[gahunter12]

Ok to start I'm loading 40s&w 180gr Berry's FN. I'm pushing it with W231. I'm trying to use up these 180. I researched this and it looks like Lyman 49th has the load at 5.0gr of 231 with a max of 5.6gr at a OAL= 1.115". the Hodgdon site has this load starting at 4.1gr and Max at 5.0gr. With a OAL=1.125". After much other research I started my loads at 4.1 and worked up to 4.6th with a OAL= 1.125 +- .001. What do you think? It's just odd there such a large difference. I'm looking to work up a load that's reliable and as soft as I can go with out changing springs. THANKS!!

[bds]

The higher powder charges you see with Lyman #49 is probably due to the larger groove diameter (.401") test barrel fixture they used for the .400" diameter jacketed bullets. ;) I am not sure what Lyman testers were thinking not using more typical .400" groove diameter barrel for 40S&W that I believe Hodgdon used for their load data testing.

For .400" sized bullets, slug your barrel and if the groove diameter is .401", use Lyman's load data. If it is .400" (all mine are), then use Hodgdon's load data.

For .401" sized Berry's bullets, they recommend using lead load data or start-to-mid range jacketed load data. For Berry's 180 gr FP, 4.1 - 4.6 gr of W231 at 1.125" sounds fine to me. I really like 180 gr bullet in 40S&W with W231/HP-38 at 3.8-4.5 gr - Light/Mild recoil and very accurate loads.

[gahunter12]

Are you using a lighter recoil spring when using 3.8gr of 231? I had seen where you posted that in a earlier thread. I'm not looking for high speeds, and recoil. I don't have a cronograph yet, but looking to find a soft load that I can run through my XDm 4.5"bbl. I'm looking in to shooting some local IDPA.

[rcmodel]

Hodgdon tested with a Hornady 180 XTP.
Lyman tested with a Sierra 180 JHP.

Different bullets = different data.

rc

[bds]

Are you using a lighter recoil spring when using 3.8gr of 231?
Stock springs in Glock 17 and G22/27 with LW 40-9 conversion barrels. I use the light 3.8 gr load for shooters new to 40S&W/transitioning from 9mm as well as female shooters as it will recoil less than typical 9mm loads. Then I work them up to 4.1-4.3 gr until they become comfortable. Then 4.5 gr+ .

[ArchAngelCD]

Hodgdon tested with a Hornady 180 XTP.
Lyman tested with a Sierra 180 JHP.

Different bullets = different data.

rc
What more needs to be said?