TMJ .40 s&w 185gr Load Data

[XxWoodsHunterxX]

Came across some 185gr TMJ components and cant seem to find any data on them. Only thing i could find is some Lee Precision Lead load data for AA-7. looking to load using either clays that i use for 180gr FMJ or titegroup and unique. have you guys ever loaded any of these and would it be wise to take some 180gr TMJ or FMJ load data and just lower my start 15% or so. figuring the OAL to be 1.125-1.135" estimate.

[Bikertrash]

This should help. http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/?C...l&type=Handgun
I don't use those powders...yet. but with Power Pistol, I have found that 5.4gr with a 170gr LSWC with an OAL of 1.127" has been flawless in my XD 5"

[XxWoodsHunterxX]

Those are for 9mm loads


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[Bikertrash]

You're right. Fixed it.

[Mot Mi]

Pretty sure I can find data for you out of the many manuals I have just give me a minute.

Edit: don't have 185 gr bullets, but I do have 180 gr. Speer #14 lists 180 gr TMJRN, COAL tested 1.120

Titegroup: 4.0gr - 793 ft/sec - 4.7gr - 917 ft/sec
AA#7: 8.7gr - 895 ft/sec - 9.7gr - 972 ft/sec
Unique: 6.0gr - 849 ft/sec - 6.7gr - 1000 ft/sec
Bullseye: 4.9gr - 783 ft/sec - 5.5gr - 929 ft/sec
Blue Dot: 8.0gr - 922 ft/sec - 8.9gr - 1018 ft/sec

[XxWoodsHunterxX]

Pretty sure I can find data for you out of the many manuals I have just give me a minute.

Edit: don't have 185 gr bullets, but I do have 180 gr. Speer #14 lists 180 gr TMJRN, COAL tested 1.120

Titegroup: 4.0gr - 793 ft/sec - 4.7gr - 917 ft/sec
AA#7: 8.7gr - 895 ft/sec - 9.7gr - 972 ft/sec
Unique: 6.0gr - 849 ft/sec - 6.7gr - 1000 ft/sec
Bullseye: 4.9gr - 783 ft/sec - 5.5gr - 929 ft/sec
Blue Dot: 8.0gr - 922 ft/sec - 8.9gr - 1018 ft/sec

All my manuals show 180 but nothing for 185. That's why i was figuring180 data dumbed down about 15% or so wouldn't hurt. Kinda weird forget where I even got these from.


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[RR.44]

I've never heard of 185 gr. I would think your plan to drop the starting charge 15% lower than the 180gr. load would be the way to go. Heavier bullets require a lighter load.

[CGT80]

5 grains is nothing when you consider you could run a 135 grain to 200 grain or heavier bullet in the 40 S&W. Use the start charge for a 180 grain jacketed bullet and work up with the ladder method. An extra 5 grains is less than a 3% increase in weight.

By loading as long as your chamber and mags will allow, you will also keep the pressure lower than seating too deep. I try to keep my COAL 10 thousandths less than what will actually feed through the gun. I could care less what the books say about COAL as most of my bullets/boolits are not even listed in manuals, and I don't load hot.

An XD 4" with a very well used recoil spring will use softer loads than a newer 5", as is the case between my pistol and my brother's. A 1911 might work with a softer load. My XD will take a longer COAL than my brother's as well. What works in one gun may not for another. If you have to load for many pistols, you will need to do some work. If you just want to load for one or two that you have, then taylor the ammo to the gun. Advice on loads from others will help shape your load, but don't trust that it will be a hit for your gun. My brother learned that the hard way when he used my pistol to make ammo for his. He still has about 400 rounds of iffy ammo to burn up.

It is good to stick to the load manuals, but with experience, you will find that they don't cover everything, especially bullet profiles and brands, and you have to use the data given to come up with a solution for what you have on hand, or contact a powder company for professional data.

15% below a minimum charge for a 180 grain bullet is a bit much (too low) and may not cycle the gun (hopefully it will spit the bullet out and not cause a squib). I definitely agree to stay well below the max and error on the side of caution. Some powders don't do well at reduced loads, and we know what happens if we have a squib and fire a second round.

My point of view comes from loading for 20 years and putting many 10's of thousands of rounds through a variety of guns. I was never able to find the exact bullets I was using, in the past. I tried to load to listed COAL for the closest bullet. Sometimes it worked and other times the load was light or the ammo didn't feed. I used to compare multiple books and picked the load that appeared to be most common or safest. With practice I have gotten better at working up a load and feel more comfortable with not having data for my exact bullet. While this is serious business, there is also room for small variables as long as you are not trying to push the limits with the amount of powder and velocity, or pressure.

[XxWoodsHunterxX]

^^^^^^. Good advise. I ended up just going with stock with 180gr data and lowered it .5 to start then worked up. I'll try them out and see what happens.


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