Loading 40 s&w with 165 TMJ FN

[djmike]

I've been loading 9mm for about a year and now am starting to load 40's and am looking at data and reading boards about it. My lyman 49th says with power pistol I should be at 6.3-7.0 gr but it says with TMJ without the FN. Speer says 7.0-7.9 but I don't have the speer bullets. Hornady shows nothing. They are no name that I got from the gun show. On a few other boards some guys were saying that they load 7.3-7.5 with no name projectiles and get good results.. Isn't that way too hot?? I always start low and load up slowly but that seems excessive. I don't want to be at either extreme. Any ideas?

Mike

 

[sexybeast]

Hi Mike,
I have never used power pistol but, mass is mass. Start out at the low end and work up if you feel the need. If the bullet is lead start at the bottom, if FMJ you can start in the middle. If plated then somewhere inbetween.
40 is my favorite cartridge to load

 

[jim8115]

For what it is worth, from my XD 40, all set at 1.120

165 Ranier plated 6.6 Power Pistol AVG 1018 FPS

165 Zero JHP 7.1 Power Pistol AVG 1100 FPS

165 Zero JHP 5.0 W231 AVG 980 FPS

Jim

 

[rg1]

My loads with IMI 165 gr. jacketed FN using Power Pistol in 1 fired Win brass and using CCI 500 primers:
OAL- 1.125"
6.5 grains- 940 fps
6.7---------1010
7.0---------1030
7.2---------1065 fps
With my loads in a G23 6.5 was pretty light and 7.2 didn't appear to be maximum. The 7.0 grain load shot well. I found I like Winchester Super Field best in my .40. Make sure you have good bullet tension in the brass.

 

[djmike]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to start around mid range and make 25 and then ramp up from there if needed. Put em through the chrony and make my decision.
Mike

 

[Montman]

Looks like everyone is talking about 165 gr bullets.

I just bought a 40 cal Beretta - so I'm buying what I need to reload 40 cal -and I'm wondering if I should buy 165 or 180 gr bullets.
Any reason to use one over the other?

I know some 9mm handguns don't shoot well with a 115 gr bullet. Is there a similar problem with 165gr 40 cal?

 

[sexybeast]

Looks like everyone is talking about 165 gr bullets.

I just bought a 40 cal Beretta - so I'm buying what I need to reload 40 cal -and I'm wondering if I should buy 165 or 180 gr bullets.
Any reason to use one over the other?

I know some 9mm handguns don't shoot well with a 115 gr bullet. Is there a similar problem with 165gr 40 cal?

Not really. I have experienced what you say about 115gr 9's.
40's fly well in all of my guns. I shoot 140gr Missouri bullets lately and although they are light they seem be very accurate and the guns cycle well.
I've loaded all different weights in 40 and unlike 9mm they all do well.
I shot a couple hundred 40's tonight at a match and sometimes I wish I did not have any 9mm guns. The 40 is the most accurate and easy to load cartridge.

 

[kitsapshooter]

It will be personal preference. I loaded 180 grain XTP in 40 my first run of 500. Then i loaded 500 165 grain. I still have most of the 165 left.
My brother also likes my 180 grain loads.

 

[coonan1911]

Has anyone got any reloading data for coated 140 grain round nose projectiles for .40S&W. I mainly have Alliant powders and ADI Powders AP70 AP100.
Regards
Coonan1911

 

[LiveLife]

Has anyone got any reloading data for coated 140 grain round nose projectiles for .40S&W

Hi there from down under! I have distant family in Austrailia! Welcome to THR.

This is from ADI website - http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloaders-guide/pistol.asp?Calibre=.40+Smith+&+Wesson

.40 Smith & Wesson 4" Barrel
WARNING: This data is only for use in firearms with barrels which fully support the cartridge in the chamber.

Lead 140 AS30N Max 4.0 gr 1,035 fps
Lead 140 AP50N Max 4.5 gr 1,105 fps
Lead 140 AP70N Max 5.5 gr 1,145 fps

If you are talking about Hy-Tek resin coated projectiles like Hawkesbury River Bullet (Copperhawkes / Blackhawkes) their website indicates lead alloy SAECO hardness of 7 (around 16 BHN) with larger sizing of .401" (instead of .400" for jacketed) which is same sizing as typical lead projectiles and you can conduct powder work up using lead load data or lower end jacketed load data - http://www.hrbc.com.au/productList.php

I do not have experience with ADI powders but when only max powder charges are listed, we usually reduce them by 10% and use as start charge for our powder work up in .1-.2 gr increments. So the start charge would be around 5.0 for AP70N.

Alliant's website currently do not list lead loads for 40S&W but 2004 Alliant load data lists lead loads for 155 gr and jacketed loads for 135/150 gr projectiles. For the 140 gr projectiles, you can use the load data for the heavier 155 gr projectile. The 2004 Alliant load data is no longer available on their website but you can download the pdf from THR server - http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=182147&d=1364769070

Here's 2004 load data for Alliant Unique

Here's 2004 load data for Alliant PowerPistol

I hope this helps.