.40 S&W Red Dot load info

scattershot · #1 01-28-2009, 02:01 PM

I have a bunch of Red Dot, and would like to load the .40 S&W with a 180 grain cast bullet. For the life of me, I can't find any info on this combination, and I have about 8 reloading manuals.

Tried to search, and couldn't come up with any info, either.

Anyone use Red Dot in the .40?

Thanks

scattershot · #2 01-28-2009, 02:01 PM

I have a bunch of Red Dot, and would like to load the .40 S&W with a 180 grain cast bullet. For the life of me, I can't find any info on this combination, and I have about 8 reloading manuals.

Tried to search, and couldn't come up with any info, either.

Anyone use Red Dot in the .40?

Thanks

240grJHP · #3 01-28-2009, 02:43 PM

Go to Alliant's website for reloading. There is a phone number for tech help. They are very easy to work with. Even if they are busy you will get a call back.

Amici · #4 01-28-2009, 03:44 PM

I used Red Dot in .40 loads for several years. My load was 4.3 grains under a 175 grain LSWC.

You should start at 4.0 and work your way up.

scattershot · #5 01-28-2009, 04:54 PM

Thanks, Amici. Do you recall the velocity of your load? Pretty accurate?

240grJHP, I sent Alliant an email, haven't heard back yet.

Amici · #6 01-28-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scattershot:
Thanks, Amici. Do you recall the velocity of your load? Pretty accurate?

I shot that through a Glock 23 and a Para P-16 Limited. I suspect that I chrono'd the load in the Para to check that it "made major" for USPSA, but have no idea what it chrono'd if I actually did. It was certainly accurate enough for action pistol and to to take down poppers and pins.

Skip Sackett · #7 01-29-2009, 02:31 AM

This is strictly theoretical but I don't like fast powders in the 40S&W. I think it is an accident waiting to happen for most of the firearms that chamber it. I am speaking mostly to those that have an unsupported barrel. The round is a good round but is better suited for powders up in the AA#5 area rather than the Red Dot end of the burn rate chart.

While I have loaded Bullseye in some light loads I also had a KB with Clays when I followed data from the Lyman #47.

This is just my opinion. Before I used suggestions from the internet, I would make sure I spoke with Alliant. You can call them and usually get through. They have always been more than willing to help.

tlen · #8 01-29-2009, 03:04 PM

Sadly, Alliant no longer lists lead bullets data for many cartridges [.380, 9mm, ,40 S&W, and 10mm to list a few]. I recently received an email saying the reloading data comes from Speer and Speer is in the jacketed bullet business. BTW, Alliant, Speer, CCI, RCBS, and Federal are all part of the ATK conglomerate.

scattershot · #9 01-29-2009, 03:28 PM

Thanks for all the help, guys.

DELTAJOHN · #10 02-03-2009, 02:57 AM

I use jacketed info of the same weight when I load, but I subtract .8 to .5 grain of powder. I got this info from an old timer, and knock on wood works well. I used Ranier plated 200 TCP with 4.0 gs of red dot when I loaded it in 40.
I used a lot of red dot in 45 as well for a time, it doesn't take a lot of powder to get it done, making it very frugal on powder. For plinking, red dot is cheap and clean.

John

scattershot · #11 04-15-2009, 02:50 PM

Well, to follow up on this, I emailed Alliant and got a response that I could use 4.0 with the 170 LTC bullet. I emailed back for more specific info, pressure, velocity, etc. and got the reply not to use more than 4.5 grains. That's it. End of story.

This is pretty sketchy info from a powder company, don't you think?

handgunner356 · #12 04-16-2009, 03:17 PM

There are so many varibles in reloading the powder company is always going to lean to the low side to be safe. I tried Red Dot and Clays in 40s' but didn't like the results, to much deviation. Went to using Universal and Unique with 170-180gr lead. My personal favorite is a 170-175gr LSWC with 4.8grs Universal, 1015fps in a 6" gun. I save the Red Dot for my low pressure cartriges like .38 & .45.