Need help with a 40 S&W load

VanLogan · March 7, 2007, 02:25 AM

Hi Guys,

I am new to reloading and to this forum but I am on several other boards.

Here is what I have.

40 S&W Brass
180 Grain Rainier plated RNFP
CCI Small 500 primers
W231 powder

I can't find any info in my books about these items in combination. I am ok with buying a different powder or primer but I would like to use the bullets.

Is it possible for me to use these items to make a safe target load? What Charge to start at?

Thanks
VanLogan

Ifishsum · March 7, 2007, 03:06 AM

W231 is pretty fast powder for 180gr projectiles in .40SW. That's probably why you're not finding much data for your combination. I'd look for a slower, more forgiving powder. I use Accurate #5 at a starting load for 165 gr plated and it makes a nice practice round.

VanLogan · March 7, 2007, 04:40 AM

Thanks,

What about the cci 500 primers? Are those ok?

~VL

JohnLizCas · March 7, 2007, 06:29 AM

The CCI 500 primers are OK. I've used Red Dot powder for 165 and 180 gr loads. Worked good, no problems, clean burning.

charlie in md · March 7, 2007, 07:32 AM

The Hodgdon site (owns winchester powder now) lists the following loads for 180 grain in .40 S&W:

Start with 4.1 grains of 231 gives 797 fps

max is 5.0 grains of 231, gives 947 fps.

Double check site to make sure I listed it correctly.

good luck!

RERICK · March 7, 2007, 07:50 AM

I use that same bullet,But I use it with either Winchester or CCI primers.
I load it with 6 grains of Power Pistol. It fills most of the case and I get good accuracy with this load. Always check your data from a couple of sources and work up your load from the minimum charge.

T-Bear · March 7, 2007, 10:08 AM

Van, I use a 180gr bullet with 231 for thousands of rounds shooting out of a 4"barrel just fine. I shoot lead 180fp at 4.0gr. of 231. It is a mild load.
I have loaded as low as 3.6gr of 231 with 180gr bullet and as high as 4.4gr 231,
231 is a all around powder, It's cheap when bought in bbulk and I use it too reload 40 and .45. and light .45LC loads.

VanLogan · March 7, 2007, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the info guys. I will let you know how it turns out.

~VL

VanLogan · March 18, 2007, 07:38 PM

Ok Guys,

Here is what I went with and what happened.

Lee Autodisk .37 = 4.0 Gr on W231 (Weighed +/- on my scale)

I loaded 2 rounds. Fired them at 1040 fps and 1300 fps. I was a little concerened at the discrepancy in speed but I think I was too close to the Chrono on the second one. They cycled fine and everything seemed ok.

I made up 30 more.

shot them at the range and noticed an improvement in accuracy.
They all fired fine no misfires. Cycled fine. I noticed it felt very crisp and fast compared to factory.

I loaded up 100 and took them to an IDPA match. 1 or 2 out of 20 would dent but not go bang. It was explained in another thread. I will fix the primer issue and load up 1000 of these babies.

Overall I am considering it a successful first attempt.
Thanks,

~VL

mrawesome22 · March 18, 2007, 09:29 PM

1300fps with a 180gr bullet

That's an extremely hot load buddy. Even at 1040fps that's pretty stout. Be careful man.

Overhill · March 19, 2007, 10:24 AM

That load should never reach 1300fps unless the OAL is too short,

March 7, 2007, 02:25 AM	#1
VanLogan Junior Member Join Date: March 7, 2007 Posts: 6	Need help with a 40 S&W load Hi Guys, I am new to reloading and to this forum but I am on several other boards. Here is what I have. 40 S&W Brass 180 Grain Rainier plated RNFP CCI Small 500 primers W231 powder I can't find any info in my books about these items in combination. I am ok with buying a different powder or primer but I would like to use the bullets. Is it possible for me to use these items to make a safe target load? What Charge to start at? Thanks VanLogan

March 7, 2007, 06:29 AM	#4
JohnLizCas Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 162	40 S&W loads The CCI 500 primers are OK. I've used Red Dot powder for 165 and 180 gr loads. Worked good, no problems, clean burning. __________________ For those who have had to fight for it, life holds a special meaning that the protected will never know.

March 18, 2007, 07:38 PM	#9
VanLogan Junior Member Join Date: March 7, 2007 Posts: 6	Update on 40 S&W loads Ok Guys, Here is what I went with and what happened. Lee Autodisk .37 = 4.0 Gr on W231 (Weighed +/- on my scale) I loaded 2 rounds. Fired them at 1040 fps and 1300 fps. I was a little concerened at the discrepancy in speed but I think I was too close to the Chrono on the second one. They cycled fine and everything seemed ok. I made up 30 more. shot them at the range and noticed an improvement in accuracy. They all fired fine no misfires. Cycled fine. I noticed it felt very crisp and fast compared to factory. I loaded up 100 and took them to an IDPA match. 1 or 2 out of 20 would dent but not go bang. It was explained in another thread. I will fix the primer issue and load up 1000 of these babies. Overall I am considering it a successful first attempt. Thanks, ~VL

March 7, 2007, 03:06 AM	#2
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	W231 is pretty fast powder for 180gr projectiles in .40SW. That's probably why you're not finding much data for your combination. I'd look for a slower, more forgiving powder. I use Accurate #5 at a starting load for 165 gr plated and it makes a nice practice round.

March 7, 2007, 04:40 AM	#3
VanLogan Junior Member Join Date: March 7, 2007 Posts: 6	Thanks, What about the cci 500 primers? Are those ok? ~VL

March 7, 2007, 07:32 AM	#5
charlie in md Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2005 Posts: 185	hodgdon site The Hodgdon site (owns winchester powder now) lists the following loads for 180 grain in .40 S&W: Start with 4.1 grains of 231 gives 797 fps max is 5.0 grains of 231, gives 947 fps. Double check site to make sure I listed it correctly. good luck!

March 7, 2007, 07:50 AM	#6
RERICK Junior member Join Date: July 9, 2005 Posts: 369	I use that same bullet,But I use it with either Winchester or CCI primers. I load it with 6 grains of Power Pistol. It fills most of the case and I get good accuracy with this load. Always check your data from a couple of sources and work up your load from the minimum charge.

March 7, 2007, 10:08 AM	#7
T-Bear Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 119	Van, I use a 180gr bullet with 231 for thousands of rounds shooting out of a 4"barrel just fine. I shoot lead 180fp at 4.0gr. of 231. It is a mild load. I have loaded as low as 3.6gr of 231 with 180gr bullet and as high as 4.4gr 231, 231 is a all around powder, It's cheap when bought in bbulk and I use it too reload 40 and .45. and light .45LC loads.

March 7, 2007, 10:50 AM	#8
VanLogan Junior Member Join Date: March 7, 2007 Posts: 6	Thanks for the info guys. I will let you know how it turns out. ~VL

March 18, 2007, 09:29 PM	#10
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	1300fps with a 180gr bullet That's an extremely hot load buddy. Even at 1040fps that's pretty stout. Be careful man.

March 19, 2007, 10:24 AM	#11
Overhill Member Join Date: March 1, 2007 Location: PA Posts: 96	That load should never reach 1300fps unless the OAL is too short,