Best Powder for S&W 40 and LEAD bullets

[lead slead]

Howdy, I just wanted to know your thoughts on the best powder for lead bullets in the 40 S&W. I have used power pistol and titegroup. They both shoot great but are a little smokey. Titegroup seems to be a little more smokey than PP but both are fine with jacketed bollits. Anyone that has tried a different powder that has good results and low smoke please chime in.

[GabbyM]

If it's not smoking with J bullets then I'd say it's your bullet lube that's smoking.
Try some of Lar45's Carnauba Red. Link at bottom of page.

[lead slead]

Thanks I will try some of that any other thoughts anyone.

[Shiloh]

Unique, AA #5 and AA #7 have worked well for me. See the corresponding load manuals for data.

Shiloh

[kirb]

I shoot alot of ispic matches had best luck and less smoke with WST powder.

Kirb

[truckmsl]

WST is my favorite for target loads in my glock 23.

[Windy City Kid]

I load lead for a 9mm. I use Lar45's Carnauba Red for bullet lube and it does have low smoke. Power Pistol and Titegroup are a little smokey. The Titegroup isn't that smokey, but Power Pistol is very smokey. I have also loaded jacketed bullets with both powders. I think when you try to use Power Pistol for target loads with lead bullets it is very smokey and doesn't burn as clean.

I have heard WST is the best powder for lead bullets in a 9mm and 40 S&W, I have heard it has very good Accuracy with low smoke.

I am going to try WST, but first I have to use up a lot of Titegroup.

[JW6108]

4.0 grains of WST + 175-180 grain cast is my standard load in .40.

Low end, but functions fine.

[sheepdog]

I loaded some 40 180 grain lead with 4 grains of red dot. Worked good enough trying same boolit with 4.5 red dot this weekend. Seemed very clean burning, very low recoil.

[GSPKurt]

I use Universal for my .40 S&W loads.

[h1tdk00]

Solo 1000 seems to work well with 40 cal lead bullets. That is what I'm using in IPSC and IDPA. Smokes less than tight group.

[new cal shooter]

REX #2 is Almost identical to Titegroup, I really like it, and affordable! :)

[sargenv]

+1 for SOlo 1000 but then I have an ample supply of it.. so I might be biased a bit by that.. The next thing I'll likely use when my solo-1000 dries up is Alliant Select.. but then I'm only loading my 40 S&W to minor..

[shotman]

seems that E3 is getting a good report. I am going to load some and try Useing about same as Red Dot but say milder recoil

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Last time up NORTH I used Acc #5 in my 40 S&W and was very happy with it. Consistent, metered well in my Dillon 550 and burned clean with my cast.
Mike in Peru

[cowboyt]

I saw sheepdog's ans using red dot but I'm thinking about unique as I have a good supply of it,but I don't find any loads listed for lead bullets (175gr)-Does anyone have experience with unique or power pistole???
Cowboyt

[shotman]

Update. FORGET E3 I couldnt keep it on a 24in target. VERY dirty and lot of half burned powder.

[lead slead]

I have used the Power pistol and liked it. It burns clean in my gun but seemed flashy and more snap. That is why I was looking for alternatives. I have been trying some american select and the jury is still out. Only shot about 25 need to do some more testing but so far it seems like it burns clean with less smoke than tite group. Plus it is much bulkier due to the large size of flakes.

[shotman]

mike your still on what grs and boolit I saw AA5 in book.I like unique but any of the flake is a hard measure at the 3 and 4 gr

[hotwheelz]

I loaded some 40 180 grain lead with 4 grains of red dot. Worked good enough trying same boolit with 4.5 red dot this weekend. Seemed very clean burning, very low recoil.

Im using 4.0-4.5 of red dot with a 180gr lead bullet as well works great lite smoke , also is a very bulky powder so double charges will over fill case and that 1 more advantage in my mind.

[only1asterisk]

American Select and Solo1000 are good choices.

[calkar]

For my Sigma, light taget loads which just function reliably, I use 3. 8 gr. of unique with lee's 175 tc. I had leading untill I sized them to 401. Lees six cav. are the Quickest way to get boolits but are not perfect. Some where oversized.

[JustSomeGuy]

This one is like the "stopping power" debate! I suspect that this will vary with the gun used to a certain extent. I have used Unique to good effect with lead bullets, but mostly in 45ACP. Lately for lead bullets in 40 S&W I have been experimenting with Longshot because it produces very nice velocities at low peak pressures which is good for lead bullets. Since I shoot outdoors the "smoke factor" is not as evident to me. I'm more of a "does it shoot soft and accurate" kind of guy. Longshot has been good to me on those parameters. On the action pistol forums though you see a lot of Titegroup and Solo users as well as VV320 and VV340. The VV powders seem to burn the cleanest and are less smokey with lead bullets according to general consensus... but it is also the most expensive.

[Golden Crow]

I'm using 5.2gr Unique under a 175gr Lee TL401-175-SWC water droped, WW W/1% tin out of a EZ 40. 900-925fps. Nice med /light load

my .02$