40 S&W powders

[Bruno2]

I am wanting load some clean medium power rounds up for me the wifey and the kids enjoy plinking at the range with.

Here is a list of powders that I have on hand (please try to keep from suggesting powders that I dont have I am broke and dont want to spend any unecessary money)

1.Clays
2.Universal
3.Titegroup
4.700 x
5.win 231
6. longshot
7. HS-6
8. greendot
9.Unique

Thank you for your input I really appreciate it.

 

[Bruno2]

Oh yeah here is my bullet inventory

100 hornady 155 gr hp/xtp
100 win 165 gr tc
100 165 gr jhp golden sabre
1000 180 gr fmjfp

 

[Walkalong]

Universal would be my first choice.

 

[THe Dove]

Titegroup

The Dove

 

[BillCh]

I shoot a 165gr. TC with Win. 231. Its seem to do fine. I do load it down quite a bit, a nice soft shooter.

B

 

[shootinxd]

Huuuuuuummmmm,Try the green dot,I didn't realy see one that strikes my fancy though.

 

[Walkalong]

,especially with those 165 Gr GS's, but it works well with 155's to 180's.

 

[LiveLife]

180 gr fmjfp:

(You may need to use 0.2-0.3 gr more of Green Dot to match W231 performance):

Light/Mild load - 4.0-4.5 gr W231/Green Dot - Your wife and kids will like the light/mild recoil and accuracy of these loads.
Moderate load - 4.5-5.0 gr W231/Green Dot - Moderate recoil and accurate

165 jacketed

I just started loading some 165 gr jacketed/plated bullets recently and have used mid-range 180 gr load data.

155 hp/xtp

5.4-5.7 gr W231 - My designated match load for jacketed 40S&W. Snappy recoil but moderate and accurate. You could also use Green Dot, but using a bit more powder (0.2-0.3 gr more).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Of the powders you listed I would use Universal, Longshot or HS-6.
If you want to go really light on the load W231 or Green Dot will also do a good job but like I said, they will be light loads.

 

[Tango Victor]

I have had very good luck with 180 JFP and Unique.

 

[phoenix79]

I use 165Gr plated and Unique and get good results

 

[raz-0]

165gr + 3.5-3.7gr of titegroup yields a nice soft plinking round around 130-135pf at a 1.125 OAL.

If you want something at closer to factory velocities, universal clays will do the job at about 5.0gr under a 180gr bullet at 1.130 OAL. Depending on the barrel, it is between 164-172pf. (164 out of a 4.25" barrel that wasn't particularly fast 172 out of a fast 5" barrel, about 170 out of a slower 5" barrel). If you want lower velocity REALLLY soft stuff, I prefer titegroup, or something about the burn rate of 231.


If you look around the various load sharing sites, you should find a ton of info
for 231 as well.

Hs-6 will make shootable loads, but is more what you want for a comped gun.

 

[Captcurt]

Just a Heads Up!

Some hot loads of Unique do not shoot well in 40 S&W. I loaded 250 rounds running ( I found out later) over1050 fps. Couldn't hit a barn door with them.

Had real good luck with Universal Clays at about 950 fps. That was my IDPA load when I was shooting all of the time..

 

[paperpuncher49]

Personally, I like Titegroup in the 40. Burns clean and seems to produce good accuracy.

 

[kludge]

Universal would be my first choice.
Titegroup, 700 x, Win 231, Longshot will also work.

Hodgdon does not publish any data for lead in the .40, and they don't respond to my e-mails requests for data.

I picked up a pound of No.7 for lead loads.

 

[janobles14]

HS-6 is my go to for both 155 and 165 gr loads. snappy without being uncontollable. very accurate and clean at proper pressures.

 

[kennedy]

had good luck with the win231 and universal clays

 

[floydster]

I use 180 gr. cast and Unique, great results in my XD.
Floydster

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I've not been doing it terribly long, so the only one on your list that I've used is Unique. It worked just fine.

 

[darkvibe]

I use unique.

I've been loading 165gr. win TC with unique with good luck. I don't remember the charge I use but could look in my notes if you want to know.

 

[Littlewolf]

Combo of 180 gr FMJ with Power Pistol or Bullseye seem to be good together.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I'd go with Universal, Unique and Longshot for the .40 powders, all three work really well, ideal burn speed.