Correct Powder For 40 S&W

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M&P_Gunner

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I am in the process of becoming a reloader. I have read a ton on reloading and have a pretty good grasp on the process and the saftey involved with reloading. The only thing i am concerned about is the correct powder. I am looking to load a simple range round and am at a loss as far as the correct powder goes. Any recommendations would be great!

I will be using a 180g Hornady XTP in once shot brass if that helps. Thanks in advance!
 
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Most mid range pistol powders will work fine for 40 S&W loads.
Alliant: Bullseye, Unique
Hodgdon: Universal, HP38, HS-6, 700X
Ramshot: True Blue, Silhouette
Winchester: W231

You can go with faster powders such as Red Dot, Clays, Trail Boss, Zip, but that is more for low recoil/slow velocity loads.
Slower powders such as Power Pistol, Enforcer, W296, Longshot are used for maximum velocity.
Stick to the medium powders to begin with.

Unique is quite forgiving and tolerant of variations of a couple tenths of a grain in the mid range area and an excellent powder to learn with and stick to for a long time. It is also bulky enough to overflow a case in the event of an accidental double charge. When loaded on the light side, it will be smokey and leave a lot of unbunt flakes as well as sooty cases, but it will still shoot the bullet out.

Good luck and welcome to the world of reloading!
 
I have found that Longshot makes the 40S&W come alive. PowerPistol works well too. However, both of these are best for heavier loads, not target rounds. I like the Longhot for uses that need energy, such as bowling pins or heavier steel targets. Found it gave the best velocities in the .40. It's my favorite for 10mm too and works well in hot loads in the 45ACP. If you want a "simple range round" why the 180 gr. XTP? For range use, a FMJ or plated bullet bought in bulk and in the 155 gr. range would be less costly.
 
I've been using WSF under a cast 180gr bullet and been loving the results. I need to fire up the melting pot again for another session since I've been loving them so much.
 
Longshot is the way to go if you want to get max performance out of those expensive 180 grain XTP projectiles.

If you decide to go with an economy load, then Tightgroup and plated 180 (or lighter) grain Berrys or Rainer would be the route to go.
 
jimbo-indy said:
If you want a "simple range round" why the 180 gr. XTP? For range use, a FMJ or plated bullet bought in bulk and in the 155 gr. range would be less costly.
Click to expand...

Because I didn't know any better! I just looked up some cheaper bullets... Thanks for the advice!

I appreciate the quick responses guys!
 
Lighter bullets with .40SW loads almost always equal out to higher snappier recoil. Recoil with 180gr bullets is fairly tame. Go buy a box of 155's and 180's and see if you are bothered enough to stick with 180's on a regular. I find that most people complain when they shoot 155's or 165's but smile when they finally shoot some 180's.
 
M&P_Gunner said:
Because I didn't know any better! I just looked up some cheaper bullets... Thanks for the advice!

I appreciate the quick responses guys!
Click to expand...

Better yet (or less expensive) shoot lead bullets for half the price of plated or FMJ unless you are shooting indoors .
What gun are you using? some do not like lead like Glocks although some folks still shoot lead through them.
 
Since you are just beginning at reloading, you might want to save those nice Hornady bullets for some 180g plated bullets. They are much less expensive, you don't need to worry about leading (easily cured, but work on one thing at at a time) and perform as well as jacketed bullets when punching paper. No need to crimp them so don't worry about them not having a cannelure (crimp ring). Just use the crimp to barely kiss the rim and remove the case flare.
 
Another vote for WST for target/range use. I use it with Rainier 165 grain plated bullets with complete satisfaction.
 
I really like Power Pistol in the 40 and have been very happy with Montana Gold bullets. Not as cheap as lead but much more reasonable than Hornady, Sierra, etc
 
This is a stab in the dark but I bet he's using a M&P...

(nudge, nudge Rule3...) :p
 
If you are a first time reloader. I suggest Montana Gold Bullets, great bullet at a good price. I would also stick with Unique, Power Pistol, or WSF to start with. With those powders you can load light target loads all the way up to everything 40 can offer in speed and power. The other advantage to those powders are the loads are in a reloading manual. So they have been tested and proven. If you are just starting out, stick with the loads in a loading manual. There are plenty of "off the book loads" for 40. Be careful where you are getting your info from.
 
My Speer reloading manual tells me that gunwriter Charles Petty has done extensive accuracy testing for the 40 S&W. Fastburning powders may not be the best choice. Midburners probably a better choice especially loading at or near maximum charge. Reloadbench.com along with others will give you a quick powder burnrate chart to refer to.

If 180 grain plinker is what you've decided on, Midsouth Shooters & Powder Valley has pretty good deal on a Speer TMJ 400 value pack.
 
I have used Power Pistol behind lead, plated and jacketed bullets and had great results, be it in my M&P, 4006, H&K USP, and Glock 20 with a conversion barrel.
Unlike Unique, it meters without much fuss, is clean and fairly economical.
 
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