40S&W with 160

[graydond]

what is a load for 40S&W using 160gr RN bullets? I have 231 powder but I can only find info for 155gr and 165gr bullets. should I load to weights between the two?

 

[kcofohio]

what is a load for 40S&W using 160gr RN bullets? I have 231 powder but I can only find info for 155gr and 165gr bullets. should I load to weights between the two?

That is an odd ball weight. What I have done, as recommended, in similar situations. Go with the heavier bullet. Do the ladder work up from there. See what load will cycle.

 

[vaalpens]

I'm not sure about a RN bullet and how deep you need to seat it, so it will probably be safer to start with the 165gr load data and work up from there. What COL are you planning to use and what is the length of the bullet?

 

[graydond]

I'm not sure about a RN bullet and how deep you need to seat it, so it will probably be safer to start with the 165gr load data and work up from there. What COL are you planning to use and what is the length of the bullet?

COL 1.128 and bullet length.560

 

[kcofohio]

COL 1.128 and bullet length.560

Are the bullets cast, jacketed, or plated?

 

[Captaingyro]

It seems that this question would only need to be asked if someone was attempting to load barn-burner rounds that approach the max pressure for the cartridge. Assuming that's not the case there should be a lot of overlap in the charge ranges for 155's and 165's. Pick a charge somewhere in that overlap and work up from there.

 

[LiveLife]

You can safely reference load data for slightly heavier bullet for same bullet type (jacketed, plated, lead, etc.). So for 160 gr bullet, reference 165 gr load data. I have also used lead load data for plated bullets with good results.


Hodgdon lists following for 165 gr Berry's plated bullet (BERB) - http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

165 gr BERB FP W231/HP-38 1.125" COL Start 4.7 gr (933 fps) 25,200 PSI - Max 5.4 gr (1049 fps) 33,400 PSI

BTW, 165 gr bullet with 5.0 gr of W231/HP-38 was one of my USPSA match loads.


If you are looking for lighter recoil target loads, check out this article for reference - http://www.handgunsmag.com/ammo/ammunition_40lite_091806/

 

[kcofohio]

It seems that this question would only need to be asked if someone was attempting to load barn-burner rounds that approach the max pressure for the cartridge

I don't think that is necessarily true. 40 is a less forgiving cartridge, IMO. Best to ask then to find out the hard way.

 

[graydond]

Are the bullets cast, jacketed, or plated?

full jacket....round nose

 

[kcofohio]

full jacket....round nose

I have a box of Xtreme 165 gr. With Berry's 165 gr. length written on it. I'll check after work.

 

[kcofohio]

COL 1.128 and bullet length.560

The Berry's 165 gr. FN I has measured at .556". They're the same as what Hodgdon list for their data.
I would use their data for a starting point.

 

[vaalpens]

COL 1.128 and bullet length.560

The .560" is not very long so you should be good and safe with the 165gr load data.

I created loads with different bullets using 180gr load data without any issues. I used BE-86, not W231/HP38, but a load for a heavier bullet worked with lighter bullets.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/potpourri-of-loads-evaluation.829164/