40 S&W reloading question

[armoredman]

Quick question, given ONLY these two powders, Accurate Arms #2 and #7, and ONLY this bullet, lead home cast 175grain SWC, which powder would those of you who've been loading 40 SW use? Please, don't tell me to go buy Blue Dot or get 155 grain JHP - these are not options. I live in the middle of nowhere, and the closest gun shops don't carry any reloading supplies at all. The haz-mat fee for shipping in powder and primers is obnoxious in the extreme.
Thank you for any replies, especially those who have loaded this bullet - the Lee tumble lube version. Firearm is Beretta PX4 Storm full size, bullet sized .401.

 

[popper]

From their load chart, 4.8-5.3 #2, 7.6-8.4 #7 LSWC MBC.

 

[armoredman]

Yes, I have that one, amigo, thanks. I was looking for perspective from those who've already gone there with this load, which seems to work better for them.

 

[[email protected]]

If you are only loading light plinking loads you might try Acc2 first. I am courious why you are only linited to these two powders. Is it because that is what you have already or what you plan to order?

 

[tomywalker]

I have had great luck using acc#2 no leading using 5.0 very accurate.

 

[armoredman]

eam, it's what I have on hand. With the huge PITA with ordering haz-mat powders, I figured I'd stick with what I know.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

not a PITA, just costs more. sounds like it might even be less than the gas for you to get to a brick and mortar store and back.

 

[armoredman]

Closest brick and mortar store is about 70 miles one way.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Closest brick and mortar store is about 70 miles one way.

That's how far from my house is from Cabela's and I go there every once and a while just because I want to look at the guns. Of course it then costs me for dinner out because the wife takes the ride with me so it's more than just gas money I have to come up with! LOL

 

[[email protected]]

I can understand now why you were wanting to use these powders since that is what you already have. With the Acc#2 powder - with its faster burn rate should allow your gun to cycle reliablely with a lower velocity. Acc #7 is slower and the pressure does not peak as fast. MY expierence with Acc 7 is that I have to run the bullets faster to ensure the gun will cycle.
You will have to experiment to find out which one works best for your bullet and alloy. Load a few with each and see if or where the barrel leads. If you havent, you should check out the cast boolits website

 

[ArchAngelCD]

armoredman,
You have both AA#2 and AA#7 on hand. It's too bad you don't also have AA#5 available because that powder would be a better choice for the 40 S&W than the other two.

BUT, according to Accurate AA#7 is just about perfect for loading the 40.

Thsi is from the Accurate site:

Accurate No. 7 is an intermediate burning, double-base, spherical powder suitable for a wide range of handgun calibers. No. 7 is an excellent choice for high performance semi-auto handguns such as the 357 Sig, 38 Super, and 40 S&W. No. 7 is also a cost effective solution in larger magnum handgun calibers. Made in the USA.

So, I guess you have no need to buy a different powder and you aren't giving up performance according to Accurate. So, there ya go...

 

[Stormin.40]

I haven't used either powder but my PX4 likes slower powders. I tried Titegroup but settled on HS-6, I know you are not looking for recommendations but my guess is #2 is similar to Titegroup and #7 similar to HS-6 so I would recommend #7. It has already been said but I will second trying a few loads with each powder and see what you and your gun like the best.

FWIW my PX4 functioned with an OAL out to 1.150 with a LSWC style bullet.

 

[armoredman]

Thanks, gents.

 

[kludge]

#7 hands down. It's a great .40S&W powder.

Works great for me with MBCo 170gr LSWC, 8.1gr is my load.

 

[armoredman]

That's almost exactly what I am using, my Lee cast 175 grain SWC. Thank you for the first hand info.
I have 75 testers made up with both powders, and we should see this weekend how they do, IF it cools off a bit - 115 with humidity means staying indoors a lot.

 

[armoredman]

Just a quick update, the first loads performed "poorly", as the resized bullets were .401, industry standard for 40 SW lead bullets.





Slugged the bore - .402. Bad leading from the undersize bullets, and the factory ammo was not exactly "regular"
The Lee mold drops at .404, so I tried some unsized, and VOILA! The two flyers were my fault.



The load is a good one, only thing this gun will shoot straight. All the targets from this day looked pretty much the same. The long trigger demands a glacial slow pull for precision, so slow birds land on you.