IMR 800X for a lead 155gr .40 S&W?

[bottlerocket]

I have searched just about everywhere I can think of.

I have some plated 155gr bullets and was told by the guys at Cabelas to load plated rounds just like a lead round. Does anyone have load info for this bullet using IMR 800X? My manuals only have a 180gr bullet listed and nothing for IMR 800X. There is a 155gr jacketed bullet with IMR 800X load info but not sure how that would convert to plated lead.

 

[bottlerocket]

bump, anyone?

 

[243winxb]

800X is notorious for metering poorly. If you do use it, make sure you dont get bridging in the powder drop tube. Look into every case at the powder level before seating a bullet. If we look as Steves pages here > http://www.stevespages.com/page8a.htm your will see a range of 800-X From 6.1 grains to 8.6 grains. Start low and work up the powder charge. Stay away from maximum.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I use jacketed data for most of my plated bullet loads. Stay 10% below max and/or under 1,200 fps.

 

[bottlerocket]

Awesome thanks for the replies. Any suggestions for .40 S&W other than IMR 800X?

 

[Clark]

I have worked up 180 and 200 gr in 40sw and 10mm with 800X.
I have worked up 85 gr in 32sw Long with 800X.
Those were successes.
380, 9mm, 7.62x25mm, not so much.
Randy Ketchum has worked up to phenomenal levels, 200 gr with 44mag 800X.


800X is the path to record velocities and powder measure frustration.

For hunting, I can see weighing every charge, but for blasting at targets, forget it.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Universal is real nice in the .40 and 10mm.
Clean burning, meters well, good volume.
You should be able to work up to 1,050 fps with it and a 155 plated.
I use it with 180 and 165 plated bullets.
Universal is a good all around powder.

 

[bottlerocket]

I'll get some universal on my next big order Thanks!

 

[GooseGestapo]

My favorite powder for accuracy in the .40S&W is Winchester Super-Field. At 6.3gr it gives ~1,100fps and tack-driving, match winning accurcy with 155gr bullets. Under the 180gr use 5.5gr for 900fps.

For max velocities, Hod. LongShot has given me the best high-velocities with decent accuracy. Not as high as Hodgdon's claims, but a tad faster than 800X. 800X was no slouch, however and delivered the claimed velocities.

Also, I liked BlueDot, but it was a loonggg time ago, since I used it. I understand that there has been some small, but significant differences in current and older lot#'s of BlueDot. Enough that there are some caution advisories published...... But, BlueDot measures almost as bad as 800X.

 

[noylj]

No lead data, just the following jacketed data:
Bullet Weight Powder Weight Velocity Start/Max Power Factor COL
JHP 150 800X 8.8 1205 Max 181 1.125
Start at 7.9gn and work up to 8.4gn. Generally you don't want to push a plated bullet with a charge more than half way between starting and MAX.
Wouldn't be my first choice, but then again plated bullets are my very last choice. My best accuracy has been with AA5 and Silhouette.

 

[TonyT]

Do yourself a favopr and don't make the mistake I made purchasing IMR-800X - it meters very very poorly. There are plenty of powders on the matrket which provide equally good ballistics and meter uniformly.
Shortly after IMR-800X was introduced I saw the impressive ballistics and decided to purchase a 10 lb keg for reloading 28 ga. against the advice of the dealer who stated "it meters poorly". That was an understatement. I "enjoyed" an enormous number of bloopers with a MEC loader that works with every other powder I have ever used.

 

[Steve Koski]

Bottlerocket,

Burn that 800x on a manhole cover to celebrate July 4th.

Koski