40 sw powder choice

I just picked up some WSF to try. I am using HS-6 with 165 Berrys now.

BE-86 has been working well for me.

I use Hodgdon Longshot exclusively for the .40 but it likes the upper end WRT charges, so it's probably too "enthusiastic" for your purposes.

PowerPistol is excellent with medium to high end loads. Works fine at starting charges too, but accuracy seems to increase with higher velocities. It is easy to work with. Meters well and has a nice curve when working up. No unexpected high pressure signs.

Blue Dot for 180 gr. loads.

Power Pistol is real good for upper end stuff although honestly I haven't used it for medium range. From my G23 it will toss a 180gr JHP to 1070 fps with the book max 7.2gr and even 200gr JHP to 1040 fps with 7.0gr in the G23. Let's see, also 155's @ 1250, 165's at 1155, and 135's at 1375 fps.

Simply put, it's a fantastic powder.

For lighter stuff you'll want something a little faster burning. I've got some data for WSF but nothing for Universal. WST, AA5 and TiteGroup are good powders for plinking/target loads that meter well if you can find them.

I'll tell what I've found to be a good full pressure self defense powder / load, Longshot!

I don't load light target stuff, so can't hep ya there. But I load full table Longshot loads for my .40's, and it's super clean, very accurate, and runs very good pressures for a full tilt load. There's data for this on Hodgdon's site.

GS

I've been using green dot, going to try hs6 next.

800-X
Best velocity, lowest pressure.

Otherwise Titegroup, because I use it for everything.

My favorite light .40s&w powder is Titegroup. Second is WST.

I've been loading with CSB5 lately. I can't recall the load I've been using, but it's on the lighter side and cycles fine in my HK USP and my G23.

I'll be happy to find details on my load, if anyone is interested.

I've used universal for .40. Lighter target loads I like faster powders like Clays, Bullseye and even American Select with a heavy boolit.
4.2grs of Universal makes a nice target load with 180 gr LFN.

I don't load the 40 S&W for myself but I do for a family member. When my supplies of HS-7 ran out I looked for another 40 S&W powder and settled on AA#7. IMO that is the best choice for the 40 S&W. If you can't find it Longshot will do alright.

I've been using Longshot and loading it up to the middle of the charge range. It works awesome, clean burning, low pressure with high velocity.

For target grade stuff, I'd try BE-86. I've been using it in 9mm loads and its been working great.