ISO load data for 40 S&W 175gr Lead Bullet

[ronaldlhedrick]

I am in search of Load data for a 40 S&W 175gr FP Lee Lead Cast Bullet using either HP-38 or TiteGroup powders.

I have a Lyman 49th Reloading Manual. But it doesn't have either of those powders listed for a lead bullet of that weight. Pistol powders are very hard to find in my area. These are two that I have right now. Any help is appreciated.

 

[VThillman]

It's probably because those are fast-burning powders. HP38 is slightly faster than Bullseye, but close enough so that the starting load for Bullseye in that manual should be safe.

The Lee manual (2nd ed.) lists loads for 165 jacketed bullets using those powders, starting at 4.6 for Titegroup and 4.8 gr for HP38. You should lower the charge a few tenths for the slightly heavier bullet you have.

Note that these are untested (by me anyway) suggestions; Proceed At Your Own Risk.

 

[ReloaderFred]

HP-38 is the same exact powder as Winchester 231, and Lyman lists loads for 231 with the 175 gr. cast bullet. Just use that and you'll be fine, but of course work up your load as normal.

Both Win. 231 and Hodgdon HP-38 are quite a bit slower burning powders than Bullseye, VThillman, not the other way around.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ronaldlhedrick]

ReloaderFred - HP-38 appears to be a flake and W231 says it is a ball powder. Does this make a difference or are they still the same regardless?

 

[VThillman]

HP-38 is the same exact powder as Winchester 231, and Lyman lists loads for 231 with the 175 gr. cast bullet. Just use that and you'll be fine, but of course work up your load as normal.

Both Win. 231 and Hodgdon HP-38 are quite a bit slower burning powders than Bullseye, VThillman, not the other way around.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Yep, got it backwards. Here's a 'burn-chart' from down-under.

http://adi-limited.com/handloaders/equivalents.asp

Vihtavuori has one online too.

 

[ronaldlhedrick]

ReloaderFred - Nevermind, I read in my Lyman manual where the HP-38 Duplicates the performance of the W231.

Thanks for the information

 

[VThillman]

If I had any chops left I would suggest that ball powder meters better than flake. As it is...

 

[Walkalong]

I have a Lyman 49th Reloading Manual. But it doesn't have either of those powders listed for a lead bullet of that weight.

If it has data for 180 Gr lead in .40 it will be safe to use that.

 

[LiveLife]

I like W231/HP-38 for 40S&W and works well with lead bullets. Because of Titegroup's violent burn characteristics with narrow load range, I do not recommend Titegroup to new loaders, especially for 40S&W.

1999 Winchester load data lists 40S&W loads for 170 lead bullet - http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=159609&stc=1&d=1329800605

170 gr. Lead W231 Start 4.0 gr (850 fps) 22,800 psi - Max 5.2 gr (1030 fps) 33,200 psi

I referenced Winchester load data for MBC lead 180 gr TCFP and 170 gr SWC bullets.

For 180 gr bullet, 3.8 gr was used as start charge and 4.0/4.2 gr worked well to reliably cycle the slide and produce accuracy with Glock 22/23/27 using factory and Lone Wolf barrels.

For your 175 gr bullet, you may want to consider starting at 4.0 and testing 4.2/4.4 gr.

 

[horseman1]

I worked up a load for my XD 40 exactly like bds described for a 175gr lead bullet using the same data. My notes indicate that I started at 4.0 and ended up stopping at 4.5gr of W231/HP-38. Notes also say they worked well.

H1
-----------------------
[edit] Found this in they lyman 48th Edition:

[edit] Oops Fred already mentioned this..

 

[ronaldlhedrick]

I ended up using 4.4 gr. of HP-38 with an OAL of 1.125.

I don't have a range on my property so as soon as I get to test this load I will post my results. I don't have a chronograph (probably need to get one) but I will do my best to report my results regardless.

Thanks for all of the great information!

 

[LiveLife]

If you are using wheel weights to cast your bullets, you may want to load up some 4.0/4.2 gr rounds to test.

My testing was done with 18 BHN Missouri lead bullets and softer wheel weights (I think around 14-16 BHN) will require less powder charge as the bullet base will deform easier and seal with the barrel with lower powder charge.

If 4.0/4.2 gr loads reliably cycle the slide and produce accuracy without leading, I would use them instead of 4.4 gr load due to less recoil.

 

[steve4102]

ReloaderFred - Nevermind, I read in my Lyman manual where the HP-38 Duplicates the performance of the W231.

Actually, it's more than "duplicates the performance". These two powder are the same powder, not similar, the exact same powder in a different container.

 

[ronaldlhedrick]

Thanks bds. I bought these from a gun show. The guy I bought them from told me they were Hard Cast.

 

[readyeddy]

I would use the 180 grain lead data in the Lyman manual. Just stay below max by at least 1/2 grain.