.40 S&W Cast Lead Data needed- please help

[drumz2129]

.40 S&W Cast Lead Data needed- UPDATE Post #8 -TESTED LOADS

I am just about ready to start reloading my first order from Missouri Bullet Co. I decided to go with some of my 180gr TCFP (IDP #5) first, but Im having a hard time finding reloading data for them. My hornady #7 shows a 180gr SWC, will that data get me a good starting point since it lists 2 of the powders i have? My 2009 hodgdon and Speer #14 have nothing for 180gr lead. If anyone has a load that they would like to share please let me know. The pistol powders i have on hand are HS-6, Universal Clays, Titegroup and Herco but i could get others.

 

[xsquidgator]

I shoot home-cast 170LFPs with anywhere from 4.3 to 5.1 grains of W231, OAL 1.120".

I recall that I went through kind of a similar process as you are, that is I had jacketed data but no lead bullet data so I had to work up loads myself. The 4.3 W231 loads were definitely light but worked the gun ok. I pretty much only load the 5.1 grains of W231 though since it's closest to mimicking the factory ammo I shoot.

I get 910 fps out of a 3" subcompact XD40 with these 5.1 grain loads, works great for me. No pressure signs, so there's probably room to go up from there if desired.

 

[Landric]

This is my post from another thread on the same topic, that OP was using Missouri's 180 grain RNFP also.

Landric said:

We also used Lyman's data for the 175 grain lead, which showed a starting charge of 7.0 grains of HS6 and a max of 8.4 grains. We tested 7.0, 7.2, and 7.5 grains using Missouri Bullet's 180 grain RNFP and Winchester Small Pistol Primers. Our results were:

7.0, 923fps ave., 20.38 Standard Deviation
7.2, 944fps ave., 13.78 Standard Deviation
7.5, 975fps ave., 31.29 Standard Deviation

There were no excessive pressure signs. All the loads cycled reliably, but even the starting load of 7.0 grains felt a little snappy. I could see reducing the load by up to 1/2 grain if it were my gun and ammunition. All the ammunition was tested in a S&W M&P40 with a 4.25" barrel.

 

[drumz2129]

thanks!

Thanks for the info. These loads will be for plinking with my XD40-V10. I would like to use the cleanest burning powder possible since the front sight tends to get dirty very quick because of the ports when shooting WWB. I was wanting to use the HS-6 since i have 6lbs of it but i couldnt find any data. Landric; how clean was did the HS-6 burn with those loads? I noticed that HS-6 tends to take a higher charge weight compared to others, Maybe it will burn more uniform since it will fill the case better. xsquidgator; was the W231 clean burning? i know my local reloading supply has it on the shelf and I could go get a can to try it out.

 

[Landric]

I've noticed that HS6 burns more cleanly near the higher end of the spectrum of charge weights within the respective range. That said, it didn't seem particularly messy with any of the charge weights we tried. Perhaps that is because the .40 is a pretty high pressure round to begin with.

 

[rcmodel]

Lyman #49 lists 15 powders & 56 loads for two different 175 grain (180 after bullet lube is applied) bullet designs. One is a RNFP, and the other is A TCFP.

If you reload cast lead bullets, you need the Lyman manual.
Nothing else comes even close.

rc

 

[rcmodel]

No powder is clean burning when you shoot cast bullets.

It's the burned bullet lube, not the powder, that makes the mess on the gun.

rc

 

[drumz2129]

I think i just figured that part out... Went to the back and fired 10 WWB from 10 yards to have a reference group, then 10 Handload 180gr MBC TCFP/ 7.0gr of HS6 with a WSP primer. by the fourth shot of the handloads i could not see the white dot (factory sight) on my front sight post. Would this be because of the lighter charge weight of the HS6 or is it the bullet lube in combination with the compensated barrel? Any recomendations on how to rememdy this? I guss either only shoot jacketed/plated bullets out of the gun or get a non-comped barrel for target shooting.

one other thing i noticed, i put a few WWB through it after the lead and noticed the first 3 or 4 shots were low and pulled to the right a bit, i assume this is from the lead in the bore. Is it safe to shoot jacketed or do i need to use lead remover first? Sorry for all the questions, im new to shooting lead.

 

[rcmodel]

I know others will disagree with this but:

If the leading is not severe, and filling the lands & grooves to a noticable extent, it will do no harm to shoot jacketed bullets after shooting lead bullets.

It is possible the POI will change slightly until all the lead & bullet lube are worn out of the bore by the jacketed bullets.

Both lead & bullet lube are slicker then copper jackets, so there is less friction until it is gone.

rc

 

[drumz2129]

Thanks, I think im about to make up another batch and try 7.5gr and see if that makes a difference. I doubt it will clean anything up though. I did notice that the loads werent as snappy as the WWB. the O.A.L. listed by hornady is 1.125, The WWB measured 1.20 so i went with 1.20 since it fed well.

 

[Shoney]

My most accurate loads for 180 lead TCFP were with Power Pistol and Universal. Both well below max, but still a stout load.

 

[drumz2129]

I guess it looks like i need to find a lyman manual. Does anyone know if the most recent still has a good bit of cast relaoding data?

 

[Landric]

My Lyman 3rd Edition (most recent) Pistol and Revolver handbook has data for two different 175 grain (180 w/ lube) bullets, 15 different powders for one, 13 for the other. It has data for HS6 with both bullets and Clays with one.

 

[gunlaw]

I have loaded 1000's of cast .40 s&w. Try 6.5g aa#5. It seems to burn clean
and little or no leading. The same load works well with 180g plated bullets also.

 

[freakshow10mm]

No powder is clean burning when you shoot cast bullets.

Disagree. WSF is very clean and lead friendly. HS6 isn't far behind.