Smith and Wesson Sigma 40 SW

[SomeSmuck]

I've also recently added a Sigma 40 SW to my list of things to load for, but have read of it being more dangerous to load, especially in pistols without a fully supported case due to the ramp.

In the SW Sigma, is that a concern? Is there a safer (ie thicker?) brand of brass to use to offset the danger? Do you reload the cases a lower number of times to avoid case failure than other calibers? It sounds like the failures occur mostly in Glocks, so maybe it isn't even a problem for the SW Sigma, but I figured I'd ask the masses...

I intend to stay on the light to moderate side with HS6 or H Universal, but hopefully you loading veterans have some thoughts here.

Thanks!

 

[SomeSmuck]

Any thoughts on the SW 40 at all?

 

[Claude Clay]

may be that you & i have the only 2 40VE's that work.......

i load mine with 180 gr TC hard lead using power pistol.
i load to replicate a factory round. 40 is that way for me--
full loads only.

 

[dwhite]

I've been loading 180gr truncated cone cast lead bullets from Mid-States Bullets with 3.3 grains of Hodgdon Clays with good results. Clays burns very clean. This combination also leaves minimal leading in my SW40VE.

I have some Montana Gold 180gr hollow points that I load with 8.0 grains of Blue-Dot with good results also.

I've done some experimenting with Hodgdon Universal also with Berry's plated bullets.

All of these loads go into mixed brass with a "secure" taper crimp.

I've had no problem loading this cartridge for this pistol.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[SomeSmuck]

Thanks for the replies so far!

Are you using a taper crimp or Lee Factory Crimp Die crimp? I use a Lee FCD on rifles that I reload for and am pretty happy with it on those. I haven't gotten the dies for the 40 yet as I want to make sure reloads are safe in this model first. This will be my first trip to the pistol side, though I suspect it'll be similar to loading for the .444 (just a lot smaller...).

Have you had any problems getting the gun to cycle with loads on the lower end? Looks like you were using a load right up the middle with Clays and the 180s, which is what I'm looking for. They don't show any load data for Clays with 200s though, so I was leaning towards Universal or HS-6 as they have data for all of the loads.

I don't know much about the pistol powders, but my criteria would be clean burning, lower flash, and wide range of use (would prob use it for 38 special +P loads too at some point, and want to use it for the full range of bullet weights on the 40 to see what will work for my wife to use). I'll shoot hollow points (prob XTPs) or a plated bullet (like Berry's), I don't think I'll do any lead-only bullets.

Care to share your load for Universal and/or those Berrys?

Thanks, and please keep the info coming!

 

[shibbykins]

im using unique for my sigma. scale says im at 4.9grains of unique and it seems rather weak. couldnt find much data for a 180grain plated round. ill be working up slowly when I get my hands on a chrono.

 

[gearheadpyro]

I've loaded for Sigma 40 and M&P 40, no issues out of either after 1500+ rounds. I use plated bullets (155 & 180gr) and tend to load a grain or so under max (depending on powder, I use primarily SR4756).
I've had no problems with case bulging or rupture. That is something I've only heard of on the Glocks.

 

[Historian]

I have been getting really good results with a 180g plated bullet over 4.5g of 231 for my .40 M&P. As far as crimping goes, I set my seating die (RCBS) just low enough to seat the bullet to correct OAL and to take out the "belling" on the top of the case. Neck tension seems to be enough to hold the bullet in place. I have not noticed any movement as the result of recoil or feeding.

Historian

 

[Jumping Frog]

I am loading with the Lee 175 grain SWC lead bullets (mold #TL401-175-SWC) and Ramshot Zip powder. Works great, feeds nicely, and is accurate.

 

[SomeSmuck]

Thanks for the posts! Another question... I'd like to use as clean a powder as possible, with a low muzzle flash level, without sacrificing performance too much. Of these, which two are the cleanest burning with lowest flash? Vihtavouri N340 Ramshot Zip Clays Universal Longshot AutoComp Others that you would recommend? Thanks!

 

[dwhite]

Clays is a little cleaner than Universal.

All Vihtavouri powders are said to be very clean.

That's all I can add.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[ILLINI]

I like Precision Bullets 185 gr. with 4.2 grains of Titegroup. Use a Winchester primer. Fun and soft shooting out of the Glock 35...Illini

 

[gearheadpyro]

The SR4756 is not that dirty in my guns. I still clean after every shoot anyways just because that's how I am.
I load 6.0-6.5 grains.

 

[Robby from Long Island]

I've had my Sigma SW40F for quite a few years and load as follows. Powder is 5.0 gr of Bullseye, Bullets are Hornady, 155 gr HP/XTP and Federal primers no. 100. Definitely not the cleanest load, but since I use Bullseye in other calibers and it works well with the Sigma, might as well use it.

I'm pretty sure the Sigma has a fully supported chamber.

 

[SomeSmuck]

I like the Hornady XTPs in my 444, so I'll likely try them early on, likely some on the lighter end as my wife will need to learn with it and I want to limit the recoil to avoid her being gunshy with it. I will likely try some Berry's Bullets as well. I don't think that I'll use any non-jacketed loads to avoid leading. I don't mind cleaning up after each shoot, or week's worth of shooting in my hunting rifles. I just want to avoid build up or problems in harder to reach/clean areas. Do you guys take the Sig completely apart to clean up each time? Thanks for sharing your loads and experiences! Please feel free to weigh in on the powders listed in my prior post, or add your own recommendations. I'll probably buy something on Saturday (have to drive 3 hrs to get powder in my area for any real selection for pistols...) so your posts are very welcome! For some reason the editor is not saving the line feeds (spacing), so sorry about the lack of formatting in the messages. Not sure if it just doesn't like firefox or what, will have to figure that out later.