40 S&W

[swruger]

5.2 to 5.4 grains of unique for lead/poly coated makes a very manageable, relatively light recoil load for plinking. I used the same lead formula for plated bullets. Around 5.6/5.7 grains of unique for jacketed; 165 or 180 grain bullets. You will easily notice the difference between the two loads and the "snap" of the .40. Have loaded thousands with these formulas, and have shot them out of Walthers, Rugers, Glocks, etc., 3", 3.5" and 4" barrels, winchester and cci primers. My go to loads for 40s.

[dsouza411]

I run a Berry's 180gr flat point with 6.6grs of longshot or 7.2grs if I want more grunt. In my glock 23 it's not snappy at all.

[TomReloaded]

6.3gr of longshot under a 180gr makes 180pf, well over major at over 1000fps. That's no light load!

The guy has a compact .40. Some of the posted loads would be heavy in a full size steel gun.

[diveRN]

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.

Dunno what you're shooting that recipe out of, but my 12yo kid and wife who only shoots twice a year find 5.4gr over a 180gr plated bullet to be quite an easy shooter from any of my various 40's.

Compared to other powders like 231, power pistol, and longshot, Unique is pretty "soft" to shoot by comparison, even with heavier charge weights. Any lower than 5.4gr and Unique gets really sooty. My most accurate loads in .40 are with Unique at 6gr and a 180gr JFP and recoil is still softer than most factory rounds.

Edit to add: I'm not a fan of reloading with Unique either though. Hate the way it meters.