Laoding .40cal- 155 or 180 gr?

[maxxpower]

I'm curious if any the more experienced loaders on here have a clear favorite and why. I guess the same is true if either of these choices are a definite no.

 

[fredj338]

I shoot mostl lead bullets so either a 170grLTC or a 175gr LRNFP. I get great accuracy using either Unique or WSF. I also like the 165gr plated bullets for pistols where lead is verboten.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I prefer 155-165 gr jacketed bullets. They seem to give me better accuracy and less "snap". The 40 S&W was designed around a 180gr bullet, but time has shown that 155-165 gr range seems to be a better choice. A 175gr cast bullet isn't bad.

 

[OKFC05]

If you're shooting fixed sights, then the choice might be the weight that shoots to point of aim. For my fixed-sight guns, that's 180.
If you have adjustable sights, shoot whatever you like best--or what your gun likes best.
Asked what ammo is better without specifying what gun you are using precludes a specific answer. Generally, 155 to 180 will shoot in most of the common .40 guns. 200 can start to have stability issues because of the length. If you want less than 155, why use a .40?

 

[Amici]

I used to use 170 and 175 grain SWC's. Now that I have to make a power factor and want perfect feeding, I use 180 grain TC bullets; usually poly-coated, but jacketed for big matches.

I used Red Dot then; WST and TiteGroup respectively now.

 

[Rule3]

If you're shooting fixed sights, then the choice might be the weight that shoots to point of aim. For my fixed-sight guns, that's 180.
If you have adjustable sights, shoot whatever you like best--or what your gun likes best.
Asked what ammo is better without specifying what gun you are using precludes a specific answer. Generally, 155 to 180 will shoot in most of the common .40 guns. 200 can start to have stability issues because of the length. If you want less than 155, why use a .40?

I would also think and for what usage? Target, range plinking, self defense??

 

[maxxpower]

Sorry about that. This is for a 610 4" with a RedDot sight. Strictly target shooting 25 and 50 yards.

 

[a1racer]

I have been using 165's for my m&p 40. It seams to like them. The 180's are a little to punchy for my likeing.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

For target just shoot whatever weight works best. The 40 can be quite accurate with the right bullet load combo for your gun, despite many who feel to the contrary. I get exceptional accuracy in one gun with a Nosler 135 JHP and a big load of Blue Dot, with blistering velocity (I think ca. 1400, would have to look it up). Yeah, you will get some impressive muzzle flash too. I haven't found 180s to be tops in accuracy

 

[pberry]

I use 180 gr lead for practice. I have in the back of my thoughts that I will some day pick up another 45acp. My Gold Cup was stolen a couple of years ago from my sons house. I want to be use to the recoil of the heavy bullets. I have a 610, and a M&P40C. The 40C is a real ***** cat with 155's or 165's after being use to 40S&W 180's in the 610. By the way, the 610 has more felt recoil to me than the M&P no matter what bullet I use. I will be glad when primers become available locally again so I can get back to my fun.
Phil

 

[socal s&w]

155gr lead moly-coated (Bear Creek) works well in my 610 with 2.9gr of Unique. Good accuracy and very light recoil. (It's the same powder and grains that I use in my 9mm with a 124 gr LSWC.)

There will be a lot of unburned powder on the range bench when you're done shooting for the day. I suppose that a light load such as this can't produce enough oomph to burn better. No worries though as I am simply punching paper anyway.

I did just get my revolver back from the factory after a breif repair tour, it was piercing primers at about an 8-10% rate.
S&W said that they replaced the firing pin and bushing, I still got a few pierced last range trip though, about 3%. It's better!