Best powder for 40 S&W in Glock 23

Deer Slayer 270 · November 3, 2009, 10:28 AM

Folks,

I need some advise from those of you who have been reloading for 40 S&W to shoot in Glock for a while. I am not new to reloading but new to this caliber. I want to reload for my new Glock 23, but first of all I am concerned about the warning Glock put on their owner's manual against using reloaded ammunition. Is there any real substance to this warning or is it just another one of those where the lawyers of the company are trying to avoid legal trouble?

My other question is what powder you guys recommend. I want to load 180 grain Hornady XTP-JHP.

I would appreciate sharing your experince and expertise.

Thanks.

3gunfreak · November 3, 2009, 11:17 AM

As for loading for Hornady Bullets I couldn't tell you the amount but I like Tightgroup. It is a very clean powder. I was loading Tightgroup under Hornady 180Gr FMJ but got turned on to Montana Gold bullets a few years ago. I shoot a Glock 22 and Glock 35 in competition and use 4.5 grains for each under a 180 Grain FMJ Montana Gold. I really don't think that is no where near the power max. It is a snappy shot and just does make Major Power factor.

Oh Yeah, it's very accurate to boot.

Foxbat · November 3, 2009, 11:52 AM

There is no "best" powder, of course... you can use the Titegroup already recommended, or you can use the Universal Clay, or the VV N320, plus several others, including the Bullseye and WST.

Don't pay attention to the boiler plate warning... it is aimed at people doing double charge, things like that.

I would recommend finding out what powder the local store has, then go from there. Shipping powder gets expensive due to Hazmat premium.

BurkGlocker · November 3, 2009, 11:55 AM

I've used Power Pistol in my 9mm, .40 and .45 with great results. It was Unique, but found that PP burns so much cleaner than Unique.

That'll Do · November 3, 2009, 12:03 PM

When shooting 180gr target loads in 40 S&W, I usually use Hodgdon HS-6, Universal, or Alliant Unique. They have provided me with the best accuracy.

HS-6 is the best powder I've tried for 40 S&W. Your mileage may vary.

Deer Slayer 270 · November 3, 2009, 12:07 PM

That'll Do,

the 180 grain bullet you shoot with HS-6, is that jacketed bullet or lead bullet? I imagine that would make a difference, right?

That'll Do · November 3, 2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deer Slayer 270

That'll Do,

the 180 grain bullet you shoot with HS-6, is that jacketed bullet or lead bullet? I imagine that would make a difference, right?

I shoot jacketed 180gr bullets (Montana Gold to be specific). I've used HS-6 with both lead and jacketed, and have had good results with both.
I usually use close to the starting load (loads in the 750 to 800 fps range) when loading 180gr bullets, so lead or jacketed should not make much of a difference in this case.

Deer Slayer 270 · November 3, 2009, 12:22 PM

I want to load for personal defence as well as accuracy. So that is why I was thinking about Hornady 180 grain XTP-JHP. would the amount of powder or accuracy be any different than FMJ, for example the Montana Gold bullets you guys like?

Foxbat · November 3, 2009, 12:38 PM

Many experts recommend strongly against loading your own self-defense ammo. Just buy good commercial one, to avoid any possible complications that might arise should there be an incident.

A different question is - how do I load the practice ammo with characteristics close to my defense one? That is a legitimate question and the answer will depend on your choice of defense ammo.

Deer Slayer 270 · November 3, 2009, 04:10 PM

What do you guys think about primed brass? especially now days that you can't find primers to save your life, I see there are primed brass availabe that is basically at the same price as unprimed brass! For example I have found some Federal primed 40 S&W brass. Do you think I should scoop it up before it is all gone?

Foxbat · November 3, 2009, 04:34 PM

Without knowing its price it is impossible to answer.

There are tons of primers on Gun Broker, with Wolf primers going for under $200 shipped for 5000.

Deer Slayer 270 · November 3, 2009, 04:36 PM

These are Federal brass and I imagine have Federal primers too. bag of 100 if for $24. you think that is a good deal?

Foxbat · November 3, 2009, 05:07 PM

No, not a good deal, unless you are expecting to only load a couple hundred rounds.

Once shot brass can be had for $3-4 per hundred in 1000 and above quantity. Primers will be $4 if you buy 5000. That makes it at or below $8 per 100.

If you are expecting to shoot and load a couple thousand rounds a year, then buy 1000 pieces of brass and 5000 primers - that will keep you busy for a while. If you feel 5000 primers is too many, you can buy smaller lots, but buying smaller quantities mail order makes no sense, as you will be paying fixed Hazmat fee, whether you buy 10,000 primers or just 1.

Find a local shooting buddy and split the order with him, if 5000 is too many.

Deer Slayer 270 · November 3, 2009, 08:45 PM

I have some Bullseye powder that I have been using for 45ACP, how is that in 40 S&W? how is the accuracy.
I looked at Speer's and Lee's manual and see very different velocities for 180 grain jacketed bullets with Bullseye. Lee has it about 100 fps faster at max. load! which one is right?

Foxbat · November 3, 2009, 08:48 PM

Both are probably right... those were the velocities they most likely obtained using their test barrels. There is no standard on these. Also, most likely different bullets. Different bullets of the same weight will have different velocities.

Deer Slayer 270 · November 3, 2009, 08:56 PM

how was your experience with Bullseye for 40 S&W?

Foxbat · November 3, 2009, 09:01 PM

I never used Bullseye. But all that is not important. You have powder - you can't predict what results will your ammo-gun-shooter system produce. You need to try it. It is easy, you just start loading, increasing the charge from the minimal one... and try your ammo. Soon you will be the one to tell us how it works. What works for one person often is not good for another.

Ideally you get a chrono.

