.40 reload help

[XRAD44X]

I am reloading some .40 cal 180 gr copper jacketed Extreme bullets with Unique powder. CCI small pistol primers. I have two different books that give 5.2 gr of powder and 5.9 gr of powder to start with. What should I use? I do not want this thing to blow up. I am shooting a Springfield XD. Thanks.

[CalTeacher]

I shoot 5.4 gr of unique wih 180gr cast bullets at 1.125 oal. It's a nice shooting load a about 950fps and groups well. Start at 5.2 and work up. I doubt you'll want to go as high as 5.9

Are Extreme jacketed or plated?

[XRAD44X]

Copper plated I believe

[tangocharlie7]

Treat them as lead then and go with 5.2 grn Unique and work up like Cal suggested

[Bill Steele]

I shoot 5.4 gr of unique wih 180gr cast bullets at 1.125 oal. It's a nice shooting load a about 950fps and groups well. Start at 5.2 and work up. I doubt you'll want to go as high as 5.9

Are Extreme jacketed or plated?

Sounds right to me.

[XRAD44X]

ok thanks

[mjmagee67]

When I use to use Unique I liked 5.3gr under a 180gr @ 1.130 it shot real pretty. Unique just doesn't meter well in my powder tosser.

[XRAD44X]

I loaded 5.7 gr and 5.9 gr. Is that to much powder?

[XRAD44X]

I will make them lower next time. Do you think they will be ok. Or to much.

[CalTeacher]

I would have started at 5.2 and worked up in increments of .2 or .3 grains. But it's your gun, not mine. You generally don't want to start with max or near max loads if you're trying out something new.

[mjmagee67]

I have loaded Unique up to 5.6gr it was starting to get stout. It also depends on your C.O.L. If you are loading short (1.115-1.120) it might be an issue. I load 180gr boollits at 1.130-1.135. It wasn't as stout as when I loaded 155gr boollits over 8.5gr Power Pistol @ 1.120 holy mackerel I think my hands are still sore! No pressure sign though, just not fun for punching holes in paper :'(

[Bill Steele]

I will make them lower next time. Do you think they will be ok. Or to much.

If in doubt, there is no doubt, pull them. It is just good practice to be sure.

[XRAD44X]

i appreciate all the help. I am going to pull the bullets and star at the 5.2 gr recomended. thanks again.

[skibuff]

Extreme bullets are copper plated not full metal jacket. The copper plating is just a thin layer to keep the lead from being exposed. If you shoot plated bullets to fast the plating will separate from the lead. Most plated bullet manufactures recommend shooting them lower than 1200 fps.


From Berrys: Velocities depend on the caliber, but as a rule of thumb, we recommend you don't shoot our plated bullets over 1250 feet-per-second. Our 44's actually shoot best around 1150 fps. 45's are generally good at 850-900 fps.