175gr Winchester Silvertip 40 S&W Longshot Loads

[pctechdude]

So after a post I made a while back regarding 165gr Speer Gold Dot loads, someone mentioned I try Hodgdon's Longshot in the 40 for a little more velocity.

And try I did, using some 175gr Winchester Silvertips I referenced Hodgdon's online manual and used the 180gr weight as a starting point. After a few work ups I settled on a 8.2 grain charge of Longshot.

My test platform is an M&P 40 compact 3.5" barrel which I use for concealed carry.

I loaded up the 5 cases at 8.2 grains and went outside and set up the chronograph.

Shots were done at 10 feet from chronograph

My results were:
Winchester Case
CCI #500 Small Pistol Primers
OAL 1.125"
8.2 grains Hodgdon Longshot

Shot #1 1128 fps
Shot #2 1146 fps
Shot #3 1138 fps
Shot #4 1139 fps
Shot #5 1147 fps

Avg. 1140 fps
Avg Deviation ~5.6fps
Extreme Deviation 19fps
Muzzle Energy 505 FT. LBS

Location Central Ohio
Temp: 66 Degree F
Elevation 909 FT
Wind SW 8MPH


I must say for almost the top standard weight in 40 caliber and a compact gun this is pretty impressive numbers. For recoil wise it was a little more than normal 180 grain loads but nothing to top shelf 155's in my experience.

Always remember reduce these charges by 10% and work up checking for signs of over pressure.

Cases were fine, no bulges, primers nice and round

[gundog5]

I originally had some misgivings with longshot as there was a lack of load data for that powder. That being said, I load 8.2gr for my 155 and 165gr 40cal bullets and shoot fist size groups at 30ft. In addition, while a double load does not spill out it is right at the top of the case and very hard to miss which makes for safer reloading in my book. Good powder.

[Ruger45LC]

Nice report, Longshot is a great powder for the .40 overall. Sometimes I've had bouts with it not being very consistent in working up a load, but once I find the "sweet spot" it's very nice and can be very consistent. I've used it a lot in the .40 S&W and I'm seeing good results with it in the .45 Super as well.

Your load of 8.2gr seems good to me, I have settled on 8.2gr Longshot with 180gr bullets. Out of my stock 4" Glock 23, 8.2gr will average just over 1,150 fps with a 180gr JHP. From a 5.3" G35 barrel it's over 1,250 fps and from the 6" G24 KKM barrel it's over 1,325 fps...easily 10mm performance from a .40. Although I've got some 175gr Silvertips lying around, I've haven't tried any yet with Longshot, but I do know that 800x and VV 3N38 will get it to 1,300 fps in a 6" barrel rather easily.

One thing I always thought was funny is how Winchester downloads their 175gr Silvertip 10mm. While they claim 1290 fps, actual velocity is around 1150-1175 fps from a 4.5" barrel. It's funny because at 1140 fps from a 3.5" barrel, your Longshot load is more powerful than what the factory 10mm Winchester load would do from a 3.5" barrel and only a little slower than what it does from a 4.5" 10mm.

[pctechdude]

So far I am loving the ammo and longshot in the 40. Been thinking of trying in 45 acp +p as well, but haven't had the chance. Seems some people found out I have a stock pile of reloading supplies so I get hounded with can I get some ammo? lol sure if the price is right

Actually the very reason I have the 175 silvertips was for that exact reason. Recently acquired a Glock 20, and really didn't like the factory ammo. So purchased a bunch of the 175 silvertips to load up. They may be an older design but they work well. It is pretty pathetic from a compact gun I can push a forty faster than a 10mm from the same barrel and only slightly less FPS from a 10mm 4.5" barrel.

One thing I have learned in 10mm, If you load hot rounds and run them through the stock Glock 20 barrel, don't try and reload them hot again. I had a few smiles with loads that weren't even max after that. YMMV

[Magnum Wheel Man]

how does it work in 10mm??? anyone try it ??? I also have 10mm Magnum in an Automag, as well as a S&W 610 that I chambered for the longer 10 Mag cartridge...

BTW... I'm prepping to load +P 45 Auto Rim for a custom Blackhawk... since I'm seating the bullet out further & cutting a crimp groove in my FMJ bullets, I think I'm going to look at 45 Super loads, most of which I can find right now, recommend Longshot powder...

[Ruger45LC]

Originally Posted by pctechdude

So far I am loving the ammo and longshot in the 40. Been thinking of trying in 45 acp +p as well, but haven't had the chance. Seems some people found out I have a stock pile of reloading supplies so I get hounded with can I get some ammo? lol sure if the price is right

Actually the very reason I have the 175 silvertips was for that exact reason. Recently acquired a Glock 20, and really didn't like the factory ammo. So purchased a bunch of the 175 silvertips to load up. They may be an older design but they work well. It is pretty pathetic from a compact gun I can push a forty faster than a 10mm from the same barrel and only slightly less FPS from a 10mm 4.5" barrel.

One thing I have learned in 10mm, If you load hot rounds and run them through the stock Glock 20 barrel, don't try and reload them hot again. I had a few smiles with loads that weren't even max after that. YMMV

I agree the 175gr Silvertip is a good solid bullet despite its age. The silver/silver looks good! It holds together quite well at higher velocity as well. I know what you mean about the G20 and handloads, I used to see some mangled brass using that thing even with less than book max charges, I'm not sure what the deal was...well yes I do it's the lack of good case support.

I have a sneaking suspicion the .40 brass is a little stronger than 10mm brass anyways. Your M&P likely has very good case support, something that can't be said of Glock 10mm's, I know the M&P I used to have didn't bulge brass. Here's a 175gr Silvertip from a .40 doing about 1300 fps:




As for the .45, I've not messed too much with Longshot in the ACP, mainly the Super. But one of my favorites is 8.0gr Power Pistol with a 230gr JHP, which will clock close to 1,000 fps in a 5" barrel, and close to 950 fps in my Glock 30 Gen4.



Magnum wheel man, if you're asking about Longshot in the 10mm, yes it works pretty well. When I used to load for the 10mm, book max 9.5gr would give me about 1265 fps with a 180gr jacketed from a stock 4.6" Glock 20. I ran a few slightly over book max and the velocity began to drop instead of increase. Using lead instead of jacketed got me around 1275 fps.

Not bad at all really, except that I can get those numbers using Longshot in the Glock 35 .40 using less powder.

Longshot works very well in .45 Super loads, I'm getting a 230gr jacketed around 1,230 fps from my Glock 21 with 5" KKM barrel.