40 S&W load

[Beekeeper]

I am trying to work up a load for my 40 S&W and want to use the following if possible.

Lee 401-175 TC mould
It drops at approx 179 grains after sizing to.401

Unique powder
5.2 grains
cartridge OAL 1.125-1.130

All of the manuals I have list jword bullets and seldom list cast. The load above is for 180 grain cast starting load.
Would appreciate any ones input pro or conn.(also your private load if you have one) hint---hint LOL

thanks in advance.

Jim


beekeeper

[MT Gianni]

PM 9.3x62AL if he doesn't chime in here or move it to the pistol forum. I know he shoots the Lee mold. I have shot his CZ and liked it.

[bbs70]

I shoot that boolit in my Glock (with aftermarket barrel of course).
I have grown very fond of 5.5 grains of vv n340 for that boolit.
Good accuracy and clean burning.
231 works good also, don't remember the exact powder charge though.

[jameslovesjammie]

From Lee's Modern Reloading:

180 grain Lead

OAL 1.125

5.2 gr 919 fps min
5.5 gr 973 fps max

Personally I think you could go even a little more and still be ok, but work up from start as always.

[jameslovesjammie]

From Lyman's 49th:

175 grain 401638 (a similar TC BB boolit)

OAL 1.100

4.7 gr 898 fps min
5.8 gr 971 fps max

[technetium-99m]

Unique should work fine under that bullet but I abandoned that powder for my bottomfeeders. I need my pistols to run at least 500 rounds between cleanings, 1,000 is better. My matches and classes will sometimes get to 7-800 rounds per day. With Unique and lead bullets I found the fouling would cause jams after 2-300 rounds.

I switched to Solo1000 and I love it. I can get that Lee bullet to over 1050 fps in a 5" barrel. My normal load is in the 975-990 range though. Makes major PF easily and runs as clean as you would expect a lead bullet to be.

According to my Lyman manual your load is just fine, right in the middle of the charge range.

[fredj338]

From Lyman's 49th:

175 grain 401638 (a similar TC BB boolit)

OAL 1.100

4.7 gr 898 fps min
5.8 gr 971 fps max

I use 5.8gr w/ the Lyman #401043 @ 1.125" & along w/ 5.9gr of WSF, are the most accurate lead loads I have come across for my 40s. Vel. is right at 1000fps from my 4006 or USP.

[truckmsl]

Only slightly off topic here - are any of you folks having any luck using Alox tumble lube with your .40's? I seem to run into some leading with this caliber with tumble lube as soon as I approach mid power loads with a variety of powders. wondering if most .40 guys are using conventional lubes due to the high pressure of the .40.

[technetium-99m]

I use a beeswax/paraffin 80/20 mix, works fantastic and no leading in 40 with hardball alloy.

[snaggdit]

I use LLA with my 40's. I use two different powders with the 175gr TC. 4.4gr Red Dot and 4.4gr Acc #2. Have not had leading with either.

[shotman]

I use the LLA also and no problems . One thing I do fine with the flake powder is it dont meter as good as the fine ball on the small charges and a 40 will tell you. I do use Unique in the Lee load master but the dillon will not meter it close enough

[snaggdit]

I had to tweak my Pro 1000 to meter the red dot better (using the adjustable charge bar). Taped a small vibrating motor from one of my son's old xbox controllers to the powder hopper with a AA battery. Really helped get uniform charges. Still, it can't handle the .380 loads (3gr red dot). I stick to Accurate #2 for those.

[sargenv]

I use J{W with my 40's sized to .401 tumble lubed. 1/2 - WW - 1/2 92-6-2 gets me a queched 15 bhn that cures to about 20 bhn in about 4 days. I use 3.6 gr of Solo 1000 for 130-136 PF from a 6.5" 610 and 4.5 gr of Solo 1000 for Major out of a 3 7/8" 610 for about 950 fps. These are not published loads. The lighter load utilizes a Federal Small pistol primer, the heavier load utilizes a Remington Small pistol primer. Also bear in mind that my load is for a bullet in the range of 185 gr but the 180 ish should be about right. I load these as long as the cylinder allows.. though a truncated cone would likely allow about the same internal capacity. As with all advice, start with the lighter load and work your way up. The minor load in my 6.5" 610 barely moves the muzzle allowing me to make quick follow up shots. Some have commented about how unfair the load is since the muzzle hardly moves.. :D