S&w 40 and berry's bullets

engineermike · August 18, 2010, 12:38 PM

I am getting ready to find out which load my Springfield xdm 3.8 likes. I am using Berry's 165 grain "Platted" bullet with Winchester 231 powder. Now, someone remind me again, am I loading my charge according to the lead bullet spec's or the FMJ.

Mike

Berry's MfG · August 18, 2010, 01:45 PM

Mike,
The advice we give on load data is to start with hard cast data or I use a middle of the road FMJ data. I shoot those out of my 10mm as well.

Bluesfan · August 18, 2010, 09:34 PM

You will really like the Berry's bullets in your 40. 231 works well with these bullets. Also give AA#5 a try.

engineermike · August 19, 2010, 05:51 AM

Bluesfan;

I am loading the Berry's 165 grain flat point bullet but I am not finding a lot of load information for this weight bullet. (Guess I'll have to make a trip to the gun store and check out their loading books) I might have to go back to the 155 grain or go up to the 180 grain. Spent most of the afternoon yesterday working up three loads (5.3, 5.4,and 5.5) and a few C.O.L.'s ( 1.120,1.125,1.130, and 1.135) I will finish today and go and see how my 40 likes them or which one it likes.

If I go up or down with the bullet weight guess I can start all over. I am guessing the 180 grain might be a better bullet for the 40 but we'll see.

Mike

ZeSpectre · August 19, 2010, 07:09 AM

DISCLAIMER: The following information is for educational purposes and I take no responsibility for any use of this information.

Having said that, one of my all time favorite .40 S&W loads is 6.0gr of Unique pushing a 155gr Berry's bullet. Accurate out of all of my .40 pistols and more than enough to knock down steel plates while giving me very mild recoil and low noise. I've loaded/shot somewhere around 2k of this load so far.

Real Gun · August 19, 2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engineermike

I am guessing the 180 grain might be a better bullet for the 40 but we'll see.

I don't believe you have an ideal powder either (W231). I don't think it is on the short list of what would be picked just for 40.

engineermike · August 19, 2010, 02:50 PM

Real;
What would be your favorite powder? I've got the winchester and some tight group, the win is the first lbs of powder I bought when i first strarted reloading and the tight group (I have not opened it yet) but I am always looking for something to settle on. I am loading 9mm, S&W 40, and 38 spl, so what would be an all round good powder. Oh yea, I tried some unique but I did not like the way it metered in my Harnady powder measure.

Real Gun · August 19, 2010, 03:51 PM

For 9mm and .40 S&W I selected Power Pistol as my large powder order. I see that the same powder is common in 38 Spl loads too. The Win231 only shows up on the 38 Spl list in the Hornady book. I think it's a question of needing to burn slower in higher pressure cartridges in order to get the velocity. Unique, Universal Clays, HS-6, Power Pistol, SR-7625, and Silhouette are all in the same general range according to this burn rate comparison chart

I tried Titegroup in 9mm and really liked it. Note that unless using the heavier bullets, the 9mm becomes a compressed charge with some powders. I think .67cc is the capacity. The Titegroup works great with smaller bullet weights and higher powder charges because it takes up relatively little space.

Win231 is a great powder, but I don't see any point in getting involved in its supply problems caused by popularity with .45 ACP loaders.

pilotjonesg · August 19, 2010, 08:15 PM

I have been loading the 155gr with 8.6 gr of Blue Dot with a COL of 1.125. Seem to have pretty good results, but one out of about every 500 rnd or so will hang up in the gun. Probably just reloading error on my part.

engineermike · August 19, 2010, 09:21 PM

I think I was looking at Power Pistol the other day (and in another thread) and it looked as though it was used in a few more cal's and heavier bullets. I might try that one next.

noylj · August 19, 2010, 09:38 PM

231/HP38 is great for mid-range target loads. For working up to normal levels, though, you would be off with one of the following:

Unique (Alliant)
Universal Clays (Hodgdon)
N330 (Vihtavuori)
Power Pistol (Alliant)
SR-7625 (IMR)
HS-6 (Hodgdon)same as 540
Silhouette (Ramshot) same as WAP
N340 (Vihtavuori)
Herco (Alliant)
WSF (Winchester)
SR-4756 (IMR)
3N37 (Vihtavuori)
800X (IMR)
AA7 (Accurate)
Longshot (Hodgdon)
True Blue (Ramshot)
N350 (Vihtavuori)
3N38 (Vihtavuori)
Blue Dot (Alliant)

and I prefer Powder Pistol and Silhouette.

Bluesfan · August 19, 2010, 10:51 PM

I have used several different powders for 40 S&W,but i always come back to AA#5 especially with berry's bullets. It is a very clean combination with the 180g bullets. I would expect similar results with the 165g as well. Second choice is power pistol.

Huskerguy · August 19, 2010, 11:06 PM

not to hijack your thread.

I am about to try some Berry's in the 9mm 124 grain FN. I use Titegroup for everything. Normally use 115 grain so this is something different.

About to start in on 40 myself only using 180 grain Berry's in HP using Titegroup. Any recommendations for either?

