40 s&w choices

[JO JO]

looking for any opinions on whats a good grain to reload 40 s&w with
will be buying berrys plated in stock at local store, 155gr,165,180 ?
will be for range fun
Thanks all

 

[beatledog7]

All three are good. Depends on what your goal is. Honestly, I'd start with 165 since it's a pretty standard factory bullet weight and go from there.

 

[gamestalker]

+ 165 gr. like has already been said. It's a good standard bullet for that cartridge.
I don't know what powder's you are considering, but I would suggest a medium to slow burning powder is easiest to work with. I personally like working with those type powders mostly because they always perform consistently, and deliver from middle to maximum velocity without sudden pressure spikes during work up.
And another positive side is they eliminate an accidental double charge because it won't fit without making an obvious powder spill mess. Not only good powders for new reloader's, but just good safe powder's in general to work with in my opinion.
Some of these would be:
HS6, Longshot, AA#7, AA#5, SR4756, HS7, Blue Dot?, and Viht N340

 

[JO JO]

Thanks for the info was thinking of trying power pistol, ?
I have been happy with in in 9mm

 

[JO JO]

went to local store only had 155 gr berrys plated hbrn in stock so I will give them a try
anyone use these ?
thanks all

 

[ImjinScout]

Haven't used 155gr, but I load Berry's 180gr FP all the time, the reason I went with these is that is what all the factory ammo that I had bought came in. They work great and I use 6.7grs of HS-6, nice load for putting holes in paper, good luck

 

[g29guy]

I use Power Pistol at 8.2-8.6 grains with a 155grain winchester jhp cci small pistol 500 primers.

Good medium load and accurate at 8.2 out of my 4.75 inch kkm conversion barrel from glock 29

 

[jeepmor]

Buy one weight, one manufacturer, and find your sweet shooting load. Or buy sample packs and plink away til you find your sweet spot. Personally, I like heavy bullets because that's what I carry, so I practice with them.

 

[tabealer]

My department just switched from 155 to 180. Combination of factors. More manageable recoil, less stress on the plastic framed pistols, less deflection when going through windshields and door panels... also, when I added my light, the pistol didn't always recoil correctly and failed to load another round. That happened several times in one qualification session. Apparently some of us bigger guys hold too tight ... add the weight of the light and it puts us over the top. Anyway, I have had much fewer issues with the heavier bullets.

 

[rsrocket1]

I believe guns have their sight elevations set for 180g bullets. Lighter or heavier bullets will probably change the POI if that matters. But when shooting for fun, it doesn't matter to me. When you're busting dirt clods, assassinating vegetables or making soda cans dance, cheaper fun = better fun.

 

[Stormin.40]

I like their 165 grain RNFP, I used HS-6 with great results.

 

[Berry's MFG]

We make a lot of 165gr bullets for law enforcement contracts, but by far the 180gr bullet is the favored .40cal bullet