Major Power Loads for 40 S&W - What Bullet?

[shotslow]

I want to shoot Limited major power level with my M&P 40. I have some 165 grain Rainiers and load them up with 5.3 g of Win 231 which gives 1001 fps and a power factor of 165 right at the required power level. Nice controllable recoil. And good enough for practice. This is a max load for this bullet and powder combination.

I want to develop a major power load for the 40 S&W. Power factor close to 170 for some margin of error. That works out to be 1030 fps for a 165 grain bullet and 945 fps for a 180 grain bullet. What bullet weight is most popular? Is there a lead bullet that can be used? The only lead for the 40 S&W I have seen is 175 grain. That would require 972 fps.

The only experience I have had is loading a 140 lead bullet with 5 grains of Win231 which gives 1000 fps and 140 power level, more than good enough for minor power level of 125. Used it for Production class. I have chronographed this load. I am looking through my loading manuals, but I would like to know what is being used.

Please help. Thanks.

 

[Carnage_7]

I use the 185g Molys from Precision with either VV N320 or Clays

 

[wantmoresmiths]

There are a large number of competition shooters who favor the heavier bullets in each caliber (9mm 147 gr, 40 S&W 180 gr, and 45 ACP 230 gr). They contend that the heavier bullets shoot "softer" than the lighter weights. They talk about more of a push with the heavier bullets and more of a snap with the lighter weight bullets. I prefer the heavier bullet weights, except for the .45. First off the 200 grain SWC is cheaper than the 230 grain RN, and also because I like the nice big holes the SWC makes. They help me to see marginal shots, so I can consider a make up shot.

As far as lead bullets, let me suggest Black Bullet International. The moly coating helps to reduce the smoke that you get from lead bullets. Their web site shows both the 180 and 200 grain truncated cone bullets in stock. They are priced about the same as plain lead.

 

[OKFC05]

It's easier to make major power by going to a heavier bullet than trying to go hyper speed with a light bullet.

I use 180gr FMJ in .40 for major. With a cast bullet, you might prefer something a little heavier.

 

[shotslow]

Thanks

I will check out those bullet manufactures. I also prefer heavier bullets. The 165 grain Rainiers were on sale.

I just solved, with help on this forum, a problem with 9mm 147 grain molly lead bullets. But want to move on to somthing else. Still shooting the 9mm but have time for some 40 S&W.

Never happy. Reloading is half the fun of USPSA.

 

[David Sinko]

I have used the Frontier 180 gr. FP, a somewhat inexpensive plated bullet. For .40 Major I load 5.1 grs. of SR7625. This gets me right at 165 PF in my Glock 35. This powder is good for the .40 S&W in that you easily have a few tenths of a grain to safely increase if you want a bit more margin of error at the chrono or have a shorter barrel.

The one powder I would NOT recommend for Major is Clays. Some shooters do it in supported barrels and .40 revolvers with long barrels but I have always felt that the disaster factor is too high. It's great for Minor but I wouldn't load it to Major. I don't know anything about the chamber dimensions of the M&P but loads that are safe in a Glock 35 barrel should be safe in anything.

Dave Sinko

 

[fredj338]

It's awlasy easier to get higher PF using heavier bullets. Your 165PF is great, but what happens when your tested in the cold? Your vel will certainly drop. IMO, you want to be at least 30fps above your target vel to insure you get the right PF at a match. A 180gr bullet needs to only make about 940fps, pretty easily done w/ several powders, although that ius oushing W231 pretty hard, & the 40 does not like to pushed hard.