August 18, 2010, 12:38 PM	#1
engineermike Junior member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Oklahaoma City Posts: 538	S&w 40 and berry's bullets I am getting ready to find out which load my Springfield xdm 3.8 likes. I am using Berry's 165 grain "Platted" bullet with Winchester 231 powder. Now, someone remind me again, am I loading my charge according to the lead bullet spec's or the FMJ. Mike

August 18, 2010, 01:45 PM	#2
Berry's MfG Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2010 Location: St. George, UT Posts: 122	Mike, The advice we give on load data is to start with hard cast data or I use a middle of the road FMJ data. I shoot those out of my 10mm as well. __________________ Jay R. Phillips Berry's MFG www.berrysmfg.com/products.aspx?n=57958

August 19, 2010, 03:51 PM	#8
Real Gun Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,743	For 9mm and .40 S&W I selected Power Pistol as my large powder order. I see that the same powder is common in 38 Spl loads too. The Win231 only shows up on the 38 Spl list in the Hornady book. I think it's a question of needing to burn slower in higher pressure cartridges in order to get the velocity. Unique, Universal Clays, HS-6, Power Pistol, SR-7625, and Silhouette are all in the same general range according to this burn rate comparison chart I tried Titegroup in 9mm and really liked it. Note that unless using the heavier bullets, the 9mm becomes a compressed charge with some powders. I think .67cc is the capacity. The Titegroup works great with smaller bullet weights and higher powder charges because it takes up relatively little space. Win231 is a great powder, but I don't see any point in getting involved in its supply problems caused by popularity with .45 ACP loaders. Last edited by Real Gun; August 19, 2010 at 04:06 PM.

August 19, 2010, 09:38 PM	#11
noylj Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: Between CA and NM Posts: 858	Powders for .40S&W 231/HP38 is great for mid-range target loads. For working up to normal levels, though, you would be off with one of the following: Unique (Alliant) Universal Clays (Hodgdon) N330 (Vihtavuori) Power Pistol (Alliant) SR-7625 (IMR) HS-6 (Hodgdon)same as 540 Silhouette (Ramshot) same as WAP N340 (Vihtavuori) Herco (Alliant) WSF (Winchester) SR-4756 (IMR) 3N37 (Vihtavuori) 800X (IMR) AA7 (Accurate) Longshot (Hodgdon) True Blue (Ramshot) N350 (Vihtavuori) 3N38 (Vihtavuori) Blue Dot (Alliant) and I prefer Powder Pistol and Silhouette.

August 18, 2010, 09:34 PM	#3
Bluesfan Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2009 Posts: 102	You will really like the Berry's bullets in your 40. 231 works well with these bullets. Also give AA#5 a try.

August 19, 2010, 05:51 AM	#4
engineermike Junior member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Oklahaoma City Posts: 538	Bluesfan; I am loading the Berry's 165 grain flat point bullet but I am not finding a lot of load information for this weight bullet. (Guess I'll have to make a trip to the gun store and check out their loading books) I might have to go back to the 155 grain or go up to the 180 grain. Spent most of the afternoon yesterday working up three loads (5.3, 5.4,and 5.5) and a few C.O.L.'s ( 1.120,1.125,1.130, and 1.135) I will finish today and go and see how my 40 likes them or which one it likes. If I go up or down with the bullet weight guess I can start all over. I am guessing the 180 grain might be a better bullet for the 40 but we'll see. Mike

August 19, 2010, 07:09 AM	#5
ZeSpectre Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Shenandoah Valley Posts: 3,276	DISCLAIMER: The following information is for educational purposes and I take no responsibility for any use of this information. Having said that, one of my all time favorite .40 S&W loads is 6.0gr of Unique pushing a 155gr Berry's bullet. Accurate out of all of my .40 pistols and more than enough to knock down steel plates while giving me very mild recoil and low noise. I've loaded/shot somewhere around 2k of this load so far. __________________ "The dogs may bark but the caravan moves on"

August 19, 2010, 02:50 PM	#7
engineermike Junior member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Oklahaoma City Posts: 538	Real; What would be your favorite powder? I've got the winchester and some tight group, the win is the first lbs of powder I bought when i first strarted reloading and the tight group (I have not opened it yet) but I am always looking for something to settle on. I am loading 9mm, S&W 40, and 38 spl, so what would be an all round good powder. Oh yea, I tried some unique but I did not like the way it metered in my Harnady powder measure.

August 19, 2010, 08:15 PM	#9
pilotjonesg Junior Member Join Date: August 17, 2010 Location: HRA, Colorado Posts: 4	I have been loading the 155gr with 8.6 gr of Blue Dot with a COL of 1.125. Seem to have pretty good results, but one out of about every 500 rnd or so will hang up in the gun. Probably just reloading error on my part.

August 19, 2010, 09:21 PM	#10
engineermike Junior member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Oklahaoma City Posts: 538	I think I was looking at Power Pistol the other day (and in another thread) and it looked as though it was used in a few more cal's and heavier bullets. I might try that one next.

August 19, 2010, 10:51 PM	#12
Bluesfan Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2009 Posts: 102	I have used several different powders for 40 S&W,but i always come back to AA#5 especially with berry's bullets. It is a very clean combination with the 180g bullets. I would expect similar results with the 165g as well. Second choice is power pistol.

August 19, 2010, 11:06 PM	#13
Huskerguy Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 348	not to hijack your thread. I am about to try some Berry's in the 9mm 124 grain FN. I use Titegroup for everything. Normally use 115 grain so this is something different. About to start in on 40 myself only using 180 grain Berry's in HP using Titegroup. Any recommendations for either?