[lgbloader]

Hello THR,

After saving a bucket of 40 S&W brass, I finally broke down and got a Beretta in same caliber. I placed an order of Berry's plated bullets, 500 each of 155gr and 180 gr. I decided I could not wait for the order and decided to pick up a 500 ct box of Rainier 155 gr plated at my local store. While I was there, I also picked up a set of Redding carbide dies, Caliber conversion for 550b, and a Lee trim gauge.
My first batch of brass is almost ready to come out of the tumber as I type this.

Now, I have all the major books and have a good idea of where to start but I would like to see some of your favorite recipes with the following:

155 gr plated

180 gr plated

I have the following powders on hand:

Bullseye
W231
Clays
Power Pistol
Titegroup
Unique
Universal Clays

I have other powders as well, but these are the ones that I could actually see in the books.

Also, Please feel free to chime in any lead bullet as well as jacketed bullet ideas as I am very new to this caliber. Like I said, I only got this pistol because I had at least 2000 (probably closer to 2500 or 3000) pcs of brass for it. What can I say, I could probably use a serious intervention.

Thanks and cheers...

LGB Loader...

[Walkalong]

After saving a bucket of 40 S&W brass, I finally broke down and got a Beretta in same caliber
I could probably use a serious intervention

I did something similar because I got some .44 Spl brass in a deal many years ago. Went out and bought a Charter Arms Bulldog. Now I have a 696 as well. I really hope no one "intervenes". I like em, and I like trying new stuff. :D

5.9 Grs of Universal Clays and Ranier 165 Gr TrFP's shoots very well for me.

Not chronoed

6.1 Grs of Universal Clays and Zero 165 Gr JHP's shoots great for me.
Avg 1132 FPS from a Witness Elite Match and an Avg 1036 FPS from an XD SC with small ES & SD numbers.


5.0 Grs of Universal Clays and a Berrys 180 Gr TrFP shoots well for me.
Avg 933 FPS from a Witness Elite Match and an Avg 862 FPS from an XD SC with small ES & SD numbers.

The same 5.0 Grs Universal Clays and a Zero 180 Gr JHP also shoots well.
Avg 987 FPS from a Witness Elite Match and an Avg 882 FPS from an XD SC with small ES & SD numbers.

This is the only powder on your list that I have used in the .40. I have used others, they just aren't on your list.

I really like the 180 gr loads at leisurely velocities for plinking. It is not as snappy as the faster 155 & 165 Gr loads. It is no big deal in the Witness, but it is much more noticeable in the lightweight XD SC.

These loads are safe in my guns using my load procedures. Reduce at least 10% to start. My 165 gr JHP load is over Hodgdons max, but not Speer #13's which shows a max of 6.2. Reduce and work up.

[lgbloader]

Walkalong,

Thanks for the ideas. If you have other ideas for powder, let me know, I am not afraid to buy another can, who knows, I may like it better than what I have on hand for other calibers.

I could probably use a serious intervention

I may need it. I forgot to leave off that I have about 350 - 380 pcs of 300 RUM that I have been eye ballin' as well... and I don't have a 300 RUM. I actually had this conversation with my wife who talked me into getting the pistol instead since I have a 300 Weatherby Mag, a 338 RUM, and I just bought a 257 Weatherby mag earlier this year for this years season. Plus, there is a matter of finishing my 2 new STAG Lowers I have been building but have been on the back burner, Plus a beautiful Les Bauer 1911 that I dropped a deposit on last thursday when I picked up the 40.

Hi Group, My name is LGB Loader and I am a loader and a shootaholic.

[DWARREN123]

I like Longshot for 40 S&W. I reload Rainier 165gr and 180gr plated hollow points over 7.5gr of Longshot. An accurate, clean load.

[Walkalong]

I liked Universal Clays in the .40 well enough to buy a 4 pounder of it. I also like AA #2 for 180 Gr plated bullets at leisurely velocities. Don't try to hot rod the .40 with AA #2 and plated bullets though.

