Ready to Load 40 S&W - First Time

[markr6754]

Now that my Redding resizing die issue is behind me I’m ready to start developing loads for my son’s Beretta PX4 Storm that I’m looking to buy. Have successfully resized 500 cases - WIN, Federal, and Blazer brass. Don’t plan to load more than 50 - 60 this go, trying out several powders and loads. Sadly, I only have the one 40 to shoot, but I’ve never been a big fan of the cartridge. However, since I can’t seat Large Pistol Primers for my 45s, always 4-5 high primers in my loads no matter how careful I think I am, maybe sticking with SPPs will be the key...for now...and no, I won’t do 45s with small primers...sacrilege!

 

[LiveLife]

Welcome to 40S&W.

It's a great caliber that could be loaded down mild like 9mm or full power for that extra "thump" on the target.

What bullet weights and powders do you have?

 

[JO JO]

40 is a great round to load I have been reloading 40 for a good decade now without issue , start low and go from there

 

[sparkyv]

I too, enjoy loading 40SW. Be mindful to not seat heavier projectiles too deeply as it could result in generation of an unintentional high pressure condition. HP38 works very well for me as does Universal. More recently, I've been experimenting with Blue Dot, with mixed results. Longshot and Unique also work acceptably. Enjoy!

 

[1KPerDay]

I started on .40 and it's still my favorite cartridge to reload. The cases and bullets are just the right size for my fingers.

 

[bbqreloader]

40 is a fun cartridge and one of the primary ones I load for. If you get a chance try some CFE-P with it, nice powder!

 

[markr6754]

Welcome to 40S&W.

It's a great caliber that could be loaded down mild like 9mm or full power for that extra "thump" on the target.

What bullet weights and powders do you have?

Right now I only have Berry’s 155gr Plated Flat Point. Several powders - Silhouette, HP-38, CFE-P, WST, VV N-320 and 3N37. Got a favorite powder? At this point I have so much powder my wife won’t let me buy any more. I may be able to try some different bullets in a month or so. I just bought a set of Hornady 40 S&W dies, so that’ll earn me some XTPs that I’ll likely order in a few days...but they could take 12 weeks to arrive, though I’m averaging closer to 5-6 weeks.

 

[vaalpens]

I also started with 40s&w and I am glad I did. It is easy to handle and easy to resize. The most difficult part is choosing between 155gr, 165gr and 180gr bullets. There are lots of powders to pick from, but based on my records I definitely load more with BE-86.

 

[kcofohio]

Right now I only have Berry’s 155gr Plated Flat Point. Several powders - Silhouette, HP-38, CFE-P, WST, VV N-320 and 3N37. Got a favorite powder? At this point I have so much powder my wife won’t let me buy any more. I may be able to try some different bullets in a month or so. I just bought a set of Hornady 40 S&W dies, so that’ll earn me some XTPs that I’ll likely order in a few days...but they could take 12 weeks to arrive, though I’m averaging closer to 5-6 weeks.

It looks like you have a good variety of powders.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I load 10mm, and find it a very easy cartridge to load. I imagine 40 S&W is just as easy, and more cost conservative ((less powder). With that many different powders, it sounds like you are going to have fun.

 

[Toprudder]

40 was my first cartridge that I loaded for. I started with Power Pistol, and it is still one of my favorites for 40 and 9mm.

I generally use 155gn plated bullets and have had great luck with them. I've read that 180gn bullets may not be the best for 40, since it limits case capacity, and any bullet setback will cause more of a problem with over-pressure. I save the 180gn bullets for loading in 10mm. I specifically got a 10mm gun, since the bullets and dies are shared between the two.

I believe any of the powders you have will do well. I have loaded down to 900fps with the 155gn bullets, for soft shooting loads, and I generally don't go much over 1000fps for most of my loads.

Of the powders you have, the following are the ones I've tried, along with my favorite loads for each:
Silhouette, 6.9gn, ~960 fps. Very accurate.
CFE-P, 7.2gn, ~1028 fps.
3N37, 7.7gn, ~1000 fps.

All of those were with Xtreme 155 bullets, seated to 1.120"-1.130". I would think the Berrys would be very similar.

 

[Bat Rastard]

I had to start pass through sizing for Glock 10mm. Is that only a 10mm thing? Or is that needed on 40 also?

