what powder are you all using in 40 S&W

champ198 · May 16, 2011, 07:37 PM

going to grab some powder tomorrow and wanted to see what you all were using to keep the pressures down but still have a good clean powder

dunerjeff · May 16, 2011, 07:55 PM

Auto Comp is pretty clean even at lower loads,some others claim Unique. AA #5 too

Jim243 · May 16, 2011, 08:28 PM

Win 231

Twinsig · May 16, 2011, 08:30 PM

HS 6 has worked well for me, tried some HP38 (W231) doesnt seem as loud

Miata Mike · May 16, 2011, 08:43 PM

Unique and Bullseye for me so far. Thinking of working up a HP-38 load too.

Sky Master · May 16, 2011, 10:50 PM

Universal

Huskerguy · May 16, 2011, 11:21 PM

Have tried Red Dot, HS-6 and Titegroup.

Titegroup gets it done for me. Clean and accurate. HS-6 and Red Dot were good but TG was just a step above them.

KnobCreek · May 17, 2011, 03:00 AM

5.4gr Win 231 get me about 900fps

10Ringmagic · May 17, 2011, 05:11 AM

Without going into the basement to get my reloading log, I think KnobCreek and I are using the exact same load of 5.4gr W231.

tpcollins · May 17, 2011, 06:10 AM

I use HP-38, but I would think any of the powders listed for .40 S&W would work. We're not talking keyholes at 100 yards are we?

pstrlipscomb · May 17, 2011, 06:49 AM

Win. 231

Crosshair · May 17, 2011, 07:11 AM

Titegroup with cast lead boolits.

kalevatom · May 17, 2011, 07:51 AM

I use WST and 180gr bullets. I believe the charge is 4.2gr, but, don't quote me on that. I'd have to check that. I'm working on some new 9mm loads and I'm running low on ram!

ZeSpectre · May 17, 2011, 07:58 AM

DISCLAIMER-The following is for informational purposes only and I hold no responsibility for actual use!

My favorite .40 S&W "target/plinking" load right now is 6.0gr of Unique behind a 155gr Berry's plated bullet. I've fired several thousand of these loads over the past couple of years and the pressure is just high enough to get a good burn from the Unique.

If you want a hotter .40 S&W load I've used 10.0gr of Blue Dot behind a 155gr Hornady XTP (Hornady #40000) but BE CAREFUL that your metering is accurate on this one.

serf 'rett · May 17, 2011, 09:15 AM

VihtaVuori N340, Power Pistol and will being trying 231 in near future.

overkill0084 · May 17, 2011, 09:22 AM

6.0 gr of AA#5 w/ a 180 gr cast.

abber · May 17, 2011, 09:29 AM

Universal for the plinkers, and Blue Dot when I want more oomph. I load 5.5 grains of Universal under a 155 grain Rainier, and use 8.5 grains of Blue Dot under a 180 grain Remington JHP.

zplinker · May 17, 2011, 09:34 AM

"If you want a hotter .40 S&W load I've used 10.0gr of Blue Dot behind a 155gr Hornady XTP (Hornady #40000) but BE CAREFUL that your metering is accurate on this one. "

Another thing to watch, is your selection of components. It can cause the results to vary widely. Hornady used to list 12.0 gr. Blue Dot, and 1200 fps for their 155 XTP. Substitute a Win. Silvertip, same weight, and your pressures change radically. Using several other 155 gr. jacketed bullets, the top load often ends up down around 10.0 gr. And that depends on your lot of powder! Bottom line: be very careful. Its a great round, but like many others, when near the max., you'll want to pay close attention to component choices. NO CASUAL SUBSTITUTIONS!

wingman · May 17, 2011, 09:54 AM

I use AA5 in 40cal. gives me the recoil and accuracy I prefer in my Browning HP.

DarthNul · May 17, 2011, 03:47 PM

I just started working up loads for .40 a couple of months ago for an SA XD40. I tried Power Pistol first with 150gr Noslers and 165gr Xtreme plated bullets. Results were disappointing. Accurate #5 worked better with the Xtreme bullets. The Noslers were still not good.

I've got some more test rounds loaded up with Blue Dot and Zip with more Xtreme 165 gr and Montana Gold bullets. Hopefully I'll get to the range some time this week.

lasvegastransplant · May 17, 2011, 04:08 PM

HS 6 if you ask the new guy.

IGO1320 · May 18, 2011, 03:59 PM

Win 231.

dwhite · May 18, 2011, 08:08 PM

Unique mostly.

Clays when I'm feeling lucky.

Mostly lead bullets.

All the Best,
D. White

Walkalong · May 18, 2011, 09:45 PM

Universal

mikef64 · May 18, 2011, 10:31 PM

Vihtavuori N340 out of a Sig 226 X-Five Competition.

Exceptionally clean burning, good velocity, great accuracy and no flash.

L8r,
Michael

May 16, 2011, 07:37 PM	#1
champ198 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Posts: 217	what powder are you all using in 40 S&W going to grab some powder tomorrow and wanted to see what you all were using to keep the pressures down but still have a good clean powder

May 16, 2011, 08:28 PM	#3
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Win 231 __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

May 17, 2011, 03:00 AM	#8
KnobCreek Junior Member Join Date: May 1, 2011 Location: The Midwest Posts: 11	Win231/HP-38 5.4gr Win 231 get me about 900fps

May 17, 2011, 06:10 AM	#10
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	I use HP-38, but I would think any of the powders listed for .40 S&W would work. We're not talking keyholes at 100 yards are we? __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

May 17, 2011, 06:49 AM	#11
pstrlipscomb Member Join Date: March 18, 2011 Posts: 71	Win. 231 __________________ I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh to the Father but by me. - Jesus Christ

May 16, 2011, 07:55 PM	#2
dunerjeff Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: central Wisconsin Posts: 440	Auto Comp is pretty clean even at lower loads,some others claim Unique. AA #5 too

May 16, 2011, 08:30 PM	#4
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	HS 6 has worked well for me, tried some HP38 (W231) doesnt seem as loud __________________ I also have Fire Extinguishers, hope I never need those either.

