.40 W/ Bullseye

[F Nster]

Hello All.

I am new to the forum and see there are a lot of people on here with good info. I am starting into reloading and trying to be as safe as possible, Reading books, internet, Ect. I own a few reloading books but have yet to find a recipe and OAL for my bullet and powder. Anybody experienced with .40?
Bullet- 180 Grn. Horndy FMJ FP
Powder- Bullseye

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Bullseye is excellent for use with the .40 cal. For a 180 grain JHP, I believe we were using 5.5 grains. It's been a couple of weeks since we've loaded any .40, so double check that.

 

[Walkalong]

The .40 usually does better with medium speed powders when using jacketed bullets, but I have not tried Bullseye in .40, and it may work just fine.

I have had good luck with AA #2 and 180 Gr plated bullets in .40, and 700X works well with 155 Gr plated bullets for light loads, so go figure.

For full power .40 though, give me something slower.

If you have some Universal Clays, that is what I would use. SR-4756 is showing promise as well.

Welcome to THR

 

[bensdad]

Bullseye is my powder for .40 (and 9, 380, 45, 38). DOn't remember the charge, but it's within spec from Speer 19. Start close to the bottom, as always.

 

[Presto]

I don't really like Bullseye for .40. It gets a little punchy when I got the velocity up where I wanted it. The best all around .40 powder that I have found is WST. Power pistol does very well, too. The faster powders are fine for very light loads, but I like my 40 to act more like a .40, I guess.

 

[LiveLife]

The faster powders are fine for very light loads, but I like my 40 to act more like a .40, I guess.

For full power .40 though, give me something slower.

That's what I used to think too and did not even think about using Bullseye for 40S&W. I have successfully loaded 40S&W with slower W231/HP38 and have been using it for my match load.

Recently, I tried another fast powder Promo using Red Dot load data with surprisingly good results (recoil was moderate/firm):

180 gr Rainier Plated - 4.4 gr (Very accurate), 4.8 gr (Accurate) at 1.125" OAL
180 gr MBC Lead - 4.4 gr (Very accurate) at 1.125" OAL
155 gr Montana Gold FMJ - 4.8/5.1 gr (Accurate) at 1.125" OAL

 

[sgtzach]

I love using Bullseye as I only load .40sw, 9mm, and .45 ACP and it has been a good all around powder for me. That being said I have found that Bullseye does seem to snap a bit more and was affecting my follow up shots. Have switched over to HP38/w231 and have had amazing results. Have not made a 180gr FMJ for the .40 so your on your own for that but I would definately recommed HP38. It also tends to meter out better and does not seems to dirty my Sig as bad. Hopefully, I can get a chronograph soon and be able to post more complete range results.

If you haven't looked in the Speer #14 it lists a 180 gr FMJ with a start weight of 4.9 grains Bullseye @ 783 FPS and a max of 5.5 grains Bullseye @ 929 FPS with a COAL of 1.120"

Of course as usual on here I take no responsibility for your use of this info. Best to buy a couple reloading manuals.

 

[HighExpert]

.40 S&W Practice
JHP/JFP 155gr
5.7 Bullseye
1.118 OAL
890 FPS


This works great for just fun. Bullseye is the wrong powder if you want to go heavy load (velocity or bullet weight). This is a good load to plink with and is very shootable.

.40 S&W
JHP 155gr
6.5 Unique
1.118 OAL
1120 FPS


This will give you more snap but is still not a heavy recoiling load. Still quite pleasant to shoot 400-500 rounds in an afternoon. By the way, the velocities measured are out of a Glock 23.