question

[sr]

hello all top of the morn. has anyone got a load for the 40 using lead 180 grain and win 231?

 

[rcmodel]

My Lyman #49 reloading manual has 13 loads with one bullet + 14 loads with another using them.

If you shoot lead, you need to get a Lyman manual.

rc

 

[sourdough44]

The Hodgdon site should have some info, with win-231/HP-38.

 

[Walkalong]

I do not use W231 in .40. (Maybe I should try it), but there is some good info at Hodgdon online.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Welcome to THR

 

[LiveLife]

lead 180 grain and win 231?

There's no currently published lead load data for 40S&W and W231/HP-38 from Hodgdon.

Current Hodgdon load data

180 gr Berry's FP W231/HP-38 OAL 1.125" Start 4.4 gr (872 fps) 26,400 PSI - Max 5.1 gr (984 fps) 33,500 PSI
180 gr Hornady XTP W231/HP-38 OAL 1.125" Start 4.1 gr (797 fps) 23,800 PSI - Max 5.0 gr (947 fps) 32,900 PSI

When I conducted load development for lead Missouri 180 gr TCFP bullet and W231/HP-38, I referenced Lyman #49 and 1999 Winchester load data.

Keep in mind that Lyman #49 used .401" groove diameter test barrel instead of more typical .400", so their start/max charges are higher than powder manufacturer load data and personally too high for my comfort. When I do load development, especially for 40S&W, I will start with the published load data that shows the lowest start/max charges/pressures.

1999 Winchester load data listed the following

170 gr. Lead W231 Start 4.0 gr (850 fps) 22,800 PSI - Max 5.2 gr (1030 fps) 33,200 PSI
200 gr. Lead W231 Start 3.0 gr (700 fps) 21,100 PSI - Max 4.0 gr (850 fps) 33,200 PSI

Since you can use load data for slightly heavier bullet, I figured I would be OK using 3.8 - 4.0 gr of W231/HP-38 for 180 gr bullet.

So I range tested Missouri 180 gr TCFP loaded to 1.125" OAL with 3.8 and 4.0 gr of W231/HP-38. I did end up working up to 4.4 gr but 3.8/4.0 gr loads reliably cycled the slides of M&P40/Glock22, produced accurate shot groups and did not produce leading.

I hope this helps.