Need powder suggestion for 40 S&W,

[Riss]

After reading through all of the loading manuals, and all of the threads on all of the gun boards, I am even more confused. Simply to break it down I am looking for the slowest (lowest pressure) powder suitable for the 40 S&W. I already have brass getting polished, dies and Berry's 180 gr plated bullets are on the way. Would like to have a powder picked out by the time they get here. I have narrowed the search down to AA#5, Unique, possibly Power Pistol, and maybe even Longshot , which shows the lowest pressures in the 40, which is something that you want in a Glock. ANY, and I do mean any suggestions will help. Looking also to keep the case NEAR full, so I cannot double charge and destroy my G-35. So most of the powders that throw less than 4 gr I would simply not be comfortable using as I start loading for the 40. And I need to make Major, which means at least 920 fps out of the G-35.

 

[dakotasin]

i run power pistol thru my g35. works good.

 

[Riss]

How much of a case charge are you getting ? That, and the pressures are my concer. I am just trying to make sure that I have at least 50% of the case full. Then there is no chance of double charging. Need to weigh that against the number of loads that I can get from a lb of powder.

 

[dakotasin]

i don't remember offhand (and my notes aren't handy), but i am running nosler 155's at major power factor, so the charge weight wouldn't apply to you. i picked power pistol because:
you won't be able to double charge the case - it makes a mess if you try.
it was the most accurate powder in my guns at 25 yards.
it cycled reliably in my g35, sig 229, xd40, and smith m&p.
it produced the most velocity.

when i set out to develop a load for my glock (first of the 40's to handload for) i wanted accuracy first, power 2nd, reliability 3rd, and it would also be nice to have a load that i couldn't double charge and that wasn't filthy. fortunately for me i got all that out of power pistol.

 

[Riss]

I know there are 2 schools of thought on the light bullet fast vs heavy going slow. I am going with the heavy, 180gr Berry's, going slow(er). About 920 fps will make major. I think that I may be going with Unique. Will have to do the math vs Power Pistol and AA#5 to see which one will give the most loads per lb. I think that Unique may be the best choice as I would rather use the same powder in 45acp and 38/357 to keep the shelf clear. Is tough enough sometimes to remember to switch things over from small to large primer.

 

[Crazy4nitro]

I have Used Unique with Great Success. It seemed to be a little dirty burning But I was running reduced loads. I'm Using WSF (Winchester Super Field) and I like it WAY Better. Burns Cleaner,Meters Better and $2 Cheaper per pound!

'Nitro

 

[Walkalong]

Universal Clays, AA #5, or WSF will all do very well. I like Universal Clays and WSF in .40 myself.

 

[Clark]

The most velocity for the least pressure in 40sw is with IMR 800X.

It is a pain to meter, but if you were to face a grisly bear with a 40sw, then 800X would be the powder of choice.

 

[stubbicatt]

I don't know about your choices, nor necessarily understand your concerns altogether. There are thousands of competitors who shoot IPSC with a pistol exactly like yours. The time tested, tried and true, load that people use for accuracy and mild recoil while making major is 4.5 to 4.7 grains of Titegroup and 180 grain bullets, your primer of choice. One of the contributing factors in perceived recoil is the volume of ejecta, bullet, powder and gasses, which pass out your muzzle. The less powder the less ejecta, and the less perceived recoil, which translates into a quicker followup shot. And all this within the pressure envelope of your pistol.

Too, you can load your bullets about .01" longer than published maximum in that pistol and they will still feed quite well, and that additional space in there helps keep maximum pressures lower.

Since the Glock tends to shoot faster with less pressure anyways due to the polygonal rifling and longer leade, and you are shooting plated bullets which also tend to be a tenth of a grain faster than jacketed bullets, I'd start with Titegroup at 4.5 grains, chronograph it, and see what you get. I'll bet you will be surprised at the controllability and accuracy of your load, and you'll likely make major at pressures well within the operating envelope of that cartridge in your pistol.

