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Hey all,
I've got an accuracy problem with my standard 40 SW load. Here it is:
Bullet: West Coast (now called Extreme) 180 grs RNFP copper plated
Brass: mixed
Powder: 4.5gr Hodgdon TiteGroup
Primer: Winchester SP
Crimp: no crimp; case mouth flare removed only
After reading alot of favorable opinions regarding the use of TiteGroup in the 40SW (especially with IPSC shooters), I decided to switch to this powder to standardize all my non-magnum pistol loads. I already have a 45 load with TiteGroup and 200gr RN plated (from Westcoast also) that shoots wonderfully.
This 40 load however is all over the place. It makes major PF in my Glock 22's and that's why I made it my standard 40 load. I've tried this load in all of my 40SW pistols including 2- Glock 22's, a CZ-40B and a CZ-75B SA and they all shoot poorly with it. I can barely keep all rounds within the C zone of an IPSC target at 25 yards, slow fire. Normally with everything else, I can easily keep all rounds on the head of an IPSC target rapid fire standing at 25 yards.
I tried one more test to confirm there is a problem with my load; I ran some factory UMC 180gr FMJ through each of the above mentioned pistols and they all shoot like they're supposed to with my customary level of accuracy.
Just some background; I ran into a similar issue with cast lead and plated lead 9mm bullets some 25 years ago. I could not get acceptable accuracy with any of these type of 124-125gr bullets through ANY of my 9mm pistols and finally had to switch to FMJ bullets which completely solved the problem. I did some research on the issue and the most common explanation I got was that the 9mm being a high energy, high velocity round and most 9mm barrels didn't have deep enough lands to allow proper engagement of soft surface bullets like lead cast and plated. That was the explanation as to why one must use FMJ's in 9mm (although I know lots of people who use heavier 142-147gr hard cast lead in 9mm with good accuracy, but then they drive these pills at a much lower velocity than the 115-124's).
It's interesting that I've never in 20+ years ever had a "wanker" load like this with anything I tried in 45 ACP, 38 Spec, 357 Mag, and 44 Mag. The only issued I've ever had with pistol hand loads have been limited to 9mm with cast or plated bullets and now 40SW with plated.
Has anyone had similar experiences with the 40SW and cast/plated bullets? Does anyone use a similar load as mine with basically the same components; how does yours work? I really don't want to have to switch to expensive FMJ bullets with the 40; I'd like to know if anyone has a successful load for these 180gr plated bullets and Titegroup as the powder. Or am I doing something wrong? I did try some 155gr plated bullets from the same company and they seemed to be more accurate then the 180's btw. I always load in batches and unfortunately, I still have some 1500-2000 of these rounds to burn up.
SCMA-1
I've got an accuracy problem with my standard 40 SW load. Here it is:
Bullet: West Coast (now called Extreme) 180 grs RNFP copper plated
Brass: mixed
Powder: 4.5gr Hodgdon TiteGroup
Primer: Winchester SP
Crimp: no crimp; case mouth flare removed only
After reading alot of favorable opinions regarding the use of TiteGroup in the 40SW (especially with IPSC shooters), I decided to switch to this powder to standardize all my non-magnum pistol loads. I already have a 45 load with TiteGroup and 200gr RN plated (from Westcoast also) that shoots wonderfully.
This 40 load however is all over the place. It makes major PF in my Glock 22's and that's why I made it my standard 40 load. I've tried this load in all of my 40SW pistols including 2- Glock 22's, a CZ-40B and a CZ-75B SA and they all shoot poorly with it. I can barely keep all rounds within the C zone of an IPSC target at 25 yards, slow fire. Normally with everything else, I can easily keep all rounds on the head of an IPSC target rapid fire standing at 25 yards.
I tried one more test to confirm there is a problem with my load; I ran some factory UMC 180gr FMJ through each of the above mentioned pistols and they all shoot like they're supposed to with my customary level of accuracy.
Just some background; I ran into a similar issue with cast lead and plated lead 9mm bullets some 25 years ago. I could not get acceptable accuracy with any of these type of 124-125gr bullets through ANY of my 9mm pistols and finally had to switch to FMJ bullets which completely solved the problem. I did some research on the issue and the most common explanation I got was that the 9mm being a high energy, high velocity round and most 9mm barrels didn't have deep enough lands to allow proper engagement of soft surface bullets like lead cast and plated. That was the explanation as to why one must use FMJ's in 9mm (although I know lots of people who use heavier 142-147gr hard cast lead in 9mm with good accuracy, but then they drive these pills at a much lower velocity than the 115-124's).
It's interesting that I've never in 20+ years ever had a "wanker" load like this with anything I tried in 45 ACP, 38 Spec, 357 Mag, and 44 Mag. The only issued I've ever had with pistol hand loads have been limited to 9mm with cast or plated bullets and now 40SW with plated.
Has anyone had similar experiences with the 40SW and cast/plated bullets? Does anyone use a similar load as mine with basically the same components; how does yours work? I really don't want to have to switch to expensive FMJ bullets with the 40; I'd like to know if anyone has a successful load for these 180gr plated bullets and Titegroup as the powder. Or am I doing something wrong? I did try some 155gr plated bullets from the same company and they seemed to be more accurate then the 180's btw. I always load in batches and unfortunately, I still have some 1500-2000 of these rounds to burn up.
SCMA-1
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