Sport Pistol - .40 S&W Competition Loads

[Doublehelix]

I thought about adding to one of the existing Sport Pistol threads, but some where either too old, or went in a different direction.

I just picked up a lb of Sport Pistol yesterday along with a lb of VV N320 to do some head-to-head comparisons on some .40 S&W competition loads that will make Major Power Factor.

I am loading for a 2011 gun, so these will be long COAL loads (1.180").

I plan on starting out with my normal 180 gr. lead-coated bullets (I have Black Bullets International (BBI), Blue Bullets and Eggleston in house), but I may also want to check some 200 gr versions as well (BBI).

The loads I have worked up so far use WST at 4.5 gr., and I am getting a power factor of about 167, so I am probably going to bump up the WST load to 4.6 gr. to give myself a bit of a safety factor.

There is lots of data out there for N320 at 1.180" between 4.6 gr. and 5.1, I will start low and work up (of course) to safely make Major Power Factor.

Not as much data for Sport Pistol, but it looks like I should find something in that 4.6 - 4.8 gr. range with 180 gr. bullets at 1.180". Once again, I will start low and work up.

So, after all of that preamble...

Has anyone around here worked up any long COAL loads for .40 S&W with Sport Pistol? All of the published Alliant data uses a shorter COAL, so while that is worthwhile data, is going to take some extrapolating to the longer COAL.

 

[vaalpens]

This attached load data for SportPistol has been shared before. It should give you enough data to start with, even for coated bullets:

 

[LiveLife]

Sport Pistol ... 180 gr. lead-coated bullets (Black Bullets International, Blue Bullets and Eggleston) ... 2011 gun ... 1.180"

For 168 power factor, you need 933 fps with 180 gr bullet. Alliant load data lists following for 4" test barrel:

Acme 180 gr FP-NLG coated OAL 1.160" Max 5.0 gr 1010 fps

This is my guess but since you are using longer 1.180" OAL but longer 5" barrel, you may make 168 PF with 4.6-4.8 gr.

 

[ray15]

Don't be surprised if you find the Alliant data optimistic regarding velocity. Their plated and jacketed 40SW Sport Pistol data is.

 

[LiveLife]

I agree.

However, OP is using coated bullets which tend to be sized larger at .401" and likely seal better with the barrel and leak less gas than .400" sized jacketed/plated bullets.

Ultimately, chrono measurement will need to be used to determine powder charge to meet major PF. If velocity is close, you can incrementally decrease the OAL (by .005") to further increase velocity.

 

[Doublehelix]

Thanks everyone, I have seen all of the Alliant load data, and have tried to massage some of their data.

I worked up some loads yesterday that I need to get out and test. We are getting some snow today, so maybe tomorrow???

 

[Frankl03]

Here you go this is the load my son used 180 gr bullet over 5 gr of tight group. it made major power factor.

 

[LiveLife]

Frankl03, OP is looking for major PF loads with Alliant Sport Pistol powder using 1.180" OAL which is way longer than SAAMI max of 1.135".

Has anyone around here worked up any long COAL (1.180") loads for .40 S&W with Sport Pistol?

 

[ray15]

Here you go this is the load my son used 180 gr bullet over 5 gr of tight group. it made major power factor.

It merits mentioning this is 0.3gr. over the published max for Titegroup. Could well be dangerous depending on the bullet and OAL used.

 

[Doublehelix]

Here you go this is the load my son used 180 gr bullet over 5 gr of tight group. it made major power factor.

Frankl03, OP is looking for major PF loads with Alliant Sport Pistol powder using 1.180" OAL which is way longer than SAAMI max of 1.135".

I do have some pretty solid loads for 9mm that I use with Titegroup, and I know it seems to be pretty popular with a lot of the .40 S&W competition shooters, but at this point, I am looking for something other than Titegroup, although I appreciate the info.

As @bds states, I already have a load that I have worked up for this load using WST, but I am looking to try out Sport Pistol and compare it against my WST loads and the classic N320 load for these guns.

I have to say, Sport Pistol meters pretty well, but then again so does WST and N320. I do like the lighter color of the WST as it is easier to see in the case compared to the other two, but WST is pretty temperature-sensitive which is the main reason I am looking at Sport Pistol. Plus, there seems to be a lot of great buzz surrounding it around here and over at Enos' place, so I decided to pick up a lb and see what all the fuss is about.

Hopefully it will warm enough to get out to shoot tomorrow.

 

[PPGMD]

It merits mentioning this is 0.3gr. over the published max for Titegroup. Could well be dangerous depending on the bullet and OAL used.

That is pretty normal IME. All three of my Titegroup based loads are over the published maxes, of course all three are competition loads with fairly longly loaded bullets. I load long, start in the middle of the published data, and watch for pressure signs while you are working your way up until you get the PF with the accuracy you desire.

ETA: I am watching this thread with interest, I too am looking at trying Sport Pistol once I get near the end of my supply of Titegroup. I would like a cleaner burning powder that is more available than N320.

 

[Frankl03]

Just to clarify on the Load with Tight Group of 5 grains under a 180 grain bullet. He loaded long for a 2011. Not sure on the actual OAL.

Sorry about the rabbit trail and I realize the OP is looking for loads for Alliant Sport Pistol.

 

[ray15]

That is pretty normal IME. All three of my Titegroup based loads are over the published maxes, of course all three are competition loads with fairly longly loaded bullets. I load long, start in the middle of the published data, and watch for pressure signs while you are working your way up until you get the PF with the accuracy you desire.