 

[CZ57]

The original .40 S&W powder. Known then as WAP, known today as Ramshot Silhouette. True Blue will give exceptional accuracy as well.

 

[Steve Koski]

WSF or Unique. Both ROCK in the 40.

 

[N.M. Edmands]

I've loaded thousands of rds for both my "22"+"23". I have used Unique, HS6, AA2-5-7, Longshot,231,and Blue Dot. I settled on AA5. Does everything I need.

 

[XD-40 Shooter]

Unique works well in all bullet weights in 40 S&W, will give over 1000 rounds/pound in most loadings as well. Right now, I'm loading Ranier 165's with 6 grains of Unique, chrono's 980 our of my XD-40 and is very accurate, soft recoil, its great. As long as you keep your loads in the "mid-range" and keep the pressures within specs, Unique burns pretty clean. However, if you reduce your loads by a significant margin, it gets real dirty. Trust me, I know, 180 grain Oregon Tail lasercast with 5.1 grains of Unique = filthy!

 

[QuickRick]

40 S&W powders....

I don't think you can reach 920 fps out of a 4 inch pistol with lower pressure loads. This velocity level is more of a moderate power/pressure load with any powders I can think of. I am presently working up a couple loads for my FNP-40 which also has a 4 inch barrel, although it does have a chamber which fully supports the case head. Power Pistol gives excellent accuracy and velocities from my pistol at the price of horrific and I emphasize horrific, muzzle flash. Unique, certainly an excellent pistol powder, is also handicapped by substantial muzzle flash. Is that is a consideration for your type of shooting? A charge of 7.5 grns of AA#5 (Speer #13) should give you the velocity level you require. This is within .3 of a grain of their recommended max load with 180 grn Gold Dots or TMJs. I can't speak of its accuracy or muzzle flash potential as I haven't tried it. With the criteria you mentioned I would give 700-X a try. A charge of 5 grns (Speer #13 again) attained 953 fps from their 4 inch S&W test gun. This load is a full .5 grns (10%) under their recommended max charge. 700-X would provide you with 1400 loads per pound of powder and is very clean burning with low to moderate muzzle flash in the pistols I've used if for. It is also a very bulky powder which would eliminate your concern of a double charge. Many shotgun enthusiasts swear by the stuff so if you have any trap or skeep shooting buddies you could probably talk your way into a small amount for test purposes...
Since you asked for any suggestions which could be helpful I will offer one which I believe reduces the chance of the dreaded "Kaboom" effect shooting reloads in Glocks without fully supported chambers... I only full length size my reloads about 3/4 of the case length. Just enough so I get positive primer decapping from my Lee FLS die. This avoids working the brass in the critical web area where failures occur and IMHO provides an additional margin of safety. Some may scoff at this practice claiming it will result in malfunctions but I have not found that to be the case with my FNP-40. In fact I just sized some 2,000 once fired cases (fired from an unknown number of pistols) in this manner. Using my FN barrel as a "Chambering gauge" not one of the 75-100 cases I tried at random failed to chamber with any resistance in my pistol. If you care to try this technique I would only suggest that you use your Glock barrel as a "Chambering gauge" for your loaded competion rounds. If it were me I wouldn't worry about the practice ammo. Good luck and God bless....

 

[Walkalong]

I have gotten 920 FPS or better from my 3" XD SC with Zero 180 Grain JHP's and close with Berry's 180 Grain TrFP's using Universal Clays.

I got those velocities with less than the Hodgdon's recommended max of 5.8 Grs Universal with a Hornady 180 Grain XTP and no pressure signs.

Universal Clays is bulky and you don't need to worry about a double charge.

According to Hodgdons data you should be able to get 920 FPS with Longshot with less pressure than Universal Clays, but I don't know about recoil, and I don't think the difference between 30,000 PSI and 33,000 PSI is anything to worry about.

