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enstorm · August 30, 2005, 11:59 PM

You will find the max loads vary from one publication to the other. I have settled on the 180 grain hp for my .40 (mainly the xtp). I don't have data for the Gold Dot, but here's what a few manuals say about the Sierra 180 Sportmaster (a bullet I like a lot, too) at max loads: LYMAN: All oal at 1.115, 4" barrel. Power Pistol, 6.7 (974 FPS); N340, 6.0 (1014 FPS); WSF, 6.2 (993), Titegroup and Longshot, no data. SIERRA MANUAL: All oal at 1.125, 5" barrel. Power Pistol, 6.9 (1050 FPS); N340, 6.3 (1100 FPS); WSF, 6.6 (1050 FPS); Titegroup and Longshot, no data. The Hornady manual has its 180 XTP at 1.125 oal, using a 4" barrel, with Power Pistol maxing out at a whopping 7.3 grains! This supposedly generates "only" 1050 FPS, which I find hard to believe. My standard load is Power Pistol at 6.9, 1.125, and it consistently chronies at 1050 FPS out of my pistol's 4.4" barrel. I have also measured and weighed various Speer bullets and I am real unimpressed with their quality control. I stopped buying Speer rifle bullets of any type because of this exact reason. The XTPs and the Sierras are, I think, the way to go with the .40. I also have had good luck with the Montana Gold hp. I suggest you check out the .40 IPSC loads list compiled by Jeff Maass for some good info. I don't have the web address, unfortunately. Hope this helps.

August 30, 2005, 11:59 PM	#2
enstorm Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2005 Posts: 217	You will find the max loads vary from one publication to the other. I have settled on the 180 grain hp for my .40 (mainly the xtp). I don't have data for the Gold Dot, but here's what a few manuals say about the Sierra 180 Sportmaster (a bullet I like a lot, too) at max loads: LYMAN: All oal at 1.115, 4" barrel. Power Pistol, 6.7 (974 FPS); N340, 6.0 (1014 FPS); WSF, 6.2 (993), Titegroup and Longshot, no data. SIERRA MANUAL: All oal at 1.125, 5" barrel. Power Pistol, 6.9 (1050 FPS); N340, 6.3 (1100 FPS); WSF, 6.6 (1050 FPS); Titegroup and Longshot, no data. The Hornady manual has its 180 XTP at 1.125 oal, using a 4" barrel, with Power Pistol maxing out at a whopping 7.3 grains! This supposedly generates "only" 1050 FPS, which I find hard to believe. My standard load is Power Pistol at 6.9, 1.125, and it consistently chronies at 1050 FPS out of my pistol's 4.4" barrel. I have also measured and weighed various Speer bullets and I am real unimpressed with their quality control. I stopped buying Speer rifle bullets of any type because of this exact reason. The XTPs and the Sierras are, I think, the way to go with the .40. I also have had good luck with the Montana Gold hp. I suggest you check out the .40 IPSC loads list compiled by Jeff Maass for some good info. I don't have the web address, unfortunately. Hope this helps.