40S&W 155 gr SWC Hitek coated load check?

ShrinkMD

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I made up a batch of the Missouri Bullet IDP 9 coated 155 gr SWC bullets with CCI small pistol primers and Power Pistol 6.8 gr, seated to 1.160. They functioned flawlessly in my M&P 40 full-size, and averaged 1072 FPS, SD 13.9. I’m happy with the accuracy at 25 yards, and they feel close to full power, although I know hotter loads are commercially available.

Would it make sense trying to seat them a touch deeper and check functioning again before cranking up the press to mass produce? Or try and add that last 0.1 gr of powder to reach 1100? I’m looking for a realistic practice load, and most of these will be shot at 15 yds for draw and fire from a holster with either this gun or my 610.
 
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Same as previous commentator - if you're happy with the accuracy - couple dozen extra fps are not going to add anything of value.
 
I made up a batch of the Missouri Bullet IDP 9 coated 155 gr SWC bullets with CCI small pistol primers and Power Pistol 6.8 gr, seated to 1.160. They functioned flawlessly in my M&P 40 full-size, and averaged 1072 FPS, SD 13.9. I’m happy with the accuracy at 25 yards, and they feel close to full power, although I know hotter loads are commercially available.

Would it make sense trying to seat them a touch deeper and check functioning again before cranking up the press to mass produce? Or try and add that last 0.1 gr of powder to reach 1100? I’m looking for a realistic practice load, and most of these will be shot at 15 yds for draw and fire from a holster with either this gun or my 610.

You can not tell the diff between 1075fps & 1100fps so I would just leave it alone. Factory ammo will deviate more than 25fps.
Though your charge wt for PP is low for 155gr wt. Alliant says 9gr max w/ jacketed. Even backing off 10% @ 8.1gr max, 6.8gr is pretty mild. FWIW, I cant even get 1.160"OAL to run in most 40s. I load everything to 1.130" max.
 
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Just depends on the pistol.

Just for fun, I always load a "Longest" and a "Shortest" OAL with
a new bullet, just to see how it shoots, depending on the powders used.

Minimum amounts of powders usually fall onto the Ball powders, while the compressed powder loads are with the flake powders like Unique or slower powders.

I found out that some powders with a minimum OAL will actually put out LESS fps, so you do need a chrony to find this out.

I have a full size 9mm that HATES minimum length 115gr FMJ loads at 1.10" OAL but loves a 147gr at 1.11".

FPS aside.........
it would be interesting to see if a "Midget load" might be more accurate but generally a bullet closer to the rifling, should be more accurate?

Good luck.
 
I made up a batch of the Missouri Bullet IDP 9 coated 155 gr SWC bullets with CCI small pistol primers and Power Pistol 6.8 gr, seated to 1.160. They functioned flawlessly in my M&P 40 full-size, and averaged 1072 FPS, SD 13.9. I’m happy with the accuracy at 25 yards, and they feel close to full power, although I know hotter loads are commercially available.

Would it make sense trying to seat them a touch deeper and check functioning again before cranking up the press to mass produce? Or try and add that last 0.1 gr of powder to reach 1100? I’m looking for a realistic practice load, and most of these will be shot at 15 yds for draw and fire from a holster with either this gun or my 610.

So your goal is to match your carry ammo - correct? A 155gr jacketed tops out at over 1200fps from a 4" barrel. Run your 155gr carry ammo over the chronograph and then match that speed with your practice ammo.
 
Though your charge wt for PP is low for 155gr wt. Alliant says 9gr max w/ jacketed. Even backing off 10% @ 8.1gr max, 6.8gr is pretty mild.

I was using the Lyman cast manual 4th Ed page 262, which lists Power Pistol 6.3-7.0 gr for the Lyman 150 gr SWC bullet, max 1112 at 23,000 CUP. They also list Bullseye at 6.0 grains for a max of 1202, which seems odd, since usually Power Pistol yields higher velocities. I guess I can play around with some Bullseye loads as well?
 
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I was using the Lyman cast manual 4th Ed page 262, which lists Power Pistol 6.3-7.0 gr for the Lyman 150 gr SWC bullet, max 1112 at 23,000 CUP. They also list Bullseye at 6.0 grains for a max of 1202, which seems odd, since usually Power Pistol yields higher velocities. I guess I can play around with some Bullseye loads as well?

I have always suspected Lymans data on the 40. I don't load 155gr in mine but a quick look at other data sources shows a much higher charge wt, so you have room to play with it using PP. Though like I said, 25fps either way isn't going noticed.
 
You are only 28 fps slower than your carry ammo, it's an accurate and reliable load. I'd say you are good to go as-is.
 
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