40s&w 800x help

[hithard]

I have 4lbs of 800x, a whole bunch of 180gr. cast bullets and can't find any Data to stuff this in a .40s&w. Even the bullet maker, laser-cast, cannot help me here, and IMR has not answered my e-mail.

Thanks for the help,

Greg

 

[freakshow10mm]

Lyman #48 has two lead bullets with 800X data

They list a 401043 175gr at 1.125" OAL from 5.6-7.4gr (853-974fps) and a 401638 175gr at 1.100" OAL from 5.8-7.6gr (878-996fps). Both use a WSP primer.

ETA: I'd start with the conservative 5.6gr and work up. Load to the longest OAL that will feed in your gun, but at least 1.125".

 

[Shoney]

Here are max listed loads from several sources.

180 Gr Bullet
IMR - - - 800X - - - 7.2 gr
Speer- - - 800X- - - 7.9 gr
Hornady- 800X - - - 7.5 gr

I found that 6.5 gr of 800X with cast 180gr Zero or 180gr Laser Castand with 180gr Montana Gold yielded excellent accuracy!

It's been a while, but as I recall, 5.6 gr loads were very weak and sometimes fizzled bullet and unburned powder out the barrel. Ty it though as your weapons may be different.

 

[evan price]

According to Hodgdon, 800-X in a .40 with 180-gr Hornady XTP, 1.125" oal, they found 7.2 grains max, 1030 fps, 26000 psi.

I'd start around 6 grains with your lead projos and work up from there.

 

[freakshow10mm]

Evan, that's with a jacketed bullet, not with a lead bullet like the OP is using. Big difference in load data between the two.

 

[Walkalong]

His advise is sound.

 

[evan price]

Freakshow, that's why I said start with around 6 grains (about 15% drop) and work up instead of just dropping 10% from max.

In my experience you don't get good results out of the .40 unless you keep the pressure up, unlike a .45 for example.