40S&W Reloading

[ambassador]

I am going to reload my first fifty 40S&W rounds ever.Iam using the Lee reloading manual 2nd edition,which I also use to reload my .380ACP,9MM,357Mag with acceptable results.My plan is to use a Hornady 180 grn FMJFN bullet and Unique powder,starting at 5.8grns 1/10grn progressions up to 6.3 grns.Any one else have any receipts using Unique and a 180grn bullet?.

[Skip Sackett]

Ambassador,
No, sir, no loads with Unique in the 40S&W. I can tell you this though, I would never use any powder faster than Unique for loading that caliber.

Loads for this caliber are pretty firearm specific, at least in my opinion. When I load for a Glock, which I have done very successfully, I use SR4756 with a 180gr bullet. Longshot would be another good choice but since I have 6lbs of SR4756 it'll be a while till I switch!

Make sure you use a firm taper crimp and that your cartridges seat properly before making a bunch of them. Bullet set back is a BAD thing in the 40S&W and too much taper is a bad thing too since the cartridge headspaces on the case mouth.

Have fun and be safe.

[sourdough44]

I've been loading in the low 5s with H Universal & a 165grn plated bullet for my 40S&W. It's sort of a modest load but has been cycling fine, mostly in my H&K USP 40c.

[ronnie gore]

I LOAD 175 GRAIN BULLET I CAST HARD, WITH 5.5 GRAINS OF ACCURATE NO. 5. NICE MILD TARGET LOAD.
I KNOW EVERYONE SAYS DON'T SHOOT LEAD BULLETS IN GLOCKS, BUT I WAS DOING IT BEFORE ANYONE SAID YOU SHOULD NOT. JUST CLEAN THE GUN WELL BEFORE SHOOTING JACKETED HIGH PRESSURE ROUNDS. I SHOOT LEAD IN EVERYTHING I SHOOT. I HAVE BEEN LOADING FOR 35 YEARS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.

[JDOUGLAS]

I have been using 5.3 Unique with a 180 lswc for years. Up to 6 Unique with a jacketed bullet. Speaking of Glocks Ron, I used to think the same thing untill a case head blew out right in the middle of an IDPA match. I bought a cut rifled barrell to shoot my lead bullets through now.

[FrankD45]

I tested some 180 gr loads with up to 6 gr of Unique with mediocre results. After snooping around the Hodgdon website, I decided to try SR4756 and haven't looked back since. I worked up to 6.6 gr which is the maximum listed by Hodgdon. They clocked at just under 1,000 fps which is close enough to their claimed velocity of 1,018 with the same 180 gr Hornady HP/XTP.

I hope that helps,

Frank

[sourdough44]

Up near 1000fps with a 180 grn bullet in a 40S&W seems upper end. My 165 grn loads are down near 800+fps or so. I did chrony them but don't have the data right here.

[ambassador]

Great loads,all rounds inside of 2"&3" bullseyes at 21'.Going to stick with 6.0 Unique and 180grn Hornady FMJFN bullets.A joy to shoot my Stoeger Couger,and a great price too.Just might buy a 8045 before the price goes up.

[don p]

My 40 S&W loads are with 155 grain hard cast lead over 6.2 grains of Unique and my other load is the same bullet over 4.8 grains of Titegroup

[youngda9]

I load 6.2gr of Unique with a 165gr plated (Rainier) bullet, or a 155gr LSWC. It is a good hole for punching holes in paper.

I never load 180 grain bullets...just due to the cost of the heavier round. I see no need to shoot the heavier bullets for practice (or for SD either).

I think you're on the right track. Don't exceed published data.

[magnum12pm]

Originally Posted by sourdough44

Up near 1000fps with a 180 grn bullet in a 40S&W seems upper end. My 165 grn loads are down near 800+fps or so. I did chrony them but don't have the data right here.

Its a high pressure round, according to Hodgdon Data, the velocity can exceed 1000 fps depending on the powder choice you make for both 180 and 165 grn. bullets again according to your powder choice.