Recommended cast bullet load for 165 and 180 gr Sigma 40 cal

[oldvette]

I'm new to this forum.

I am somewhat experienced with reloading, but none of my books include the 40 S&W cartridge loads. I am not too interested in investing in a newer book to add to my current collection of at least 10 older books.

I just acquired my first .40 - a Sigma model to match my 9mm, and was interested in what cast loads are common for this arm? I plan to purchase 1 or 2 Lee 6-cavity molds of 165 and/or 180 grains pending recommendations. I have most propellants, and prefer Bullseye for target practice. I cast closely Brinell- controlled Alloy #2 in 10-lb. increments for all my other loads - both rifle and pistol.

For defense, I would simply load in factory ammo, and would appreciate a recommendation on that, also.

Thanks for any help.

Jack

 

[scattershot]

Here’s a good online source. Hodgdon Landing | Hodgdon

I prefer a 180 grain truncated cone or round nose flat point over 4.0 Red Dot.

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

W-213 LOAD

Oldvette: I just loaded 50 rounds last night. Plan on seating both my cast as well as jacketed 180gr. bullets. One of my reloading manuals (forgot which) said 4.0 to 5.0 gr.'s of W-231. I hand-weighed anywhere from 4.5 to 5.0 for plinking. I'm not a bullseye shooter. Just want the semi-auto slides to work on both a S&W full-size M&P and a Ruger PC-40.
Hank M.

 

[rockquarry]

I realize you don't have an interest in a new manual, but they remain the best source for data. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook #4 is inexpensive and has a good bit of cast data for the .40 S&W. Good luck-

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I would think that since the Alliant site reloader's guide shows over 5gr of Bullseye for every bullet they list, starting smewhere under 5gr might well be a reasonable point to begin... Load a few and see if you like the result.

Since you already cast for other calibers you should easily determine how fast (or slow?) you need to go to avoid any leading with acceptable accuracy.

My 1st S&W 40 semi-automatic is my trusty SW40VE and I've shot coated lead bullets from it for over a decade.

Cheers!

 

[oldvette]

I would think that since the Alliant site reloader's guide shows over 5gr of Bullseye for every bullet they list, starting smewhere under 5gr might well be a reasonable point to begin... Load a few and see if you like the result.

Since you already cast for other calibers you should easily determine how fast (or slow?) you need to go to avoid any leading with acceptable accuracy.

My 1st S&W 40 semi-automatic is my trusty SW40VE and I've shot coated lead bullets from it for over a decade.

Cheers!

That's great! The SW40VE is the model I have - close to new, with only a few rounds fired.

What is your favorite Bullseye recipe with 165 and/or 180 bullets? Do you use another load, such as with Red Dot or W-231? I have loaded some 9mm using W-231 with 124 gr cast lead bullets in my Sigma, and they performed well as do the FMJ round nose bullets.

What load would you suggest for a jacketed 180 (and which type)? Any jacketed bullets seem to be hard to find right now, but I am on Midway's notify list for several styles with no luck so far, so I am going to order a Lee 6-cavity 180 mold for starters.

I have picked up mostly once-fired range brass, but closely checked each .40 round for any Glock "smiles" - I trashed the few I found in a seemingly ongoing unlimited supply of 9's, 380's, .45's and 40's. I think the sheriff must supply most of the .40 brass lately and since the ammo $hortage started.

Thanks for your response.

Jack

 

[mtgianni]

I prefer Power Pistol in the 40 with a good balance of accuracy, controlability and velocity.

 

[oldvette]

OK - I bought the #4 Lyman Cast Bullet book on Amazon. I would still appreciate the info from other users' experience using the S&W Sigma 40VE. I also downloaded the #3 edition .pdf due to it's favorable reviews.

I picked up on the complaint that there is little data for Lee cast bullets in this manual, so I would be especially interested in any experience with the 165 and 180 Lee bullets - the ones with all the added lube grooves. I did buy the Lee .400 sizer die a while back.

Thanks

Jack

 

[oldvette]

I prefer Power Pistol in the 40 with a good balance of accuracy, controlability and velocity.

I discovered this new powder while searching around the Alliant online manual - this is a new one on me! I was going to ask a later question about this propellant after getting through the bullet learning process.

Do you load a favorite recipe you can share?