 

[Bfh_auto]

40 is a fun cartridge and one of the primary ones I load for. If you get a chance try some CFE-P with it, nice powder!

I too use CFE-P in 40. I have only tried 165s though.

 

[vaalpens]

Right now I only have Berry’s 155gr Plated Flat Point. Several powders - Silhouette, HP-38, CFE-P, WST, VV N-320 and 3N37. Got a favorite powder?

I have only started loading 155gr a while ago, and so far it seems CFE-P and HP-38 works well. I still need to do some more testing though. Berry's list a COL of 1.125" for the 155gr FP, which is probably a good COL to try. I load most of my .40 using a COL of 1.125".

 

[LiveLife]

just bought a set of Hornady 40 S&W dies, so that’ll earn me some XTPs that I’ll likely order in a few days

I would suggest you get 180 gr XTPs as 40S&W and 180 gr bullets go like bread and butter. With long bullet base that produce great neck tension, you can produce light target loads that are still very accurate.

I've read that 180gn bullets may not be the best for 40, since it limits case capacity, and any bullet setback will cause more of a problem with over-pressure.

40S&W was my USPSA match caliber and I used Montana Gold 180/165/155 gr jacketed bullets for matches and Berry's plated bullets for practice.

180 gr bullet is THE bullet that defines 40S&W for me. With long bullet base/bearing surface, 180 gr produces greater neck tension than lighter bullets with shorter base/bearing surface. With proper sizing of brass and OAL for the barrel, neck tension/bullet setback is not an issue even with 165/155 bullets.

I initially used 180 gr to comfortably make major PF and 155 gr for minor PF. 165 gr is a compromise between two weights as it can make major PF pushed to near max load data.

Longer is better for 40S&W to feed reliably and reduce bullet bump on feed ramp (which will cause bullet setback), even longer than SAAMI max of 1.135" and I use 1.142" for TCFP and even longer 1.155" for RMR RNFP for my Glock/M&P/Lone Wolf barrels. I found using longer OAL will improve accuracy, especially with plated bullets with rounded base that leaks a lot of gas. Many match shooters use even longer 1.180"-1.200" for their match barrels - https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/256596-oal-on-40sw-sti/

powders - Silhouette, HP-38, CFE-P, WST, VV N-320 and 3N37. Got a favorite powder?

Unique/BE-86 to AutoComp/CFE Pistol range burn rate powders work well for 40S&W. My favorite is BE-86, but since you have CFE Pistol/Silhouette/3N37, try them first. I used CFE Pistol with good results.

FYI, BE-86 produced very good accuracy for me - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ick-plated-bullets.761471/page-4#post-9645513

Another powder I like for 40S&W is Herco. While many complain Herco burns dirty, it burned very clean for me in 40S&W and even left the inside of brass clean - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/40s-w-and-herco-for-lead-plated-bullets.743416/

For target loads, faster burning than W231/HP-38/Sport Pistol will work well. Since you have W231/N320/WST, you can use those powders for light recoiling target loads.

180 gr bullet and 4.0-4.3 gr W231/HP-38 will produce lighter than 9mm target loads and 4.4-4.5 gr will produce mild 9mm like target loads.

If you are interested in light 40S&W loads, Guns & Ammo did a great article on 40S&W USPSA minor PF loads loaded to 125-135 PF using various powders including W231 - http://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/ammunition_40lite_091806/138689

Berry’s 155gr Plated FP

started loading 155gr ... still need to do some more testing though. Berry's list a COL of 1.125" for the 155gr FP, which is probably a good COL to try. I load most of my .40 using a COL of 1.125".

Try testing longer OAL for greater accuracy and more reliable feeding.

While SAAMI max length for 40S&W is 1.135", many load longer that will work with their barrels and magazines - https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/256596-oal-on-40sw-sti/

With typical 180 gr plated and lead TCFP nose profile bullets, longer 1.142" produced greater accuracy for me as illustrated by below groups - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-for-lead-plated-bullets.743416/#post-9363753

With RMR Hardcore Match RNFP (Thick Plated like Speer TMJ), I used even longer 1.155" OAL to produce this verified group - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/best-group.842106/page-2#post-10938404

 

[1KPerDay]

A veritable encyclopedia of useful info! bds is the MAN!

