40S&W 135gr Sinterfire Frangible Bullets - First Shots

[wankerjake]

Mark I think 1.12” is what Sinterfire says for OAL for all their 40s&w bullets

Personally I left them as long as would fit well in my Glock mags which was about 1.14” but they plunked correctly well longer than that

It seemed like 1.12” was past the ogive which I didn’t like regardless of what Sinterfire says. It’s a very slight taper though for this bullet

 

[markr6754]

Here’s what’s driving me batty with these projectiles. I’m not that long in this obsession, but I thought one thing was standard...load to manufacturer’s C.O.L., and no deeper than the start of the ogive. That was a a cardinal rule..or so I thought. I’d love it if some more experienced loaders were commenting here.

Anyway, check out these pics...hard to take, they were.

Left to right: 1.140” 1.120” 135gr SF


Pic at case mouth of 1.120” C.O.L.


Pic at case mouth of 1.140” C.O.L.


Pic at “crimp ring” of 135gr SF boolit

 

[wankerjake]

It’s not typical to seat past the start of the ogive which looks like even at 1.14” we are doing. I thought it looked that way but it’s such a slight taper I wasn’t sure. Slightly annoying but a slight crimp and it looks and functions fine

The fact that we’re guessing on our load data, I am happy we are loading them longer than what Sinterfire states (1.12”) because it’s a little leeway on pressure. The seating depth is a bigger factor of pressure in these cartridges than distance from the lands (as opposed to rifle)

Much adieu is made of OAL and I think people in general overthink it. I rarely even look up what an OAL is supposed to be. If I’m shooting an XTP or Gold Dot or something with clear data I will look up the recommended OAL but that doesn’t mean I’ll follow it. Usually I’m longer

I shoot a lot of bulk projectiles without exact load data so I determine OAL for auto cartridges by plunk test and magazine fit, usually. I don’t email MBC for what mold they use to compare with a Lyman manual for example. I seat a bullet until it plunks. Sometimes you have to lightly crimp out the bell to makes sure that’s not why it’s isn’t fitting. Once it plunks, then it needs to fit the magazine. It should also look about correct. If it looks too short or too long then it might be but in general you’re going to be close to recommended or still a little long which will give you a little more leeway with pressure

 

[cz1947]

The 40 S&W is loaded to 1.134". The 10 mm 1.262". In the 10 mm I started with 8.6g of Blue Dot and increased in .1g increments until the slide locked back on the Rock Island 1911. 3 rounds were loaded with each weight. The slide started locking on 9.6g but did not lock every time until I reached 10g. My go to load for 180g jhp's is 10.2g of Blue Dot. Since the Sinter Fire load was 10g of Blue Dot, I used a middle of the range load for the 40 S&W at 7.5g. It worked well in the 40 cal S&W so that's how I ended up there. There were no signs of high pressure such as flattened primers or ejection marks on the cases. The 10 mm loads shot well at the indoor range and when it cools down a bit I will chronograph both loads. I did not have the 40 S&W loads worked up when I went to the range.

 

[markr6754]

I’m ready to move on to other powders for these 135gr Sinterfire projectiles. Got out and shot my latest proof rounds with Universal shooting 4.8gr at 1.135” COL, and 5.0gr at 1.140” COL, both with CCI 500 primers.

Based on previous testing using 4.8gr Universal at 1.140”, recoil and full cycling weren’t quite there. Seating .005” deeper made a significant difference with solid performance, and a good recoil, and clean ejection and lock back. Still, I’m not comfortable seating these projectiles past the ogive, thus the purpose for 5.0gr Universal at 1.140”. All of the positive comments remain true, with just a slighter increase in felt recoil.

I started tonight’s shooting running 165gr JHP RN from Everglades Ammo, over 7.3gr of CFE-Pistol, seated to 1.125”. It was harsh, quite an unpleasant load. I’m not sure what lead me to select this recipe...it was an unnecessary test of 40 S&W power that I hope to never repeat. I’ll have to try those rounds in my Beretta PX4 Storm to see if a longer barrel can tame the load, otherwise, I’ll be pulling out my Hornady Cam Loc Bullet Puller for the second time this month.

 

[BlackEagleSpeer]

Nice to see this thread. I just ordered some myself. 7 and half cents a piece, and I actually have a good stock of lpps. So I'll be loading em up in 10mm and probably concentrating on that for a while.

