Good morning,

Despite owning 4 different reloading books, I cannot find many recommendations for loading cast, unjacketed, 155gr. FP in the .40S&W chambering. I found recommendations for 4.3 gr of Bullseye, and another for 5.2gr. of Unique, but I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for this bullet?

Thank you,

Dave

I have had great results with 155 Gr. Rainier FP, 5.1 grains of Tightgroup, Federal #200 primers in mixed cases.

For my FS M&P 40 and IDPA competition, this one works for me.

Glen Farmer,

Thank you for your reply. It looks like you, and maybe me, are the only ones reloading for this particular bullet type and weight. I wonder why as this seems like a perfectly good bullet.

Regards,

Dave

Dave,
It has been my experience that folks want the ballistic characteristics that a heavier bullet gives in this caliber.

I load a bunch of 40S&W every year, just with 180gr bullets and I stay away from any powder that is faster than Unique. Personally I use a maximum load of SR4756 under a 180gr PHP for about 1000fps.

Just me though. Sorry I can't be of any help.

I loaded some 155gn HP XTP Hornady with 7.4gn of Blue Dot.

When I get to the range I'll post some results.

These loads are the low end of the chart (950fps)

Also going to use the same bullet with 8.9gn of AA No. 7 (950fps)

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Smith Crazy and Scrapper, thanks for your insights and advice. I recall when the .40 S&W was first introduced they wisely, in my opinion, tried to stay within performance envelopes for existing rounds with known effectiveness. As an example the 135 gr. that surpassed the 125 gr. 357 Magnum round and the 180 gr. that was meant to compete with the 185 gr. .45 ACP. I look forward to a range report, Scapper.

Regards,

Dave

I load 165 grn 'plated' bullets in the 40 S&W with Hodgdon Universal, kinda right next to Unique in burn speed.

I have used two loads with a very similar 155 grain lead bullet. First is 4.5 grains of HP38. Very good shooting, reliable load. No chrony when I was reloading for .40 so I can't tell you what velocity they were doing. I used data from the same weight jacketed bullet.

Second is 6.5 grains of Unique. This is from Lee's Modern Reloading, second edition. This is a fairly stout load, at the top of the range. It was very reliable and the book says it is exceeding 1000 fps.

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Dave,
I have only used very mild loads of 3.4 to 3.6 gr. WST with a 155 gr. cast lead bullet for velocities at or below ca 800 fps. I don't have the data with me at my "winter quarters" in AZ and therefore cannot provide exact data or chronographed velocities. I used these loads in a S&W 646 and a PO16-40 with a reduced recoil spring.

I have switched to using either jacketed or plated bullets in vitually all the calibers I shoot with the exception of the old single shot rifle calibers.

Hodgdon never listed data for lead bullets in 40 S&W and one has to in sure that elad bullets are not used in barrels with the Glock style rifling. At one time the printed data from Alliant and W-W contained data for cast lead bullets in 40 S&W. PM me with your e-mail and I can attach pages from the Alliant 2005 manual and Winchester-Western 14th Edition manual.

Hey guys-newbie here... I have just completed a few load work-ups for 40 S&W...

Powder: Accurate No.2
Bullet: 140 gr (L) TCFP Missouri bullet Co.IDP #7
.401 Diameter
.40 S&W/10mm
140 Grain TCFP
Brinell 18
For Major Power Factor
COL:1.115

Started loading at 5.9 gr-up to 6.3 in 1 gr increments...

* For my 40 S&W M&P compact, i seem to get the best accuracy on paper and the most manageable recoil with the 6.1 gr powder load. Muzzle flash isn't too bad using the Accurate No.2., however, I did have one round stick in the barrel (I think due to not enough powder?). When i checked the barrel after having to rod the round out, I did not notice any major 'leading', which makes me seem to think there isn't enough powder for the lead cast bullets(?)

Powder: Accurate No. 2
Bullet: Berry's 155 gr HBRN jacketed
COL: 1.125

I loaded the Berry's bullets starting at 5 gr Accurate No.2-up to 5.5 gr...

I did not have any issues with these bullets, however, I did not notice much change in accuracy or recoil...should i start at 5.5 and go to 5.9 (max recommendation)?

Accurates load data seems to have more information for more different bullet types for the 40 S&W, which is why i started with this brand. (also availability of the powder)

I will work up a few more test loads for the M&P and get results by the weekend to post...dont think I'm much help, but I can at least tell others when I screw up

Hi JoeII, Welcome to the forum!

On those Berry loads, go ahead & try the upper range to see how they work for you. Usually the max. loads aren't as accurate but it won't hurt to check them out.

