does anyone have a starting load for 175gr S&W

champ198 · May 21, 2011, 07:43 PM

i know about the pressures of the 40S&W and all that and was jsut looking for a starting point for it. not looking for hot loads jsut something to plink at the range not going to be Self Defense loads jsut range ammo only.
the 2 pistol powders i got are IMR trailboss and Winchester WSF will these be ok for these cast loads

Stick_man · June 4, 2011, 05:02 PM

The best source for answers regarding your specific powders would be to manufacturer's website. There are a number of great loads and powders available for the 175gr cast. If you don't already have it, a great reference book is the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual #4. It lists quite a few. I have never loaded either of these powders, but have heard good things about WST, WW-231, Red Dot, Unique, Power Pistol, and a number of others. Because of it's bulk and low energy, I would be kind of surprised if TrailBoss worked very well in the .40s&w.

Are these bullets you cast yourself or did you buy some commercial cast ones? Do you know how hard they are?

zippy13 · June 4, 2011, 08:03 PM

My experience with loading light pistol loads has primarily been with Bullseye in .38 and .45 cast bullet loads. It's a fast powder and does well with target/plinker loads. Between TrailBoss and WSF, TrailBoss has a burning rate closer to that of Bullseye. That's the powder I'd try first. Stick_man may be correct about its bulk/energy, but you indicated that you looking for light loads with the powder you have. I typically use powders around WSP's burning rate in larger revolver cases. YMMV

T. O'Heir · June 5, 2011, 12:12 AM

Buy a Hodgdon manual or give 'em a call. Asking on the reloading forum might be faster.

May 21, 2011, 07:43 PM	#1
champ198 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Posts: 214	does anyone have a starting load for 175gr S&W i know about the pressures of the 40S&W and all that and was jsut looking for a starting point for it. not looking for hot loads jsut something to plink at the range not going to be Self Defense loads jsut range ammo only. the 2 pistol powders i got are IMR trailboss and Winchester WSF will these be ok for these cast loads

June 4, 2011, 05:02 PM	#2
Stick_man Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 238	The best source for answers regarding your specific powders would be to manufacturer's website. There are a number of great loads and powders available for the 175gr cast. If you don't already have it, a great reference book is the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual #4. It lists quite a few. I have never loaded either of these powders, but have heard good things about WST, WW-231, Red Dot, Unique, Power Pistol, and a number of others. Because of it's bulk and low energy, I would be kind of surprised if TrailBoss worked very well in the .40s&w. Are these bullets you cast yourself or did you buy some commercial cast ones? Do you know how hard they are?

June 4, 2011, 08:03 PM	#3
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,281	My experience with loading light pistol loads has primarily been with Bullseye in .38 and .45 cast bullet loads. It's a fast powder and does well with target/plinker loads. Between TrailBoss and WSF, TrailBoss has a burning rate closer to that of Bullseye. That's the powder I'd try first. Stick_man may be correct about its bulk/energy, but you indicated that you looking for light loads with the powder you have. I typically use powders around WSP's burning rate in larger revolver cases. YMMV

June 5, 2011, 12:12 AM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 3,099	Buy a Hodgdon manual or give 'em a call. Asking on the reloading forum might be faster. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!