Looking for a 40 S&W load

[66gt350]

Hey,

I just picked up a new mould, the RCBS 180 gr. FP for my .40 S&W, but load data seems to be a bit scarce. I'll be shooting 'em out of my XD-40. The powders that I have currently that I believe would work are bullseye and unique.

Thanks
Rob -- 66gt350

 

[kludge]

I'd go with the Unique.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

If those are your choices, unique by a country mile. Bullseye is too fast for this application.

 

[Ultima-Ratio]

.40 Powders

3n37, AA-5&7, 231, and for the only powder to take yer .40 past .357 ballistics......Longshot!

 

[PaulTX]

A big +1 on Longshot - got to be one of the best powders for .40 S&W!

Paul

 

[66gt350]

Does anyone have any loads for Longshot or any other powder? I went to Hodgdon's website and they don't list any loads for longshot or 180 grain lead bullets for the 40 S&W.

 

[Walkalong]

Don't overlook Universal Clays. I've had good results.

 

[Shoney]

Ever wonder what top IPSC shooter use.
http://www.k8nd.com/documents/hl40sw.pdf

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I just bought some 180 grain lead laser-cast bullets, box of 500 from midway-usa....$26. Alliant list's a load for this bullet in their load guide, 5.5 grains of Unique is the max charge, I'm gonna go with 5.2. Hope this helps. www.alliantpowder.com.

 

[66gt350]

Thanks. That is what I was thinking. Going with between 5.0 to 5.2 gr of Unique. There's no load data for Longshot, according to Hodgdon.

66gt350

 

[Ultima-Ratio]

Research

From the archivesm and the loading manual-

October 14th, 2006, 08:54 PM
So I was flipping through the 2006 Hogden reloading guide tonight and I looked at the loads for 40 S&W. The 180 grain XTP with 8 grains of longshot produces 1160 fps! This would be an awesome load, I'd like to load up some XTP's with this recipe. A 180 grain bullet at this velocity would hit like a mack truck.

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[66gt350]

Ultima-Ratio

Isn't the XTP a jacket round? I'm looking for load for a lead bullet. I called Hodgdon during lunch and talked with a tech, and they have nothing for the Longshot powder.

 

[Ultima-Ratio]

Research-

First, the jacketed bullet will always generate more friction/pressure than lead bullets. The thing with cast bullets is the type/hardness of the lead, too soft limits you to 600-850fps amd coversely too hard (lino etc) ya wanna keep the loads on the warm side so the lead "bumps" up to fill the rifling.
For range loads with cast bullets most any pistol powder will work fine, most loaders pick a powder that goes the furthest for more bang for the buck.
Me? I just had to try that Hodgdon load that ran a 135@1550fps!

 

[kludge]

Don't overlook Universal Clays. I've had good results.

That's what I'm going to try next. Do you have any data? The load data on the bottle and what I can find online (hodgdon) are different.

 

[Rico567]

Universal is my only powder for .40 S&W. When I got my first pistol in that caliber, I tested WAP, 540, WSF, and Universal. They were all good, but Universal was my choice. However, I don't use lead bullets. My bullet of choice is the Rainier plated 165 gr. FP. I use the published Hodgdon data.

 

[Walkalong]

6.1 Grs. Universal Clays gave me excellent accuracy with the Zero 165 Gr. JHP. I bought some 165 Gr. Berry's to try but have not shot them yet.
Zero's gave Hi-1050, Lo-1027, Avg-1036. ES-23, SD-8 from my 3" XD.

6.6 Grs. Universal Clays gave excellent results with the Ranier 155 Gr. TrFP
Hi-1100, Lo-1066 Avg-1077 ES-34 SD-11


I shot some 180 Gr. Berry's with 5.5 Grs. Universal and they did not shoot well @ an avg Vel of 924 FPS from my 3" XD.
They did shoot well with 5.1 Grs. AA # 2. Hi-865, Lo-844, Avg-853, ES-21, SD-9

All Loads Were Safe In My Gun With My Loading Procedures. Reduce 10% to Start.

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/40sw.php

Can't go wrong following Hodgden's data.

 

[kludge]

Walkalong, what is your source for 165 and 155 grain bullets? What are the listed min and max loads?