40 S&W load help

[bob4]

Been loading for 9mm and now I have to try 40S&W. I have a few books but none show loads for 140 lead. ( missouri) They show for 135 then 145 and up. Would I just go with 140 G loads?
I'm using

Missouri
IDP #7
.401 Diameter
.40 S&W/10mm
140 Grain TCFP
Brinell 18​

I have on hand Power pistol ,Tite group,WSF,Blue dot. Certainly willing to go try other powders I can find locally.

 

[Blue68f100]

Use the heavier bullet and work your load up. You can get into pressure signs at the upper end with lighter bullets.

 

[dwhite]

Of your powders I'd start with Power Pistol or WSF. BlueDot is going to be a compressed charge most likely.

Use data for the 145 bullet and work up. Really though, you should be happy at the same charge for both bullet weights.

I've run 155's in .40 never tried the 140's always wondered about stability. Let us know how they work for you.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[dave333]

I have shot a lot of 140gr coated lead out of my CZ P09. 4.9gr of titegroup averages 1065 FPS and is one of the most accurate loads I have ever shot. If Im doing my part from a rest sub 2" groups at 25 yds all day long. Ive tried a lot of other powders and loads with this bullet, if you are interested, I can look that up tomorrow sometime.

 

[kcofohio]

Many publishers seem to avoid lead loads in 40 S&W. Think polygonal rifling. And 140 gr. is a rare weight for the 40s, even in jacketed. Generally, 155 gr. or higher, is where most start their data. And it is a fairly new cartridge on the block, in reload years.

That being said. Yes, I would start with the 145 gr. loads, at the low end. Watch for squibs and leading. Did you purchase the non-coated bullets. Work up to what will cycle your ammo through.

My dilemma working up a load for MBC 180 gr. bullet. All the data I had was for 175 gr. cast, and either 1.100" and 1.125" COAL. Seeing how the 40 is suppose to be easy to over-pressure, I went with the longer length.

Check your barrel with the "plunk test" to see what length works. Be safe.

 

[bob4]

I shot just about 4 yesterday in 2 different guns and I'm still here to talk about it. XD40 and a Glock 22 4th gen. First 2 in the XD seemed to go fine. Then I tried the Glock and they didn't cycle very well. Next 2 in the XD didn't cycle well at all. They both plunked just fine at 1.125 (XD didn't plunk so well at 1.135) w/ 5.3 WSF. I forget which book I got the load from and I'm not in front of it now but that was certainly on the low/starting side

Seems I should I just start increasing the load slowly, naturally watching for pressure until they cycle consistently? The only chrono I have is a Magneto speed and can't be used with slides.​

 

[bob4]

Just a bump to ask per my last post if someone with more experience thinks I can increase my load safely or should I be looking at something else that 2 different guns didn't cycle well.

 

[Blue68f100]

Yes bump it up till they work fine. Look for leading in the barrels too. You may need to increase the load to get the bullet to seal off to prevent leading.

If one had problem with the plunk test you need to find where it was hitting and correct the problem. They should dropout freely.

 

[bob4]

Yes bump it up till they work fine. Look for leading in the barrels too. You may need to increase the load to get the bullet to seal off to prevent leading.

Thank you.

If one had problem with the plunk test you need to find where it was hitting and correct the problem. They should dropout freely.

By just shortening the OAL by .010 fell in and out like a charm.

 

[Missionary]

Greetings
Been shooting my own cast in my Glocks for 20 years.
First the bullet needs to be at least .001 over groove. You do not need so called hard cast. You need a properly fitted bullet. I use range scrap & WW (50-50) so my cast are on the soft side. No leading.

I only use the original Glock barrels ad have never blown up nor leaded up a barrel. I also shoot 45 ACP Glocks.

Next.. I do not shoot "light weight cast" bullets. In my 40's I use at least 180 grain. Have shot the 200 grainers. Why... penetration. I do not shoot competition. I hunt and think about defense. I want my hunted target to be perforated. I want good leakage.

Generally I use whatever start load the manuals show for the same weight cast bullet. Lead causes less pressure than those hard metal jackets. I also use a slower type powder. ACC #5 works nicely.
Mike in Peru

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Don't overthink it. Pick a powder weight in the middle of the range for 145r bullets and you will be good. If you still have cycling problems, go towards the top of the range. Be advised that some manuals are very conservative in their loads, and probably suffer from lawyer-itis. Lyman #49 loads seem to be more aggressive and I use loads in the middle ranges from it w/o a problem.