The 140 L-TCFP that got stuck may have not had any powder. If it barely made it into the bbl. it may have been a primer-only round? You'll have to keep an eye on that before you seat a bullet.

Let us know how it goes!

Thanks Bluedot,

The bullet made it to the end of the barrel, and i single stage/hand load all of my rounds, one at a time. I would love to upgrade to a progressive press, however, just like any skill, I like to start slow and work my way up. (plus Im not confident enough as of yet ) Do you think the bullet may have been oblong/misshaped possibly? ... i guess im lucky no harm was done to me or the M&P I will load the Berry's up to max and see about any difference. Thanks

Well personally I would use a relatively slow powder like Longshot and load it towards the hot side. Why? Because (a) it is much less likely to lead your bore and (b) you'll get velocities the same or better than carry ammo.

I've only used a single stage to reload since I started in the late 60's. It's slow, but I'm comfortable with it, and I've got the time now anyway. I used to fill all the cases with powder, then seat the bullets. After spilling some powder out of one of the cases, & not knowing if any went into the others, I quit that. In goes the powder, then in goes the bullet. That usually keeps me out of trouble, unless I'm daydreaming about something.

I'd guess it was a powder issue, not a bullet, but no telling now. I (almost always) individually weight each powder charge too. Dump a charge from the powder measure onto the scale & trickle any if needed. I did mention I'm a slow reloader, didn't I?

I've never used AA#2, only AA#9. I guess it's texture is similar, fine flattened ballpowder? Does it meter consistently?

Bluedot,

The Accurate No.2 is a fine spherical powder. It flows very smooth out of the trickler. I guess it would be good for an auto-powder dumper(dont have one to test). I ended up loading up 50 of the lead cast 140 gn and went to the range today. I shot 2 inch groups with the M&P compact at 15 yds with a powder load of 6.5 grains of accurate No.2/COL at 1.115. I ran a cleaning patch through the barrel after those 50 and noticed very little leading . I shot some factory 180 gn TCFP to compare and the hand shock was much stronger, not to mention, the accuracy was not as good( all over a 4 inch bullseye target).

I ordered some Berrys 155 gn HBRN and went to set up my bullet seating die...the jacket ripped to the outside of the brass on 2 out of 5 that i used to set the die. Should I be lubing my brass for the jacketed bullets? I tried to make sure that the bullet was strait before pulling the press handle, however, it was hit and miss on the bullet jacketing ripping. Ive loaded and shot a few, but I feel Im wasting bullets for a small issue that Im just not privy to...

Any suggestions?

When I load copper jacketed bullet I put as little flare as possible to ensure maximum bullet-case tension. With cast lead bullets, as well as plated bullets, I use quit a bit more flare to make starting them easier & less damaging to them when seating, but I've never experience what you describe. I've never seen/used the HBRN bullets but the regular base bullets seem fairly durable, plating wise. Is it getting ripped at the base, or the nose from the seating plug? What is the diameter of the expander die's plug, before it starts to flare? What's the size difference (.002", etc) between it & the HBRN's diameter? If the brass is new/unfired have you chamfered the case mouths with a deburring tool to knock the sharp edge off for the first loading?

I've got an extra Lone Wolf barrel for my Glock 22 but I haven't gotten around to trying lead bullets yet. Here are some jacketed 155 gr. loads I've tested, hope this helps.

Gun: Glock 22 40 S&W

Bullet: Montana Gold 155 gr. JHP
Powder: Alliant Herco 6.5 grs.
Primer: Federal-100
Case: Winchester
LOAL: 1.125
Avg. Velocity: 1047.88 fps

Bullet: Hornady 155 gr. XTP-HP
Powder: Powder: IMR SR-4756 7.8 grs.
Primer: Winchester Small Pistol
Case: Federal
LOAL: 1.130
Average Velocity: 1068.62 fps

Bullet: Montana Gold 155 gr. JHP
Powder: Winchester WSF 6.6 grs.
Primer: CCI-500
Case: CCI
LOAL: 1.125
Avg. Velocity: 1075 fps

Bullet: Hornady 155 gr. XTP-HP
Powder: Winchester WSF 6.7 grs.
Primer: CCI-500
Case: Winchester
LOAL: 1.130
Average Velocity: 1135.39 fps

Bullet: Montana Gold 155 gr. JHP
Powder: Alliant Power Pistol 7.6 grs.
Primer: CCI-500
Case: Winchester Nickel
LOAL: 1.125
Avg. Velocity: 1137 fps

Bullet: Speer 155 gr. Gold Dot
Powder: Winchester WSF 7.2 grs.
Primer: CCI-500
Case: Speer
LOAL: 1.125
Average Velocity: 1157.14 fps