40 s&w 180gr RN Data?

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Koch

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Hello all, been reading the forums for awhile, but this is my first thread. So, I'm glad to be here!:D

I'm new to metallic reloading (been loading shotgun since high school), and I have a few questions about loading some components sold to me by the local gun store guy.

Q1.Where do I find load data for 180gr RN's (berry's preferred plated) for 40 s&w? Its been a wild goose chase so far, and I've found little-to-no data out there for 180 RN (or 180 FMJ's in general). Were these a bad choice? Local gun guru has yet to steer me wrong, but there's a first time for everything.

Q2. Gun store guy (Roger) also sold me on W231, and then I got home and read some things here and there about it not being ideal for the 40 s&w. Mainly, I only need these rounds for giving my USP a workout at IDPA. So, could I make due with w231 for use only as target loads? (heck, what else am I going to shoot at?:p)

Q3. Min OAL for this load? These RN's seem a lil bit longer than FP's. Should I stick to the safe side and load these @ 1.135 (max) to make sure pressures stay safe?

Thanks in advance!

Koch
 
Simply load RN longer

I quickly checked Hodgdon www.hodgdon.com and they have tons of info for 180 hollow point loaded at 1.250". Since Berry's advises mid-range jacketed data, and you load longer than 1.250", you will be in good company.

You should go check Alliant, Accurate, VV, Lyman, Hornady, Speer, Lee, Sierra, and all the others for similar load info.



It's not 1.250, but 1.125" length.
 
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Koch, welcome aboard!


Although I have loaded primarily 180gr FP (plated), I have been competing with 155gr FP RN (FMJ). I load both to 1.125" OAL.

I find W231/HP38 (same powder) very consistent metering powder especially suitable for match shooting. It is my designated match load powder that gives less snappy recoil than faster Bullseye/Red Dot.

For 180 gr, I have loaded 3.7-4.3gr for light load for female and shooters transitioning from 9mm. 4.3-4.7gr for practice/match loads. All these loads have been very accurate
 
ants: 1.250? Isn't SAMMI max OAL 1.135? Anyways, looks like good info on Hodgdons' site! Thanks!

bds: I'll have to try that practice/match load of yours out. It sounds like exactly what I need. The factory loads I've been shooting just seem a bit hot for IDPA/plinking.
 
ants: 1.250? Isn't SAMMI max OAL 1.135?
Click to expand...
Doh!!! Stupid keyboard, I told it to type 1.125". I know 1.125" is listed on the Hodgdon web site, but my stupid keyboard always gets it wrong. :neener:

Thank you, Koch. Welcome to this forum!
 
I like 180 Gr bullets in .40 when loading defense type practice rounds. I like 155's or 165's for light plinking. None recoil hard in a full size steel gun. Some are pretty "torquey" in my XD SC .40.

I haven't tried W-231 in .40 (Why I don't know), but it is a great all around powder, so your gun store guy steered you right. It should work just fine for all but max type loads. It will come in handy even if you don't use it for .40 Cal.

I like Universal Clays in .40. It burns really clean at light levels in .40, but will also get velocities up there pretty good for full load type practice. It has proven clean and accurate with 155's through 180's in .40.

Interestingly enough, I have had very good luck with AA #2 and Berrys plated 180 gr bullets. 700X also shot very well with them. Go figure, cause the .40 usually likes the slower burning powders.
 
