Universal powder

[trooks]

Am now loading 230 gr. 45's using Universal powder. I also use this for my 40 cal. M&P. Running pretty low on this powder and can not find any except at some gun shows. I have HP 38 on hand. What would be a good load using HP for the 45 and 40 ?

Forgot to mention I'm loading 155 gr. FMJ in the 40 cal.

 

[popper]

I use it in 40 & 9.

 

[TfflHndn]

Need more information. What weight of bullet will you load? Lead, plated or jacketed? You can go to Hodgdon's web site and look at its load data. Should get all the answers you need there. Good luck and load safe.

 

[1KPerDay]

Am now loading 230 gr. 45's using Universal powder. I also use this for my 40 cal. M&P. Running pretty low on this powder and can not find any except at some gun shows. I have HP 38 on hand. What would be a good load using HP for the 45 and 40 ?

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

 

[Caliber]

I use 5.4gr HP38 with 200gr swc lead projectiles.

 

[david bachelder]

I like Universal too and can not find it. I have been using HP-38 and it perform just as well.

 

[mulyhuntr]

I use 5.6gr 231/hp38 under a 230gr plated rn. Gives me 770fps from a g21

 

[PO2Hammer]

You can use data for W231 with HP-38 because they are the same powder.
What does your manual say?

 

[trooks]

Hp 38

Manual says, starting load for the 40 is 5.0 gr. On the powder can chart , it says 6.0 grains. What's up with the big difference in the charge ?

 

[Lj1941]

Usually when a single charge weight is listed, it is a maximum charge. Reduce by 10% and go from there.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use W231/HP-38 for most of my handgun loading.

It is my all time favorite 45 Auto powder and I have tried no less than 6 powders in the 45. I charge 5.5gr HP-38 under any 230gr bullet and that is a great load in all my guns. I use a CCI-500 or Win WSP primer and an OAL between 1.250" and 1.265" depending on the bullet. I don't load for the 40 S&W but I do for the 9mm and use W231 for most of my 9mm loads too.

I'm sure you will like the results using W231/HP-38 in the 40 S&W and it will work very well with that 155gr FMJ bullet you mentioned in your OP. HP-38 will deliver less velocity than the slower powders like HS-6 and Longshot but more velocity than a lot of the other powders listed on the Hodgdon Load Data Site.

 

[oneounceload]

All of the Clays powders (Clays, Universal, International) are reported to not be available until mid next year. Purportedly there was a fire in a portion of the plant in Australia