40 S&W load question

MattO · #1 06-17-2015, 12:22 AM

I'm in the process of trying to find a nice accurate 40 S&W load that I can use on the range. I have 180 gr. FP plated bullets. Referencing my Lymans, Hornady, and Modern Reloading site there is quite difference in the "max load" when using HS-6. I had pulled all the data and made a decision on loading 7.6gr of HS-6 with a OAL of 1.127 and made 50 rounds last night. Tonight while messing around on the Hodgdon site I put in a search and it came up with the same bullets and says Max load was 7.4 grains of HS-6. So I thought maybe I had read my Lymans manual wrong and went back and referenced it again. It says Max load of 8.0 grains for a jacketed bullet and Berry's site says to use mid range of loads to load their plated bullets.

My question is this, should I get the bullet puller out and take these 50 apart seeing the Hodgdon site data says 7.4 Max load? I think I already know the answer I am going to get. I haven't tested any of these yet. Just put them in a box with the data on a tag.

Reloading is confusing when so many books list such a variance in the load data.

Matt

MattO · #2 06-17-2015, 12:28 AM

This is from the Berry's site on how to load their plated bullets.

We do not research or publish the load data, but you can use any published load data for a jacketed or lead bullet as long as it is the same weight bullet. Any of the load data books or the powder manufacturers’ website should have that information for you, as long as you keep them under 1250 fps for our standard bullet or 1500fps for the bullets designated as TP (thick plate).

The lymans shows 180gr to be loaded with HS-6 up to 8.0 grains.

Confused.....

BLUEDOT37 · #3 06-17-2015, 02:25 AM

Yeah, sometimes they don't make it easy for us.

Hornady #8 says 7.2gr, Sierra #5 says 7.6grs, & Speer #14 says 8.2grs max, using HS-6 & 180gr JHP.

Before you break them down I'd suggest you do what you really should have done first, make a work-up string. Start at 6.7gr & work-up in 0.3gr increments to 7.3gr loading 5-10 rounds each & see how they shoot. If they're fine, try a couple of the 7.6gr you already made & decide on what load is best for you & take it from there.

.

Huskerguy · #4 06-17-2015, 07:05 AM

What bluedot says. This is a common occurance and HS-6 has a wide spread. Start lower and work up, you will find the sweet spot for your firearm. HS-6 tends to perform better at the top end of loading. Percentage wise even at the various max's they are not that far from each other.

scooter123 · #5 06-17-2015, 07:20 AM

First, I have yet to find a powder or load that is most accurate at that maximum listed charge. So, I have to question why you were loading near maximum for a starting charge and advise you not do that as a habit.

However, because the 40 caliber doesn't have enough case capacity to exceed 1200 fps with a 180 grain bullet I don't see any need for you to break down what you have loaded. Yeah, you could be very slightly over pressure but as long as you aren't shooting these loads in a first generation Glock I don't think you'll blow a case out. BTW, if you do have a Gen 1 Glock then you will want to break these loads down. The truth is that 0.2 grains over max in one source is pretty meaningless, there are just too many variables involved to predict what pressures will be produced in your handgun. BTW, this variation is why it's wisest to start low and work up, not go right to the top. Because I cannot state with absolute certainty these loads will be safe in YOUR handgun, all I can say is that in my opinion they will probably be safe.

fredj338 · #6 06-17-2015, 11:10 AM

I wouldn't shoot them. First rule of reloading, research & verify, 2-3x, before putting components together. Load only 5-10rds to test. You are also loading plated, which will give higher pressures if loaded with jacketed data.
I use avg midrange data from 3 vetted sources. Then work up in 1/10-2/10gr increments,depending on powder choice, to avg max, if that is where I want to go. Most of the time, avg midrange data is all you need for general range use. You might be ok, but one bad piece of brass & you could be in trouble. Break out the bullet puller IMO.

Rule3 · #7 06-17-2015, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattO

Reloading is confusing when so many books list such a variance in the load data.

Matt

Only if you make it confusing.

Yes the data varies and I understand. We all go through it or had gone through it.

Realize that every test is different, differnt bullets, COL. test equipment, diffent primers Heck when was Lyman last printed?? Same with LEE, all there data is from somewhere else some other time. They never tested anything,

When in doubt and if the EXACT bullet is listed on the Powder companies web site or manual, then default to that!!

Hodgdon is safe and conservative, but their data works.

Then follow Freds advice and all will be well in the world

MattO · #8 06-17-2015, 11:29 AM

Thanks guys, on every reload I've made since I started reloading I have made a 10 bullet test batch and fired them. This one I did not, and won't do that again. I thought based on what I read I was pretty safe loading these because they were direct from the manual. I won't do that again without a test batch first.

I am going to work up several different ones and get close to these and then decide what to do. Which is what I should have done in the first place so I didn't have 50 bullets to pull.

Thanks again for the help.

Matt

BTW for those that asked about what gun. These were built for my M&P 40c and the Hi Pointe 40.

fredj338 · #9 06-17-2015, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattO

Thanks guys, on every reload I've made since I started reloading I have made a 10 bullet test batch and fired them. This one I did not, and won't do that again. I thought based on what I read I was pretty safe loading these because they were direct from the manual. I won't do that again without a test batch first.

I am going to work up several different ones and get close to these and then decide what to do. Which is what I should have done in the first place so I didn't have 50 bullets to pull.

Thanks again for the help.

Matt

BTW for those that asked about what gun. These were built for my M&P 40c and the Hi Pointe 40.

When ever I get a new powder/bullet combo or new caliber, I always go back to square one, regardless of what works for 100 other shooters or printed data says is "safe". My gun, my body parts, I only trust what conclusions I come up with, not what someone else did in their test platform. That goes for the powder & bullet companies too. They get stuff wrong, people make mistakes. The Lyman is a good point on the 40. I still don't trust their listed pressure data, just looks odd compared to loads from other printed sources. So always do your own research & testing to verify with printed data.

venomballistics · #10 06-17-2015, 04:06 PM

Here's how I deal with it.
data set A says 5 start, 7 max
data set B says 6 start, 7.5 max
Data set C says 6.5 start 8.9 max

I arrange it thus ....
5 start,flag at 7, and 7.5 and 8.9 max
pay attention as you climb up on the flag points, as these might represent the max for your combination.

MattO · #11 06-20-2015, 12:09 AM

I wanted to update you all on the outcome of this.

I worked up three loads starting lower and working up to what I originally loaded these bullets to. All worked and shot great. I decided to go ahead and run the box through my Hi pointe. The bullets shots great, no FTF or FTE, and they were accurate as all get out. They were a bit snappy, but most .40 S&W are.

So all in all, I was OK. Although I won't again load a full box without a trial run.

Matt