40 S&W

[mulyhuntr]

I had great success with 4.5 power pistol under a 180gr projectile through my g27. I've since gotten rid of .40 s&w because if I need to download it to make it comfortable I may as well shoot 9mm.

Also had good luck with 4.3 hp38 under 180gr.

['ol shooter]

I have a 4", and load 165 gr. Xtreme RNFP's to mid scale with Titegroup.

[Top Cat]

Factory 40sw is generally loaded to the max.

There is a learning curve associated with developing the ability to control recoil with a handgun. Basically a firm grip and locked wrist with bent elbows, so that the arm acts as a shock absorber.

Once you develop the correct technique, recoil isn't that difficult to control. It's about developing the skills and takes some dedication.

But then there is little reason to constantly shoot maxxed out loads, which is what 40SW factory loads are.

I like coated TC bullets like those from Bayou Bullets.

You mentioned you have Bullseye.

For a mid-range load that will have a mild recoil but should still work your action well.

I'd load:

165gr 4.0 Bullseye 850fps
180gr 3.7 Bullseye 800fps

Actual velocity will depend on your pistol, but either of those loads will be a lot less sharp than factory rounds.

Bullseye is a very low volume powder so visually inspect each case to make sure you don't double charge.

If you are going to buy powder I'd suggest WSF, CFEPistol, Autocomp... there are many to choose from.

[rsrocket1]

Low velocity/low recoil 40 is no different than any other.
A low charge of fast powder will give pressures high enough to give a complete and clean burn without driving the bullet too fast.

I load pretty much all Lee 401-175-TC bullets in my 40's. Powder coating them leaves zero leading and minimal cleaning, just a swab with some Hoppes No9 or just a few passes with a bore snake.

Out of a 4.25" M&P40, I found 3.0g Red Dot to produce mid 700 fps shots. Going down to 2.8, the speeds went down into the low 700's but failed to lock the slide back on the last round about half the time. 2.8g Clays gave similar results as the 3.0 Red Dot load with a slightly cleaner burn, the same with 2.8g Titewad (not Titegroup).

All these loads felt very similar to 124g 9mm rounds at 1100 fps. I tried several A/B tests with the same gun swapping back and forth between the 9mm barrel and the 40 S&W barrel and the corresponding loads.

I've since loaded up a number of boxes with these low recoil loads so that I could shoot them in 40 S&W guns to get the feeling of what the corresponding 9mm version of the gun would feel like (it also worked well with a Sig SP2022 in 40).

Recommended powders:
Clays, Clay Dot, Extra Lite, e3, AA#2, Titewad, Red Dot/Promo, IMR Red. Start with 2.8g and work up/down for the lowest recoil that will fully function the slide and lock it back on the last shot. A chrono will also help. Stay below 800 fps with these powders and a 180g bullet.

If you want more power, go with a slower powder. 5.0g Unique is a nice standard low 900 fps load that won't batter your hand but still get the feel of 40 and not a wimpy 9mm.

[orangeusa]

@rsrocket1 - What is the weight of your cast bullets? Duh, 175 gn.

[rsrocket1]

@rsrocket1 - What is the weight of your cast bullets? Duh, 175 gn.

That's actually a good question. Most cast bullets don't drop at the exact stated weight.
They drop at just under 180g. With the powder coating, they are right at 180g.

[TexasJackKin]

I like a light charge of clays, with 165 grn Xtream bullets. Feels just like a 9MM. But be careful clays can be a bit "spikey"

[DragonDJ11]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm thinking I will start with a 140 gr bullet and try out different loads with 231 and maybe get some titegroup or another to try also.

[Carcassonne]

Looking for insight from anyone loading for 40. My dad just bought the SA XD 3" Compact and it has a pretty sharp recoil to it. I'm planning on doing his reloads and while I plan to work multiple different loads up, I wonder if anyone here has a decent recipe for anything that'll lighten that felt recoil?

Light recipe?

Just start at the lowest recommended dose of powder, and work up until you think it is too snappy.


.

[Ranchogunner]

Yeah like others have said, use a reloading manual to find the low end of whatever powder you are using. That is the simple answer!

I use 5.6 grains of Unique or 4.6 grains of Titegroup with a 180 grain Xtreme copper plated bullet, and it has a definite kick, but maybe not as much as some factory ammo. I don't want my 40 to feel like a .22.

[t_johnson]

I have a 4 " xd and load a 160 gr bullet over 4.7 of titegroup.. it has a bark to it but not like the Hornady self defense loads I have

[TomReloaded]

Some interesting advice.

I love 40. Its the most flexible caliber I reload, but I do them the lightest. It's my fast shooting target cartridge. It shoots softer than 9mm with less snap if you load it that way. Velocity can be slower than 45.

For soft shooting, use 180gr. Light bullets are for ultra power cannon loads. Light bullets don't mean light recoil!

One of my favorites is 180gr plated loaded out to 1.135 with 3.2gr of WST. This is under minimum charge, max length, and dead accurate. So light it likely needs recoil spring tuning. Makes a 9mm look harsh. In my gun, it's extremely reliable, but it's right on the edge of fte. Set the powder drop to do 3.2-3.3, not below.

If you want a crazy harsh load, use light bullets with a powder like power pistol.

[TomReloaded]

I've loaded some mouse-fart .40s with Unique as far down as 5.4gr using CCI, Winchester, and S&B primers. I don't have the book in front of me to show starting, but 5.4gr is pretty light. 9mm almost has more recoil.

5.4 isn't a light load with unique. I very much dislike unique, but it runs like standard range ammo at 5.0gr under a 180gr bullet. Still a sharp load.

[Win231]

A small, lightweight pistol like that is meant for carrying a lot & shooting a little. And the short length & lighter slide requires a stiffer recoil spring for reliability, so light loads would likely not provide sufficient pressure to cycle the action. You could use load data for lighter-weight bullets (135 - 155 gr) for less felt recoil, but you may not feel a significant difference.

[sofbak]

Some interesting advice.

I love 40. Its the most flexible caliber I reload, but I do them the lightest. It's my fast shooting target cartridge. It shoots softer than 9mm with less snap if you load it that way. Velocity can be slower than 45.

For soft shooting, use 180gr. Light bullets are for ultra power cannon loads. Light bullets don't mean light recoil!

One of my favorites is 180gr plated loaded out to 1.135 with 3.2gr of WST. This is under minimum charge, max length, and dead accurate. So light it likely needs recoil spring tuning. Makes a 9mm look harsh. In my gun, it's extremely reliable, but it's right on the edge of fte. Set the powder drop to do 3.2-3.3, not below.

If you want a crazy harsh load, use light bullets with a powder like power pistol.

Finally, somebody here got it right............