HP38 40S&W Load

[kmr007]

I was able to finally try out my Dillon 550b with Lee 4 Die Deluxe set. Using Xtreme 180g FP copper plated, HP38 (similar to W231), Winchester SPP, mixed headstamp brass. This is for an M&P40 FS. Here are my test loads following Hodgdon's site and checking Lee Reloading book:

4.4gr - OAL 1.125
4.6gr - OAL 1.125
4.8gr - OAL 1.125

Hodgdon states min 4.4 with velocity of 872 and max of 5.1 with velocity of 984. This is based off of Berry's 180g FP which is also copper plated.

My usual plinking load is Titegroup 4.3 and same OAL 1.125 but velocity is around 900-920. I decided to use the same OAL because it feeds with no problems at all in my M&P.

I also noticed that while setting up the 550b, all 4 stations must be occupied by brass to get the exact OAL on the seating die.

Next I will be setting up for Ramshot TrueBlue powder. Does anyone here have any experience using either powder for 40 S&W?

[TomReloaded]

Ive loaded a lot of WST, which is fairly close to w231, but not exact enough to use the same load data... but close. I got down to 3.2gr of WST with 180gr plated for fast follow up target loads. Also shot out of a M&P, but with 1.135 oal. My M&P will feed ANYTHING at any length. They get stuck in the magazine first, no .40 round ever gets stuck in the chamber. Bullets can literally fall out of the case and not jamb in the rifling. I stuck with 1.135 as it gives you a safety margin and still functions 100%.

Your gun may vary, but my M&P strongly prefers slower rounds. Worth a shot.

[jes1698]

I use Blue dot 8.8gr with 1.125 OAL with 180gr bullet and push 1,012 out of the muzzle. That's not even considered a hot load. I love 40 S&W.

John

[bigchinner]

I use 5.4 win 231 which is middle of the road. Been loading and shooting my glock 22 for over 10 years. PERFECT.

[kmr007]

I use 5.4 win 231 which is middle of the road. Been loading and shooting my glock 22 for over 10 years. PERFECT.

With that in mind, my loads would be whimpy loads? Maybe I should load another group of 5.0gr with HP38?

[DougMurray]

Assuming these are range loads and not SD, try those you loaded first before deciding to go hotter. Check your groupings for each load and see if your M&P has a preference. Many pistols (shooters?) tend to group better with lighter loads than full power and as a side benefit, it is easier on the pistol.

I also shoot from an M&P40fs and found my most accurate loads for Berry's 180 gn FP was 4.1 gns of HP-38. That was hitting right around 780 fps.

I'm now shooting 165 gn Zero JHPs (full copper - not plated) and am running 4.8 gns of HP-38 to push the bullet about 900 fps.

[kmr007]

DougMurray - I've never loaded SD loads for any of my pistols. Usually my loads are just for plinking/fun. How dirty is HP38? How does it compare to Titegroup?

[bigchinner]

titegroup is definitely my new favorite powder. I've been reloading for a while now and just stuck to win 231 but after getting some titegroup last year; this stuff is the shiz.

[DougMurray]

KMR007 - I've never used Titegroup although I have been looking for it for several years now. Like a lot of pistol powders, you shoot what you can find. HP-38 is not as dirty as Bullseye and about the same or maybe a little cleaner than Power Pistol. That said, it isn't bad at all to clean up after a range session.

HP-38 is good for mid-range loads like plinking but if you're looking for nuclear speeds, that ain't the powder to use.

[AandO]

[QUOTE=kmr007



I also noticed that while setting up the 550b, all 4 stations must be occupied by brass to get the exact OAL on the seating die.

[/QUOTE]

Powder has been addressed properly by others, I'll chime in on the 550.

I use my 550 for load development. The 550 Tool Head has slop in it that is balanced out when all stations are occupied by rounds in their varying states.

I overcame this need by using the oversized Hornady or Forster Die Rings in Stations one and three with either Dillon or Redding Die Rings in Stations two and four.

The larger Rings overlap both the Tool Head and the Press and allow you to use whichever station you want with near perfect repeatability for both load development and production of consistent Ammo.

[uechikid]

According to the hodgdon load data site HP38/win231 180g FP the max load is 5.1g. Is it safe to exceed that?

Winchester 231 .400" Bullet Dia 1.125" COL 4.4g min 872fps 26,400 PSI 5.1g max 984fps 33,500 PSI

[kengotit]

Berry 180grn
4.5 grns hp38

Out of a g23 target rounds

[bigedp51]

http://www.handgunsmag.com/ammo/ammunition_40lite_091806/

[bigchinner]

Editing my previous reply, the win 231 at 5.4 is "snappy" but my glock likes it that way. cci or Winchester primers

[cindynles]

I use HP38 for my 40 competition loads. I use them in a 2011 so I have to load them long. Here is the data that I have (all data from a 5" barrel):

******************************
Bear Creek 180 gr FP
4.8gr HP-38
1.180" OAL
AVG=924.1 FPS
STDEV=12.3
******************************
Bear Creek 180 gr FP
4.9gr HP-38
1.180" OAL
AVG=934 FPS
STDEV=11.0
*******************************
Bear Creek 180 gr FP
5.0gr HP-38
1.180" OAL
AVG=950.6 FPS
STDEV=5.9