40 S&W

[warhorse302]

Need a good pratice load for my SR-40c. Have 180 grn lead and universal, also HP-38. Willing to get another powder if need be.

[jwalts27]

5gr of universal at 1.125 OAL. is that lead round nose you loading? Or FMJ? The lead is gonna be awefully dirty.

[DrewW]

I load 5.0 grains of HP-38 under a 170 grain Missouri Bullet LSWC which is accurate and doesn't lead at all. I did have a load for 180 bullet from them to that didn't lead and was just as accurate but I prefer the SWC to the TCFP bullet so I don't know that load off the top of my head. Both these loads are great in my M&P 40 but you need to start at the bottom of the load data and work up for your pistol as the 40 S&W isn't as forgiving as some cartridges.

[warhorse302]

yes, i am aware of thr 40 s&w unforgiving nature, thats why I wanted to see what you guys had been loading. 180 grn grogia arms tcfp bullets are what i aquired at our last gun show. Thanks for your personel experience. Ive have been loading 38 and 357 but everywhere you read the 40 bogeyman shows up and it makes one causious.

[DrewW]

I will check my notes tomorrow afternoon and get you the OAL and powder charge that I ran, don't have my reloading notebook with me right now. Just wanted to make sure I threw the disclaimer in my last post

[MbWolf]

Loaded 4.5grs of either Bullseye or 700X under a 180gr Berry's for my XD.
OAL set at 1.125"

[Skip Sackett]

Leave the other powders alone for the heavier bullets and use the Universal. Go to data.hodgdon.com and look there.

Find a jacketed bullet load of the same weight, use the minimum as your maximum for lead and see what you get across a chronograph.

There is the other option of calling Hodgdon. They will give you a suggestion of where to start.

I can almost tell you though, it is going to sound a lot like the advice just given!

[ILLWIND]

I use 4.5 Unique and a home cast 180 dropped from a Lee mold, sized .401. They shoot fine from my 4053 and 4014.

[41 fan]

I use a 180 gr RNFP Valiant bullet that they cast for use in 38/40. I load 4.9 gr of Universal Clays to an oal of 1.1. That load shoots well and makes 940 fps out of my Sig 229. Dean