.40S&W, 180gr FMJ, Load Input

[lordpaxman]

Which means I'll be down to 3 powders for all my pistol cartridge loads.

At one time I thought I could find the one powder to rule them all. Now I’ve got at least 3 powders, for each caliber, for each type of bullet, for each weight of bullet, for each…
Since you expanded beyond Unique, I found faster powders in .40 can be pleasant as well, such as WST. Shooting is always fun. Good luck.

 

[ImjinScout85]

I load alot of 40S&W/180GR. and I used to use HS-6 as it is a very good powder, softer recoil and not very dirty. Although recently I have switched to VV-N320 as this is an excellent powder, little more pricey but IMO it's worth it. Nothing wrong with the HS-6 but I use N320 for all my pistol calibers, 9mm/40S&W/45ACP

 

[WrongHanded]

Update and Results:

So I got to the range for accuracy testing, then went out elsewhere and did a chronograph test. I though some people might be interested in the results.

The Load:
.40 S&W, RMR 180gr FMJ-FN, Unique at 6.6gr +/- 0.1gr, CCI 500 SPP, Starline brass, OAL of 1.140-1.142".

For the accuracy test I used a G22. This was from a bag on the bench shooting at 25 yards, and pushing down firmly into the bag.
2.25" group of 10 shots, 5 of which are making that cluster in the middle. Take it for what you will, I think it's reasonable but far from exceptional. Hitting left and a little high just seems to be how Glocks perform for me off that bag. Atleast it's a consistent issue.

The chronograph results were 10 shots, 15' from the unit, in 45F weather, from my G23. I prefer to use the G23 for chrono work because 4" is a nice middling length.

1045, 1046, 1027, 1031, 1015, 1026, 1049, 1017, 1000, 1017.

High: 1049
Low: 1000
Average: 1027
ES: 49
SD: 15

The 1000fps looks like an outlier to me. It may have been from a lighter charge, as I wasn't being terribly precise. Without it we get:

Average: 1030
ES: 34
SD: 13

Either way, it's again reasonable but not outstanding.

 

[LiveLife]

Nice shooting.

Thanks for the range report.

 

[lordpaxman]

Good deal. Nice to hear how things worked out for you. I’m not sure if you’ve ever chrono’d factory .40 through your G23 but I suspect your load above would be on par. You could back off your charge a bit and still make major PF!