.40 S&W Problems

[Rayc384]

Having finally figured out how to shoot cast bullets in 9 mm, I am looking at the .40 S&W. can I expect the same challenges of leading. I realize it is also a high pressure round. I am looking at using them in a carbine, like a Hi Point sts. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Lefty SRH]

What solved the leading issues on the 9mm? For the .40 slug the barrel and size appropriately.

[ku4hx]

I've cast, loaded and fired thousands of 40 S&W and neither it nor the 9mm were especially troublesome. What Lefty SRH said: slug and size is the way to go. .401" works well for me.

[Skyman]

I've casted and shot thousands of them in my STI. Almost no leading, every 2-3 thousand rounds get rid of leading with careful use of mercury - I know, I know! But it works the best by far. Anyway, adjust your alloy to give you around 14-16 BH. You will achieve this with 92% lead + 6% antimony + 2% tin. Alloy No2 from Lyman works fine as well with similar BH. I found WW a bit on a soft side so I ad some Antimony by feel and then check with BH tester. For casting I use RCBS 180gr mold and size with 401 caliber. There are few more tricks to get harder boolits as well but that on another occasion. You can't go wrong using harder alloy - but not too hard!

[Cane_man]

plain base gas checks did the trick for me

[AABEN]

When casting drop in a bucket of water. That might help it will harden your bullets.

[rsrocket1]

As the others said, slug and size appropriately is all you need but with a rifle, you might want to look into a better lube than LLA or 45/45/10 if that's what you use. If that's all you have, then try it out. If you get leading toward the muzzle end of the barrel, you might need to try pan lubing or something else if you don't want to invest in a lube sizer.

[mpmarty]

.40 short and weak is easy to load. It is like a small 45acp but high pressure. If you mastered the nasty nine you should be good to go.

[Shiloh]

Cast up a bunch of LEE 175 gr TC boolits. Standard lube groove. My Lyman .401 size die pushes them out at .4013-4. SHot fine.
Loaded them up under 4.6 gr of Unique. From a rest, 18 out of 20 rounds in the black on a 50' NRA B-3 target.
Mushy Glock trigger and the guy pulling it is the reason for the two misses.

Shiloh