40 S&W cast bullet loads?
 

Hello,

I just bought a S&W M&P .40 cal. It shoots great with factory ammo. I am a pretty experienced reloader, but have not reloaded for this caliber.

I would appreciate anyone sharing load info, using cast bullets, and especially those which work well in the M&P.

Thanks!

Leatherneck,
Semper Fi!

Can't help with the 40S&W with cast in the M&P ------ yet, but, I did load for a Browning High Power for a bit with cast bullets.

I can only say that it is like any other semi-auto caliber if it is shot out of a revolver or a fully supported chambered semi-auto, as the M&P is.

Still, I would use my rule of thumb for this caliber and NEVER use anything faster than Unique in it for top end loads and W231/HP-38 for light target loads. There are LOTS of other powders out there, I am only speaking in terms of burn rate. For SURE, nothing faster than W231/HP-38 for me though.

Loading for this caliber can be quite rewarding. Be safe and have fun!

My go-to load in the .40 is 4.0 Red Dot with a 170 grain cast truncated cone bullet. About 850 fps or so, easy and pleasant to shoot.

I've been using WSF 4.5 to 4.7 gr under a 180gr HP that I cast from a MP-Mold. I went with WSF as it measures out soooooo much better than Unique.

I also cast from a Lee mold a SWC and my 40c eats them with no problems.

If you don't already have one, buy either a Redding G-Rx or a Lee Bulge Buster and extra FCD die for it. You will want to run any and all range pick up brass through them to set them back from 2nd Gen Glock barrel abuse and Skip's BHP.

Thanks!
 

All,

I appreciate all the good advice. I will take the advice on the Bulge Buster, since I always get salvaged range brass.

If anyone has a recommendation for a load using cast bullets and Unique, I would like to hear it, since I have a lot of Unique on hand and have always had good luck with it. Otherwise, the WSF idea sounds good.

Happy New Year to all!

I've cast and shot about 4k through my M&P40 this past year. My bullet is the 401-175-TC.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...401-175-TC.jpg

The Lee 6 cavity mold cranks out the bullets in a hurry. This is the output of a little over an hours worth of casting.
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...1/DSC05271.jpg

Be sure to slug your barrel to see if you need to size your bullets. My bullets drop out at 0.4015-0.403 depending on the alloy. I tumble lube them, size them through the 0.401" Lee sizer and do a very light tumble lube again using Recluse's 45/45/10 formula

When seated to 1.135" and using Unique, I average 950 fps with 5.0g, 1020 with 5.5g and 1080 with 6.0g out of the 4.25" barrel. The majority of loads I shoot is at 5.0g because I am usually just punching paper while practicing trigger control and trying to keep my shots in the bullseye. 5.0g gives adequate pressure to seal the case, prevent gas blowback and keep the muzzle clean.

Hope that helps and Happy New Year too.

Well, I just ordered this mould via online. $156. Had some Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket! Watch out M&P! You are going to get shot a lot more in the coming weeks and months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l1...Miha10-40s.jpg

You are going to love that bullet. Mine is the deep cavity version. 180gr HP or 200gr solid.

I found that my M&P40 will eat everything I have feed it. 175 Gr LSWC, 180Gr LRNFP (38-40 bullet).

I shoot a 155 to 165 grain truncated cone design over 5.0 grains of HP-38 (or W231). It is one hole accurate out of my fullsize M&P, and very easy to shoot.

Miha has no moulds! Might have to buy a Lee truncated cone 180 grain for the time being. Order my sizing die for the Star and it came today. Now I am mouldless, boolitless and sizing die rich!