40 SW cast lead with Clays?

joclark33 · August 12, 2014, 10:21 AM

Anyone know if there is any good load data for 40 SW cast lead, especially with clays? I've looked a little bit and haven't found a whole lot. Thanks

WESHOOT2 · August 12, 2014, 03:40 PM

If there's not a lot of data there's often good reason.

Use jacketed data; drop start charge by 10%.

Shotgun Slim · August 12, 2014, 04:15 PM

I can't recall seeing data for that in any loading manuals. Doesn't mean there cannot be any but I did the common thing which is as weshoot2 describes. I have worked up some very pleasant LIGHT loads for paper punching or steel plate shooting with the clays. It is pretty clean at low velocities,recoil is not sharp and accuracy can be very good,although not in every load.I have not loaded any heavier bullet than 175 swc and do not plan to try with 200 or 220.I would recommend that you try it but that you stay with light loads only,as clays has a bad reputation for trouble in stout .40 loads.Safe shooting

Gdawgs · August 12, 2014, 05:39 PM

I have shot thousands of lead bullets with Clays in my 40. They are very soft shooting and I've never had a failure with my loads in my XD40.

For the 40, the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook has a load listed for a 175 gr cast bullet. The charge for Clays powder ranges from 3.3 - 4.0 grains.(velocities range from 641 - 992 in the book. I've never clocked them).

I used the Missouri bullet IDP #2 bullet (170 gr) using 3.6 grains of Clays. I later bought some IDP#9s (155 gr) and used 3.8 gr of Clays.

August 12, 2014, 10:21 AM	#1
joclark33 Junior Member Join Date: April 15, 2014 Posts: 8	40 SW cast lead with Clays? Anyone know if there is any good load data for 40 SW cast lead, especially with clays? I've looked a little bit and haven't found a whole lot. Thanks

August 12, 2014, 03:40 PM	#2
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	If there's not a lot of data there's often good reason. Use jacketed data; drop start charge by 10%. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

August 12, 2014, 04:15 PM	#3
Shotgun Slim Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2014 Location: Va Posts: 291	I can't recall seeing data for that in any loading manuals. Doesn't mean there cannot be any but I did the common thing which is as weshoot2 describes. I have worked up some very pleasant LIGHT loads for paper punching or steel plate shooting with the clays. It is pretty clean at low velocities,recoil is not sharp and accuracy can be very good,although not in every load.I have not loaded any heavier bullet than 175 swc and do not plan to try with 200 or 220.I would recommend that you try it but that you stay with light loads only,as clays has a bad reputation for trouble in stout .40 loads.Safe shooting

August 12, 2014, 05:39 PM	#4
Gdawgs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 656	I have shot thousands of lead bullets with Clays in my 40. They are very soft shooting and I've never had a failure with my loads in my XD40. For the 40, the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook has a load listed for a 175 gr cast bullet. The charge for Clays powder ranges from 3.3 - 4.0 grains.(velocities range from 641 - 992 in the book. I've never clocked them). I used the Missouri bullet IDP #2 bullet (170 gr) using 3.6 grains of Clays. I later bought some IDP#9s (155 gr) and used 3.8 gr of Clays.