Using 180gr projectiles in 40 S&W

[devster55]

Ok I am looking to only buy one type of 40 cal bullets for my 10mm and 40. I was told the 40 is very sensitive when using this large of a projectile due to set back. Is their anything to be concerned about or just go for it. I was also thinking of using 165 but cannot find load data for the 10mm for CFE pistol. The 40 shoots both well. I may just buy some of both. I will be loading these on my Dillon SDB.

[Faded]

I use 180g Berry's with no issues on my 40.

[ArmedCMT]

OP

I used this link to find you the 40sw & 10mm load data for CFE pistol.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

[kmca]

I've only gone through a few thousand Bear Creek 180's, never had a problem. The 40 is almost as forgiving to reload as the 45. If you're worried, you can put a bit more crimp and it won't hurt anything.

[Pauliedad]

I gotta respectfully disagree with kmca here.
From all the time spent researching and shooting .40 and all the combos of bullet type, weight, and powders, I say .40 has a pretty tight margin for success.
Maybe because .45 has been around so long there's more data but whenever I work up .45 loads, the groups are generally good.
When working with .40, I've been impressed with how far varied both the feel and groups can be. Also, recipes in .40 are often within a grain and a half from min to max load. That means you must be that much more diligent in powder drop and process.
The snappy nature of .40 causes me to always check a new load regarding set back but a crimp just past removing the flare has always served me well.
Not a big fan of excessive crimp. No need.
180 is a good all around weight. Jacketed saves cleaning time although I have found some loads with lead that aren't awful.

[kmca]

I gotta respectfully disagree with kmca here.
From all the time spent researching and shooting .40 and all the combos of bullet type, weight, and powders, I say .40 has a pretty tight margin for success.
Maybe because .45 has been around so long there's more data but whenever I work up .45 loads, the groups are generally good.
When working with .40, I've been impressed with how far varied both the feel and groups can be. Also, recipes in .40 are often within a grain and a half from min to max load. That means you must be that much more diligent in powder drop and process.
The snappy nature of .40 causes me to always check a new load regarding set back but a crimp just past removing the flare has always served me well.
Not a big fan of excessive crimp. No need.
180 is a good all around weight. Jacketed saves cleaning time although I have found some loads with lead that aren't awful.

Oh, I was referring to the choice of powders for accuracy. It's not nearly as powder dependent as 9mm, 38 super or just about any rifle. I generally choose a powder that has more than 2 grains between min and max. And I did say, a bit more crimp

[Paperchasin]

I have no experience with 10mm, but I've loaded a couple thousand of 180gr bullets without any issues.

[LRShooter]

I shoot a couple thousand of the Berry's 180gr a year. Never had a problem.

[hermosabeach]

The .40 S&W is sensitive to setback... I don't recall if any of the KB's were listed by bullet weight...

Measure 10 rounds...
Cycle 10 rounds by letting the slide fly forward.

Measure the 10 rounds again to see if the bullets are moving when they hit the feedramp to verify that you have enough tension / crimp

At the range- measure 10, shoot 5, measure the 5 left overs to verify that the OAL has not changed...

[TomReloaded]

40 isn't overy sensitive. Going for full bore max loads in any caliber requires special care. 180 is perfectly fine for 40, with tons of us shooting thousands of them.

[robert101]

The 180 grains will work fine in both 40 S&W and 10MM. Yes, I have both cartridges/guns as well. When not loading extremely hot (or to the maximum) I don't see much to worry about in reloading either one. Regardless of the cartridge, paying attention to the load and powder is important.

[DuknBucks]

I use 180's all day with no problem....extreme flat nose

Course I shoot a Glock so I don't worry...LOL

[ptmn]

You should be fine with 180gr bullets. In fact, that's all that I use for reloading 40 S&W and 10mm. I use either the plated flat points from Berrys/Xtreme/Rainier or the Zero Brand 180gr JHP.

[devster55]

Ok thanks for everyone's opinions. I am going to just use 180's