Powderpuff load for 40

[croue]

Anyone have a favorite powder for light target loads for the 40?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pacmule]

[pacmule]

[robert101]

It would be beneficial if you noted the bullet weight and type (lead, plated, copper jacket?) and gun type. I tend to download until the gun starts to malfunction, then up the load until reliable. I then now have my low end load for that bullet weight and powder combination. This is the added fun of reloading. All guns are different. What works in my 1911's might not work in my Glocks or visa versa. Take the fun route an experiment.

My low power load for my Glock 27 is 5.2 grains Unique w/ 165 grain Rainier bullet (plated).

[NeilMo]

IMO, Bullseye and Clays are the two best powders for the light loads, regardless of bullet weight. Bullseye is probably the most accurate and Clays the cleanest of the two.

[croue]

[ptmn]

I like 4.2gr Win 231(HP38) under a Zero Brand 180gr JHP seated to 1.125". Light and accurate. This load is safe in my guns, but I make no claims for anyone else's weapon. Develop your load safely using reputable published sources, such as the manufacturers

[TKM]

All 40 is powderpoof.



It had to be said.

[RugerNo1]

[croue]

All 40 is powderpoof.



It had to be said.

Ha! [emoji23]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rsrocket1]

3.0g Clays, Titewad, Red Dot gives a 180g bullet around 700-770 fps. This is identical to a standard 9mm load. From my own experience, the perceived recoil is also identical. My test case is an M&P 40 where I swap between the factory 40 S&W slide/barrel/magazine and an M&P 9 slide/barrel/magazine.

I've gone as low as 2.5g Red Dot for an average of 662 fps. Any lower than that or any sort of limp wristing will cause a failure to lock the slide on the last round. Below that would first cause occasional failures to cycle but all bullets exited the barrel and I never had a stuck bullet.

With really low recoiling rounds, the only inconvenience is that the cases may fly only a foot or so out of the gun or may fly straight back at you or land on your head so it would be a good idea to wear a hat as well as eye protection.

[avcrew]

5.4 grains HP38 or 5.8 grains Unique over 165 grain Berry's bullets, give me 990 FPS out of a G22.

I consider these noticeably lighter than factory loads while still reliably cycling.

If you want lighter than these, you may have to go with a lighter recoil spring for your gun to cycle reliably.

[hermosabeach]

honestly- buy a 9/40 conversion barrel....

[Old Flash]

4.6gr of W231 is what I currently favor for 180gr JHPs and 180gr FPs (plated). And using Winchester small pistol primers and OAL of around 1.120".
These reloads work reliably and accurately on my USP40's & STI Edge. YMMV.

[Clemje]

I run a powder coated 175 grain truncated cast bullet (Lyman 401638) with 4.5 grains of W231--good for a hair over 800 FPS, boringly accurate and reliably cycles the action on most autoloaders with the stock recoil spring.