40 S&W Load: Is mine safe?

[aggie_2010]

I want to use a different bullet in a load than what my load manual "Lyman 49th" lists. The bullets I have are 150 grain Nosler JHP #44860. However, the load manual uses 150 grain Sierra JHP #8430. Will I be okay if I substitute the Nosler bullets for the Sierras, given that I use the same load data as far as COAL, powder type and amount?

Thanks!

[mrawesome22]

If you start at the starting load and work up you'll be fine.

Got a chronograph?

[snuffy]

40 S&W Load: Is mine safe?
I want to use a different bullet in a load than what my load manual "Lyman 49th" lists. The bullets I have are 150 grain Nosler JHP #44860. However, the load manual uses 150 grain Sierra JHP #8430. Will I be okay if I substitute the Nosler bullets for the Sierras, given that I use the same load data as far as COAL, powder type and amount?

Thanks!

Are we supposed to guess what that load is? IF you worked up that load of mystery powder to maximum load, then, NO you can't just switch bullets. The Nosler bullet might be a smidgen longer, so at your seating depth you'd be pushing the bullet into the case further, raising pressure. The alloy of the core, or the hardness of the jacket might also raise pressure. I understand that they both are the same weight, but that's the only similarity.

To be safe, you MUST re-work the load to be sure.

[aggie_2010]

I do not have a chronograph, and the powder I'm using is Unique. My manual lists an OAL of 1.100", and starting/max grains of 5.5 to 6.6 (Unique) for the Sierra bullet.. If I do use the Nosler bullets I will only use 5.5 grains of Unique.

Maybe a better question would have been, "Does anyone know of a published load using a 150 grain Nosler JHP with Unique powder?" I'm not really looking for accuracy, just a fun load that I can use to shoot cans, paper, etc.

[Stick_man]

I'm not really looking for accuracy, just a fun load that I can use to shoot cans, paper, etc.

Seems like going with a JHP would be a fairly expensive route for just a plinking or can poppin' round. Have you considered trying a cast or plated bullet? They are usually much cheaper than jacketed and can be just as accurate. For that matter, if you cast your own, they can be much much cheaper plus you have the joy of shooting something that you made.

There is a ton of loading information for cast bullets for anything from cat sneeze loads to hot hunting (or defense-type if you choose to carry home loads for defense) loads, plus virtually any style or weight (within reason) for loading.

[aggie_2010]

nm

[aggie_2010]

I realize there are more economical loads for what I want to do, but I want to make use of what I have available to me at the moment which are the Nosler JHPs, not FMJs or cast/plated bullets. Note: I do not carry hand loads for self defense. To each, their own, but I prefer premium factory SD loads for that purpose. So, again I just want to create a SAFE plinking load with what I have on hand. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[SL1]

It should be a satisfactory powder; it just wasn't one that they tested for that manual.

Someone could help you with a QuickLOAD calculation, but I don't have the time to do that right now.

SL1

[mrawesome22]

[SL1]

It uses default parameters, and may not be very accurate for your gun without some additional information and tuning, so use it with proper discretion.

I see that it differs from the calculation provided by "mrawesome22" using the same program. A quick look at his output screen in the previous post showes that he used an over-all cartridge length of 1.100", while I used the default (maximum) COL of 1.135". YOu can see the lower pressure and velocity for the 5.5 grain load in my output table.

So, pay attention to YOUR COL and remember that this is just a computer SIMULATION, not actual pressure-tested load data.

Cartridge : .40 S&W (SAAMI)
Bullet : .400, 150, Nosler JHP 44860
Useable Case Capaci: 12.216 grain H2O = 0.793 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.135 inch = 28.83 mm
Barrel Length : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm
Powder : Alliant UNIQUE

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 3.077% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-30.8 62 4.50 809 218 12042 3366 83.3 0.668
-27.7 65 4.70 841 235 13062 3574 85.1 0.643
-24.6 68 4.90 872 253 14142 3781 86.8 0.620
-21.5 70 5.10 903 272 15285 3986 88.4 0.599
-18.5 73 5.30 934 291 16491 4190 89.8 0.578
-15.4 76 5.50 965 310 17764 4391 91.2 0.559
-12.3 79 5.70 995 330 19105 4588 92.5 0.541
-09.2 81 5.90 1025 350 20517 4782 93.6 0.524
-06.2 84 6.10 1055 371 22002 4971 94.7 0.508
-03.1 87 6.30 1084 392 23563 5155 95.6 0.491
+00.0 90 6.50 1113 413 25202 5333 96.5 0.475
+03.1 92 6.70 1142 435 26923 5506 97.2 0.460
+06.2 95 6.90 1171 456 28729 5673 97.9 0.445
+09.2 98 7.10 1199 479 30623 5832 98.5 0.431 ! Near Maximum !
+12.3 101 7.30 1227 501 32609 5984 98.9 0.418 ! Near Maximum !
+15.4 103 7.50 1254 524 34691 6128 99.3 0.406 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 90 6.50 1165 452 29290 5355 99.6 0.442
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 90 6.50 1048 366 21193 5104 90.2 0.515