.40 S&W load

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tbtrout

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I currently have Win231 and Blue Dot. I am looking for the better of the two to load with 180 gr FMJ. I want to keep using the same powder with multiple calibers if posssible. If not, I am open to other powders. My barrels all have fully supported chambers.

Thanks
 
Don't know much about Blue Dot but I tried 5.2 gr of 231 with a 180gr FMJ and it was fine. I prefer Power Pistol for .40 S&W and 9mm though, 231 for .45 ACP.
 
It kind of depends on what you want to do, as both powders are good powders. W231 is used more often for lighter target loads as its a quick burning powder and usully loaded light.

Blue Dot is a to medium to slow burning powder and is better with the heavier bullets. It favors medium to near max loadings.

For the two:
W-231 shows loading from 4.1 to 5.0 with velocities from 800 to 950; while
Blude Dot shows loading 8.8 for a velocity of 1065.

http://www.wwpowder.com/data/handgun/40sw.php

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...&weight=180&shellid=1022&bulletid=65&bdid=574

I tend use Blue Dot and other powders slower than W-231 in my loading. No particular reason however.
 
Here's another vote for #231. I've standardized on it for all pistol from 9-mm MAK through .45 Colt. It measures well, is clean burning, and provides fine accuracy in every cartridge.

Another advantage is that there is never any doubt about what powder is in your powder measure...but you should note on a piece of tape on the measure tube what load the powder measure is set for anyway, and you'd also note the powder type.

Similarly, I've standardized on #4895 for all rifle from .223 through 8-mm Mauser.:D
 
W231 will work fine in the .40, Blue Dot will do OK, but I prefer Universal Clays with 165 Gr. bullets and up. AA # 2 did well for slow loads with the 180 Gr. bullets. W 231 did just as well for that App. as well though.
 
I think Power Pistol is by far the most versatile and most forgiving powder you can use in 40. That said I load a lot of Clays, some Universal Clays, some Longshot, and some Unique also depending on what I want to do. I am not willing to even consider standardizing powders when I can use the best tool for the job I want to do.
 
I use Clays and Power Pistol a lot for the 40 cal. Clays is pretty fast burning so you don't want to double charge it for sure. Steve48
 
Power Pistol or Win. Super Field , I'd hate to try to measure Blue Dot for a bunch of autopistol cases.
 
Thanks for the info. I will start with 231 since I have a bunch of it. if I do not like it I will try a different choice .
 
HSSMITH, I used to think that there was a superiority of various powders for specific calibers and bullets (otherwise, why do they make so many?)...and that's why I wound up with over a dozen small, expensive cans of different powders on my shelf. But, there's such an overlap in powder performance, "it just aint so." :what:

I'm primarily a range shooter, interested in achieving the best accuracy rather than high power, and I discovered that, using the reloading manual recommendations as a starting point, I could equal or exceed performance of my previous individual favorites with two powders...Win #231 for pistol and #4895 for rifle.

I'm gradually using up those other powers for special purpose/business/protection/hunting loads...but those mostly sit on the shelf "to await need"...i.e., gathering dust. Win #231 gets probably at least 90% of my pistol shooting...9-mm Mak, 9-mm Luger, .38-Spl, .357 Mag, .40 S&W, .45 Auto, and .45 Colt...and most of the other 10% is .22 LR.

Similarly, #4895 is fine for .223 Win, 6.5 Jap, 6.5 x 55mm, .30-30, .308 Win, .30-06, .303 British, 7.7 Jap, and 8-mm Mauser.

My shooting is just great...and I'm laughing all the way to the bank!:D
 
TT, in 40 I have loads from VERY light loads to very powerful loads, each is used for a specific purpose. I can't safely load the range I do with one powder and get reasonable performance. I don't like 231 and it really doesn't fit anything I do in 40, but you like it and it sounds like it works great for you. I think that is the reason there are so many powders out there.

I do inventory a bunch of powder, most of it is bought in 8 pound cans. It doesn't eat much, doesn't go bad, and waits patiently for me to need it the next time.
 
I use 231 or WSF in my .40 for IPSC with 180 gr Berry's plated bullets.

I shoot several thousand rds per yr in my 2 IPSC pistols.

Both work fine for me.

I use 231 in most of my tgt pistol ammo. 296 for the magnum stuff.

I started out with Unique a couple of decades ago..didn't like the way it didn't seem to burn all of the powder = very dirty.
 
I've found Power Pistol to be my favorite powder so far for 9mm and .38. From my experience the new Unique burns very clean. The dirtiest powder I've tried has been W231.
 
I have recently shot many 40s some loaded with the old unique formula and some with the new unique formula, the new stuff is much cleaner burning than the older stuff.
 
Of the two powders you mention I would prefer W-231. My personnal favorite for loading 40 S&W is American Select or WSTin light to medium loads. They both are clean burning powders.
 
Quote:
Dirtiest for me was Power Pistol ?

That's interesting. How old is your powder?
Click to expand...

Bought it new a couple of years ago. I tried it in the 9mm and was dissapointed. Smokey and dirty. Like the old Unique I had.
 
WOW, Power Pistol has been pretty darn clean for me, along the lines of Super Field or 4756. It isn't spotless clean like the Clays line, but isn't far behind.
 
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