loading .40 with lead bullets

[kennedy]

I want to load .40 155gr lead bullets for target shooting in my sig 226. I have Universal powder that I load 6.0 grs for 155gr montana gold jacketed bullets, but my reloading manual does not have a recipe for lead, I need a load that will cycle the gun and not lead up the barrel, any ideas?

 

[AJC1]

Just use the jacketed start load and look for function. I would avoid the top charge. If you took the total load range and stayed in the lower half your probably good.

 

[Captcurt]

The 50th edition Lyman shows 5gr Unique as a start for 150gr lead, with 6.3gr for max. My best load was with a 175gr LSWC pushed with 4.7gr of Unique.

 

[kennedy]

The 50th edition Lyman shows 5gr Unique as a start for 150gr lead, with 6.3gr for max. My best load was with a 175gr LSWC pushed with 4.7gr of Unique.

no help, only have universal

 

[blue32]

Simple, use jacketed data.

 

[Muddydogs]

Are the lead bullets sized to your barrel? Shooting undersized cast bullets will cause you more leading then pushing a lead bullet to fast in the .40.

 

[lordpaxman]

I want to load .40 155gr lead bullets for target shooting in my sig 226.

Universal’s a great powder to have on hand as it’ll load just about any caliber. A rule of thumb is to reduce jacketed load data by 10% for lead bullets if there’s no lead data available. While Universal will work, if you’re looking for lighter target load a faster powder would be a better choice if you have any. Good luck.

 

[armoredman]

10% down minimum to start. Are these hard lubed, Alox, or powder coated? PC is the best to avoid leading. Have you slugged your barrel? What diameter are you sizing to? Wish I had access to my home files - I loaded cast 175s in 40 for quite some time, gave all the equipment away.

 

[Captcurt]

no help, only have universal

Oops, sorry about that. The only Universal that I have used for the 40 was with 170gr LSWC. I used 4.7gr of Universal. I have 7 loading manuals and none have data for the 155gr lead. All Universal loads were for heavier Boolits.

 

[LiveLife]

.40 155gr lead ... target shooting ... sig 226 ... Universal ... need a load that will cycle the gun and not lead up the barrel

I have 7 loading manuals and none have data for the 155gr lead.

Perhaps you can reference Laser Cast load data by Oregon Trail Bullet Company (Page 78).

And if you are looking for lighter target load that won't lead the barrel, you could even reference 170/180 gr loads for initial powder work up to identify charge weight that will reliably cycle the slide and extract/eject spent cases then go up from there - https://oregontrailbullets.com/xcart/images/filemanager/uploads/otbc-load-manual.pdf

"Caution: These loads are intended for use in pistols with fully supported chambers ONLY!"​

• 40S&W 155 gr Lead RN SWC Universal OAL 1.135" Start 5.1 gr (1066 fps) - Max 5.6 gr (1136 fps)*
• 40S&W 170 gr Lead SWC Universal OAL 1.135" Start 4.6 gr (1000 fps) - Max 5.0 gr (1065 fps)*

*FYI, Laser Cast load data carries the following caution on page 80 - "Maximum loads for unsupported chamber service pistols"

• 40S&W 155 gr Lead RN SWC Universal OAL 1.135" Never Exceed 5.3 gr (1097 fps)
• 40S&W 170 gr Lead SWC Universal OAL 1.135" Never Exceed 4.6 gr (1013 fps)

 

[GooseGestapo]

Unique and Universal are Very close, as was intended by Hodgdons when it was developed.
However, Universal tends to be a tad bit faster and not quite as accurate, but a little cleaner burning.

I used 5.0-5.5 with a 155gr cast when I used it about 20yrs ago.
4.7gr seems a reasonable starting load.

 

[FROGO207]

If in the future you can find some AA #5 that is what I use in my various 40 lead loads. Burn clean and accurate enough that I never tried anything else.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Did you try the Hodgdon reloading site?
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=53


The Berry's Bullets 155gr. FP is a lead bullet with a copper plating. When loading plated, the rule of thumb is to use upper-end cast for a starting load and work up to lower-end jacketed data as your max loads. That rule is reversible. For softer/swaged lead using plated data: Start at the plated starting load -10% and work up to the plated starting load. Your starting load is 4.9gr. and your max is 5.5gr. For "coated hard cast" just use plated data or, to play it extra safe, start at 10% under the median load, around 5.2gr.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

If in the future you can find some AA #5 that is what I use in my various 40 lead loads. Burn clean and accurate enough that I never tried anything else.

Ramshot Competition has been plentiful and inexpensive and makes a great cast bullet powder in .40S&W. But it doesn't seem like the OP can or wants to buy a new powder, which is perfectly understandable.

 

[kennedy]

Perhaps you can reference Laser Cast load data by Oregon Trail Bullet Company (Page 78).

And if you are looking for lighter target load that won't lead the barrel, you could even reference 170/180 gr loads for initial powder work up to identify charge weight that will reliably cycle the slide and extract/eject spent cases then go up from there - https://oregontrailbullets.com/xcart/images/filemanager/uploads/otbc-load-manual.pdf

"Caution: These loads are intended for use in pistols with fully supported chambers ONLY!"​

• 40S&W 155 gr Lead RN SWC Universal OAL 1.135" Start 5.1 gr (1066 fps) - Max 5.6 gr (1136 fps)*
• 40S&W 170 gr Lead SWC Universal OAL 1.135" Start 4.6 gr (1000 fps) - Max 5.0 gr (1065 fps)*

*FYI, Laser Cast load data carries the following caution on page 80 - "Maximum loads for unsupported chamber service pistols"

• 40S&W 155 gr Lead RN SWC Universal OAL 1.135" Never Exceed 5.3 gr (1097 fps)
• 40S&W 170 gr Lead SWC Universal OAL 1.135" Never Exceed 4.6 gr (1013 fps)

thanks, did not know about the laser cast reloading manual, I have bought bullets from them in the past, had no idea this info was available

 

[gunlaw]

I agree with Frog. AA#5 is my go to powder for 40. Works great with plated and cast. If I remember correctly #5 was used in the development of this cartridge. The tricky part is finding some.