.40 powder favorites

[Skip Sackett]

a power factor of 165. For a 180 grain bullet, which is probably THE projectile of choice in .40, which rules the Limited Division, you would want a velocity of 920 fps. In practice, one would want a velocity of 950 or so

If it were me, while the reduced amount of recoil caused by the lighter weight of the powder might play a factor in using Titegroup, I would use a slower powder to "get there from here."

Titegroup is a fine powder. Just in the 40S&W I want a slower powder that generates less pressure. Using the data for an 180gr XTP, 4.7gr gives you 978fps. (I know that may not happen in your firearm.) The pressure is up in the 33,000psi range. Not in a stock barrel in a Glock or BHP. I suppose in a race gun with a fully supported barrel it would be OK. I would certainly rather use a taste more powder and drop the pressure a bit. The Longshot load for the same bullet gives 1000fps with 8,000 less psi. Granted the price of the powder goes up because you are now using 6.5gr of powder.

I'm not running your choice down, just stating what I would do.
Do as you want, I'm not going to criticize it.

 

[FrankD45]

Skip:

I was very interested in your comments about powder volume and case volume. Did I understand correctly that the Lee Loading Manual contains that data? If so, is the data in the current (second edition) or is it an earlier one? I have typically tried to use a powder that comes closest to filling the case at a given velocity. That usually means using a slower, lower pressure powder.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Frank

 

[Skip Sackett]

Did I understand correctly that the Lee Loading Manual contains that data?

Yes, it is in the second edition. Pages 704-705. The case volume is at the beginning of each caliber's data, right under the case drawing.

Most of the time you are right and I can't put my finger on any contradictions to what you say, but I haven't done the investigation to find out. That would be something to look at as we load in the future.

In some instances it just doesn't matter. I can think of several right off hand. 38spl, 45ACP. Maybe even the 44spl. Pressure problems aren't going to show themselves when loading for target type of ammunition. It's when you start fooling around with these newer bottom feeders and the higher pressure rounds they use.

In my opinion 40S&W is the worst in this area. It doesn't mean I don't like the round or think they should be banned or....... It just gives us hand-loaders a challenge to load correctly.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

 

[Amici]

Originally posted by smith crazy:
Titegroup is a fine powder. Just in the 40S&W I want a slower powder that generates less pressure. Using the data for an 180gr XTP, 4.7gr gives you 978fps. (I know that may not happen in your firearm.) The pressure is up in the 33,000psi range. Not in a stock barrel in a Glock or BHP. I suppose in a race gun with a fully supported barrel it would be OK. I would certainly rather use a taste more powder and drop the pressure a bit. The Longshot load for the same bullet gives 1000fps with 8,000 less psi. Granted the price of the powder goes up because you are now using 6.5gr of powder.

I'm not running your choice down, just stating what I would do.
Do as you want, I'm not going to criticize it.

No criticism inferred. I will use TG (as does the person I specifically got the load from) in an SVI. Fully-supported chamber; all-steel frame and slide.

 

[guntherapist]

I do like the idea of using slower burning powder: been doing it all along. Yes it is more grains, but more importantly less pressure.

I am looking at AA#7, 2400, Longshot, Bluedot.
Thanks All

 

[bigt5150]

AA#7 is great for .40/10mm

 

[John R]

Clays is to unpredictable to use in a high pressure round IMHO.

Pressure spikes very fast with Clays.

 

[nicky4968]

I have no experience at all with the .40 S&W. Zero. Nada. Zip. I have been loading (in pistols) .38 Special/.357 Magnum for four decades; .45 ACP/AR for about 6 years.
I have been thinking of getting a .40 S&W. Never have fired one.
Are my old stand-by powders, Unique and 2400, useable in this cartridge? I'm not looking for the powder that is most efficient at making any specified speed.

 

[yellowf4]

This is why I love this forum so much...everytime I think I can add some help, I end up at the bench trying something someone said in the topic. You guys are awesome and have a tremendous amount of knowledge to share. Thanks and it isn't even my post...

That being said, I have carried a G22 and 27 for duty and personal protection for at least 15 years that I can recall. I also have 357 sig barrels in both now as I like the different caliber better.

Whichever you like, I have tried most powders listed above in 40 and settled a long time ago on the AA#5. It is dirtier than other powders, and doesn't fill the case (so if you are incapable of paying attention, don't use this one, mre on that later) but is extremely consistant.

In the 40, I use 8.5 gr with a 180 Bear Creek Lead and also same charge with the 125 Berrys plated in the 357 Sig. It is a stout load going about 1100fps (if memory serves)but I wanted something similar in recoil and performance to duty ammo. I have loaded and shot well over 60K through the 22 alone and never had a single problem. My buddy who was new to loading and was not paying attention double charged a case somehow and KB'd his 22. The only reason he is still able to use his hand is the polymer frame absorbed the explosion and stretched rather than grenading. It blew the slide off and broke his toe with the mag the flew out...not bad for the firecracker he was holding...

GIve it a shot (the single charge that is) and see what you think.

John

 

[29aholic]

I've been using 5.0grs of HP38 behind a 155 LSWC with excellent results. Thats at the low end of the data for HP38 (W231 is the same powder).
Out of my Sig 229 if I do my part it will wad them up in a real tight group.

 

[KDK]

Longshot

 

[guntherapist]

Ive got some powder, Blue Dot, 3N37, and 231, 165 and 180 gr Sierra JHP, and 500 pcs of new Federal brass already primed, 2000 primers. Im just waiting for Midway to send my new dies, ordered them 9 days ago.

 

[dwhite53]

Hodgdon Universal. Clean. Meters very well. Good velocity for charge weight. Versatile. The Hodgdon data I have shows Universal giving highest velocities for all bullet weights of all their powders recommended for 40 S&W.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[SIE107]

Just ordered 8lbs of Solo-1000 for my .40, will be using a Lee 401-175-tc mold. I figure 4.5grs should be GTG.

 

[Faulkner]

Using my Dillion for loading ammo for my Glock 23 and Ruger PC4 carbine, I've loaded and fired thousands of rounds of .40 S&W using 4.4 grains of Titegroup with 180 grain FMJ's and JHP's. Burns clean and has significantly less muzzle flash in the dark than factory ammo.

 

[R. Walter]

Originally posted by guntherapist:
Ive got some powder, Blue Dot, 3N37, and 231, 165 and 180 gr Sierra JHP, and 500 pcs of new Federal brass already primed, 2000 primers. Im just waiting for Midway to send my new dies, ordered them 9 days ago.

I'm surprised that no one else has chimed in suggesting Blue Dot. I've used Blue Dot extensively in 40S&W with a variety of bullet weights getting excellent velocities along the way. Downside might be a little dirty, but it always cleans right up.

I bought 40 lbs about 15 years ago just as the 40 was getting popular and I still have at least 10 lbs left. I also load a lot of 41 RemMag with Blue Dot.