40 S&W loads

Poconolg · November 16, 2015, 04:15 PM

I need help with finding a safe load using Power Pistol powder and 170 cast bullets. I am having problems finding a load in manuals or online. If anyone can help I would be thankful.

Sevens · November 16, 2015, 04:58 PM

If you seek a PUBLISHED load that is safe, scour your manuals and sources for either a 175 or 180 grain cast lead load using Power Pistol and know that you are safely using a slightly lighter bullet.

There may not be these loads however (sorry, I am away from my load bench & sources) because Power Pistol has never been a "popular" propellant choice for cast lead slugs.

May be worth noting that .40 S&W is also not a popular choice for pairing up with cast lead bullets either.

ligonierbill · November 16, 2015, 05:07 PM

Lyman lists a 175 grain cast bullet with PP:
Start 5.9 908 fps
Max 6.6 998 fps

Nick_C_S · November 16, 2015, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Power Pistol has never been a "popular" propellant choice for cast lead slugs.

It's not. Power Pistol is highly energetic so it's not lead friendly. The stuff runs hot, so it tends to lay down lead in the barrel.

ligonierbill · November 17, 2015, 08:25 AM

No barrel leading in my .45 Colt or .38 Special with Power Pistol and cast bullets (or swaged Speer SWCHP 158's in the 38). Works great, and since I use it in all my autoloaders, I have a lot on hand.

FlyFish · November 17, 2015, 11:54 AM

I gave Power Pistol a try back when it was very difficult to get any of my other "regular" pistol powders and eventually settled on a load of 6.5 gr of PP under a Magnus 180 gr TCBB bullet (their No. 101). Works great in my Sig 229 - no leading, no other problems.

sdrnavy91 · January 28, 2024, 06:26 PM

I loaded 4.0 grains of Titegroup today on a 180 grain lead laser cast bullet. Velocity was 932 fps with S.D. of 10 on 5 shots . Groups were great at 15 yards. Shot out of a CZ P09. Going to try 3.9 grains later. No problems. No signs of over pressure.

totaldla · January 29, 2024, 02:05 AM

I don't understand cast bullet problems with Power Pistol. I've used it to successfully push 45acp hard cast.

I would certainly start with 180gr loading and see if you like the feel of ~1100fps 170gr fodder.

rc · January 29, 2024, 11:24 PM

Yes, just use 180 fmj load data for power pistol. A jacketed bullet is harder and produces a bit more pressure than lead bullets of the same weight so substitution of a lead bullet using jacketed data is pretty safe. Also as others have stated, substitution of a lighter bullet for a published load is perfectly safe. The only potential problem is if you push the bullet too fast and it leads up your barrel. It's very hard to do with 40 S&W. Much more common in 9mm and 357 mag with typical muzzle velocity above 1100fps where you really should be using a lot of bullet lube or a jacketed bullet. At 950 to 1000 out of a 40 or 45 auto leading isn't usually a problem.

sdrnavy91 · February 3, 2024, 02:44 PM

Loaded 3.8 grains of Titegroup on 180 grain Laser Cast bullets today. Groups were great at 15 yards. Velocity was 886 fps. CZ P09 .40 S&W . No signs of pressure. S.D. of 17. Various brass ..PMC, Remington, Blazer, Federal

sparkyv · February 5, 2024, 08:03 AM

I'd start with published 180gr data and work up from there.

gwpercle · February 5, 2024, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poconolg

I need help with finding a safe load using Power Pistol powder and 170 cast bullets. I am having problems finding a load in manuals or online. If anyone can help I would be thankful.

The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition has data - 40 S&W with two different 175 gr. bullets , Lyman #401043 175 gr. SWC and Lyman #401638 175 gr. RF
Both have data with Power Pistol powder .
It is safe to use the starting data for the 175 gr. bullets to work up loads with a lighter 170 gr. bullet ... those weights are very close to each other and will give you similar results with the some what lighter 170 gr. projectile .
Gary

November 16, 2015, 04:15 PM	#1
Poconolg Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2015 Posts: 171	40 S&W loads I need help with finding a safe load using Power Pistol powder and 170 cast bullets. I am having problems finding a load in manuals or online. If anyone can help I would be thankful.

November 16, 2015, 04:58 PM	#2
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	If you seek a PUBLISHED load that is safe, scour your manuals and sources for either a 175 or 180 grain cast lead load using Power Pistol and know that you are safely using a slightly lighter bullet. There may not be these loads however (sorry, I am away from my load bench & sources) because Power Pistol has never been a "popular" propellant choice for cast lead slugs. May be worth noting that .40 S&W is also not a popular choice for pairing up with cast lead bullets either. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

November 17, 2015, 11:54 AM	#6
FlyFish Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Overlooking the Baker River Valley Posts: 1,723	I gave Power Pistol a try back when it was very difficult to get any of my other "regular" pistol powders and eventually settled on a load of 6.5 gr of PP under a Magnus 180 gr TCBB bullet (their No. 101). Works great in my Sig 229 - no leading, no other problems. __________________ NRA Benefactor Life Member NRA Certified Instructor: Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, PPIH, Metallic & Shotgun Shell Reloading; RSO Pemigewasset Valley Fish & Game Club

January 29, 2024, 02:05 AM	#8
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,291	I don't understand cast bullet problems with Power Pistol. I've used it to successfully push 45acp hard cast. I would certainly start with 180gr loading and see if you like the feel of ~1100fps 170gr fodder. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

February 3, 2024, 02:44 PM	#10
sdrnavy91 Member Join Date: April 4, 2016 Posts: 22	Loaded 3.8 grains of Titegroup on 180 grain Laser Cast bullets today. Groups were great at 15 yards. Velocity was 886 fps. CZ P09 .40 S&W . No signs of pressure. S.D. of 17. Various brass ..PMC, Remington, Blazer, Federal Last edited by sdrnavy91; February 3, 2024 at 08:05 PM.

November 16, 2015, 05:07 PM	#3
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,451	Lyman lists a 175 grain cast bullet with PP: Start 5.9 908 fps Max 6.6 998 fps

November 17, 2015, 08:25 AM	#5
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,451	No barrel leading in my .45 Colt or .38 Special with Power Pistol and cast bullets (or swaged Speer SWCHP 158's in the 38). Works great, and since I use it in all my autoloaders, I have a lot on hand.

January 28, 2024, 06:26 PM	#7
sdrnavy91 Member Join Date: April 4, 2016 Posts: 22	I loaded 4.0 grains of Titegroup today on a 180 grain lead laser cast bullet. Velocity was 932 fps with S.D. of 10 on 5 shots . Groups were great at 15 yards. Shot out of a CZ P09. Going to try 3.9 grains later. No problems. No signs of over pressure.

January 29, 2024, 11:24 PM	#9
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,765	Yes, just use 180 fmj load data for power pistol. A jacketed bullet is harder and produces a bit more pressure than lead bullets of the same weight so substitution of a lead bullet using jacketed data is pretty safe. Also as others have stated, substitution of a lighter bullet for a published load is perfectly safe. The only potential problem is if you push the bullet too fast and it leads up your barrel. It's very hard to do with 40 S&W. Much more common in 9mm and 357 mag with typical muzzle velocity above 1100fps where you really should be using a lot of bullet lube or a jacketed bullet. At 950 to 1000 out of a 40 or 45 auto leading isn't usually a problem.

February 5, 2024, 08:03 AM	#11
sparkyv Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2015 Location: Deepinnaheartta,Texas Posts: 318	I'd start with published 180gr data and work up from there. __________________ μολὼν λαβέ NRA Life Member