40 S&W data

[Metalman1]

I just ordered Rem 40 S&W, 180 gr, FN FMJ bullets. They should arrive next week. So far I can't find Starting or Max powder loads for Powder Pistol or Unique.
Also is the OAL the same as a JHP? I think I can use the same powder loads and keep the OAL at 1.120. Am I on the right track? Thanks

 

[SDGlock23]

Doubt you'll need to change OAL since your FN FMJ are likely shorter than most JHP bullets. If you look at Alliant's data, while there is no start charge, they do list 6.7gr as max for Unique and 7.2gr as max for Power Pistol.

You could drop an entire grain for each and work up. I know I've shot quite a few 180gr FMJs with 5.5gr Unique as well as 6.0gr Unique, they hover between ~950-1000 fps. 6.5gr Unique does well but it's definitely warmer, you can certainly feel it and I've chronographed it going around 1050 fps...from a 3" barrel/16oz Kahr....it's got some spice to it.

I used their data for Power Pistol with a 180gr Gold Dot loaded to 1.120" (7.2gr powder) and it averaged 1065 fps from my 4" Glock 23. Power Pistol is hard to beat, it's super consistent and meters better than Unique does.

 

[LiveLife]

Rem 40 S&W, 180 gr, FN FMJ bullets ... I can't find Starting or Max powder loads for Powder Pistol or Unique.

When the load data lists only max powder charge, many use 10% reduction as start charge.

Lyman #49 lists the following and 10% reduction of 5.6 gr is 5.1 gr and is close to the listed 4.9 gr start charge for Unique. 10% reduction of 6.7 gr is 6.1 gr and is close to the listed 6.0 gr start charge for Power Pistol (Note: Lyman data uses shorter 1.115" OAL so powder charge range will be less than Alliant data that uses longer 1.120" OAL).

40S&W 180 gr Sierra JHP Unique 1.115" OAL Start 4.9 gr (839 fps) 18,800 CUP - Max 5.6 gr (916 fps) 23,100 CUP

40S&W 180 gr Sierra JHP Power Pistol 1.115" OAL Start 6.0 gr (876 fps) 19,300 CUP - Max 6.7 gr (974 fps) 22,900 CUP

FN FMJ ... is the OAL the same as a JHP? I think I can use the same powder loads and keep the OAL at 1.120.

For determining what OAL to use for any particular bullet, you should use the barrel drop test to determine the max OAL and check reliable feeding from the magazine to determine the final working OAL - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8864541#post8864541

For most 155 - 180 gr 40S&W jacketed/plated truncated cone flat point (TCFP) / round nose flat point (RNFP) / flat nose (FN) bullets, I have used 1.125" - 1.130" OAL in various pistols but you should use the OAL that will work with your pistol/barrel/magazine.

Since the FN FMJ bullet is shorter than the JHP, bullet base will get seated shallower when using the same OAL which will lower chamber pressures. If your working OAL is longer than 1.120" listed for current Alliant load data for JHP, I would reference the Alliant load data for powder work up for the FN FMJ bullet but many prefer to use the lowest published load data for their powder work up.

40S&W 180 gr Speer GDHP Unique 1.120" OAL Max 6.7 gr (1,000 fps)

40S&W 180 gr Speer GDHP Power Pistol 1.120" OAL Max 7.2 gr (1,013 fps)

So for 6.7 gr, 10% reduction would be 6.1 gr for Unique and for 7.2 gr, 10% reduction would be 6.4 gr for Power Pistol.

 

[918v]

I found the .40 to be 50% more accurate at 1.150" OAL in both my Glock and my Sig.