Reloading .40 S&W (first time) Help!

[LightningMan]

Hello, I'm about to start reloading for the .40 S&W and I'm needing a little info on data. I have some 180 gr. TC FMJ Winchester bullets I want to use, along with this assortment of powders I have on hand; TrueBlue, HS-6, BlueDot, AA#7 and PowerPistol. I would like a load that will produce in and close to around 1000 fps range. So I will need charge weight, with COL info please. Any sugestions. Thanks. LM

 

[LiveLife]

From Hodgdon's website for HS6 - http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

180 gr Hornady XTP Hodgdon HS-6 .400" OAL 1.125" Start 6.1 gr (876 fps) 25,900 PSI - Max 6.9 gr (976 fps) 32,500 PSI

Hodgdon's basic reloading PDF manual - http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Hodgdon Basic Manual.pdf

----------------------------

From Alliant's website for PowerPistol and Blue Dot - http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=180&shellid=29&bulletid=42

180 gr Speer GDHP Power Pistol OAL 1.12" Max 7.2 gr (1,013 fps)
180 gr Speer GDHP Blude Dot OAL 1.12" Max 8.9 gr (1,018 fps)

 

[LightningMan]

bds, I was thinking of using BlueDot or PowerPistol as I can find data for what I want, but they are listing JHP or Hornady XTP's, and I just want to use these Winchester FMJ TC bullets. Just don't know if subsituting one kind of bullet for another would be OK, even though they are of the same weight. LM

 

[918v]

In your case, substituting a TC FMJ for a JHP of the same weight is perfectly safe. Your bullet is shorter than a JHP and will take up less room in the case at the same OAL.

 

[Minnesota Wild]

I would recomend against BlueDot. That was my first powder in 40, and it was dirty and not particularly accurate.

 

[LiveLife]

I would like a load that will produce in and close to around 1000 fps range

If you want to push over 1000 fps, you need to go with WSF/Universal/AutoComp:

180 GR. HDY XTP Winchester WSF .400" OAL 1.125" Start 5.4 gr (946 fps) 28,000 PSI - Max 5.8 gr (1013 fps) 32,900 PSI

180 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon Universal .400" OAL 1.125" Start 5.0 gr (973 fps) 26,500 PSI - Max 5.8 gr (1046 fps) 33,400 PSI

180 GR. HDY XTP Winchester AutoComp .400" OAL 1.125" Start 5.8 gr (975 fps) 27,700 PSI - Max 6.3 gr (1053 fps) 33,200 PSI

 

[traveling1253]

Another vote for Longshot, using load data from Hodgdon. Big muzzle blast and stout recoil but burns pretty clean.

 

[sonick808]

.40S&W 180gr pills @ 1000fps is coming RIGHT up on the pressure boundaries considered "safe". 26K-34Kpsi average. In a pistol ! Whatever loads you find, I'd cut them back some and keep an eye on overpressure signs

 

[gamestalker]

I load quite a bit of .40 cal., and have some data I use regularly for you here.

155 gr. jacketed
* Longshot = 7.5 grs. - 9.3 grs. MV = 1129 fps - 1283 fps
* HS6 = 7.7 grs. - 8.5 grs. MV = 1035 fps - 1137 fps

165 gr. jacketed
* Longshot = 7.3 grs. - 7.8 grs. MV = 1139 fps - 1185 fps
* HS6 = 7.3 grs. - 8.0 grs. MV = 1013 fps - 1098 fps

180 gr. jacketed
* Longshot = 6.5 grs. - 8.0 grs. MV = 1035 fps - 1159 fps
*HS6 = 6.1 grs. - 6.9 grs. MV = 876fps - 976 fps

The above powder charges are directly from the Hogdon loading site but are the ones I load with regularly with great results. I am especially pleased with how Longshot works with the 180 grain bullets, producing confirmed MV from my .40 s well over 1150 fps.
And if you really want a no nonsense load, the 155 grain will get you up close ot 1300 fps with Longshot.
I don't have the OAL for FMJ bullets, but the JHPs for all 3 of those bullet weights above is SAMMI recomended at 1.125". I would maybe see if that OAL puts the same amount of bullet in the case and use that as a guide of sort.

