SR4756 in 40S&W

[Skip Sackett]

We have been looking for uses for the "Wonder Powder" since the Speer #8. I think I found one.

Realizing that the 40S&W is a cartridge that many have some trepidation reloading, I think I have found a solution. Having bought a large quantity of SR4756 for use in revolver loads, I thought I would venture into my semi auto cartridge reloading with it.

What I found was surprising to say the least. I don't have any pressure testing devices so I will have to take the word of Hodgdon about that. Their loads consistently show less pressure with more velocity in the 40S&W. The only other powder that they show having more velocity with even less pressure is Longshot but, I don't have as many uses for that powder as I do SR4756.

I have loads for the 38spl all the way to the 44mag and even some real heavy 45ACP loads.

What I found was gratifying.

Shooting 180gr Ranier PHP over 6.6gr of SR4756 with an OAL of 1.130" I got these results:
Low 937fps
High 985fps
Avg 964fps
ES 48fps
SD 17fps

While those numbers should be able to be improved on, I doubt I will change anything in the near future. What I liked most was the way they shot. Point of aim, point of impact, which is good from a fixed sight Glock 22.

Just as a little test I took a large McDonald's drink cup out to the 25yd line. I thought I would try some of my "gunfighter" skills and draw from concealment and rip off a few shots at it. Rapid shots were no problem and sight acquisition on follow up ones was easy enough.

I think this combination is a winner and will be using it a lot in the future.

Hope this helps others as they try to develop loads for the 40S&W.

p.s. For those that want to know, yes, I hit the cup. Twice out of the 3 shots fired.

 

[OKFC05]

Avg 964fps

This range of power (about PF 170 with the 180 grain bullets) seems to be the "sweet spot" for the .40 S&W. I use HP 38/231 (which uses less powder at somewhat higher PEAK pressure, same total force) but the results are about the same consistency, and are accurate.

Although .40 S&W is often loaded to higher velocity, it really seems to settle down and perform at the slightly reduced velocity.

 

[Dr.-d]

I don't have experience with SR4756 in .40 S&W but have used it in reloading for the 9mm luger with decent accuracy results. However more of the powder is required compared to others to achieve the same results, hence filling the case up more resulting in a smokier load.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I use HP 38/231

I like that powder too. With the unsupported chamber of the Glock though, I wanted the added benefit of lower pressure.

It just proves, once again, great minds-same frequency!

Dr.,
Nothing smoky about these loads, the plated bullets take care of that!

I am thinking about getting an after-market barrel for the Glock though. Then what I will need is a mold. I wish there was someone that made a round-nose, deep square grease groove one for the 40S&W. I know they make a TC design, that may work fine. That is a future project though.

 

[NKJ nut]

What? You are reloading for a GLOCK.

Yeah me too

Skip it looks like you have found another excellent use for SR4756. BTW have you ever thought about changing your screen name to SkipR4756?

 

[FrankD45]

Skip:

I hesitate to add myself to the group of "great minds" but I was similarly inspired this week. I tried some SR 4756 loads in my S&W 4043. Weather prevented using my chrony but I did fire some 180 gr JHP over 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, and 6.5 grains. Recoil and muzzle flip across all of them seemed less than my "normal" load of 6.0 gr of Unique. A close inspection of the Wolf SP primers revealed no obvious issues of flattening or cratering. The most noticeable effect was the march up toward POA by each succeeding load. The 6.5 grain load ended up about 1 inch low at 10 yards so I am thinking that 6.6 should be pretty much on the money. I will run them over the chrony next week and report results.

Frank

 

[Skip Sackett]

Originally posted by NKJ nut:
What? You are reloading for a GLOCK.

Yeah me too

Skip it looks like you have found another excellent use for SR4756. BTW have you ever thought about changing your screen name to SkipR4756?

Yes sir, I am reloading for a Glock! With great success too!

I did think about changing my screen name but I didn't want to lose my 3000+ posts!

Frank, I'm not the keeper of the tokens for this group, feel free to add yourself my friend!

I was having some real problems with POA/POI with a bunch of other powders and these bullets. When I went to SR4756, my groups came back to dead center and an inch or so high at 25 yards. That is sighting like I was taught though, front sight, front sight, front sight, front sight (get my drift?). When I started to shoot with both eyes open the group seemed to drop a bit. I can't target shoot like that, not enough gray matter.

At any rate, I am waiting for your results too.