.40S&W reloads

[whslngwings]

I've just set a loader and I'm wanting to start loading for my.40 M&P. What is a good powder that you have had good luck with in this caliber?

[ronnie gore]

i have tried several but settled on accurate no. 5. with a 175 grain cast bullet.

[Shadow1006]

I use Blue Dot and Power Pistol with great results using various bullet weights and construction for the 40S&W cartridges...

Most accurate loads have been with Blue Dot...Blue Dot likes to be near the upper end to burn cleanest & best!

[TSQUARED]

For very light loads - 155 to 180 gr. lead, plated or jacketed - I use either WST or American Select. For full power loads I use either Power Pistol or WSF.

[roundgunner]

I use 175 TC cast over 4.5 Titegroup. 950 from my M&P, close to full power but not quite.

For an IDPA 125000 power factor load, I use 3.2 Titegroup. It is a cream puff but makes power factor and cycles everytime.

[handgunner356]

I'm real happy with Hodgdon Universal Clays. I use 4.8-5.5 grs with 155-175gr LSWCs' and 5.0-5.5grs with 165-180gr Plated Berrys. All make major.

[cjw3]

I like WST with 175-180 grain cast bullets. It is bulky enough and meters well, also clean burning.

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by whslngwings

I've just set a loader and I'm wanting to start loading for my.40 M&P. What is a good powder that you have had good luck with in this caliber?

What manual(s) do you have and what bullets do you plan on using? Lead, FMJ, Plated??

[Titegroups]

Power pistol.

[Goldstar225]

Power Pistol is my primary powder with Unique as a back-up.

[papajohn428]

I really like Power Pistol, but it's pretty flashy.



AA5 or AA7 is a lot better in that regard but I have a lot of Power Pistol to use up. For lighter loads I like WST. Unique is great if you only want to use one powder for everything.

[thndrchiken]

I use WW231 or Unique for all my non magnum loads. For magnum loads is WW296. Blue Dot is also pretty good across the spectrum as well.

[Culina]

Another vote for W231, it is easy to find and it meters like a dream. I use it for 9mm, 38Special, 40S&W, 44Special, and 45ACP, just to keep things simple.

[Tracer_Bullet]

HP38 (same thing as W231), it works well for all of the calibers I load.

[3five7]

Power Pistol and Universal for full power loads.

[whslngwings]

I just dug out my manuals I had(just moved in Feb) and they are all vintage 70's and 80's, wow can't believe I'm that old!
Anyway, thanks for your info. I think I'll pick up a new manual, are there any that are better then the others?

[OKFC05]

Hodgdon is online:

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

[32dgrz]

WSF WSF WSF

[growr]

Accurate Arms #5 has served me very well in thousands of .40's using Montana Gold 165 bullets. Might work for you as well.
Randy

[VAdoublegunner]

I've been loading 40 S&W since 1991. While I have tried others for special loadings and experimenting, the only powder I have used consistently throughout that time for thousands upon thousands of loadings is WSF.

[nitesite]

Originally Posted by OCD1

What manual(s) do you have and what bullets do you plan on using? Lead, FMJ, Plated??

This (above) is a very good post. Smart question to ask.

I load 180-gr plated FPs over 5.7-gr of Unique and Fed 100 primers and a .423" crimp to duplicate my on-duty factory Federal 180 HSTs. Federal claims 1000-fps with that round. I chrono'd my load at 993 AV with a 9-fps SD.

I shy away from fast-burning powders in the .40 S&W cartridge. I tried Titegroup but is too quirky.

[Mule88]

Handgunner356 +1

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by whslngwings

I just dug out my manuals I had(just moved in Feb) and they are all vintage 70's and 80's, wow can't believe I'm that old!
Anyway, thanks for your info. I think I'll pick up a new manual, are there any that are better then the others?

I like the Lyman #49 & Speer, best IMO. Forget the Lee. The Load Books from Midway are good, but only one caliber each.
I like to use medium burners in the 40. It's not very forgiving w/ fast & uberfast powders. Medium burners start @ Unqiue & go to about HS6. I have found nothing more accurate than Unqiue or WSF under any 165-180gr lead, plated or jacketed bullet for full power loads. For lighter loads, W231 or WSt work well. I wouldn;t load TG or Clays in the 40 unless I had nothing else.

[garyjandfamily]

Originally Posted by nitesite

This (above) is a very good post. Smart question to ask.

I load 180-gr plated FPs over 5.7-gr of Unique and Fed 100 primers and a .423" crimp to duplicate my on-duty factory Federal 180 HSTs. Federal claims 1000-fps with that round. I chrono'd my load at 993 AV with a 9-fps SD.

I shy away from fast-burning powders in the .40 S&W cartridge. I tried Titegroup but is too quirky.

I load 180-gr Lead Semi-wadcutters over 5.3-gr of Unique and CCI small pistol primers. It's a good, light practice load. I like Unique because:
1. I load .40, .38sp and 44 mag (light loads) - all with Unique
2. It's easy to spot a double charge, especially when loading the .40
3. It's much more forgiving than some of the faster powders (such as Titegroup)
4. I can buy it for $20/pound at my local WalMart.

[shotslow]

I use 5.1 g Win 231 for both 165 Rainers and 140 lead TC. The 140 gr makes minor power level and then some. But mild recoil and worth it. IMO. The 165 g comes close to major power, but I use it just for practice.

I have titegroup but it has a sharper recoil. I use TG in revolvers (S&W), but mainly as a shotgun powder. Cowboy shotgun.

I will load AA #7 in 40 S&W to see what it does. I got it for 357 Sig in my M&P 40.

I appreciate the info on crimp diameter of .423. I am paying attention to crimp diameters, lately. Not so much for the 40 S&W but I will. Thank you.

[Berry's MFG]

Originally Posted by OCD1

What manual(s) do you have and what bullets do you plan on using? Lead, FMJ, Plated??

Talked to Hodgdon yesterday and they will have plated data printed in July. We also have Accurate working up data.

[ISOM]

A short time ago we [Wife and Myself] acquired a .40 S&W.
We have not shot yet but, came up with an interesting load for UNIQUE powder:
150 - 155 grain 5.6 grains for 900 fps
165 - 165 grain 5.6 grains for 900 fps
180 - 180 grain 5.7 grains for 900 fps
We yet we have not loaded/shot any of these loads.