 

[LightningMan]

gamestalker, I didn't mention Longshot, as I wasn't sure that powder would work for .40 S&W, but I do have a can of Longshot and might give that a try. I like your data for it, I think I'll start somewhere in between the 6.5 - 8,0 data as anything in between will push over 1000. I thinking about starting with 7.0 grains.
Minnisota Wild, I'm not really liking BlueDot either, as I don't like the way it meters, as it's not consistant as other powders.
Thanks everyone, love this forum. LM

 

[Pugsbrew]

Along those lines, I have Precision Delta 180gr FMJFN bullets. How do these compare with HDY XTP bullets, as far as load data? I'm looking to using WSF powder, but the tables only show HDY XTP bullets for 180gr. Are these loads compatible with FMJFN? Thanks

 

[traveling1253]

gamestalker, I didn't mention Longshot, as I wasn't sure that powder would work for .40 S&W, but I do have a can of Longshot and might give that a try. I like your data for it, I think I'll start somewhere in between the 6.5 - 8,0 data as anything in between will push over 1000. I thinking about starting with 7.0 grains.
Minnisota Wild, I'm not really liking BlueDot either, as I don't like the way it meters, as it's not consistant as other powders.
Thanks everyone, love this forum. LM

7.0gr is what I load behind 180gr Berry's RS. Wear ear plugs

 

[LiveLife]

Along those lines, I have Precision Delta 180gr FMJFN bullets. How do these compare with HDY XTP bullets, as far as load data? I'm looking to using WSF powder, but the tables only show HDY XTP bullets for 180gr. Are these loads compatible with FMJFN? Thanks

Welcome to THR.

As long as they are the same type of bullets (jacketed vs jacketed). What I pay attention to is the different bullet types (JHP vs TCFP vs RN vs RNFP) as this will affect the OAL and how much the bullet base will be inserted into the case (deeper will increase the chamber pressure).

If you are using comparable or longer OAL, you'll be OK using the starting charge to do your work up.

 

[LightningMan]

gamestalker, I don't know you could use 8.0 grains of Longshot, as I made up a few sample loads using 7.0 and all I can say is WOW! While I have never fired a .40 S&W before so I had nothing to compare it to other than I did shoot a box of Russian TulAmmo after to see what factory ammo felt like, my reloads made the factory stuff seem like wimp loads. I know that Russian ammo is junk, as I had some ejection/extraction failures with it, but every one of my reloads worked fine, even though my gun threw my brass clear accross the room. I'm going to drop that charge down a bit, while I don't see any excessive signs of pressure, the brass sure takes a beating from the extractor, as it leaves a good mark on it. Thought I'd give a report, LM.

 

[Pugsbrew]

Welcome to THR.

As long as they are the same type of bullets (jacketed vs jacketed). What I pay attention to is the different bullet types (JHP vs TCFP vs RN vs RNFP) as this will affect the OAL and how much the bullet base will be inserted into the case (deeper will increase the chamber pressure).

If you are using comparable or longer OAL, you'll be OK using the starting charge to do your work up.

So, what I have read and understand, backing it up with your post, is that HP bullets (XTP) are normally longer than a solid bullets given the same weight. If I use a solid bullet, I should start out reloading at the beginning load for XTP and work up from there. Is this correct? Just to make sure we are talking the same thing, I'm using FMJFN bullets, WSF powder, referencing the Winchester web site that only gives data for XTP bullets. Am I on the rigt track.


Thanks

 

[LiveLife]

If I use a solid bullet, I should start out reloading at the beginning load for XTP and work up from there. Is this correct? Just to make sure we are talking the same thing, I'm using FMJFN bullets, WSF powder, referencing the Winchester web site that only gives data for XTP bullets. Am I on the rigt track.

Kinda, mostly as OAL of loaded round will also depend on the "ogive" of the bullet that make up how rounded or pointed the bullet nose is (look at two 180 gr bullets at the right of the picture below). Even for two TCFP bullets, where the cone shoulder starts will depend on the bullet type. But if they have comparable nose profile or "ogive", then FMJFN "solid" bullet will seat not as deep as the JHP.

If you look at the 40S&W comparison picture below, 165 gr RNFP is a bit shorter than 165 gr JHP and both bullets have similar rounded "ogive" nose profile. Although 155 gr JHP has conical flat point nose vs 155 gr FMJ with RNFP profile, you can see that JHP is still longer.

I think you'll be OK to use the XTP start charge with your FMJFN at the same 1.125" OAL.

 

[LightningMan]

Gamestalker, that load data on the Hodgdon reloading web site states: these loads are for firearms with fully supported chambers, and should not be used for those that are not. I thought I should mention that for those who have seen the posted above data, as they may not visit the site. LM

 

[winchester1886]

40S&W

I load 40S&W with Longshot 6.8gr 180gr GSHP OAL 1.125" for a vol.1,032fps. I'm happy with the load it's accurate and clean.

 

[gamestalker]

I would consider using Longshot also. I load a lot of .40 with both HS6 and Longshot. HS6 is good up to about a 165 gr. bullet. Above that bullet weight I switch to Longshot to get maximum potential velocity.
Just go to Hogdon's loading site for the powder charges and recomended OAL. If all they are indicating an OAL for is a JHP, you'll need to seat your first round buy taking the barrel out and seating so they don't touch the lands, and will still fit the magazine. It's really not a difficult process to figure out. And once you have determined the correct OAL for that bullet, write it down and you'll be able to set up in a minute nect time.