Looking for .40 S&W lead load data

[SublimeJJ99]

I've done some searching around on the internet for some lead cast bullet load data and I can't find much. I am using WW231 powder with a 140gr. lead cast SWC. I think I'm going to start at 5.0gr. and work my way up. I was curious as to whether anyone else has tried these type of loads and what the results were. I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

[stand125]

5.0gr of Titegroup works well, so I would start with 5.0gr of W231 as a good start point. Only make a few in case it is not enough to reliable cycle.

[SublimeJJ99]

5.0gr of Titegroup works well, so I would start with 5.0gr of W231 as a good start point. Only make a few in case it is not enough to reliable cycle.

Thanks! That's what I was using to load 180gr. XTP's. I thought it would be a good starting point. Thank you for the advice. I'm going to load 10 of them tonight and try them out. I will post back and let you know what happened. A friend of mine has the chrony, so I won't know how fast it's going just yet, but I'll check for accuracy and if it cycles.

[RugerNo1]

5.0gr of Titegroup works well, so I would start with 5.0gr of W231 as a good start point. Only make a few in case it is not enough to reliable cycle.

Do people call you "Choo-Choo" with that load? Most people that I have seen shoot Tightgroup and Lead end up trying to shoot through a massive cloud of smoke. One caveat, I have read, but never seen, people claim that TG works fine for them. A "cooler" burning powder like VV N320/N340, WSF, WST, and Clays may show cleaner or less smokey results. Be warned, many lead loads for .40 S&W will be for long OALs designed for STI/SVI 2011s. Work up to any load you think you want to try!

I tried a gentleman's lead loads with Vihtavuori N320 that was very clean and hardly smoked at all. Before anyone gets all up in arms about the cost of VV N320, if you really work out the prices per 1000 you will find that the cost per round is only about $0.01-0.03 per round more.

[SublimeJJ99]

Worked out nicely

I loaded 14 rounds with the 140gr. Lead SWC with 5.0gr. of WW231 and they worked out great. Only fired 5 rounds though as I was in a hurry. I'm gonna load 100 more and take them out to the range and see what type of accuracy and speed I'm getting out of them.

[CGT80]

my favorite load for my 4" xd 40 is a 135 plated bullet and 5.3 grains of 231. Your load sounds very similar. My brother shoot a 5" xd and had to bump up to 5.7 grains to get the same feel and reliability. His gun also is fairly new and mine has around 30k through it.

What gun are you using?

[SublimeJJ99]

my favorite load for my 4" xd 40 is a 135 plated bullet and 5.3 grains of 231. Your load sounds very similar. My brother shoot a 5" xd and had to bump up to 5.7 grains to get the same feel and reliability. His gun also is fairly new and mine has around 30k through it.

What gun are you using?

I'm using both a Ruger SR40 and a Sig P239. The loads need to be bumped up a little. I went out with some loaded at 5.5gr. and I know its not as reliable as I want. I'm gonna go up to 6.0gr. and see how those work out. I've seen in a post where one guy was loaded at 6.6gr. with a 145gr. lead SWC.

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[SublimeJJ99]

Update:
I have messed around quite a bit with these loads and I have concluded that 6.3 gr. of 231 is plenty sufficient for reliability and accuracy. I still haven't put them over the chrono yet due to my buddy that has one is out of state. I also haven't seen any signs of pressure, so I'm sure that I can pump them up a little more, but they've done well for me. I read that some have loaded them up to 6.6 gr. of 231, but so far I find it unnecessary.

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[sargenv]

I used to use about 4 gr of Ramshot Competition with the bear creek Moly 140 RN.. I've also used 3.8 of Solo 1000 with the same 140 RN. Out of a 6.5" 610, I made about 135 power factor..or right in the 975 fps range. Nice soft shooter.