40 S&W Advice request

[doc1buc]

Greetings Calgunners,
I have been loading various rifle calibers for about a year now and I thought I would try my hand at it for my pistols, SIG P229 and a 1911. I am trying out the 40 S&W first.

Here's my questions gentleman.
1) I have Hogdgen Universal Clay's powder and all my reloading manuals state either Clay's OR Univeral. The difference is 2 grains which I can assume is BAD in a pistol. Do I use the Clay's or Universal Info?

2) I have 180 grain hard cast lead bullets SWC. I cannot find load data designed specifically for this combo with the above powder. Any suggestions or load data? If the data I need to use is Universal, I was thinking about using 5 grains.

3) Due to small pistol primer shortage, I have the small pistol magnum primers. Will this affect my loads?

Thank you!

[5hundo]

Greetings Calgunners,
I have been loading various rifle calibers for about a year now and I thought I would try my hand at it for my pistols, SIG P229 and a 1911. I am trying out the 40 S&W first.

Here's my questions gentleman.
1) I have Hogdgen Universal Clay's powder and all my reloading manuals state either Clay's OR Univeral. The difference is 2 grains which I can assume is BAD in a pistol. Do I use the Clay's or Universal Info?

For starters: RELOAD AT YOUR OWN RISK! :thumbsup:

Start with the lower of the two, and work up from there, IMHO. No sense in tempting fate...

2) I have 180 grain hard cast lead bullets SWC. I cannot find load data designed specifically for this combo with the above powder. Any suggestions or load data? If the data I need to use is Universal, I was thinking about using 5 grains.

Most times, if you can find a bullet that is similar in construction, yet slightly different in weight, you can infer that the "suggested starting grains" will be safe, if the bullet is within 5-10 grains by way of comparison. So, if your book has no info for a 180 grain bullet, do they have one for 175? ..or maybe 185gr? Either one of those loads, on the "suggested starting grains" should be within spec acceptable levels. Just make sure you're comparing similar bullet types. Compare a cast lead bullet to another cast lead bullet. Don't assume that a 175 grain load for a jacketed bullet will be appropriate...

3) Due to small pistol primer shortage, I have the small pistol magnum primers. Will this affect my loads?

Thank you!

It can affect your loads... Be careful...

Here's some good info:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/primers.htm

[Fjold]

Use the load data for "Universal" only.

The Clay line of powders by Hodgdon include; "Clays", "International Clays" and "Universal Clays" The reloading data is listed as "Clays", International" and "Universal" for each of those powders seperately.

The loads listed for 180 grain jacketed bullets is 5.0 grains to 5.8 grains of "Universal". With a hard cast lead bullet you can use this data as lead bullets are softer and engrave easier so pressure will be slightly less than jacketed bullet loads.

If you are going to use magnum primers start with the lowest load of 5 grains and check for function and desired velocity, increase that load by 0.1- 0.2 grain increments until you get 100% function and satisfactory performance.


Remember that free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it so monitor your loading carefully and watch for pressure signs, hard recoil and excessive velocity.

[doc1buc]

Thank you for the advice, when I get a free moment I will post results and hopefully not a pic of a blown Sig!

[nonosrcng]

Fjold pretty much covered it, One thing I can add is when using magnum primers you can back off.5 to 1 grain of powder because the magunm primer makes up for it

[doc1buc]

Thanks for the knowledge!

[Waldog]

Have you got any Win 231/HP38? Works well in 40 S&W with 180gr bullets. Not the BEST perhaps but, it does work well.

[doc1buc]

No, my first run with the pistol reloading