Although I have used Bullseye to produce accurate 45ACP loads, I prefer W231/HP-38 and slower burning powders for 40S&W. Others should be along to post their favorite 45ACP loads with Bullseye.Dean1818 said:Missouri Cast bullet - Alliant Bullseye - 40 and 45acp target shooting in a M&P 45c and Shield 40, using bullseye powder
Thoughts?
There's no current published load data from Alliant for Bullseye powder and 40S&W lead bullets. 2004 Alliant load data lists 4.5 gr as max charge for 180 gr lead bullet. Lyman #49 shows 4.2 - 5.1 gr for 175 gr TCFP bullet but keep in mind that Lyman used .401" groove diameter test barrel fixture with .401" sized lead bullets and I found Lyman #49 charges to be higher than powder manufacturers' load data for 40S&W.rsrocket1 said:For 40 cal, 180g bullets, up to 5g for a pretty strong kick with the Shield.
Really? When I am loading near max or at max load data, especially for 40S&W, I prefer to have some definite data to work with. When using mixed range brass with unknown reload history, I usually limit my loads to mid-to-high range load data and reserve max charges to verified once-fired brass - but that's me. YMMVrsrocket1 said:If you use the rule of thumb that lead can typically be loaded with slightly more powder than jacketed without exceeding pressure limits
Here's 2004 Alliant load data comparing jacketed vs lead load data showing 4.5 gr of Bullseye with 180 gr lead bullet at 33K PSI:you can figure that 5.0g Bullseye will keep you well below the SAAMI limit of 35000 psi. My guess is about 24,000 psi
Shooting impressions (All shots were fired off hand using front sight flash rapid fire):
Promo 40S&W average shot groups:
155 gr FMJ (Montana Gold) at 4.8/5.2 gr with 1.125" OAL
180 gr Plated (Rainier Ballistics) at 4.5/4.8 gr with 1.125" OAL
180 gr Lead (Missouri Bullets) at 3.5/3.8/4.1/4.4 gr with 1.125" OAL
180 Lead/3.5 gr - Accuracy all over the 8x11 copy paper - Light recoil
180 Lead/3.8 gr - 7 yard 2" - 10 yard 3" - 15 yard 4" - Mild recoil
180 Lead/4.1 gr - 7 yard 1.5" - 10 yard 1" - 15 yard 4" - Moderate recoil
180 Lead/4.4 gr - 7 yard 1" - 10 yard 2" - 15 yard 2.5" - Firm recoil
180 Plated/4.5 gr - 10 yard 2" - 15 yard 2" - Firm recoil
180 Plated/4.8 gr - 10 yard 2" - 15 yard 3" - Firm recoil
155 FMJ/4.8 gr - 10 yard 2" - 15 yard 3" - Firm recoil
155 FMJ/5.2 gr - 10 yard 2" - 15 yard 3" - Firm recoil