Best Cast Bullet for 40 S&W ?

retired2006 · Jan 22, 2014

A little help from those who reload cast bullets in their 40S&W's. I use Missouri Bullet Co bullets, and load for target velocity, what bullet have you had good luck with ? My go to powder is normally HP38 or 231. I am looking at their 155 SWC, anyone use that ?

Pistol is M&P Pro 5"

Wee Hooker · Jan 22, 2014

I haven't tried their 155 but have shot their 170gr regularly. Not much difference between the performance of their 180 and 170 IMHO. I tend to steer away from light bullets in the 40 (and most others too) as it tends to make recoil snappier. With the 180/170 it's more of a push than snap with my loads. I currently use clays but have used 231 with good results. I'm shooting from a M&P Pro as well.
IMO, it's hard to find a better cast bullet than Missouri period.

retired_diver · Jan 22, 2014

Best bullet?

I have used and still do: Missouri, x-treme, Oregon, Berry's, Rim Rock and SNS. All with good results. The 140's are snappier as stated above. Most popular now seem to be 155-160 and the old standard load is 180. I am shooting now 140's because it was what I could get, not back ordered. I still like the 155-160's for all my range shooting. Since I bought so many 140's I changed out my recoil spring to a 12# and shoot lighter loads, accurate and recoil like 9mm. It's fun to shoot. I haven't found any 231 for over a year now, so I have been loading aa#5 (bought a 8lb jug) it meters like water compared to BE and 231. Also found a 8lb jug of 800x and have been trying that also with good results.

venomballistics · Jan 22, 2014

I've mostly used my own 155 grain TCHP design in 400 corbon.
I can't say as there really is a best per se. 40 cal is kinda goofy as calibers go.
Some guns should not be reloaded for at all, still others should not be loaded with cast ... the ones remaining with fully supported chambers and traditional rifling are good to run with.
I like the concept of the 40 ... its just the implementations of it that make me shy away. In the case of the 400 corbon ... there's no way it'll ever find its way into the mag of any of the hand grenade guns

Engineer1911 · Jan 22, 2014

I got a box of 160 gr (?) swc like the H&G #68 for 45 acp that loaded and shot great in 40 S&W.

JimC · Jan 23, 2014

I've loaded and fired many .40's with the Oregon Trail 180 gr. RNFP bullet, good accuracy and no leading at standard .40 S&W velocities.

Aticus · Jan 23, 2014

The simplest answer to your question is: what ever works best in your gun. What works in my gun may not be what works in yours. Experiment a little and then decide.

jamfox · Jan 31, 2014

retired_diver, what are your loads with the 800x?
I have 140gr lead bullets I am wanting to load for my SD40VE.
I plan on getting a heavier bullet when these are gone that I have data for.

fredj338 · Feb 1, 2014

I cast my own, but many have good luck with commercial cast. The biggest issue is getting the size right. You want a bullet at least 0.001" larger than bore dia. BHN isn't really a big deal running anywhere under 900fps in the 40, it's more about bullet fit & your powder choice.
Medium burners seem to work better than the uberfast powders. I don't care much for anything faster than WST & that would be at reduced vel with 170-180gr bullets.

Best Cast Bullet for 40 S&W ?

retired2006

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Wee Hooker

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retired_diver

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venomballistics

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Engineer1911

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JimC

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Aticus

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jamfox

fredj338

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