November 3, 2009, 10:28 AM	#1
Deer Slayer 270 Member Join Date: January 6, 2007 Posts: 49	Best powder for 40 S&W in Glock 23 Folks, I need some advise from those of you who have been reloading for 40 S&W to shoot in Glock for a while. I am not new to reloading but new to this caliber. I want to reload for my new Glock 23, but first of all I am concerned about the warning Glock put on their owner's manual against using reloaded ammunition. Is there any real substance to this warning or is it just another one of those where the lawyers of the company are trying to avoid legal trouble? My other question is what powder you guys recommend. I want to load 180 grain Hornady XTP-JHP. I would appreciate sharing your experince and expertise. Thanks.

November 3, 2009, 05:07 PM	#13
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	No, not a good deal, unless you are expecting to only load a couple hundred rounds. Once shot brass can be had for $3-4 per hundred in 1000 and above quantity. Primers will be $4 if you buy 5000. That makes it at or below $8 per 100. If you are expecting to shoot and load a couple thousand rounds a year, then buy 1000 pieces of brass and 5000 primers - that will keep you busy for a while. If you feel 5000 primers is too many, you can buy smaller lots, but buying smaller quantities mail order makes no sense, as you will be paying fixed Hazmat fee, whether you buy 10,000 primers or just 1. Find a local shooting buddy and split the order with him, if 5000 is too many. Last edited by Foxbat; November 3, 2009 at 05:14 PM.

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November 3, 2009, 11:17 AM	#2
3gunfreak Member Join Date: February 28, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 43	As for loading for Hornady Bullets I couldn't tell you the amount but I like Tightgroup. It is a very clean powder. I was loading Tightgroup under Hornady 180Gr FMJ but got turned on to Montana Gold bullets a few years ago. I shoot a Glock 22 and Glock 35 in competition and use 4.5 grains for each under a 180 Grain FMJ Montana Gold. I really don't think that is no where near the power max. It is a snappy shot and just does make Major Power factor. Oh Yeah, it's very accurate to boot.

November 3, 2009, 11:52 AM	#3
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	There is no "best" powder, of course... you can use the Titegroup already recommended, or you can use the Universal Clay, or the VV N320, plus several others, including the Bullseye and WST. Don't pay attention to the boiler plate warning... it is aimed at people doing double charge, things like that. I would recommend finding out what powder the local store has, then go from there. Shipping powder gets expensive due to Hazmat premium.

November 3, 2009, 11:55 AM	#4
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	I've used Power Pistol in my 9mm, .40 and .45 with great results. It was Unique, but found that PP burns so much cleaner than Unique.

November 3, 2009, 12:03 PM	#5
That'll Do Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 546	When shooting 180gr target loads in 40 S&W, I usually use Hodgdon HS-6, Universal, or Alliant Unique. They have provided me with the best accuracy. HS-6 is the best powder I've tried for 40 S&W. Your mileage may vary.

November 3, 2009, 12:07 PM	#6
Deer Slayer 270 Member Join Date: January 6, 2007 Posts: 49	That'll Do, the 180 grain bullet you shoot with HS-6, is that jacketed bullet or lead bullet? I imagine that would make a difference, right?

November 3, 2009, 12:22 PM	#8
Deer Slayer 270 Member Join Date: January 6, 2007 Posts: 49	I want to load for personal defence as well as accuracy. So that is why I was thinking about Hornady 180 grain XTP-JHP. would the amount of powder or accuracy be any different than FMJ, for example the Montana Gold bullets you guys like?

November 3, 2009, 12:38 PM	#9
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	Many experts recommend strongly against loading your own self-defense ammo. Just buy good commercial one, to avoid any possible complications that might arise should there be an incident. A different question is - how do I load the practice ammo with characteristics close to my defense one? That is a legitimate question and the answer will depend on your choice of defense ammo.

November 3, 2009, 04:10 PM	#10
Deer Slayer 270 Member Join Date: January 6, 2007 Posts: 49	What do you guys think about primed brass? especially now days that you can't find primers to save your life, I see there are primed brass availabe that is basically at the same price as unprimed brass! For example I have found some Federal primed 40 S&W brass. Do you think I should scoop it up before it is all gone?

November 3, 2009, 04:34 PM	#11
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	Without knowing its price it is impossible to answer. There are tons of primers on Gun Broker, with Wolf primers going for under $200 shipped for 5000.

November 3, 2009, 04:36 PM	#12
Deer Slayer 270 Member Join Date: January 6, 2007 Posts: 49	These are Federal brass and I imagine have Federal primers too. bag of 100 if for $24. you think that is a good deal?

November 3, 2009, 08:45 PM	#14
Deer Slayer 270 Member Join Date: January 6, 2007 Posts: 49	I have some Bullseye powder that I have been using for 45ACP, how is that in 40 S&W? how is the accuracy. I looked at Speer's and Lee's manual and see very different velocities for 180 grain jacketed bullets with Bullseye. Lee has it about 100 fps faster at max. load! which one is right?

November 3, 2009, 08:48 PM	#15
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	Both are probably right... those were the velocities they most likely obtained using their test barrels. There is no standard on these. Also, most likely different bullets. Different bullets of the same weight will have different velocities.

November 3, 2009, 08:56 PM	#16
Deer Slayer 270 Member Join Date: January 6, 2007 Posts: 49	how was your experience with Bullseye for 40 S&W?

November 3, 2009, 09:01 PM	#17
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	I never used Bullseye. But all that is not important. You have powder - you can't predict what results will your ammo-gun-shooter system produce. You need to try it. It is easy, you just start loading, increasing the charge from the minimal one... and try your ammo. Soon you will be the one to tell us how it works. What works for one person often is not good for another. Ideally you get a chrono.