40 S&W First Shoot with New Powders

[RDub]

Hello
Well I started out with the idea that I could kill two birds with one stone, and that is test a new bullet, that being the 180gr. HSM Plated FN, and test these new powders, Sport Pistol, IMR Target, 244, and 572. Just a quick look, nothing too detailed.

Shooting was done with a Sigma 40F off of a Caldwell Pistol Rest at 25 yards. Velocity data taken with an Oehler Mod 33 chronograph. Skyscreens centered 10' from muzzle. Temps recorded on target data.

Well as you can see, this gun does not like the 180gr. HSM Plated FN at all. It's nothing to look at, but here is the target;



Target #9 and 13 look promising, but a re-shoot will verify. BE-86 and CFE Pistol have always shot neck and neck with each other, but this time that was not the case..

But the ballistic data is still valuable.

This bullet didn't do any better in the 10mm either, even with an aftermarket button rifled barrel. You can check that out here if curious;
180gr FMJ and Plated FN with Sport Pistol, IMR Target, 244 and 572 - Reloading 10mm ammo - 10mm-firearms.com

Some might recall a study I did with 180gr FMJ in the .40 S&W..

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/531162-sigma-40f-loading-180gr-fmj.html

Well, what I did is take the graph from that study and insert the new data on it.
The powders in Red are the new ones, and the charges written in Red are the loads recently shot on the above target.



What we see is the new powders, excepting 572, have a burn rate that is very close to each other, very similar to Bullseye and N320. 572 is down there around Unique and Herco.

In the 10mm, IMR Target and 244 did well. I believe shooters are going to like these two once they become more available.

These two also did well with the 38 Special 158gr LRN trials.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/574534-38-spcl-158gr-lrn-some-new-powders.html

Well that's it for now. Hope this was helpful. I would like to re-shoot this with real 180gr FMJ bullets. We'll see..

 

[M29since14]

Thanks for that! I give you credit for thoroughness! And you’re a brave man to shoot your Sigma for accuracy at 25-yards. That’s something I’ve never attempted. You seem to do fairly well with it. You must have a very strong trigger-finger.

I have had VERY mixed results with plated bullets in about everything I’ve tried them in, so I’ve managed to lose interest. I’ve found I can usually do what I want with cast just as well (and usually cheaper), or sometimes do a bit better with jacketed (for a couple of pennies more). The only exceptions to my cast or jacketed rule are swaged wadcutters, which I still prefer in .32 SWL and .38 SPL.

Thanks again for your interesting report.

 

[Nevada Ed]

With the fast powders...
S Pistol at 966, 244 at 942, Bullseye at 993 and then add the
slow powders.... 572 at 860, Silh. at 1026 you covered all the bases.
I also had trouble in my 9mm's with the HSP plated bullet with accuracy.
Like you I tried many powders and OAL's to try to find a winner.

Sometimes it just happens and you need to move on to another bullet. Just surprised that the .40 did not do better on that outing.
You sure are giving the new powders a workout. We enjoy that,
since a lot of us have not got our hands on it as yet.

Better luck with that 40 on the next go round.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Nice shootin', RDub!

Please respond to your post about Meprolight sights on the Smithing Forum...?

 

[kgpcr]

Any other thoughts on the BE-86? I just bought a few 8lb jugs as it runs great in my 9mm. I am thinking of switching when I am out of power Pistol.

 

[RDub]

Any other thoughts on the BE-86? I just bought a few 8lb jugs as it runs great in my 9mm. I am thinking of switching when I am out of power Pistol.

BE-86 is a very useful pistol powder. Anything that Unique is good for, BE-86 can do also and maybe a little better. Their burning rates are very close. BE-86 is strictly a pistol powder however and it's chemistry is similar to Bullseye.
Your question is an interesting one.. If I had to choose, right now, between BE-86 and Power Pistol, I would have to lean towards Power Pistol, when considering everything I load.
Both do very well in both revolvers and auto loaders. It would be a tough choice..
But, I don't have to choose so both will be on the shelf.
You might find it a tough choice also, so keep both around for a while..

 

[Nevada Ed]

BE-86 in the 38 and 357...............
fps was ok and there were some very accurate loads.

No 3.5" 9mm test yet but in a 5" barrel, it is very interesting.

Unique will get higher fps with the lighter bullets at 1.12" OAL or longer, but.......

With the Large 147 gr bullet that takes up all the case volume
or a plated HP with a short OAL of 1.075"..........
BE-86 has no problem getting a full load into the case and will
pass the Unique powder hands down with plenty of fps to spare.

You can also load a 1.10" OAL with it , while with Unique, you need a lot
of room for the powder and a short case will usually loose fps.

For the 9mm it is a Winner.