Here is some W-231 data in .40
 

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Hi Koch,Welcome aboard.Try 155grn berry's plated with 7.0grns Acurate #5,oal of 1.125.I found 180s alittle heavy for my shoots.But I dont like alot of recoil.
 
loaded some LIGHT rounds on the pro 1000 last night. just got it, and dont have it dialed in just yet, but loaded 5 test rounds. loaded 4.2 grains behind the 180's with speer cases and federal SP's. went well for the test fire. very, very soft recoil. i prolly want some more oomph for knockin down pepper poppers, but not too much. gonna go dial it in some more tonight, and step up the load a bit.

also, maybe i'm just new to metallic loading (and i know that lee hates federal. already have 1000 of 'em though), but is it just me, or does the primer seating pin seem SCAREY AS HELL? i'm thinking its the first one, but when I go to seat the primer, shell plate carrier does not go completely down when a primer is being seated. So...that means i'm putting direct pressure on the primer when its already seated firmly. I followed setup properly, am fairly mechanical, and it only seems to go together one way. maybe i'm just paranoid, but at least I'm thinkin safety first.


anyways...thanks so far from yall and the good info! off to go make some more hole punchers!
 
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gonna go dial it in some more tonight, and step up the load a bit.
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Keep at it and you'll dial-in to your "ideal" recoil accurate load.

i know that lee hates federal. already have 1000 of 'em though), but is it just me, or does the primer seating pin seem SCAREY AS HELL?
Click to expand...
I have never used Federal primers (used Winchester, CCI, Magtech, Wolf, PMC with good results), but have heard horror stories of detonation on the press.

The latest victim - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=516259

Even though I use the Pro 1000, I hand prime all of my cases (I have crushed and mashed enough Winchester primers - but no detonation). Even though you are using Federal primers, hand priming would seem less likely to "crush detonate" as you can clearly visualize the primer in the priming tool pocket. Also, since I started hand priming, I have not wasted NOT ONE primer. :D

Maybe something for you to consider?
 
I have loaded thousands of Federal primers with a Lee and then an RCBS hand primer with no issues. Not saying it can't happen, but it is hard to set off a primer just squashing it. I have never been able to, and I have crushed the snot out of some trying to load "pre-prepped" OF .223 brass where the primer pocket wasn't quite reamed enough. (The ones in the pic are Fed 205's, I think)
 
The latest victim - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=516259
Click to expand...

WOW! After I saw he was ok, I had a good laugh, but wow....that could have gone the other way just as easily. Its eyes and ears on for me in the garage from now on!

Yes, I've had some of the wonderful primer issues already with that press, but only because I did not put enough in the primer tray. I'll be extra careful with these federals for now. Next batch will have to be cci or winchesters.

Still working the kinks out right now on the press, but everything seems promising. Getting the press timed, and getting the shells to line up properly into the dies the first time/every time seems to be a challenge.

I've found that the 4.2 grain load would be ideal for the wife-to-be to shoot. They shoot like butter in my USP, and these might be the ticket to getting her to an idpa shoot. :)

I think I'll push to the next powder increment on the measure tomorrow which I think is 4.4 grains. I will try to get to 5 grains by the end of the week, so I can have about 10 rounds each from 4.2-5.0 for a accuracy test. Looks like these will be a great plinkin load, and hopefully hot enough for shooting steel.
 
I may consider hand priming for this batch of federals, but wouldn't that defeat the purpose of a progressive? :D

I'm having an issue with the case mouth hanging on the sizing die mouth. I saw a solution involving shimming the ram with a piece of paper (in one of those links you posted :)).So maybe I can get this bad lad shucking out a couple hundred loads soon.
 
6 grains of unique beneath 180gr pill will result in 12.5% compressed load and 30Kpsi peak pressure according to quickload. That's at 1.13" OAL to boot.

That's getting up there in pressure... almost in the red. ANY setback could be a recipe for trouble

i'd start at 5gr and work up.... if you're trying unique that is. i have no w231 exp., just assisting in the unique mention
 
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I may consider hand priming for this batch of federals, but wouldn't that defeat the purpose of a progressive?
Click to expand...

Once I started hand priming my cases, I have never looked back. :D

Maybe it's just my delusion, but my shot groups got smaller with hand primed cases. :rolleyes:

I just LOVE the smooth and light feel on the progressive press just to powder charge and seat the bullet - I am never going back!
 
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