Reloading data for 40 S&W cast bullets?

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

I am in need of a little assistance. I am contemplating the purchase of a 40 S&W (Sig P229) and giving serious consideration to loading cast (or coated) bullets in it. [I cast my own.] This may include casting and loading 357 Sig.

My problem is, all of my cast bullet manuals pre-date both cartridges. I am having difficulty locating load data for either cartridge (let alone a concise list of data).

Might anyone have a source of reloading data for either cartridge that they would be willing to share?

Thanks in advance!

 

[29aholic]

Here you go. It is safe to use cast bullets with jacketed data unless you are pushing the envelope.


Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading

 

[robertrwalsh]

All the major powder companies now maintain their own on-line load reference data. Just enter something like "Winchester Powder Loading Data" and you will find it.

 

[fredj338]

Don't be cheap, by a new Lyman manual. Having said that, starting jacketed loads do fine with lead bullets.

 

[fredj338]

Here you go. It is safe to use cast bullets with jacketed data unless you are pushing the envelope.


Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading

Yes, but you need to define pushing the envelope. If your loads never go beyond midrange, then jacketed data is fine.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Lyman has data with 150gr and 175gr Cast bullets in the 40 S&W. The data is supplied using at least 15 different powders from Clays to Blue Dot.

If you are going to load Cast bullets I highly recommend you buy the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition. It has cast bullet data for the 40 S&W with 145/150/175/180/200gr bullets. It is not just a reprint of their full manual, it has extensive cast bullet data for both handguns and rifles too.

 

[29aholic]

To add. FWIW I would A. Not reload 357 Sig and B. If I was going to I dont think I would use cast bullets

 

[lrrifleman]

Thanks for this information. I wasn't looking at being cheap, I just wasn't aware that Lyman had come out with a 4th edition of the Cast Bullet Handbook!

 

[fredj338]

To add. FWIW I would A. Not reload 357 Sig and B. If I was going to I dont think I would use cast bullets

I've shot coated lead in my 357sig @ 1250fps for practice loads, works fine.

 

[Alk8944]

Greetings!

I am in need of a little assistance. I am contemplating the purchase of a 40 S&W (Sig P229) and giving serious consideration to loading cast (or coated) bullets in it. [I cast my own.] This may include casting and loading 357 Sig.

My problem is, all of my cast bullet manuals pre-date both cartridges. I am having difficulty locating load data for either cartridge (let alone a concise list of data).

Might anyone have a source of reloading data for either cartridge that they would be willing to share?

Thanks in advance!

Well then buy a current loading manual, you should have it anyway!

 

[scattershot]

I like 4.0 Red Dot with a 175-180 grain bullet in .40 S&W. 850 fps or so.

 

[mtgianni]

I have a Smith and Walther 999 that has seen mostly cast, the Lee 175 gr since I owned it. My Kahr has seen mostly cast as well, both the 175 and the 145. They each get a couple of magazines of factory run through once a year and if carried with me usually are loaded with that. Both dote on power pistol as a powder.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks for this information. I wasn't looking at being cheap, I just wasn't aware that Lyman had come out with a 4th edition of the Cast Bullet Handbook!

I didn't say anything about you being cheap.

Lyman released their 4th edition Cast Bullet Handbook in 2011 which was a very long drought from the 3rd Edition in 1980. It is an excellent source for cast bullet loading!

 

[Nevada Ed]

The little 2011 booklet by Lyman with 380, 9mm, 40S&W and 45 ACP is nice to have for just $8.

135-190gr jacket and then 145 to 200gr lead bullets listed with 13 or more powders.

Scheels, Sportmans or Cabela type store usually carry them.

 

[noylj]

Get a Lyman or Lee manual.
I found that 155 and 175gn lead SWCs were about the best for accuracy, with Silhouette being the best powder for mid-range to max and AA5 for low-to-mid-range loads (with Silhouette being second best).
If you have a bullet weight and powders, I can send my data compilation from all the manuals I have had in excel format.

 

[ShrinkMD]

I am happy with the latest Lyman cast bullet manual as well, but I notice a likely typo. On page 262, for the 150 gr bullet, it says Power Pistol 7.0 max only reaches 1112, when even Bullseye 6.0 should hit 1202 with less pressure. Haven't loaded these yet, the coated bullets are on their way.

Also, I'd like to load the same bullets for 10mm, but they have no Power Pistol data. The 175 TC bullets go from 7.3-8.2, so I assume I could use that data and work up to low 1300s, where all the other powders are. I will make a separate 10mm post...

 

[Rule3]

You can use start data for Jacketed bullets of the same weight with cast/coated.
It is not that complicated.

 

[noylj]

>I am happy with the latest Lyman cast bullet manual as well, but I notice a likely typo. On page 262, for the 150 gr bullet, it says Power Pistol 7.0 max only reaches 1112, when even Bullseye 6.0 should hit 1202 with less pressure.

I have two manuals, one show max load of PP of 7.0gn at 1112fps and one load of PP of 7.0gn at 1115fps.
Yes, you can always use the load data for the next heavier bullet of the same construction, but, again, there might be a reason why they did not include it. You can call and ask to talk to a ballistician.
For 150-155gn lead bullets in 10mm Auto, I show a start of 8.6gn PP and a max of 9.5gn PP.
PS: Bullseye does quite well in 10mm Auto.

 

[gwpercle]

The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook #4 has data for six different cast bullets from 145 grains to 200 grains .
Don't just substitute data for jacketed...it doesn't always work .
Preceding the load data section are 16 Chapters of great cast bullet information. It's worth the price .

Gary

 

[growr]

6 gr. of the dreaded Unique with my 175 cast from a lee mold has worked well for me since 2006. This is in all of my .40's including a Sig 229.

Seems like Unique and cast are almost made for each other.......

Randy