Need help with .40 S&W & Universal Powder

Huntsman52 · June 24, 2011, 10:19 AM

I am new to reloading and am need of some assistance. I have decided to reload cast bullets for my Walther PPS .40 S&W. I am having a hard time finding information on the web and in reload manuals for a recipet for 175 cast bullets and Hod. Universal powder.

Currently I have cast some Lee 175 TL TC and non TL TC. Casted out of 50/50 mix of wheel weights & pure lead, water quenched. Turned out good also.

Made up a dummy round with both bullets and tested for fit and hand cycle in the PPS. OAL was 1.125 with a slight taper crimp. So far so Good. Basicly matched the factory FMJ I had laying around.

Anyone use Universal in the .40 S&W and care to share your experiances?

Per the Hodgdon website it gives me a starting load of 5 gr. Universal for 180 gr. XTP. OAL 1.125. If I drop to 4.7 gr would that work for 175 cast bullets?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance and great site by the way.

GURU1911 · June 24, 2011, 04:30 PM

Do not have any experience with "universal" powder, but my son-in-law currently shoots this load in his .40 walther with excellent results;

7.0 unique, winchester small pistol primer, 175 gr. Cast lead swc.

Overall length & taper crimp should be the same as yours.

Guru1911

engineermike · June 24, 2011, 04:45 PM

I have loaded using universal and berry's 180 Hollow Points and the 155 Hollow Backed bullet. I just used the Hodgdon's load information from their web site and I too load to 1.125 and seem to have good luck. The universal seems to be a clean burning powder and I also had good luck using Accurate #5. I started at the low end and worked my way up until I got what I thought was the best pattern. I believe Lyman's reloading manual has information on 175 grain lead bullets and the universal powder is also listed.

Huntsman52 · June 24, 2011, 09:02 PM

Thank ya'll both for the tips and advice. Will give it a go and see what I can come up with.

excelerater · June 27, 2011, 02:48 PM

I use Universal a bunch
Universal is one of those powders that does it all and pretty cleanly
Make sure your PPS will not foul up with cast bullets,some barrels like Glocks
do get leaded up

I plink w 180G FMJ,5.2G in [email protected] through my SIG and Glocks no prob
Ive tried more heavier loads and saw not much difference except wasted
powder.....if I want a muzzleblast show Ill load 7.0G of LongShot

bedlamite · June 27, 2011, 03:05 PM

I've used a lot of Universal in the 40S&W, and with 180gr cast bullets 5.0gr is about max. I haven't used 175gr, but 4.5-4.7 seems like a reasonable load.

June 24, 2011, 10:19 AM	#1
Huntsman52 Junior Member Join Date: June 24, 2011 Location: Lago Vista, TX Posts: 2	Need help with .40 S&W & Universal Powder I am new to reloading and am need of some assistance. I have decided to reload cast bullets for my Walther PPS .40 S&W. I am having a hard time finding information on the web and in reload manuals for a recipet for 175 cast bullets and Hod. Universal powder. Currently I have cast some Lee 175 TL TC and non TL TC. Casted out of 50/50 mix of wheel weights & pure lead, water quenched. Turned out good also. Made up a dummy round with both bullets and tested for fit and hand cycle in the PPS. OAL was 1.125 with a slight taper crimp. So far so Good. Basicly matched the factory FMJ I had laying around. Anyone use Universal in the .40 S&W and care to share your experiances? Per the Hodgdon website it gives me a starting load of 5 gr. Universal for 180 gr. XTP. OAL 1.125. If I drop to 4.7 gr would that work for 175 cast bullets? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance and great site by the way.

June 24, 2011, 04:30 PM	#2
GURU1911 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Location: SEALY, THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS Posts: 501	Do not have any experience with "universal" powder, but my son-in-law currently shoots this load in his .40 walther with excellent results; 7.0 unique, winchester small pistol primer, 175 gr. Cast lead swc. Overall length & taper crimp should be the same as yours. Guru1911 __________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER (1984) & PRESIDENT: S.W. LA. R&P CLUB, LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (1994-1999) METALLIC CARTRIDGE RELOADER (1977) & GENTILE CHRISTIAN ZIONIST INFIDEL !!! "THERE AIN'T TOO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T FIX, WITH $500 DOLLARS OR A .30-06"

June 24, 2011, 09:02 PM	#4
Huntsman52 Junior Member Join Date: June 24, 2011 Location: Lago Vista, TX Posts: 2	S&W .40 Thank ya'll both for the tips and advice. Will give it a go and see what I can come up with.

June 27, 2011, 03:05 PM	#6
bedlamite Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: WI Posts: 1,395	I've used a lot of Universal in the 40S&W, and with 180gr cast bullets 5.0gr is about max. I haven't used 175gr, but 4.5-4.7 seems like a reasonable load. __________________ A plan is just a list of things that doesn't happen.

June 24, 2011, 04:45 PM	#3
engineermike Junior member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Oklahaoma City Posts: 538	I have loaded using universal and berry's 180 Hollow Points and the 155 Hollow Backed bullet. I just used the Hodgdon's load information from their web site and I too load to 1.125 and seem to have good luck. The universal seems to be a clean burning powder and I also had good luck using Accurate #5. I started at the low end and worked my way up until I got what I thought was the best pattern. I believe Lyman's reloading manual has information on 175 grain lead bullets and the universal powder is also listed.

June 27, 2011, 02:48 PM	#5
excelerater Junior member Join Date: June 27, 2011 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 694	I use Universal a bunch Universal is one of those powders that does it all and pretty cleanly Make sure your PPS will not foul up with cast bullets,some barrels like Glocks do get leaded up I plink w 180G FMJ,5.2G in [email protected] through my SIG and Glocks no prob Ive tried more heavier loads and saw not much difference except wasted powder.....if I want a muzzleblast show Ill load 7.0G of LongShot