advice on reloading .40S&W

[Domingo]

I wanted to ask if some one had a recipe for .40S&W
I been reloading 165 grain plated bullets with 6.2 grains of unique for my glock 22. gun function is perfect but I wanted to ask if it was safe to reduce the charge and use lead bullets maybe reduce recoil and gun functionaly will not suffer. if anyone has a recipe could you share, I'm using a wolf barrel that way I'll be safe with lead bullets the 2 powder that I have right now are Unique and bullseye

[Clownpuncher]

How heavy of a lead bullet are you going to use? I use 180gr plated and have a few recipes, 6.3 unique and 5.2 w231 are my favorites. I prefer the plated bullets, they are a nice balance between cost and performance. Many on here use Precision Delta FMJ as they are about the same price as plated, I have never used them though.

[OzzieF]

From my experience, lead of the same weight will be about 1.0 gr +/- of powder less than a jacketed/plated bullet and make the same speed.
If you wish to further lessen the load, I would do so in .2gr increments. Making about 20 at ea weight to see how low you could go and the guy still function.
Is there a reason you want a light load? Just for plinking? Steel challenge? Just because?

[Domingo]

Im going to try out action pistol and was thinking a lighter load for less muzzle rise and the second shot will be faster. I have not bought any lead bullets yet tomorrow Im going to go buy some to try out, any weight you'll recomend a heavy 180+ or a lighter 165 thanks for some advice.
Im thinking of buying lead vs plated. lead might be cheaper

[bruceflinch]

Im going to try out action pistol and was thinking a lighter load for less muzzle rise and the second shot will be faster. I have not bought any lead bullets yet tomorrow Im going to go buy some to try out, any weight you'll recomend a heavy 180+ or a lighter 165 thanks for some advice.
Im thinking of buying lead vs plated. lead might be cheaper

Starting to be a gamer & he hasn't fired a shot...

You might try the Bear Creek moly-lubed lead. Real clean shooting!

I have never felt the perceived recoil of lighter vs heavier bullets to be a viable argument. I've been shooting a 200gr bullet in IPSC forever ( ok, 14 years ) & when I shot someones 180's, I honestly couldn't tell the difference. I use the W231 in my .40.

Good Luck!

[Clownpuncher]

Im going to try out action pistol and was thinking a lighter load for less muzzle rise and the second shot will be faster. I have not bought any lead bullets yet tomorrow Im going to go buy some to try out, any weight you'll recomend a heavy 180+ or a lighter 165 thanks for some advice.
Im thinking of buying lead vs plated. lead might be cheaper

I've never shot the 165's so I can't help there.
I've gone as low as 5.9 of Unique with 180's. I got good cycling out of my XD but the recoil was a bit light for me. I've gone as high as 6.6 but it seemed too hot feeling to me. No pressure signs or anything, just a heavier recoil @6.6 and no discernible advantage I could find. I can mix my 6.3's in a magazine with winchester JHP 180's and you can't tell the difference when firing.

For the record though, I do prefer 231 to unique for my 40. It's a little cleaner and it meters so much better. I have Bullseye but have never tried it with my .40, perhaps I may in the future.

As for lead being cheaper than plated I think you may be surprised, especially if you are buying local. I know lead would be cheaper if you make your own but everywhere down here a box of 250 Berry's are about the, within a buck or two, from regular lead. You may find different up where you are. Good luck.

[Desert_Rat]

I use the 180 gr bear creek bullets, I add to that 3.2 gr of titegroup. Puts it right at 128 power factor in my glock 22. Also I use the factory barrel

[Clownpuncher]

I use the 180 gr bear creek bullets, I add to that 3.2 gr of titegroup. Puts it right at 128 power factor in my glock 22. Also I use the factory barrel

1.120 COAL? I just got some titegroup, I may give your recipe a whirl.

[Domingo]

I guess I got to man up I been shooting a lot of 22lr and not alot of centerfire.

[Desert_Rat]

1.120 COAL? I just got some titegroup, I may give your recipe a whirl.

Yes, I just measured a few because I wasn't sure. they're 1.120-1.121...loaded on a XL650 (that doesn't break everytime I use it). I load at warp speed too.

[Clownpuncher]

Yes, I just measured a few because I wasn't sure. they're 1.120-1.121...loaded on a XL650 (that doesn't break everytime I use it). I load at warp speed too.

Low blow

But they are sending me new shell plates, pawl's and a new floor plate. So by the time I replace all that it will basically be a new press. Plus I still have the trusty old Lee single stage.

[Clownpuncher]

I guess I got to man up I been shooting a lot of 22lr and not alot of centerfire.

If you buy and shop around you can load pretty cheap. I'm loading 40 for about $6 a box.

Oddly enough, I get Berry's 180 plated from the crossroads gunshow for $80/1000 but from Berry's they are more.

[Desert_Rat]

Low blow

You can hack it

[Clownpuncher]

You can hack it

I'm going to go to wally world and get me some blue spray paint just so I can feel better about myself.

[rsrocket1]

180g Bear Creek moly coated bullets or eXtreme plated bullets over 5.0g Unique @ 1.135" gives moderate recoil. 2.8g Red Dot gives ridiculously light, springy recoil, full function of the gun, but cases that might land on your head rather than fling back over your shoulder. Just wear a hat. At 2.5g Red Dot, I started getting problems with stove piping and not locking back on the final round so I went back to 2.8g which has worked very reliably for my 4.25" M&P40 with the stock 16 pound recoil spring.

I also like 4.0g Bullseye with that load. Also works very well with my own 180g cast lead boolits.