I'm looking hard for load data on 10mm 135gr with either 231, WST, or #9. Did you manage any successful loads yet?
I've sent an email to sinterfire about data, too, but no response. Based on other factors ive gathered, I'm thinking I'll start at 5.5gr 231 and see how it does. I'll be sure to put up results here or on a new thread since there's no data posted or published anywhere.

 

[BlackEagleSpeer]

I ordered some today as well. Found some other stuff I needed that qualified free shipping on the entire order. For 7.5 cents apiece they’re worth a shot. I think I have some Universal but hoping some better data comes out for other powders, someone already emailed them for data right?

appreciate the pioneers and I’ll be screwing with them as well

Yep, been some people emailing them for a few years asking them to publish some data on their site. I did it a couple weeks ago. We still need some more polite pressure on them, sooner or later some jackass is gonna Leroy Jenkins himself and his G21 conversion to oblivion (please don't be me, please don't be me.)
Really excited about these, picked them up bc my usual Speer plated weren't available and these sounded awesome for 7-8 cents a piece. Gonna do 5.5gr 231 up to 5.8 with the 135gr and see how it goes. New to the forum, but I'll include pics of the cases in case someone else has a keener eye for pressure than mine.

 

[wankerjake]

Yep, been some people emailing them for a few years asking them to publish some data on their site. I did it a couple weeks ago. We still need some more polite pressure on them, sooner or later some jackass is gonna Leroy Jenkins himself and his G21 conversion to oblivion (please don't be me, please don't be me.)
Really excited about these, picked them up bc my usual Speer plated weren't available and these sounded awesome for 7-8 cents a piece. Gonna do 5.5gr 231 up to 5.8 with the 135gr and see how it goes. New to the forum, but I'll include pics of the cases in case someone else has a keener eye for pressure than mine.

I worked up to 5.6gr W231 in my 40s&w

 

[TheRealmtshooter]

https://frangiblebullets.com/Reloading.html it's not bullet specific but maybe this will help.

 

[Toprudder]

...sooner or later some jackass is gonna Leroy Jenkins himself...

Had no clue about the Leroy Jenkins reference, I had to google it, and found the video.

 

[Suedenflames68]

I'm looking hard for load data on 10mm 135gr with either 231, WST, or #9. Did you manage any successful loads yet?
I've sent an email to sinterfire about data, too, but no response. Based on other factors ive gathered, I'm thinking I'll start at 5.5gr 231 and see how it does. I'll be sure to put up results here or on a new thread since there's no data posted or published anywhere.

Unfortunately haven't made it past research yet . I've had other things taking up my time lately. Did manage to get out and empty some more cases to reload though

 

[BlackEagleSpeer]

Made it to 5.8gr 231 (135gr frangible flat point) and it was quieter than my 45acp with the same. Safe and accurate enough, gonna work them up some more. Needs more crimp, they seated from 1.26" to about 1.258" on the tenth in mag with these possum fart loads. All federal primers flatten and crater, but i saw no other pressure signs. Crimp was about 0.419" vs 0.421 or 0.4205", much less than what i usually do. When i can, I'm going to start a 10mm specific thread. Maybe we can meet there and give the future a clear starting point and pressure sinterfire to distribute some compensation?

 

[BlackEagleSpeer]

Had no clue about the Leroy Jenkins reference, I had to google it, and found the video.

Yeah, a classic! It got a little worn out, but memory of the original still makes me smile

 

[BlackEagleSpeer]

https://frangiblebullets.com/Reloading.html it's not bullet specific but maybe this will help.

Thanks for this! The 135gr wasn't listed, but it corresponds with 180gr fmj (tested and confirmed.) All in all, loads are working out with no clear pressure signs or damage done!

 

[markr6754]

Posting an update...I made up loads with 700-X, 4.2gr to 4.6gr. Some of you may like the 4.6gr load...I felt it a bit hot. My best group was at 4.5gr. Still loading long to 1.140”, and my Beretta PX4 and Springfield EMP love them.

Meanwhile, I picked up some primed 40 S&W new primed brass from Everglades Ammo. Nice brass. My EMP has problems with the primers...but this is about the powder.

I made up loads with CFE- Pistol. Turned out to be too soft. I put 4.9gr to 5.3gr under the 135gr Sinterfires. They were still a tad soft at 5.3gr, but I’ll start a new ladder at 5.4gr. They shot okay, though soft from my Springfield EMP. The problem was the suspect primers.

We’re building a nice load manual as we continue this endeavor.