Metalman1
Member
If the data says use 155 gr Speer GDHP, Bullseye powder at 6 gr. Can I use a 155gr Hornady HP or RN , Bullseye powder at 6 gr.?
Loading 40 S&W
Loading 40 S&W
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Bullet reload
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LiveLife
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I am assuming you are loading 40S&W (correct me if you are not).
Alliant load data lists 6.0 gr of Bullseye as "max charge" for 155 gr Speer GDHP bullet.
FYI Lyman #49 lists the following:
BTW, Hornady HP bullets like XTP or HAP may have similar bullet length as Speer Gold Dot HP bullet and have similar bullet seating depth but the RN bullet would be shorter and have shallower bullet seat depth than the HP bullets (Deeper the bullet seat depth, greater the chamber pressures).
Bullseye is a very fast burning powder and I prefer not to use it for 40S&W as it produces really snappy recoil loads. I usually recommend W231/HP-38 or slower burn rate powders for 40S&W but if that's the only powder you have on hand, I would be on the conservative side loading for 40S&W.
YMMV
Alliant load data lists 6.0 gr of Bullseye as "max charge" for 155 gr Speer GDHP bullet.
Unless you already conducted your powder work up using same or longer OAL than listed OAL, I would not start with the max charge. With any new bullet, I prefer to conduct powder work up from published start charge and many use 10% reduction as start charge for Alliant load data as only max charges are listed. So for 6.0 gr max charge, 10% reduction would be 5.4 gr and I would work up from there.
FYI Lyman #49 lists the following:
BTW, Hornady HP bullets like XTP or HAP may have similar bullet length as Speer Gold Dot HP bullet and have similar bullet seating depth but the RN bullet would be shorter and have shallower bullet seat depth than the HP bullets (Deeper the bullet seat depth, greater the chamber pressures).
Bullseye is a very fast burning powder and I prefer not to use it for 40S&W as it produces really snappy recoil loads. I usually recommend W231/HP-38 or slower burn rate powders for 40S&W but if that's the only powder you have on hand, I would be on the conservative side loading for 40S&W.
YMMV
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Metalman1
Member
Thanks for the info. I am new to reloading and have a lot to learn. So far this forum has been very good.
beatledog7
Member
I use Bullseye in .40S&W, but have never put that much into a case. My 135-gr lead loads are perfectly fine and rather snappy at just 5.0 grains of Bullseye. No way would I go to 6.0 grains, even with a jacketed bullet.
4895
Member
I feel BE is too fast for a high pressure cartridge like .40 S&W. I recommend to proceed with caution.
Lyman #48 says for 155 gr. jacketed silvertip (Winchester Silvertip # SHP40 bullet) to use 1.125" OAL and loads bullseye to the following:
5.1 grains start load 771 fps 19,500 C.U.P.
5.7 grains max load 885 fps 22,500 C.U.P.
You would be much better off with HS-6 powder if you can find it. Bullseye may spike pressure quickly beyond the loads listed and produce unfavorable results.
Lyman #48 says for 155 gr. jacketed silvertip (Winchester Silvertip # SHP40 bullet) to use 1.125" OAL and loads bullseye to the following:
5.1 grains start load 771 fps 19,500 C.U.P.
5.7 grains max load 885 fps 22,500 C.U.P.
You would be much better off with HS-6 powder if you can find it. Bullseye may spike pressure quickly beyond the loads listed and produce unfavorable results.
You came to the right place. I remember being a novice, and this is where I came for help. As you learn, pay close attention to terminology. Some of us are anal about it. Your subject header was "Bullet Reload." But you are not reloading bullets, you are reloading cartridges, of which the "bullet" is the copper/lead projectile. Basically, the "cartridge" is the "case" containing the "charge" and the "bullet," and the "primer." Once fired, all that remains is the "cartridge." The primer is spent, the charge is burned up, and the bullet is gone downrange. Reloading is taking the "cartridge" and renewing the primer, charge, and bullet. If this seems pedantic, this is a hobby in which attention to detail is essential. Have fun, but be careful.
LiveLife
Member
Ooops.
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No, I wouldn't use Speer Gold Dot data for other bullets at maximum loads. Speer Gold Dot maximum data seems to have higher charges than other data sources. Start lower that Speer Gold Dot maximum data and compare their data to other powder and bullet company data. I preferred Alliant data before they only listed data for Gold Dots. I'm relatively new to loading 40SW but the best powder I've tried has been WSF Winchester Super Field, or Power Pistol, followed by Unique.