AA shows a Max of 4.8 Grs of AA #2 with a Ranier HP for 903 FPS, but 5.6 Max with a Hornady 180 Gr XTP for 967 FPS @ 33,400 and 35,000 PSI

Interestingly enough, they only show 965 with AA #5 and the 180 XTP @ 32,500 PSI, but 1019 FPS with AA #9 @ 35,000 PSI

[scrat]

Some where in my collection of brass i have a huge stock pile of .40 brass. so one of these days we need to meet up and you can have the brass. Do you still shoot at angeles ranges. let me know

[lgbloader]

Hey Scrat,

That sounds great, I'll take it. Yes, Yes, I still go to Angeles although I missed this weekend due in part to my wife's Birthday celebration. I couldn't go yesterday as there were too many things to take care of and today, well, I am still kind of wiped out from the festivities. I am still trying to sneak out to a local indoor range tonight but will probably just hold off since I have plans to go tomorrow to the indoor with one of my buddies.

I'm not as good as I once was...I'm not that young anymore...

Thanks, Scrat.

Everyone else that responded, thanks for the ideas and please, by all means, keep 'em coming.

Cheers...

[Griz44]

Scrat,
I could use some of that .40 stockpile. What do you need maybe we could do some trading. Or, I will buy some of it from you if you want to sell it. I did the same thing that LGB did, I had a couple of bags of brass that were picked out of the 45 stuff I collect at the range, so I got the bug and picked up a Taurus M.P. Friend of mine uses AA#7 for the .40 and likes it, so I checked my 3 major sources, and all agree pretty close on the loads. I already had it on the shelf. I cast a batch of 175 SWC from the Lee TL mold, and loaded a batch tonight. They will go to the range sometime this week.

Who says reloading is cheap? Every time I turn around I have to buy another set of dies and a shell plate for the loadmaster.

[lgbloader]

Who says reloading is cheap? Every time I turn around I have to buy another set of dies and a shell plate for the loadmaster.


Tell me about it, Grizz.

I am still putting all my casting crap together as well and my wife is playing me with it. Example: My wife is going to visit her sister and wants me to come. I don't want to. Not because I don't like her sister but because I have alot to do around the house and cave. So what does she do, she says, "Come to my sisters house with me and we can place an order for a couple of molds or something."

That is just mean!!! And, of course, I go along with it.

I should have stuck with factory loaded ammo!!!

[scrat]

Well LGB has first dibs but when i get some more i will keep you in mind. i am leaving for vacation at the end of the week will be gone for a couple of weeks so by the middle of august i will hit you up. We can meet at the range and i can give you what i got. Going to Pismo beach. for a few weeks of 70degree weather http://www.pismocoastvillage.com/gallery.html

[lgbloader]

Thanks a bunch, Scrat.

Going to Pismo... I have some buddies that live in Pismo. Them boys sure know how to grill and love doing it. Have fun with your 4 kids (still 2 boys and 2 dogs, right?) I think I remember one beautiful fawn colored Pit, right? I checked out the link and I gotta say, this looks like a great place to take the family. I have a 27' Lazy Daze and make a yearly trip out to Carpenteria to surf but since I won't surf any further north (I don't like surfing with White Sharks). But I have been to Pismo to ride on the beach when I was younger and had a great time. 70 degree weather will be a nice cool change in temp as well.

Send me a PM when you get back into town and I'll see you in August. Till then, Have a good safe one.

[RidgwayCO]

My shooting buddy bought a S&W M&P in .40 S&W, and then decided he needed to start reloading because the ammo was so expensive...

I'd never loaded .40 S&W before, so we tried the Speer starting load of 5.7gr of Universal (which happened to fall from the Lee .61cc disk) under a 165gr Montana Gold FMJ bullet. My buddy says it feels "exactly" like WWB, only more accurate, and functions his S&W perfectly. He's so happy with this load, that he has no desire to try any other. I'm curious as to what this combo will chronograph, as the WWB clocked about 1000 fps when we tested it.

Just goes to show, I guess a blind pig really does find an acorn sometimes...

[71Commander]

For the 180's I use Titegroup W/ 4.2 gr @ 1.190. Right around a 170 PF.

[12Bravo20]

I am loading Berry's 180gr over 5.2gr of Universal Clays. This combo does good in my Firestar, Taurus 24/7, and Hi Point carbine. A little off subject but I also found that 5.2gr of Universal works well with Rainier 230gr .45 bullets and Rainier 124gr 9mm bullets (for 9mm Largo).

[theant]

I use 5.2 of Bullseye with Berry's 180gr. It does quite well in my Glock 22 and 23. I also use the Winchester small primers and I am doing it on Hornady LNL progressive.

