One more time with lead and the 40 S&W

[Sin City Shootist]

OK, almost all of my crap first few batches are gone. I've got about 100 MB 180 gr TCFP left. So lets see if we can find a load this gun likes without a butt load of leading.

I have on hand Unique and SR4756, the gun likes 1.175 oal for feeding of this bullet. Can I get some starting loads. I also have a chrono if that helps.

 

[steve4102]

the gun likes 1.175 oal for feeding of this bullet

WOW, that's long, don't think that would even fit the mag of my 40.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

WOW, that's long, don't think that would even fit the mag of my 40.

Yeah, its about a RCH shy of not fitting but they feed perfectly. I could probably go a bit shorter. They jam bad at 1.125.

 

[Walkalong]

I thought the .40 I had loaded at 1.150 was long, and it is considering the SAMMI max is 1.135, but they work in my gun.

What BHN are the bullets? What velocity were you shooting them at before?

 

[Cherokee]

What size are the bullets ? How hard ? Velocity level desired ? Do you have a Lyman #49 manual ? For Unique, start 4.7 and work up to 5.8 max.

Lets just look at two causes of leading: a bullet too small for the barrel, a hard bullet at low velocity. Your cast bullets should be at least .401", even .402 if they would chamber in your barrel. If the bullets are the usual "hard cast" commercial, you will probably get leading at low velocity unless they are properly sized. For cast bullets, fit is king - bullet larger than the barrel bore diameter.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

Walkalong, they are 18bhn. I thought I had my log book in my truck(I'm at work now) but I guess not the one with the chrono data, so I'm going by memory. The last ones were 875-900fps.

Cherokee, bullets were .401, 18bhn. Looking for target/practice rounds so speed isn't a real big issue. I slugged the barrel, its exactly .400. Yes I own a Lyman #49

These are Missouri Bullet IDP#5

http://www.missouribullet.com/details.php?prodId=79&category=5&secondary=11&keywords=

 

[popper]

Unique, 4.5 gr. OAL just like factory white box. Worked for the first 500, no leading in XDM.
A light, nice target load. Soak the barrel in 'ed's red' after firing and use a bore brush.
Sometimes the cases go forward instead of sideways, but then I won't step on them.
HP-38 gave me small lead balls at the cartridge end of the barrel and LOTS of smoke.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

Never used Eds Red before but I can't believe its easier to clean then the Chore Boy.

 

[traveling1253]

Just ordered a batch of those same 180gr IDP#5's yesterday, hoping they will be here this week along with the #49 Lyman manual I ordered. Looking for another good loading to feed my XDm. I assume the Lyman manual will have .40 cal lead recipes to try. Currently only have Longshot and HP-38 in my reloading cabinet but the local shop has quite a selection to choose from including flavors I commonly see mentioned here in the forums such as Unique, Bullseye and Titegroup. I also found a few loadings published in an article here http://www.handgunsmag.com/ammunition/40lite_091806/index1.html
On the subject of published loading data, are loads listed in magazines etc. to be trusted like the loading data from reputable manuals and from powder MFG's?

 

[Walkalong]

Bump the charge, up if data allows, and try it again. If you are using an FCD try loading without it just in case the carbide ring is too small.

 

[Border Hopper]

loads from magazines

No.

Trust the data according to who provides it. The loading manuals and the manufacturer websites are reliable. The company has carefully tested their stuff and are confident that it works with the exact recipe shown. They are also careful to CYA, since they could be vulnerable in our litigious society.

Someone who is essentially anonymous can post something on a shooting blog that may have worked for them, but has no real liability attached to their anecdotal story. Remember, it's entertainment, like NBC.

Powder manufacturers have their reputation on the line. They are not going to screw it up just to get another 75 fps from hot-rodding loads.

Take what you read online and in the magazines with a grain or two of salt.

 

[LiveLife]

Just ordered a batch of those same 180gr IDP#5's yesterday ... Currently only have Longshot and HP-38 in my reloading cabinet

traveling1253, I load the same 180 gr IDP #5 with 4.3 gr of HP38/W231.

are loads listed in magazines etc. to be trusted like the loading data from reputable manuals and from powder MFG's?

I use them as "guidelines" for my loads as their tested loads worked in "their" pistols/barrels using the components they listed. I trust the current published load data from powder manufacturers - who else are we to trust?

 

[winchester1886]

I have been shooting lead bullets in a 40S&W since the early 90's. I use a 175 TCC bullet with Win.231 or Unique. I found it accurate and an easy cartridge to load.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

So, are there certain barrel and rifling designs that are more prone to leading?

Can anyone else post some starting loads? I don't have a problem going and grabbing some other powders. I usually keep some Clay's and some universal clays around.

What do you feel is going to be the max speed? I'm just using it as a guide line to get an idea where to stop on powder charge.

 

[floydster]

With the MB IDP#5 I use 5.2 grs. Unique OAL 1.130. in my XDm--- no leading ever.

In my other pistols, if I ever get a little leading I use a small square of copper Chore Boy around an old bore brush--- I run it thru dry a few times, never with any cleaner and the lead flakes come right out, you can see them.
Then I treat the bore with Hoppes No. 9. Been doing it this way for 100 years

 

[popper]

I say Ed's Red, but I really just use 50/50 kerosene and ATF. You could add acetone to it but I don't. I just pull the barrel, dump it in a tray I have and let it soak for a day. Then brush it and dry it. ATF is detergent and kerosene is a lubricating solvent. I've heard that it soaks into the pores of the steel and prevents lead from sticking. I've not noticed any lead buildup. I've also read that firing a jacketed bullet will clean the bore, but others say it will form a bump in the barrel caused by a lead donut deforming the steel. Does that mean copper fouling will also cause the bump in the barrel? How do you measure a barrel bump?

 

[Sin City Shootist]

Been doing it this way for 100 years

Old bastard, lol.

Yeah, that Chore Boy trick is the cats meow for removing lead fouling.

Popper, I won't fire copper after lead to clean the barrel. It has been my evaluation that it simply just embeds the lead into the rifling and makes it harder to clean out.