.40 S&W & Universal Clays

velocette · September 12, 2009, 03:43 PM

I have several pounds of Universal. I want to reload a pile of .40 S&W brass with a pile of 170 gr cast SWC bullets using the Universal powder for midrange loads. Problem is that I cannot find reload data for CAST bullets using Universal in all of my manuals or on Hodgdons online data base. I found lots of info on jacketed and plated but nothing on cast lead. I know that the load specs for jacketed and plated bullets are significantly different. Also I am aware that sometimes there are REASONS that no load data is available for certain bullets / powders / calibers.
Sadly, Unique is not available anywhere I look (and have looked for many months)

Any guidance will be welcome and appreciated.

Roger

D. Manley · September 12, 2009, 08:03 PM

Here's some .40 S&W 170 grain load data using Oregon Trail bullets if it's of help:

Start Load: 170 Semi Wad Cutter Hodgdon Universal 4.6 1,000 FPS
Max Load: 170 Semi Wad Cutter Hodgdon Universal 5.0 1,065 FPS

philbo · September 13, 2009, 12:33 AM

Lyman 48 shows load data for 2 cast lead bullets for the 40:

175 grains, OAL 1.125, RNFP bullet
Universal:
Start 4.8 grains, 832 fps, 15,300 CUP
Max 5.5 grains, 1006 fps, 21,900 CUP

175 grains, OAL 1.100, TCN bullet
Universal:
Start 4.7 grains, 871 fps, 17,400 CUP
Max 5.4 grains, 1009 fps, 22,900 CUP

Not sure which bullet profile you have, but that should be close enough to work up a decent load. Good luck!

velocette · September 13, 2009, 07:52 AM

Thank you gentlemen. Your assistance is appreciated and the targets will prove it.

Roger

rc · September 14, 2009, 12:00 PM

Loads using lead generally are lower pressure than jacketed. You should be able to use 180grain jacketed data with 170 grain lead bullets without a problem. Take care, rc

tpareloader · September 15, 2009, 11:41 PM

I use 5.2gr of universal with a 165gr rainier fp , cci 500 primers for my .40sw

The rainier is closer to cast lead than it is a fmj, in fact rainier says to use cast data for their bullets.

sourdough44 · September 16, 2009, 08:23 PM

I'm also right near 5.1 grns Universal with a 165 grn plated bullet in the 40S&W. They cycle fine & it's my range/plinking load.

September 12, 2009, 03:43 PM	#1
velocette Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 924	.40 S&W & Universal Clays I have several pounds of Universal. I want to reload a pile of .40 S&W brass with a pile of 170 gr cast SWC bullets using the Universal powder for midrange loads. Problem is that I cannot find reload data for CAST bullets using Universal in all of my manuals or on Hodgdons online data base. I found lots of info on jacketed and plated but nothing on cast lead. I know that the load specs for jacketed and plated bullets are significantly different. Also I am aware that sometimes there are REASONS that no load data is available for certain bullets / powders / calibers. Sadly, Unique is not available anywhere I look (and have looked for many months) Any guidance will be welcome and appreciated. Roger __________________ Trigger control + Breath control + Sight alignment = Gun Control. http://www.hrpclub.info/ NRA Smallbore Prone Master, High Power Master

September 12, 2009, 08:03 PM	#2
D. Manley Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2008 Posts: 299	Here's some .40 S&W 170 grain load data using Oregon Trail bullets if it's of help: Start Load: 170 Semi Wad Cutter Hodgdon Universal 4.6 1,000 FPS Max Load: 170 Semi Wad Cutter Hodgdon Universal 5.0 1,065 FPS __________________ *"Old School" ain't all bad...*

September 13, 2009, 07:52 AM	#4
velocette Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 924	Thank you gentlemen. Your assistance is appreciated and the targets will prove it. Roger __________________ Trigger control + Breath control + Sight alignment = Gun Control. http://www.hrpclub.info/ NRA Smallbore Prone Master, High Power Master

September 15, 2009, 11:41 PM	#6
tpareloader Member Join Date: April 23, 2009 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 76	I use 5.2gr of universal with a 165gr rainier fp , cci 500 primers for my .40sw The rainier is closer to cast lead than it is a fmj, in fact rainier says to use cast data for their bullets. __________________ Never compromise, never surrender.

September 13, 2009, 12:33 AM	#3
philbo Member Join Date: December 19, 2007 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 34	Lyman 48 shows load data for 2 cast lead bullets for the 40: 175 grains, OAL 1.125, RNFP bullet Universal: Start 4.8 grains, 832 fps, 15,300 CUP Max 5.5 grains, 1006 fps, 21,900 CUP 175 grains, OAL 1.100, TCN bullet Universal: Start 4.7 grains, 871 fps, 17,400 CUP Max 5.4 grains, 1009 fps, 22,900 CUP Not sure which bullet profile you have, but that should be close enough to work up a decent load. Good luck!

September 14, 2009, 12:00 PM	#5
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,768	Loads using lead generally are lower pressure than jacketed. You should be able to use 180grain jacketed data with 170 grain lead bullets without a problem. Take care, rc

September 16, 2009, 08:23 PM	#7
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 621	I'm also right near 5.1 grns Universal with a 165 grn plated bullet in the 40S&W. They cycle fine & it's my range/plinking load.