[possum]

here is a previous post of mine about the same topic. with some load data and the results from the range.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=221165

[BeJaRa]

I like unique in 40sw, it burns very cleanly in my 40sw loads and the accuracy is better than factory. I only shoot 180gr, I tried 155 but my gn hated them so I went back to 180. Gun is a Ruger P94.

[Jimfern]

My Glock 35 isn't as accurate with the 155 gr. With 180 gr. it is more accurate than I am.

[Shoney]

LGB: After a lot of testing I have narrowed my powder use in 40SW to:

Universal for all lead 180 and below; all jacketed 165 and below, this will definitely work well in your 550 PM;

Longshot for jacketed 180

N105 with Hornady 200XTP

Do you need intervention???????:rolleyes: Probably not as long as we limit discussion to reloading!:neener: You are definitely in full bloom of “The Disease”. Be very afraid.

To relieve anxiety and tension, sit on a chair, placing your head between your knees. Grasp your toes and pull them behind your ears. Now you must nurture a close relationship with your rectum, because if you perform a similar impulsive stunt, you can kiss it goodbye,:what: and “The Disease” wins.:D

[JDGray]

Power Pistol under a 165gr win tc, very accurate out of my G23. Starting loads were plenty accurate, and is where I stoped;)

[socaldan]

I like (so far) 180gr X-treme plated .
WW-231 5.2gr (fed primers,speer cases)
AA-7 8.0gr (win primers,win cases)
I prefer 231 for many reasons.

[XD-40 Shooter]

I'm a huge fan of Unique in 40 S&W, I have 8 lbs of it, which will load about 9000 rounds.:D For the 155 gr plated bullets, I run 6.5 grains of Unique, these are accurate and chrono about 1100 fps. For the 180's, I've been using 5.3 grains of Unique.

[rondog]

I had to buy a .40 carbine, because I just can't stand to NOT pick up good brass, and a huge amount of what I find is .40S&W. Now, what to do with the thousands of 9mm cases I have.....

[lgbloader]

I hear there's some really cool 9mm's out there... Just a thought... After all, everyone needs at least one 9mm in their collection:)

Otherwise... Please send me a PM, I would love to help with that burden of brass.

[rondog]

Sorry, I'm not a seller, I'm a buyer. Even though I have tons of the stuff, I'll still buy more for a good deal. I have plans to convert a large amount of my 9mm Luger brass into 9x18makarov anyway.

[zxcvbob]

My .40SW bucket o' brass isn't full yet, but it's getting close enough that I'm starting to look for a gun to go with it (maybe a Baby Eagle?)

I have 8 pounds of WSF and 16 pounds of surplus NATO 9mm powder (just like AA#7 but slightly faster), and I think they both should be good for full-power .40SW loads. That NATO 9mm powder is *great* in .357 Magnum.

What's a good .40 pistol for shooting hot loads with cast bullets? (Probably not Glock or BHP.) I thought the Baby Eagle might be a good choice cuz it was designed around the .41AE cartridges and then refitted down to the .40 -- instead of a rebarreled 9mm like some of the others.

[lgbloader]

ZXCV,

From one addict to another... Your hooked!!!

Cheers...

[zxcvbob]

I'm hopeless. I carry a gallon ziplock freezer bag in my range bag, and depending what lane I use I fill it up with either scrounged brass or lead after I finish shooting (usually lead).

I have been known to leave a bunch of .45ACP brass on the ground occasionally for the scroungers who actually have a .45, so maybe I'm not totally depraved yet. ;)

So what .40 should I get? I've also thought about a Hi-Point carbine, but they're just *so* ugly... I wonder if you could "sporterize" one?

[lgbloader]

I got the the Beretta 96 Inox to match my Beretta 92FS and my wife's Beretta Vertec.

I have seen that Hi Point on video's and for the price, it looks like a steal. I think I saw some kind of stock for it in one of the magazines but I can't recollect it right now.
I have been meaning to get one of them pistols in 9mm for the tacklebox but I still have never gotten around to it. I sure would like to try some of their stuff out, though.


Talk to you soon, Mate.

Cheers...

[12Bravo20]

So what .40 should I get? I've also thought about a Hi-Point carbine, but they're just *so* ugly... I wonder if you could "sporterize" one?

I have a Hi Point carbine in .40 and it's a hoot to shoot. The only thing I have done was add a cheap red dot/reflex sight. Yes they are fugly but man do they shoot good! Hi Point is coming out with a new stock for them (if it isn't out all ready).