loading plated .40sw

[kielbasavw]

So Im picking up a new .40 next sunday, and its a new caliber to me. Never loaded for .40, nor have I used plated bullets before.

I have power pistol, and from alliants site, 155gr 9gr is 1,213fps. And 180gr 7.2gr is 1,013fps using 4" barrel.

My barrel will be 3.25". Looking at berrys bullets they say they can handle 1250fps safely. Can I load the plated stuff as I would fmj, and use fmj data? Of course id start low and work up. This would be for practice, and plinking fun.

Also this gun is going to be a dedicated backup for hunting, what is a suggested bullet weight for the short barrel. I know .40 is on the weaker spectrum for pig as a backup... but it also doesnt weigh 100lbs like a big heavy 44mag does.

[thenodnarb]

I've shot plated bullets at under 1000fps with no problems. I used FMJ data.

[sofbak]

Looking in the Lee 2nd edition manual, the load/wt. combos you listed are max loads for XTP bullets at those weights. Given that:

-Berry's says 1250 fps is safe and both those loads are well under that vel
-You are using a shorter barrel than what Alliant used in their load data
-Power Pistol is a relatively slower powder

You should have no problems. With a shorter barrel, I doubt you will get to the same velocities as listed, and may be blowing some burning powder out the muzzle too. Will make a nice big flash, but doesn't do anything for velocity. With the short barrel, you might consider a faster burning powder (when you can find it).

FWIW I did some lengthy ladder testing in both a Browning HP and CZ SP01 Tactical in .40 with 165, 180, and 200 gr. copper plated from both Berry's and Xtreme. I was using w231 and titegroup, both of which are faster than PP. In both guns and both powders, 180 gr. pills did the best in terms of accuracy, soot deposit, and minimal "felt" recoil.

[noplay6978]

Power pistol will give you a fireworks show with firm recoil to boot in a shorter barrel. Especially if you use it indoors.

[kielbasavw]

Good, more fun. Its what I got for 9mm... unless 2400 or lvr works.... ;-)

[bigchinner]

Hey there Kielbasavw. Good luck with 40sw reloading. I am a big fan of 231 with 180grn 40sw. I've shot thousands of it in a glock 22. 180 grn is tops I think. I agree with sofbak.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

My favorite load for the 40 is 4.8 of Bullseye behind a Berry 180 PHP. I don't know how fast they are going but I do know that with 5.5 gr of bullseye, the plating will separate.

[Pauliedad]

As you take in all the .40 data out there notice the min/max are pretty narrow windows.
I load on a progressive but will not go near max with .40 unless I'm weighing each load.
Have fun

[sofbak]

For a fun, light plinking load try some of the info in this guy's charts:

http://www.handgunsmag.com/2010/09/24/ammunition_40lite_091806/

With 180 gr xtremes, 3.6 of titegroup and 3.8 of w231 worked well for me out to 25 yds. At 50 yds, I had to aim a little higher.....

[kielbasavw]

Thanks guys. Im still looking a good deal on plated stuff locally perferably. I want to take the thing out as soon as possible. And prefer not to spend 50c per round on live ammo ;-)

I may look into a different powder for the shorter barrel but I heard power pistol works extremely well in 9, 40, and 10mm. And decent in .45

The flash and bang doesnt bother me, in fact i didnt even notice a flash while shooting the 9mm loads

[kielbasavw]

Heres a question. Would using a mag primer in the .40 with power pistol in the short barrel help with the burning rate some and burn a bit more powder before the bullet leaves the barrel

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

Probably. But it will also increase pressure which is not a good thing if you are already close to the limit. If you're going to switch, start over with your load development.

[J-cat]

Federal and RP .40 S&W factory ammo is loaded with mag primers.

[J-cat]

My favorite .40 Loads are loaded with 155/165gr bullets and 4grs of Bullseye or TiteGroup. Make a Glock shoot like a laser.

[hd-dude]

I am currently using 3.9 grains of 700x. Velocities in the 750 fps range and meet minimum power factor for IDPA AND USPSA. Very accurate and soft shooting. This is from an M&P 40.