.40 S&W recipe for M&P confusion

[JJP161]

Ok so I am new to reloading and trying some different .40 S&W recipes for my M&P. So I wanted to try some loads with HP-38. I'm using HP-38 instead of W231 because that is all I could find locally but i confirmed with Hodgdon they are in fact the same thing. I'm using mixed brass, Hornady 180 gr. FMJ-FP. After reviewing 3 manuals and Hodgdon's website I have found conflicting data and wanted to know how to proceed. My first thought is to follow the Hodgdon's website & Lee Manual to error on the side of safety and since they both say the same thing. But with that said the Lyman's manual specifically mentions the W231 for the .40 S&W as a very accurate load and I know the Lyman manual is very highly recommended. thank-you everyone.


Below is the conflicting data(per Hodgdon HP-38 is the same as Win 231)
Hodgdon's website & Lee Manual
HP-38. 1.125". 4.1 gr. to max 5.0 gr.

Lyman's Manual
Win. 231. 1.115". 5.0 gr. to max 5.6 gr.

 

[Rule3]

HP38 and W231 are exactly the same. What you are seeing is just a variation in different tests, different days, different everything. Your bullet is probably not the same either. The data in LEE is just taken from other sources they did not do their own tests.

You can use either one (load data)

Hodgdon data is usually on the more conservative side compared to Lyman.

As you are starting out, Use the Hodgdon data and work up if you need to. Only load a few (10) and see if the cycle your gun properly.

 

[OKFC05]

You need to specify a bullet when you quote data, since loads vary with different bullets, particularly lead, plated or jacketed.

I load 5.1 gr 231/HP38 (same powder) under a PD FMJ 180gr to make major in a S&W 646 and Brn HP .40. If you're not trying to make any particular power factor, you can back off a little, as long as your semi-auto still cycles. Don't get too obsessive about exact OAL, since that varies with exact bullet you use. Stay short enough to chamber, but don't go too short (raises pressure).
This should be close enough to work with your Hornady 180gr bullet.

 

[vince_ross]

Here is my load data for a 165gr Berry's bullet (plated not jacketed) .
5.0gr of HP-38 at OAL 1.125"

That works pretty well, cycles good and ejects the casing about two feet away.


I have some 135gr and 155gr that I haven't worked up anything with yet.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2

 

[JJP161]

Thank you very much everyone, i went with the Hodgdon data and loaded 10 rounds of each step up to 5.0. Hopefully I will get out to shoot this week and I will let you all know how it goes. Thank you again

Joe