 

[markr6754]

I generally use 155gn plated bullets and have had great luck with them.
Of the powders you have, the following are the ones I've tried, along with my favorite loads for each:
Silhouette, 6.9gn, ~960 fps. Very accurate.
CFE-P, 7.2gn, ~1028 fps.
3N37, 7.7gn, ~1000 fps.

All of those were with Xtreme 155 bullets, seated to 1.120"-1.130". I would think the Berrys would be very similar.

Toprudder, appreciate the share. Specifically looking for softer loads to start, and filling in loads for my exact powders is laudable. Many don’t want to share load data. Naturally, my own due diligence is required, but having a starting point I can at least ensure these are included in my load ladders. I have good quantities of Silhouette and 3N37, so these will be my starting powders. I really haven’t been excited about CFE-P, so I’ll likely skip over that at the start. I expanded and primed 200+ cases last night, so time to get loading. Thanks!

 

[markr6754]

I would suggest you get 180 gr XTPs as 40S&W and 180 gr bullets go like bread and butter.

bds, Your posts provide more detail and viable information than a load manual. I’ll take your advice on the 180gr bullets...even for a sample. I have 1,000 155gr CPFP to use, and just the one 40 S&W pistol...so I need to have some great shooting experiences to encourage further investment in the cartridge and additional pistols. As a 1911 fan, I’m sure there are some nice ones in 40 that I can try to get on my Christmas list.

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

My first reload for a semi-auto pistol was the 40 cal. It was a learning experience for me. I learned that you have to pay attention to things that don't really matter with rimmed cartridges, like overall length, seating depth and so forth. I traded off both 40 cals and now load lots of 9mm, so the things I learned helped me get a jump start loading them. Since I load on a Lee Classic Turret I pay close attention to the powder chg, with a visual check on each one. Also overall length of cartridge. The most important thing I learned was the proper use of the 4 die set and the importance of the taper crimp. I also "plunk" test each round, if it doesn't pass, I redo the taper crimp.

A good reloading manual has tons of information and I consider them a must have and use item.
Note: When I stated that things don't matter with rimmed shells, I meant that you usually seat the bullet and crimp into a a crimping groove and you are good to go. Not that it doesn't matter.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[mrmike7189]

It is a great time to start reloading 40S&W. There are so many used 40 pistols for sale right now, (with 9mm being the new popular gun.)
You can practically name your own price

 

[Walkalong]

. I have good quantities of Silhouette

Silhouette and 180 Gr bullets go together very well in .40 S&W. Haven't tried it with 155s.

N320 may do well for light loads with 155s.

There are so many used 40 pistols for sale right now, (with 9mm being the new popular gun.)
You can practically name your own price

The only reason I finally bought another .40 after not having one for a long time.

 

[sparkyv]

I load 10mm, and find it a very easy cartridge to load. I imagine 40 S&W is just as easy, and more cost conservative ((less powder). With that many different powders, it sounds like you are going to have fun.

I started loading 10mm because I already had a head start with the 40SW. They are both enjoyable to handload, but the 10mm is waaaayyy more fun to send downrange, I assure you! 460Shooter will likely agree.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I started loading 10mm because I already had a head start with the 40SW. They are both enjoyable to handload, but the 10mm is waaaayyy more fun to send downrange, I assure you! 460Shooter will likely agree.

Indeed!

 

[Ironicaintit]

I do not have a 40, but helped a friend develop a load with 180 FMJ and JHP. Ive since made a bunch of them, to help him keep up with the "Able Shepard" training he's doing, along with the requisite oodles of practice.

We stayed pretty old school with powders, just because that was what Im familiar with.
My chrono took some friendly fire within the first few rounds, so I didnt get a chance to clock them.
started low and worked up, of course.
we used Bullseye, Unique and Herco.

He liked Bullseye best, as it was very accurate, and the recoil was pretty tame.
I liked Herco the best, because it was reasonably accurate, and stout! Its what I thought a 40 should feel like. recoil still wasnt bad.
Unique was in the middle. potent enough, accurate enough, and still very manageable.
He didnt like the metering qualities of herco or unique.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I had to start pass through sizing for Glock 10mm. Is that only a 10mm thing? Or is that needed on 40 also?

Also...my experience has been that it is usually worst with .40 than 10mm