I'll check further to see who might have this powder in stock in these unusual times - I just hate to pay the hazmat fees!

Jack

 

[STORMINORMAN]

You are most welcome. And WELCOME! to the Forum as well.

Go to the Hodgdons reloading site and you will see a couple WIN 231 load data suggestions for 165 & 180gr bullets. They are pretty much in the same range as my previous suggestions for Bullseye.

Plated 165 & 180gr bullets may be easier to obtain right now than jacketed. I have a LEE mold for 40 S&W myself, their .401 TL 175gr SWC. The truncated cone version also seems to work well. My SIGMA isn't very picky and happily eats almost anything ammo-wise...

Cheers!

 

[gwpercle]

Western Powders has an excellent Load Data Center on-line if you can get some . They show several different Accurate & Ramshot powders that can be used and data for cast lead bullets .
Western Powders, Inc.
Go to Western's home page , click on the powder you want to use , that takes you to the powders page and click on Load Data ... that takes you to the information . You can print copy of specific load .
Great site and easy to use .
Gary

 

[lrrifleman]

OK - I bought the #4 Lyman Cast Bullet book on Amazon. I would still appreciate the info from other users' experience using the S&W Sigma 40VE. I also downloaded the #3 edition .pdf due to it's favorable reviews.

I picked up on the complaint that there is little data for Lee cast bullets in this manual, so I would be especially interested in any experience with the 165 and 180 Lee bullets - the ones with all the added lube grooves. I did buy the Lee .400 sizer die a while back.

Thanks

Jack

Jack, in Lyman Cast Bullets #4, the Lyman 401638 is virtually identical to the Lee 401 175gr bullet, which is what I plan to use for my Sig P229 in 40. The only difference is that I will PC my bullets. For this bullet, Lyman's max load is 5.0gr Bullseye with a velocity of 842 fps out of a universal 4" receiver. A max load of WW231 of 5.8gr produces 970 fps. An identical charge of Unique (re: WW231) is 1 fps faster.

 

[dla]

Use Longshot, Power Pistol, AA7, etc. - skip the fast powders.

 

[serger]

My load for the 180gr cast is 5.4 grains of Power Pistol.
It cycles the SIG's, Glocks, Shields and Kahr's just fine.

Velocity out of the Shields is 880fps.

 

[oldvette]

Great info from the group so far. I should get the #4 manual today, and I am anxious to see what data it has for the .40's.

I do use W-231 in my 9 mm and 380 loads with jacketed bullets - good loads. No powders of any type available anywhere in my area, so I will be tied to my existing powder inventory until things free up at one of the mail order companies. I have lots of B-eye, since I stocked up during the last shortage - not so much 231, but my supply of 2400 will keep my .44 mag in business for a long time! I ran out of Unique two years ago.

I plan to get a lb. of that Power Pistol as soon as I can find some.

Jack

 

[mtgianni]

I discovered this new powder while searching around the Alliant online manual - this is a new one on me! I was going to ask a later question about this propellant after getting through the bullet learning process.

Do you load a favorite recipe you can share?

I'll check further to see who might have this powder in stock in these unusual times - I just hate to pay the hazmat fees!

Jack

I shoot the Lee 175 conventional lube with 6.7 gr PP in the S&W and the 145 out of a Kahr. It gets 6.5 gr. I have worked up to 7 in the S&W but accuracy is best at the lower volume. The Kahr will only chamber 0.400" bullets so I use the smaller nose to differentiate between those.

 

[oldvette]

I shoot the Lee 175 conventional lube with 6.7 gr PP in the S&W and the 145 out of a Kahr. It gets 6.5 gr. I have worked up to 7 in the S&W but accuracy is best at the lower volume. The Kahr will only chamber 0.400" bullets so I use the smaller nose to differentiate between those.

Would it make a difference if you would size the .401 down to .400? I also understand the FMJ's ar already at .400 for both these sizes.

What is peculiar to the Kahr? Just interested - no more .40's in my horizon at this time.

Thanks for your response.

Jack

 

[mtgianni]

Slugging the bbl shows the Kahr with a throat of 0.400" and the S&W with a throat of 0.401". I am of the belief that the first rule with cast bullets is to fill the throat. Second the Kahr fits neatly inside my palm, and I feel better with lighter practice loads for it. They both chamber and fire 165 gr factory with good accuracy.