Grain change ? no recipe .40 w/231 lead

[F5guy]

So I've been loading for many years the same exact thing:
.40
175 gr Proofmark lead SWC
Win 231- 4.3 grains start max 5.8 re: Lymans 48th

I hav eplent of powder,primers and a fresh supply of the following bullets
lead 170 SWC & 180 tcfp gr missouri bullet.

Can't stand not going off published data but can't find anything out there for these bullets. Shooting IDPA this weekend and need to get loading so any experience is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[LiveLife]

When I did load development for MBC 40S&W 170/180 gr lead bullets, I referenced 1999 Winchester load data and Lyman #49.


This is 1999-2005 Winchester load data (load data did not specify nose profile, but it probably was TC design)

Here's Lyman #49 load data for 175 gr lead bullet but keep in mind that Lyman used .401" groove diameter test barrel and I find their start/max charges higher than powder manufacturer load data. If your barrel's groove diameter is 401", I would use Lyman load data but if the groove diameter is .400", I would be more conservative.

These were the powder charge ranges I tested in Lone Wolf barrels with .400" groove diameter:

180 gr TCFP (IDP #5): 3.8 - 4.5 gr W231/HP-38
170 gr SWC (IDP #2): 4.0 - 4.8 gr W231/HP-38

For Missouri 18 BHN 180 gr TCFP bullet (IDP #5) sized .401" at 1.120"-1.125" OAL, I used 3.8 gr of W231/HP-38 as my start charge and worked up to 4.2 gr initially and then to 4.4 gr with good results without leading in G22/G23/G27 using Lone Wolf barrels.

As to meeting power factor, depending on the IDPA division you are shooting, to make 125,000 power factor with 180 gr bullet, you'll only need 695 fps and 736 fps for 170 gr bullet which are easily attainable with lower start-to-mid range charges (but to be sure, you'll need to use a chrono to verify the velocities of your loads shot from your match pistol) - http://www.ccidpa.org/idpa-power.html

 

[F5guy]

So is the image taken from Wincheter or Lyman. I still don't see a figure for 180 lead on either. I think I'd be ok with 4.5 but then again this is not a guessing game and will settle for someone's direct experience. Thanks

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Hodgdon lists data for 180gr Berry's plated flat points. 4.4gr to 5.1gr. I would say since Berry's bullets tend to work great somewhere between upper lead data and midrange jacketed data, somewhere between 4.2gr and 4.8gr you'd probably find a good load.

 

[F5guy]

Yeah I've been googling around and with some exceptions it seems my 4.5 i was using for the 175's will be fine. I'll need to drop it down for the 170's but prefer heavier bullets anyway. I'll post results ASAP.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Since 170gr and 180gr bullet are so close to your original 175gr bullet and you're using a middle range charge of 4.5gr W231 I'm fairly sure you can safely use the same exact 4.5gr W231 charge with the 170gr and 180gr bullets too.

 

[LiveLife]

So is the image taken from Wincheter or Lyman.

Sorry for the confusion. I added additional pictures and comments to clarify which load data they were from (Winchester vs Lyman).

 

[LiveLife]

BTW, which IDPA division are you shooting?

 

[rcmodel]

Lymans 175 grain bullet data is for a 180.

They list all cast bullet weights as cast, before lube & sizing.
The 175 + bullet lube = 180, or close enough for gooberment work.

In actual fact, if the bullet shape is the same, there is no difference in 175 or 180.
Cast bullets can vary 5 grains when you cast them just depending on the hardness of the alloy you are using.
rc

 

[F5guy]

Shooting SSP, in the rain today none the less. Will report back on accuracy of new configuration. Thanks

 

[1SOW]

F5, those loads will shoot as well as the 20mm or better.
You won't have Tacan nav though.

 

[LiveLife]

Shooting SSP, in the rain today

I say worst day shooting is better than best day working.

I got delivery of Fiocchi SP primers from MidwayUSA this week and planning to test them in 9/40/45 tomorrow (45 cases with small primer pockets). For 40S&W, I will be testing MBC 180/170 gr bullets along with Montana Gold 165 gr JHP and X-Treme 180 gr plated FP.

Let us know how the match went.

 

[F5guy]

Loads worked perfec, shot clean and accurate. Hit plates and everything else presented to aim point. Next up going to back off a bit and try these 170 SWC. Thx

 

[LiveLife]

Great!