May 16, 2011, 08:43 PM	#5
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 418	Unique and Bullseye for me so far. Thinking of working up a HP-38 load too.

May 16, 2011, 10:50 PM	#6
Sky Master Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2009 Posts: 136	Universal

May 16, 2011, 11:21 PM	#7
Huskerguy Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 348	Have tried Red Dot, HS-6 and Titegroup. Titegroup gets it done for me. Clean and accurate. HS-6 and Red Dot were good but TG was just a step above them.

May 17, 2011, 05:11 AM	#9
10Ringmagic Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Location: MI Posts: 315	Without going into the basement to get my reloading log, I think KnobCreek and I are using the exact same load of 5.4gr W231.

May 17, 2011, 07:11 AM	#12
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	Titegroup with cast lead boolits. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

May 17, 2011, 07:51 AM	#13
kalevatom Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2010 Location: northwestern Michigan Posts: 198	I use WST and 180gr bullets. I believe the charge is 4.2gr, but, don't quote me on that. I'd have to check that. I'm working on some new 9mm loads and I'm running low on ram!

May 17, 2011, 07:58 AM	#14
ZeSpectre Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Shenandoah Valley Posts: 3,276	DISCLAIMER-The following is for informational purposes only and I hold no responsibility for actual use! My favorite .40 S&W "target/plinking" load right now is 6.0gr of Unique behind a 155gr Berry's plated bullet. I've fired several thousand of these loads over the past couple of years and the pressure is just high enough to get a good burn from the Unique. If you want a hotter .40 S&W load I've used 10.0gr of Blue Dot behind a 155gr Hornady XTP (Hornady #40000) but BE CAREFUL that your metering is accurate on this one. __________________ "The dogs may bark but the caravan moves on"

May 17, 2011, 09:15 AM	#15
serf 'rett Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Stuttgart, AR Posts: 1,569	VihtaVuori N340, Power Pistol and will being trying 231 in near future. __________________ A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part.

May 17, 2011, 09:22 AM	#16
overkill0084 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Northern, UT Posts: 1,162	6.0 gr of AA#5 w/ a 180 gr cast. __________________ Cheers, Greg “At the core of liberalism is the spoiled child – miserable, as all spoiled children are, unsatisfied, demanding, ill-disciplined, despotic and useless. Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats.” — P.J. O’Rourke

May 17, 2011, 09:29 AM	#17
abber Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2008 Location: PRK Posts: 735	Universal for the plinkers, and Blue Dot when I want more oomph. I load 5.5 grains of Universal under a 155 grain Rainier, and use 8.5 grains of Blue Dot under a 180 grain Remington JHP. __________________ I ain't got no safe queens. I shoots em all...

May 17, 2011, 09:34 AM	#18
zplinker Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2011 Location: way out here Posts: 262	.40 loads "If you want a hotter .40 S&W load I've used 10.0gr of Blue Dot behind a 155gr Hornady XTP (Hornady #40000) but BE CAREFUL that your metering is accurate on this one. " Another thing to watch, is your selection of components. It can cause the results to vary widely. Hornady used to list 12.0 gr. Blue Dot, and 1200 fps for their 155 XTP. Substitute a Win. Silvertip, same weight, and your pressures change radically. Using several other 155 gr. jacketed bullets, the top load often ends up down around 10.0 gr. And that depends on your lot of powder! Bottom line: be very careful. Its a great round, but like many others, when near the max., you'll want to pay close attention to component choices. NO CASUAL SUBSTITUTIONS!

May 17, 2011, 09:54 AM	#19
wingman Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2002 Posts: 2,108	I use AA5 in 40cal. gives me the recoil and accuracy I prefer in my Browning HP.

May 17, 2011, 03:47 PM	#20
DarthNul Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 288	I just started working up loads for .40 a couple of months ago for an SA XD40. I tried Power Pistol first with 150gr Noslers and 165gr Xtreme plated bullets. Results were disappointing. Accurate #5 worked better with the Xtreme bullets. The Noslers were still not good. I've got some more test rounds loaded up with Blue Dot and Zip with more Xtreme 165 gr and Montana Gold bullets. Hopefully I'll get to the range some time this week. __________________ The most feared gun control law proposal: Require buyers to register all gun purchases with their wives

May 17, 2011, 04:08 PM	#21
lasvegastransplant Member Join Date: May 15, 2011 Location: Vegas Posts: 74	HS 6 HS 6 if you ask the new guy. __________________ Thinking 4:24/7 is a way of life.

May 18, 2011, 03:59 PM	#22
IGO1320 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2008 Posts: 112	Win 231.

May 18, 2011, 08:08 PM	#23
dwhite Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2007 Location: Wake County, N. Carolina Posts: 379	Unique mostly. Clays when I'm feeling lucky. Mostly lead bullets. All the Best, D. White

May 18, 2011, 09:45 PM	#24
Walkalong Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Location: Al. Posts: 196	Universal

May 18, 2011, 10:31 PM	#25
mikef64 Junior Member Join Date: May 16, 2011 Posts: 5	Vihtavuori N340 out of a Sig 226 X-Five Competition. Exceptionally clean burning, good velocity, great accuracy and no flash. L8r, Michael