I understand, but it's rather poor to post loads over the published max without qualifying them in any way. We still don't know if that was a plated, jacketed, lead or coated load, nor the OAL. The lack of these details could result in somebody using that load with a plain lead bullet at 1.125" and blowing up a gun and/or their hand and face.

 

[Walkalong]

I understand, but it's rather poor to post loads over the published max without qualifying them in any way. We still don't know if that was a plated, jacketed, lead or coated load, nor the OAL. The lack of these details could result in somebody using that load with a plain lead bullet at 1.125" and blowing up a gun and/or their hand and face.

Agreed, and I normally put that in if I see it before other posters point it out, in red and bold.

Always qualify overloads posted. Not everyone will understand it is an over max load. Not everyone here, or who reads here, knows a lot about reloading, and could get hurt.

From the sticky at the top of the reloading section:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...e-posting-extra-heavy-load-information.27444/

 

[Doublehelix]

I got a chance to test the loads I worked up, and compared them to some N320 and WST loads that all meet Major Power Factor at the LONGER COAL.

All load data is for reference only, use at your own risk, and realize that these loads are loaded to 1.180" COAL for my 2011 Competition gun and will not work in other types of .40 S&W firearms that use a shorter COAL.

Overall, my impressions of Sport Pistol for this application is really positive. It meters well, and burns relatively cleanly, although I tested several powders today (TiteGroup, WST, N320 as well as Sport Pistol), so it is hard to say for sure how clean burning it is. Even with coated lead bullets, there was little-to-no smoke. I also felt that the recoil profile in my gun with a 5" barrel was quite manageable, and gave me the feel of W231, which I have always loved the feel of. Unfortunately, W231 seems to never be the best load for most of my testing in other calibers, but nonetheless, I have always loved the feel of it.

The good news is that Sport Pistol shoots as well as it "feels", and I am very excited to do some further detailed tested.

I tested loads with 4.6 gr., 4.7 gr., and 4.8 gr. of Sport Pistol using 180 gr. Blue Bullets (FN coated lead) at 1.180".

Here are the chronograph results:

---

Total number of shots 15
Bullet Type: Blue FN
Bullet Weight: 180
Powder: Sport Pistol
Weight: 4.6
COAL: 1.18
Primer: CCI 500
Case: Mixed

Stats - Average 933.13 fps
Stats - Highest 971.00 fps
Stats - Lowest 911.00 fps
Stats - Ext. Spread 60.00 fps
Stats - Std. Dev 17.85 fps
Avg Power Factor 166.25

---

Total number of shots 13
Bullet Type: Blue FN
Bullet Weight: 180
Powder: Sport Pistol
Weight: 4.7
COAL: 1.18
Primer: CCI 500
Case: Mixed

Stats - Average 951.38 fps
Stats - Highest 976.00 fps
Stats - Lowest 933.00 fps
Stats - Ext. Spread 43.00 fps
Stats - Std. Dev 11.87 fps
Avg Power Factor 169.57

---

Total number of shots 15
Bullet Type: Blue FN
Bullet Weight: 180
Powder: Sport Pistol
Weight: 4.8
COAL: 1.18
Primer: CCI 500
Case: Mixed

Stats - Average 964.60 fps
Stats - Highest 982.00 fps
Stats - Lowest 938.00 fps
Stats - Ext. Spread 44.00 fps
Stats - Std. Dev 11.46 fps
Avg Power Factor 171.76

---

All 3 loads met the Major Power Factor level of 165, but the 4.6 and 4.7 gr. loads are just cutting it way too close for comfort, and on any given day, they might fall below the threshold. Definitely not worth the chance.

The 4.8 gr. load was a very nice, comfortable load to shoot, and seemed to have excellent accuracy as well, although I will really need to spend some more time testing this to be sure.

The ES numbers were nothing to write home about, but I was intent on using my Dillon powder drop without any modifications or extra work. I worked up 25 rounds of each load, and I tend to verify the drop weight every 10 rounds or so. I also used mixed brass to simulate what I would be using in a real-life situation.

For comparison purposes, here are a couple of comparable loads using N320 and WST respectively.

I have to say, the Sport Pistol loads and the WST loads definitely "felt softer" in perceived recoil than the N320 loads which just felt "snappier" at similar Power Factors.

---

Total number of shots 12
Bullet Type: Blue FN
Bullet Weight: 180
Powder: N320
Weight: 4.8
COAL: 1.18
Primer: CCI 500
Case: Mixed

Stats - Average 965.08 fps
Stats - Highest 999.00 fps
Stats - Lowest 834.00 fps
Stats - Ext. Spread 165.00 fps
Stats - Std. Dev 40.71 fps
Avg Power Factor 171.71

(I had some issue with powder spillage on my press during the loading of the N320 loads, which led to the high ES and SD numbers. It turned out I was having tons of issues with my RCBS lockout die and the N320 load. Rather than adjust it, I ended up just taking it off of the press during the load development.)
---

Total number of shots 45
Bullet Type: Blue Coat
Bullet Weight: 180
Powder: WST
Weight: 4.5
COAL: 1.18
Primer: CCI 500
Case: Mixed

Stats - Average 939.67 fps
Stats - Highest 971.00 fps
Stats - Lowest 923.00 fps
Stats - Ext. Spread 48.00 fps
Stats - Std. Dev 10.10 fps
Avg Power Factor 167.47

---

(The WST load is also too close to the Major Power Factor cutoff, and I have since upped this load to 4.6 gr. of WST.)

Next up, I am really going to focus in on the performance and accuracy of the 4.8 gr. Sport Pistol load, and I am going to start with a clean pistol, and then examine things before shooting any other powders.

I do have to say, I am very pleased with the performance so far, but the accuracy testing is going to be the final proof of the pudding.