The faster powders can probably get you there, but there is more risk there as they can get "spikey" when the pressures get up there and a little error on powder makes a much bigger difference than with the slow ones. They also, in general, don't fill the case as well, although some, like 700X and Red Dot are bulky. I would stick with powders like WSF, AA#5 and Universal Clays, or slower.

This may be an area where True Blue or Silhouette could shine. I don't know, but they are in the range of powders I would try.

 

[Riss]

Muzzle flash

Well, USPSA shooting is never done at night so muzzle flash is not really a factor. Coolness factor of lighting up the range for low light practice with muzzle flash is great. I just need to figure of the powder densities for Power Pistol, AA#5 and Unique. Which ever fills the case better, is cheaper per round will get the first load build.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

+1 for titegroup. I am can't even count how many powders I have tried in 40S&W. Titegroup meters good and is very consistent.

 

[Riss]

And the ones that do not work well, meter poorly I also would be interested in. To keep them off of my list. I have compiled almost everything available from the internet, basically to cross reference all the data. I really do not have the extra time to develop loads for 5 different powders. Everyones help in really appreciated. It would be nice to have a spot here to compile load data so everyone can have a look at it.

 

[CZ57]

Silhouette is a flattened spherical that meters very well. It will give you full velocity potential, better than most and is very low flash. I've had plenty of 5 round rested groups under 1" at 50'. True Blue is as accurate, meters as well as any powder in existence and will work for all pistol calibers. It's a pretty close race, but as far as a powder specifically for .40 S&W, you won't do better than Silhouette.

 

[GSPKurt]

I load Universal with 180 gr. cast lead bullets. Love it.

 

[Riss]

no need to kill the thread , but.............

Settled on Power Pistol. Is within the range of pressures and speed for me to download for 920 fps w/ 180 gr Berry's plated. And, it was in stock at the shop. Now, if Brownells only had my new barrel in stock I could get to loading. Still would like in my opinion to get a sticky thread somewhere or compile a list of loads used by all members for others that need the info same as me. Took a long time to gather all the info I needed.

 

[jeepmor]

Handloads.com is a good resource to peruse for decisions like this. Nearly every reloading website I've visited I found by asking questions here on THR.

I like Alliant powders myself, but I have to admit that my local store down the road carries mostly Alliant in pistol powders. I've had good luck with Unique, BlueDot and Powerpistol across 9mm, 40, 45 and 10mm loadings. BlueDot is good for plinking at dusk, nice fire belching powder that one.

 

[CZ57]

Nothing wrong with using any Alliant powder Unique or slower for .40 S&W. I've used plenty of Blue Dot and Power Pistol. Blue Dot will give very good velocity for the pressure generated and Power Pistol does well enough there as well. The two things I don't like about BD and PP in .40S&W is that PP generates higher recoil than many powders for the velcoity/pressure achieved and both of these Alliant powders flash very brightly. If you get a chance in the future, try some Silhouette. For high pressure auto cartridges I've gone exclusively to spherical or ball propellants with low flash/high velocity characteristics. I don't load the .40 with any powder faster than AA#5, or say Unique if you use it.But then again, I don't use the .40 to shoot plinking level loads, either.

 

[mokin]

I just fired a batch of 9 mm and .40 ammo I loaded with Blue Dot. I was quite impressed with the accuracy. Neither load was close to max and recoil was easily managable. As I was at an indoor range I did notice the flash. I normally don't shoot indoors and wondered if it was the Blue Dot (I load a lot of HS-6) or the range.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

There are many good powder choices for loading the .40 S&W.

Hodgdon:
Longshot
Universal
HS-6 (not quite as good)

Winchester:
WSF

Alliant:
Powder Pistol

Accurate Arms:
AA#5

Ramshot:
Silhouette
Zip (not quite as good)

IMO, Longshot and Powder Pistol are the overall best powders for the .40 but Universal isn't far behind.