reloading for the 40SW

[gutterman]

I have reloaded for a good while, but have some concerns about reloading a lead bullet when there is no reloading data listed. Does that necessarily mean don't do it? Or does it mean it's not popular for that particular caliber? I"m speaking of the 40SW-I need to start shooting a cheaper bullet for target practice, as the hollow points are too pricey . The 180 grn LRN for ease of feed is what I am looking at, but no data. Any help?

 

[Steve Koski]

GM,

What gun?

I've loaded almost 100k lead bullets for my .40s. Lead bullets cost less, as you know.

As a general rule of thumb, you can take jacketed load data and subtract .5 to 1.0 grains from max. This isn't always correct, but it'll put you in the right ballpark for lead bullets.

What powders do you have? We can post some loads for a 180 LRN. If you have Unique, use 4.5 to 6.0 grains, depending on how much recoil you want.

Koski

 

[mohunter55]

hodgdon's says dont do it in 40s&w and they will not give you data. If you buy one of the load data manuals for 40 from cabelas it will have some data in there. My best source has been from Lasercast. You can call them or email them and they will send you a photo copy of their data for their bullets.

 

[squarles67]

Lyman 49th has lead data for the .40

Unique didn't work well in my M&P, I had better luck with Power Pistol and AA#7

 

[gutterman]

thanks for the feedback-my 40's are the beretta 96A1 and the PX4 sub compact. I have loaded with titegroup and HP 38 as well as WST with success for the jacketed bullets. Is leading the reason for no data? I try the reduced load for the leads when I get them.

 

[squarles67]

I'm no expert but as I understand it you have to find the sweet spot for lead in a high pressure round like the .40, if you load it too soft there is not enough pressure to obturate the bullet and get a good seal and it will lead. If you push them too fast they will lead also.

According to the math on the Missouri Bullet website you need around 23000 CUP to get a good seal on their 18 BHN bullets

 

[Overkilll0084]

I use Missouri Bullet's IDP#5 w/ AA#5.
Accurate has a fair bit of lead bullet data:

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/accurate_load_data_3.5.pdf

 

[Steve Koski]

GM,

A soft shooting target load is 3.6 grains WST under a 180. It will cycle my Glocks, barely.

Koski

 

[Minnesota Wild]

I shoot a lot of LTC in 40 with no issues out of my XDm 40. I have the One Caliber, One Book thing that has all the manufacturers load data. In there is a lot of data for lead bullets.

This site http://www.k8nd.com/documents/hl40sw.pdf also has a bit of lead data.

 

[floydster]

I have an XDm .40, my go to load is 5.2gr. Unique, 180 gr. TC cast bullet,excellent load for this gun, no leading.

 

[wally]

I'm with floydster, 5.2gr Unique, 180gr hard cast TC bullet.

Strange that another fellow said his M&P didn't like loads using Unique, mine does great with it.

You do have to be careful with cast bullets in polygonal barrels (like the Glock).

Most leading issues are from either too soft a bullet or perhaps most often undersized bullets. They should generally be sized 0.001" larger than the jacketed bullets your gun would shoot.

I've shot little but lead bullets in handguns for about 30 years I generally shoot 100-200 rounds in a session and finish off with a mag of FMJ. Cleanup is a breeze. Picked this tip up from an old-timer at the range when I first started reloading, now I'm that guy

 

[simon_rook]

I shoot a lot of LTC in 40 with no issues out of my XDm 40. I have the One Caliber, One Book thing that has all the manufacturers load data. In there is a lot of data for lead bullets.

This site http://www.k8nd.com/documents/hl40sw.pdf also has a bit of lead data.

Wow thats an awesome compilation. Anything like that out for the 9mm?

Sorry not trying to hijack just currious

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As said above, "Lyman 49th has lead data for the .40"

AND, the newer Lyman 4th Edition Cast Bullet Handbook has even more lead loading data including bullets from molds not made by Lyman. (that's a first and is not in the Lyman 49th Edition load book) I don't have the book right here with me so I can't verify that's true for the 40 S&W but I know for sure it's true for many calibers I shoot and for both handgun and rifle calibers.

IMO if you shoot lead bullets you should buy the Lyman 4th Edition Cast Bullet Handbook. It's not just a rehash of their 3rd Edition Handbook. (and it's Blue instead of Orange! LOL)

 

[LightningMan]

I've been using 5.0 grs. of AA#2 under a 180 RNFP lead bullet with no problems. LM

 

[gutterman]

thanks for all the input-I don't shoot much lead out of autos, so I want to be sure of what I load. Good stuff-THANKS!