Good powder for 40 SW

[convert69]

What's a good powder for 40 SW with lead cast ?
clays ?
231 ?

[RedHawk357Mag]

I am pretty happy with CFE Pistol. HS6 and TiteGroup worked pretty good as well. I am using these powders with a NOE 402 TCPB at about 170 grns. Really happy with that mold as well. I have been really lucky getting some great loads with these powders and this bullet.

[typz2slo]

I use Titegroup with good results.

[retread]

I like ETR7. Plus it is good in many other calibers.

[Jupiter7]

AA5 is my go to

[noisewaterphd]

.40 S&W is the only caliber that I like Titegroup for, and it does a great job.

[sandman228]

herco , red dot , win 231 have all worked good for me with the lee 175 swc bullet .

[rsrocket1]

Lots of good powders for 40 S&W.
It depends on what you can get and what you want out of the cartridge.
Clays and 231 will work for low to medium speed loads. Don't try to push the bullets too fast or you'll go over pressure.
A slower powder like Unique/Universal/BE-86 will give you more safety margin and allow you to push the bullet faster safely.

[Sgtonory]

I use tightgroup 3.5 grains with a 165 cast or 3.2 with a lee 180 tc. Both make minor power factor and shoot well out of a glock 35.

[AggieEE]

I happen to like either AA-5 or Universal. Both being a ball powder very uniform charge weights. If you like flake powders don't over look Bullseye, Solo 1000 or any of the faster shotgun powders.

[Ed_Shot]

I agree that there are many good powders for .40 SW depending on what you are trying to do. For 170 gr. boolits in the 925~975 fps range I like WSF, 800X, and Red Dot/Promo in that order.

[Bonz]

I love CFE Pistol and BE-86 for .40 S&W but Hodgdon LongShot is the safest because it allows the shortest COL and is low pressure but pushes the bullets at high velocity

[Hickok]

Unique.

[osteodoc08]

I love CFE Pistol and BE-86 for .40 S&W but Hodgdon LongShot is the safest because it allows the shortest COL and is low pressure but pushes the bullets at high velocity

Same here.

[brtelec]

I use Unique, 700-X and 800-X

[Sam Casey]

I like Win231, Unique and friend uses Titegroup with his Bayous. Question.... Is the Hodgdon "Warning" about using their data for 40S&W "in firearms that don't fully support the cartridge in the chamber" directed at Glocks? Is this a serious problem?

[Schrag4]

It has already been pointed out above, but I hear Longshot is a great powder for 40S&W, pushes bullets nearly to 10mm velocities by what I've read. I have experience with AA#5. Works pretty well for me with jacketed and plated bullets.

[chutesnreloads]

Tried many of those listed but have found best accuracy in both my .40's with a stout charge of Blue Dot.?Just wish it went through a powder thrower better

[varminter66]

160939

This was a group I shot today using 7.5 grs of Blue Dot, under a Lee TL401=175, sized to .401 using Lee sizing die, OAL 1.120", tumble lubed with Lee Liquid Alox, caste in an alloy that should be close to Electrotype in composition. The two shots at the bottom of the group were both pulled by me, as my pistol is DAO, and I watched the front sight drop as the shots broke. These were shot at about 50 ft, or 16 yds. For my purposes of close up defensive shooting practice, I would say these will work just fine!

Function was perfect, and all 5 cases landed within a 2' circle of each other.

[takasaki]

I've used Red dot, Herco, Universal, Unique, Blue Dot, WSF, WST all with good results. My favorites are WST,WSF

[RAD57]

I've used Longshot, 231, AA5, Titegroup, Unique and WSF and my favorite is WSF. WSF doesn't give the highest velocity or the biggest flame/flash out of the muzzle but it produces the best accuracy and is very clean out of a M&P40 and Sig P229.

[lavenatti]

I've been using Rex-3. I'll miss it when it's used up. Will probably switch to unique when it's gone.

[Rodfac]

I've had good luck with Win 231, WSF, WST, and Herco, in about that order. Rod

[Lagamor]

Haven't loaded cast yet, but Silhouette by Ramshot gives me amazing results. Starting loading 9MMS with it and like those results lot too.

[Mavrick]

I've tried all of the powders that have been listed, in my Tanfoglio Limited, and most do quite well.
My favorite is Green Dot, and I use the Lee 175gr TC, sized .403".
I use 5.6gr @1.20"OAL w/WSP primers, for a velocity of 1050fps for Steel Challenge shooting. I throw my charges, eventhough I load on an RCBS Rockchucker.
'Most all of these powders don't NEED to be weighed nor have a filler, as they ignite very easily in the small cases.
Have fun,
Gene

[MT Gianni]

Power Pistol works well.

[bangerjim]

I use ETR7 for ALL pistol loads except mags.

Clean, easy loading, inexpensive.

banger

[John Boy]

Convert, here is some 40 S&W loading data for you - various bullet type, weights and powders ... http://reloadammo.com/40loads.htm