Reefinmike
Member
delete, misread post
gamestalker
member
My personal approach to loading jacketed bullets, or Gold Dots, which are treated much the same, is to go with a slower burning powder, in my opinion. For this application I go with either Longshot, which is my first choice, or HS6. But there are many choices to go with that probably serve you well.
As for using data when switching to a different bullet, both being jacketed, I emphasize re-working the charge. Not necessarily starting at the bottom line starting charges, but at least back off some, and work back up, this is to avoid encountering higher pressures that might develop do to projectile profile differences. It's the important rule of always re-working the charge when changing a component that keeps us form getting into trouble in this hobby.
GS
As for using data when switching to a different bullet, both being jacketed, I emphasize re-working the charge. Not necessarily starting at the bottom line starting charges, but at least back off some, and work back up, this is to avoid encountering higher pressures that might develop do to projectile profile differences. It's the important rule of always re-working the charge when changing a component that keeps us form getting into trouble in this hobby.
GS
.40 runs at the same pressure as 9x19, it just is a lot more temperamental about it.
COL is determined NOT by the reloading manual, but by the reloader and his gun(s). For semi-autos, the factors that affect COL are bullet shape, magazine (particularly the lips that determine when the cartridge is released), the feed ramp, and the chamber. Thus, only one factor pertains to the bullet.
Reloading manuals will often group all the various bullets by weight and list individual minimum COLs for the various bullets.
Hornady, for example, groups all their jacketed/thick plated 124 gn 9mm bullets together. However, the minimum COLs listed are:
FMJ-RN: 1.150"
HP XTP: 1.060
FMJ-FP: 1.050"
So, yes you can use 155gn jacketed data for ANY 155gn jacketed bullet, as long as you exceed the minimum COL and work up from a safe starting load.
I read lots of folks "bragging" that they always start about mid-range and work up. Well, in 40 years I have had two occasions where starting a the starting load gave me a lot of "bang," recoil, bulged case, and case thrown quite a ways. So, I ALWAYS start with the lowest starting load I can find.
COL is determined NOT by the reloading manual, but by the reloader and his gun(s). For semi-autos, the factors that affect COL are bullet shape, magazine (particularly the lips that determine when the cartridge is released), the feed ramp, and the chamber. Thus, only one factor pertains to the bullet.
Reloading manuals will often group all the various bullets by weight and list individual minimum COLs for the various bullets.
Hornady, for example, groups all their jacketed/thick plated 124 gn 9mm bullets together. However, the minimum COLs listed are:
FMJ-RN: 1.150"
HP XTP: 1.060
FMJ-FP: 1.050"
So, yes you can use 155gn jacketed data for ANY 155gn jacketed bullet, as long as you exceed the minimum COL and work up from a safe starting load.
I read lots of folks "bragging" that they always start about mid-range and work up. Well, in 40 years I have had two occasions where starting a the starting load gave me a lot of "bang," recoil, bulged case, and case thrown quite a ways. So, I ALWAYS start with the lowest starting load I can find.
ljnowell
Member
It has nothing to do with "bragging" it has to do with not wasting components.
LiveLife
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I prefer to live life with the notion that I do not want to reinvent the wheel - life is just too short. Forums like THR exists so we can spend more time enjoying our hobby instead of learning by making mistakes.Metalman1 said:
When you are starting out, it's good to experience all aspects of reloading but many who have made those "unfortunate" mistakes like double charging a case or shooting another round after a squib round in the barrel will probably agree that you would be better off learning from their mistakes than to make them yourself.
Regarding reloading for 40S&W, it's better to learn from other people's mistakes (can you say KaBoom?) than making your own.
ssyoumans
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Favorite 40 S&W powder is Unique. When I started loading some Montana Gold 155gr using the published Gold Dot data, I found that I ran into pressure concerns well before I reached the published max.
In this case, Alliant lists 8.0gr Unique for 1207fps. I hit 1214 fps with 7.4gr using the MG 155gr JHP. My point is, be careful substituting bullets. I settled on 7.1gr of Unique, 1125fps. Factory gold dots run 1145fps from my G23.
In this case, Alliant lists 8.0gr Unique for 1207fps. I hit 1214 fps with 7.4gr using the MG 155gr JHP. My point is, be careful substituting bullets. I settled on 7.1gr of Unique, 1125fps. Factory gold dots run 1145fps from my G23.
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