Ruger PC4 40sw test loads

I bought one of the older discontinued PC40 carbines a year ago because they where easier to find and slightly cheaper than the 9mm version and also the while I'm not a big fan of the .40 cal in a pistol it really does shine in a rifle length barrel because it holds more powder than the 9mm and can push heavier bullets faster. My research showed Long Shot powder to offer that best velocities in .40sw almost rivaling some 10mm loads.

I loaded a few Nosler 135gr HP with 12grains of Longshot which used to be a max load in some older manuals. I would try 11.5gr for starters. The brass showed no signs of wear.
1940
1916
1942





Some factory 155gr load. I believe Hornady XTP.
1336
1348




WWB 180gr
1148
1162

Peter Gun said:

I think 40 is very underappreciated as a pcc.
Thanks for the load testing.
Have you tried the glock mag adapter from the new Ruger pcc in the old one?
Anyone else tried it?

Click to expand...

There is no provision for a magwell adapter block in the older pc9/4 carbines. There was a company in Ohio that used to modify the stock and change the mag release to enable you to use glock magazines. Then they sold the rest of their equipment to LoneWolf who did the conversion for a while but neither one of them have done it in years. You could possibly cut the magazine release hole on a Beretta 92/96 mag to work.

I just stocked up on 7 or 8 factory ruger mags when I could find them for under $30 bucks. I also have two ProMag 20rd PC4 magazines but they come with 9mm width feed lips that need to be filed back and the springs are kind of weak. They are really just a novelty for range use.