx PF, SD xx

I’m conserving primers, but intend to chrono these later in the year when the temps rise since WST is a bit temperature sensitive. Hopefully I’ll be able to report back good results. This post was intended to just be informational in case anyone is loading for .40 major and a 5” 2011 style gun.

 

[9mmepiphany]

when the temps rise since WST is a bit temperature sensitive.

You're aware that WST is reverse sensitive, right?

 

[lordpaxman]

You're aware that WST is reverse sensitive, right?

Hence the wait till the temperatures rise. We had a bit of unusual weather last week, without snow and the sun came out, and about 60. I don’t know if there’s a good way to predict its performance at 80 or 90, I’ll have to check GRT. It’s easy to lose a few PF, a pulled bullet can weigh 178gr, their chrono might not read what yours did, they check at 10 feet and I’m using V0. Thankfully the SDs indicate I won’t have to load at a higher PF due to V variations.

 

[jmorris]

In my limited pistols I run 4.5gn of Titegroup, with a plated 180fp @ 1.180”.

 

[lordpaxman]

In my limited pistols I run 4.5gn of Titegroup, with a plated 180fp @ 1.180”.

I do have plenty of TG, I may just work up a load for fun. TG has a lot of nice characteristics, but I’ve always found the felt recoil to be sharper than WST, N320 or SP.

 

[lordpaxman]

Due to climate change, my testing of these loads at an elevated temperature was delayed until now. We hit the high 80’s this week and I had my test rounds and setup under a patio umbrella on our patio. Air temp was 86 degrees, but the rounds felt warm which indicates they may have been slightly above body temp. I wasn’t concerned about the actual powder temp, only that these loads would still be at or above Major PF as there’s a big match coming up in October.

Sport pistol:

180gr FP Blue Bullet, 1.200”, 4.7gr Sport Pistol, CCI500, 169 PF, SD 07 : Was 170PF at 60 degrees air temp

WST:

180gr FP Blue Bullet, 1.200”, 4.7gr WST, CCI500,170 PF, SD 05 : Was 172PF at 60 degrees air temp

The numbers above are from a 5 shot sample so the data isn’t significant but indicates the loads will perform above major PF.

RMR had available pulled .40 caliber 180gr JHP “from a major manufacturer”. Since most say JHP are the most accurate (most precise?) bullets, I did concoct a few major loads with sport pistol and N320. It takes about .5gr more to get the JHP at major PF than the coated blue bullet. Group size was better with the JHP but my limited testing at 20 yards had 1.5” groups with JHP vs 2” groups with the Blues, and 5 shots isn’t enough for a complete picture. The other advice I was given is that the JHP may feed better with less jams than a softer lead or coated bullet.
My goals are: Don’t DQ, Don’t come in last…