AA #5 and .40 S&W

[04JRB]

I was looking up some load data for AA #5 and came across this article:

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/tapioca.html#nb12

Im shooting a .40 S&W sigma and Ive loaded up some remington brass with 7.6gr AA #5 with a 165gr winchester bullets. my speer manual shows this well within the limits.

I have never shot handloads out of a pistol yet. after reading this Im a little apprehensive about it too. Fortunately I only loaded 50 rounds, so my losses wont be too bad if this is wrong.

on a seperate note but relevant, does the .40 sigma fully support the case head like some others or is it like a glock which doesnt?

 

[Walkalong]

AA #5 works great in .40 S&W. here is a link to Accurates data. My Elite match loves Zero 165 Gr JHP's and Universal Clays with AA #5 a very close second.

Kind of interesting where Accurate stops with AA #5 and the 165 Gr bullet. I went by Speer and I used more AA#5 than you did!

 

[04JRB]

Walkalong,
this is what I have read too, its like H335 to .223. The, I read a few articles like the one I linked.

Thanks for the data, Im still not sure I want to shoot my handloads yet though.

 

[Walkalong]

I did not log the temp, just wrote down "hot 80+ degrees", but I got:

1061 Avg FPS with the AA #5 load and
1036 Avg FPS with the Universal Clays load and
1032 Avg FPS with the N340 load I used that day.
This from a 3" XD.

The Elite match gave 1162, 1132, & 1141 Avg FPS from its 5" barrel the same day.

 

[wingman]

I like aa5 in my browning 40, accurate and recoil is mild. I've never seen any sign of over pressure. I read the article you posted and like all things human factor is usually more to blame then the product, lot of variables and it only takes a small error.

 

[kennedy]

I have loaded 7.2gr of AA5 with 155gr rainier bullets and 6.7 grs of AA5 with 155gr rainier bullets shot in my .40 EAA witness and S&W 4043 no problems, the witness really likes the 6.7grs best. I ran out of AA5, and the local gun shop only had universal clays, so I am going the try that next. my only complaint I have with aa5 is it leaks out of my lee auto disk.

 

[DragonFire]

Another common denominator is 180gr bullets. I haven't seen anyone definitively say it's AA5, and I doubt anyone could prove that.

Having said that, I've stayed away from 180gr bullets in 40S&W, and though I've like AA5 in the couple of thosand reloads I made (all shot without problems), I've drifted to WSF in 165gr rounds.

 

[FieroCDSP]

on a seperate note but relevant, does the .40 sigma fully support the case head like some others or is it like a glock which doesnt

I'll answer this one!!!

No, the Sigma chamber on the 40cal is Not fully supported. Check your brass and you'll find a slight bulge at the bottom of the case wall. It is however more supported than the Glock factory barrels. In comparing a Glock fired case and my Sigma case, I found the glock bulge more severe.

The sigma should withstand light to medium power loads just fine. I would stick to loads that have a relatively low pressure rating, though. I've fired 135gr loads with 800X through mine and saw no indications of a bulge.

Or you can go buy an M&P, like I did That solution worked out just fine.

 

[04JRB]

Thanks for all the responses. If I was more into handguns I would like to have the M&P. The only reason I got the sigma was the fact it was my first handgun and I wasnt sure I was going to enjoy them or not yet, so I went with the sigma due to paying around $300 for it. Im more into rifles and shotguns.


So Ive heard a lot of different loads people use, is 7.6gr too hot for this gun? should I pull the bullets and reduce the load?

 

[stubbicatt]

The CZ Tactical Sport has a fully supported chamber, and the geometry of the feed system allows one to seat his bullets out a bit more than he would for a Glock or other 40. Completely supported chamber. Great pistol.

I sold a G35 for this, and worried a lot before doing it, but no more guppied brass for me.

http://czusa.com/product_detail.php?id=69

It is a great competition pistol, but probably not for CCW. Then for the CCW, it would behoove one to practice with the ammo he will shoot when the chips are down anyways, and that should probably be factory ammo.

 

[FieroCDSP]

So Ive heard a lot of different loads people use, is 7.6gr too hot for this gun? should I pull the bullets and reduce the load

That's pretty close to the max-load data I have. You can probably shoot it, but definitely check your brass after the first one for a dangerous bulge.

 

[04JRB]

Thanks FieroCDSP, if its that close to the max Ill probably pull the bullet and start over as this was my first batch of handloads for this gun.

Using CCI primers and Rem brass with a 165gr winchester flat nose and plated except on the tail end. what scould I start with? 5.9gr (10%less than minumum on accurates data site) or 6.5(minimum)?

 

[sublimaze41]

My Accurate Arms reloading manual gives the following data. Straight from their book.

180 gr HDY XTP 5.9-6.6
180 gr SPR JHP 6.3-7.0
180 gr Ran HP 5.8-6.5
180 gr Ran FP 6.2-6.9

Could somebody's load data be off? I always trust the powder manufacturer first.

 

[FieroCDSP]

The listed starting load should be fine with plated bullets. You couls probably be okay with a 10% reduction off the starting load, but its not necessary. I used to do that until I realized I spent more time working back up to the starting load when the gun failed to cycle reliably. The starting load is almost always a 10% reducion off the max, but some powders (Win 231, I think is one) are more dangerous if you under-charge them too low.
Use the starting load that is listed and work up slowly from there. Make sure you're getting consistant drops from your measure, particularly as you get up towards max, and check your brass for the level of bulging.

Oh, and with flat-points, be aware that it's possible to have them too long and they'll resist going into full battery when the flat tip hits the top of the chamber on feeding. I've encountered this on plated flat points. I usually seat my 155 Rainiers down to 1.120" You might keep the 165's between 1.125 and 1.130"