I am just starting to reload and will be sticking to 38 special until I'm confident. I eventually will reload 40 S&W as well. I was just looking at the .40 reloading data in my Hornady book and they don't show any data for Bullseye powder. Is there a simple answer here?
New reloader with question about .40
- Thread starter maxxpower
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Try Alliant's site Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide
Of the Alliant powders, Power Pistol is the powder of choice for the full range of .40 S&W loads.
If you want to stick to light bullets and/or loads, Bullseye will work. Don't try to push Bullseye past recommended loads; it is better to use a slower powder for heavier loads.
VAdoublegunner
Member
I would guess that while Bullseye will work, it is really not one of the better choices for 40 S&W. The load density would be very small. It is a fairly high pressure intensity cartridge as it is, and even a little mistake with BE may cause things to go high order.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Not the optimal powder for the caliber:
Bullseye, oh how I love that powder. It has TONS of applications, TONS! For me though, 40S&W isn't one of them!
Why? It's too fast for good load development and I shoot the 40S&W our of a semi-auto that has a reputation for having Kabooms if not loaded correctly.
I have had a KB with a Browning High Power with a fast burning powder and after that, I swore off of the stuff in that caliber.
Let me suggest some different powders for this caliber to obtain the higher velocities possible in it.
If I was dead set on using the same powder in 38spl and 40S&W my first choice would be HP-38/W231. It meters very well and it can be used with moderate loads in both calibers.
If I wasn't of that mindset I would get a can of SR4756 or Longshot for heavy bullets in the 40S&W and leave the Bullseye for my target loads in the 38spl, which is something I have used for years and years.
Longshot will give exceptional velocities with lower pressure than most, SR4756 will give you almost the same velocity with 4000psi less. That makes it a win/win to my way of thinking for my shooting combination.
Oh, there are other powders that will work. Many have suggested things I would never use but they have had some success with.
Just put my suggestion beside theirs and make a decision. If you do things safely, with good information, you should be good to go with most of the suggestions given so far!
Have fun, be safe!
Bullseye, oh how I love that powder. It has TONS of applications, TONS! For me though, 40S&W isn't one of them!
Why? It's too fast for good load development and I shoot the 40S&W our of a semi-auto that has a reputation for having Kabooms if not loaded correctly.
I have had a KB with a Browning High Power with a fast burning powder and after that, I swore off of the stuff in that caliber.
Let me suggest some different powders for this caliber to obtain the higher velocities possible in it.
If I was dead set on using the same powder in 38spl and 40S&W my first choice would be HP-38/W231. It meters very well and it can be used with moderate loads in both calibers.
If I wasn't of that mindset I would get a can of SR4756 or Longshot for heavy bullets in the 40S&W and leave the Bullseye for my target loads in the 38spl, which is something I have used for years and years.
Longshot will give exceptional velocities with lower pressure than most, SR4756 will give you almost the same velocity with 4000psi less. That makes it a win/win to my way of thinking for my shooting combination.
Oh, there are other powders that will work. Many have suggested things I would never use but they have had some success with.
Just put my suggestion beside theirs and make a decision. If you do things safely, with good information, you should be good to go with most of the suggestions given so far!
Have fun, be safe!
VAdoublegunner
Member
WSF is a great .40 powder for 155gr bullet weight.
While it is also one of my favorite powders in 38 SP for standard or +P loadings, and has proven to be exceptionally accurate with cast or swaged bullets, it is not the best choice for low end HBWC target loads. Works well for DEWCs though at standard velocity.
While it is also one of my favorite powders in 38 SP for standard or +P loadings, and has proven to be exceptionally accurate with cast or swaged bullets, it is not the best choice for low end HBWC target loads. Works well for DEWCs though at standard velocity.
DO NOT use this link for your 155 gr bullets. It is the load data for 180gr Gold Dots
For 155 gr from the Alliant site:
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=155&shellid=29&bulletid=40
VV N320, or Clays was recommended to me by Infinity with 155gr or 165gr bullets. My original answer was in reponse to the poster's desire to use powder he had.
Yes, he did not mention the weight until after. Just did not want him to make a oops! and check the bullet weight.
oldRoger
US Veteran
I am a great fan of Accurate (AA) and Vihtavuori Powders (VV).
AA# 2,5,7, & 9 or VV N320, N340, N350 & 3N37. will do most anything a handgun reloader wants to do. That is to say these powders have a very nice spread in burning rates and meter well.
You may be able to find a better powder for one particular bullet load in one caliber, but in general either of those powder series will cover you quite well. That is until you get to the really HD Max loads.
AA# 2,5,7, & 9 or VV N320, N340, N350 & 3N37. will do most anything a handgun reloader wants to do. That is to say these powders have a very nice spread in burning rates and meter well.
You may be able to find a better powder for one particular bullet load in one caliber, but in general either of those powder series will cover you quite well. That is until you get to the really HD Max loads.
Beans
Member
I agree Bullseye for .38 Special. Been using it for years wuth no problems.Easy to use & a Lb. goes a long way. Don't know about the .40.
