light load for shield 40

[char178a]

my old hand is taking a beating from my new shield 40. shoots well but I need help in finding a light load that will cause it to cycle for range use. the only powder available to me is bullseye, green dot and win231 but in limited quantity. I have berry's 189 plrn and a 165 plfp. thanks

 

[dullh]

A lighter load for a .40 Shield would be a 9mm Shield...

 

[The Sarge]

Honestly speaking I only like 40 out of full size metal frame pistols. After all the dust has settled over the years when the bullet hits the bone there is not enough advantage of the 40 over the 9mm to worry about. The 9mm Shield is a joy to shoot and I think that caliber is more suitable in small polymer pistols. Bill

 

[forrestinmathews]

Try here...

 

[soad]

I find the 180 HST are less recoil (but still with snap) than the 165 Gold Dots out of my shield.

To be honest the gold dots kick more than my Glock 29 with Silvertips in them (with underwood the 10mm is more)

 

[Oldgoat03]

Char178A

You don't need a 9mm to enjoy shooting a Shield (though they are nice). I have a Shield in 40 and have developed light loads so that my wife and daughter are comfortable shooting it. I load mostly Berrys 155 HBRN, 165 FP, and 180 FP with HP38/Win 231 all near starting loads that are plenty accurate and comfortable to shoot. I did have to work them up a bit from start to avoid limp wristing failures to eject when the girls were shooting. There is load data specific to these bullets and powders on the NEW Hodgdon load data center so check it out and your hands will be glad you did.

 

[ammodave]

I reload several pistol calibers (but not the .40) but I prefer to only use reload recipes from published sources. If you really want to reduce recoil you should consider using the lightest bullets you can find combined with a light load of powder. Hogdon Reloading has online data that may be helpful: Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading.

 

[Roger S&W]

I've found, and I think most agree, the 180gr are softer shooting compared to 165gr and 155gr.

 

[tim c]

with 231 i load 5.0 grs. with 180 missiouri bullets company lead flat point
very comfortable in my shield 40 also same charge with 165 gr. plated nice soft load function action nicely leaves brass in one pile about 4 feet away.
and 5.5 grs. of 231 in 140 grain missouri bullet comp. real nice load. OAL is 1.125 for all 3

 

[tim c]

if your using range brass that you don't know what it was fired from get a Lee factory crimp die and the Lee bulge buster die that attaches to it shield have tight chambers.

 

[uko7]

I load lead 180 gr RNFP with 4.3 gr of 231/hp38 thay are mild and damn accurate, I also load 180 JHP and 165 Rn JFP with 5.0 gr of the same powder with good results. Hope that helps.

 

[beartd]

I load 155 gr jhp with 5.5 grs. of 231 without any issues, and I find it easy on the hand.

 

[hbaird]

I find a Pachmayr grip sleeve takes the sharpness out of the recoil and makes it a lot easier on my hands. It improves my grip without needed as much pressure.

my old hand is taking a beating from my new shield 40. shoots well but I need help in finding a light load that will cause it to cycle for range use. the only powder available to me is bullseye, green dot and win231 but in limited quantity. I have berry's 189 plrn and a 165 plfp. thanks

 

[Jboutfishn]

For range use I am loading 4.7gr HP38/Win 231 under 165gr Plated LRN. You won't take a thumping.

 

[Mountain Walker]

Char: I am sure you could dip slightly below starting level with 5.0gr of Bullseye topped with the 135gr Nosler 10mm. 40 S&W ? Nosler

Midway carries the 135gr bullet Nosler Sporting Handgun Bullets 40 S&W 10mm Auto (400 Diameter) 135