Second Guessing Myself

[2 Horse]

Getting ready to load some 40's with 180gr X Treme HP. Want something lighter than factory loads for range practice/ target, so I'm thinking 4.4gr of HP-38 or 6.1gr of HS-6. Then I started thinking.....5.1 of Longshot.

Anybody load that light with those powders ?
How's the accuracy ?

First time loading 40's, anything to be on guard for ?

 

[BluewaterLa]

I use loud shot in 9 mm at 5 gr and 5.2 gr for target practice.
Even loaded a batch at 4.8 gr of longshot and had lighter recoil with no other problems. Sorry I can't answer for 40 , haven't loaded for that YET.

 

[BluewaterLa]

Start load for long shot with that bullet is 6.3 gr 1.125 col on hodg website

 

[Steve C]

While light loads work fine in revolvers that don't rely on the ammo for function, in semi's they can cause failure to eject and feed unless one replaces the recoil spring with a lighter weight of appropriate resistance. This really requires working charges down and or a spring calibration pack. Of course there is the option of turning your semi auto into a manually operated single shot.

To simply select a load that is lighter than the start load is rolling the dice in regards to function and accuracy.

For a lighter load without working them down and using a lighter spring I'd suggest using the start load (-10% of the max load) shown in published data. The start load will usually give your semi auto a functioning load though not always.

 

[SFreed]

I load 6.7 gr of Longshot over a 180gr Berrys FP. Accuracy is pretty good out of my Ruger SR40c. I've gone as low as 6.3, but grouping was horrible. 6.7 seems to be the sweet spot for this particular gun. YMMV

 

[gamestalker]

Taking Longshot down that far isn't likely going to perform very well, if it even cycles the action, or doesn't produce squibs.

Just saying...

GS

 

[SFreed]

Feeble mind on my last post....should have been 6.7, not 5.7!!! Was thinking it even as i typed 5's.

 

[Rule3]

Here is a good article on loading light for the 40 SW.


http://www.handgunsmag.com/2010/09/24/ammunition_40lite_091806/

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I've used Longshot in 9mm, .40, and .45acp. So far its always worked best when I WORK UP to near max charges. In .40 I've only used 155gr plated RSFP bullets. 8.0gr of Longshot produced a nice acuurate load, and fairly pleasant recoil, out of a Springfield XD and a Beretta PX4. I don't think I'd use Longshot if I wanted a light load.

 

[2 Horse]

All load data came from Hornady 9th and produced around 850 to 900 fps.
In 9MM I try to keep everything in the 1050 fps range, close to factory.

What's factory loaded to in the 40? 1000, 1100?

 

[LiveLife]

180gr X Treme HP. Want something lighter than factory loads for range practice/ target, so I'm thinking 4.4gr of HP-38 ... How's the accuracy?

I use W231/HP-38 for 40S&W. With 180 gr X-Treme TCFP/RNFP bullets, 3.8-4.0 gr will cycle the slides of my Glocks with less than 9mm light/mild recoil and still produce acceptable accuracy. You could start at 3.8 gr and test 4.0/4.2/4.4 gr and see which load produces recoil you are comfortable with.

This is plated load data for Berry's (BERB) 180 gr TCFP you can reference for X-Treme plated HP (since HP bullet seats deeper in the case than FP bullet, I would start lower) - http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

180 gr BERB 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

Note lower start charge for Hornady XTP JHP bullet

180 gr HDY 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

 

[2 Horse]

Rule3, Thanks for the link. I knew I'd heard that before.

bds, Thanks for the conformation, Just didn't know how they would fly, as I've said those loads came from the Hornady 9th.

Most loads in the Hornady max out right at 1000 fps

 

[gahunter12]

I would start with 4.1gr of HP38/W231. If your pistol functions fine try going down to 3.8-4.0gr. This should be a real nice light load for that .40s&w with 180gr XTreme bullets. I use to load 3.9gr of HP38 with great results.

I will also toss this out there. I now load 3.7gr of Winchester WST under 180gr XTreme HP which is .2gr BELOW recommended min charge of 3.9gr. You should have no problem with function at 3.8gr-3.9gr of WST under a 180gr XTreme bullet at 1.128" OAL. This will be a very, very light recoil about like a .380acp in a full size stock .40, and much cleaner than the HP38. My Glock 35 will function at 3.7gr of WST, but the slide speed is a little slow for competition, so I have to reduce my recoil spring to 13lb. My carry gun G22, and G23 does great at 3.8gr. JUST another option!