I recently got my Shield and decided to increase the power with the .40 version. This will be my dedicated carry gun. I have an upcoming ccw class at the end of October. Not surprisingly the little Shield is a pretty wild ride so to speak.
Understand from the beginning I am not a newcomer to pistol shooting. I send several thousand rounds downrange every year. I reload almost all of that several thousand.
The Shield while controllable, is not meant to be shot 100 times in a practice session. It is meant to save you bacon when the dookie hits the fan. It was scaled back by design to make it very concealable. it is small and thin. Since my first session with it at the range I have determined that some better traction is going to be key for control. I got one of the Hogue Handall slip on grips. Vast improvement!
I also added the Pierce grips to the magazine. This gives my Pinky a place to rest.
SO here is the meat to the taters
I need a good practice round that will not punish me. Lower recoil with good accuracy.
Not just a Bunny fart load but one that performs also.
So I have taken it upon my own to do a bit of a ladder test. Possibly not the most scientific methodology. But I think in the end it will be suited to me.
At present I only have 2 .40 molds, the Lee 175 TC in a 6 banger and an MP brass 4 cav with multi pins also in the 165 to 175 Gr range depending on which pins are used. I am currently hunting a 140 Gr mold without grooves I can PC, and the same configuration in a 180 Gr. For now I will stick with the 175 Lee. It has worked nicely in all my other .40s
It is by the way a Powder Coated round.
My plan is to start by looking at book loads and make a number of rounds with each powder I have. Starting just below minimum and working up to just less that maximum.
I have the Alliant book and the latest Lymans to reference.
At present I have
Unique
Bullseye
Power Pistol
Tite Group
CFE Pistol
Red dot
Green Dot
I plan on at least 3 loadings of 10 rounds with each powder and possibly more depending on the powders range.
Again keep in mind I am not attempting to break any record here. Just find a nice easy shooting PRACTICE load that is also reasonably accurate at 5 and 7 Yards.
At this point I have 100 rounds made up and will most likely make up another 200 when I get all the powders included.
The biggest variable in the equation is ME. I plan to take notes as I shoot and eliminate the loads that, for what ever reason just don't cut it. Then I will go back and evaluate the ones that are left and possibly try a variation. Like different Boolit? Slight variation in powder charge, and continue eliminating until I have 2 or 3 left
I would take any comments, Ideas, criticisms or ?
This undertaking is as much to share my information and also learn from your experience.
I will add pictures and notes as I progress.
Blanco