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Thread: Time for a new 40 S&W mold

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Time for a new 40 S&W mold

    I would like to know what molds everyone is using for 40 S&W. I will be shooting in Glocks. I am set up for conventional grease lube, alox or PC. Bullet weights 140 and up.
    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy

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    The Lee 40-180-TC has always shot the best for me. I use it over 4.5 grains of W-231 in my Glock 23.
    It's a light load, but accurate and functions fine. Sized .402

  3. #3
    Boolit Mold
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    I've done the TC and am currently running the 180 SWC. I limit myself to what's available in the Lee 6 cavity for high volume, which I do in .40. Currently sizing .401 with 4 grains HP38.

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
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    I do not see any bullet from Lee for any 180 grain bullet for 40 S&W .
    Do you mean the 175 grain SWC and TC ?

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master
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  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy
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    Lee 6 banger - 178 gr with micro grooves. Tumbled lubed in alox or RD, using Blue Dot. L2 alloy .401 sized
    Lee 2 cavity - 145 SWC with one lube groove lube and luber-sized sized with Red Dragon lube. .401 sized

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
    ranger391xt's Avatar
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    The MP 402-165-TC is a little lighter than the Lee bullet and can also be used to cast solids or hollow points. He actually has a few of these in stock right now.

    I also happened upon MPs 402-160-HP last summer which I have found to shoot very well.

    Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    high standard 40's Avatar
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    I've also had good results from the Lee 180 TC.

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master popper's Avatar
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    I like a 165gr TC for my 40s. Actually the best weight for 40sw (~ 200PF). I did start with the Lee 175 (180)TC. BB is OK, hp38/w231 is a great powder. All my moulds are Accurate now, 4x for pistol and 2x for rifle. They are to my specs and work very well. I tried RN in 9mm and quickly decided that was a mistake. You need the proper nose punch to seat straight, even with BB. Flat nose seater works fine for TC. Place bullet in case, tap press handle which squares up bullet, then seat.
    Last edited by popper; 05-19-2021 at 11:38 AM.
    Whatever!

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
    Ed_Shot's Avatar
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    I'll vote for the Lyman 401043 (175 gr) designed for the 38-40 . I consider it fantastic in both 40 and 10 mm. However, it looks like Lyman no longer lists it in their catalog. The Accurate 40-172L is a clone.
    COME AND TAKE IT
    Let’s Go Brandon!!!!

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy KVO's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ranger391xt View Post

    ...I also happened upon MPs 402-160-HP last summer which I have found to shoot very well.

    Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
    In stock being the fly in the ointment, but this is my favorite .40S&W bullet so far after trying the Lee 175gr TC and the NOE 200gr WFN/180grHP.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    HP pics are all I have at the moment but I found this to be an easier design to obtain accuracy from. My experience with .40 has been finicky performance on target.

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thanks for all the replies.
    I just ordered the MP-402-165 TC from MP molds.
    Please continue to give your responses there is al
    ways room for more molds.
    Les Harris.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master mtnman31's Avatar
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    Another thumbs up for the Lee 401-175 TC mold. It works great in both the 40's I have used it in. No feed issues and accuracy is good. I cast for these using clip-on wheel weight alloy and size to .401", lube is White Label X-Lox 2500+.

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master popper's Avatar
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    Only problem with that mould is the 0.4" of driving band alloy that is pushed to the base. Both in sizing and shooting. It needs shallow collecting groove about mid band. 40-160H or 40-165F with the lube groove reduced to 20x20 thous. Only thing about accuracy in 40sw is ME. 3 shots at sprinting hog (150#) #1 behind, #2 behind - better really aim (irons) #3 1" right of the tail @ 25 yds. Broken leg/exit from snout - didn't know and ran another 100 yds. But not too bad from an old guy. 160H PCd, 4.5 gr hp-38, ~950 fps. i did wear out the 175TC Lee.
    Whatever!

  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thank You . MP molds came through again.
    I ordered the 165 TC and it is on the way.
    Thanks again.

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy
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    The Oreo designed WFN"s are also good. I have the 190gr version from a previous group buy and have been very pleased with it.

    Link to old group buy results:
    https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/top...ink_source=app

    There is a buy going on for a 150 or 170 gr version of the same boolit, so you might want to check that out, but the group buys definitely require patience.



    Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy
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    Six days from ordering to delivered. Great product.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master

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    I have onwned and used the following 10mm molds. Here are some comments.

    Lee 401-175-TC. Great general purpose bullet design for 10mm and 40. Mine is a 2 cav and the undisputed worst casting mold I've ever used. The 6 cav probably would be a better experience.

    NOE 403-180-RF. PB Great mold. Good design. Alas the bullets dropped too portly. After PC, it was a lot to ask of the sizer. That one was sold.

    Lyman 401638. Very good bullet design. There were mold QC issues and that mold was sold.

    Accurate 40-200F. BB. Good general purpose heavier 10mm bullet. Could also work for a heavy 40. The profile is perfect for seating to 10mm lengths into 40 S&W cases. The case mouth just covers the lube groove. I shoot those in my G20 10mm for situations where lost brass is likely. The mold is nice.

    LBT 402-200-WFN. PB. This one is a hammer and what I carry when in the mountains. Very accurate bullet. Many commercial copies of this design. Also load this in 40 S&W for my wife's gun with Longshot powder.

    LBT 402-200-WFNGC similar to the previous except GC. Weighs 209 gr with check and PC. Very accurate shooter. I see zero need for a GC in 10mm.

    LBT 401-175-TC. Narrower meplat than the Lee. The mold is fabulous, and this is what I've settled on as my everyday 10mm/40S&W bullet. Makes bullets quickly. They weigh 180 gr with PC.

    The LBT 401-175-TC in the pile on the left.



    Left to right Accurate 40-200F, LBT 402-200-WFNGC, LBT 402-200-WFN, NOE 403-180-RF, Lee 401-175-TC, Lyman 401638

    Last edited by Taterhead; 06-01-2021 at 02:10 PM.
    "There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something."
    ~Thorin Oakenshield

  19. #19
    Boolit Mold
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    "I'll vote for the Lyman 401043 (175 gr) designed for the 38-40 . I consider it fantastic in both 40 and 10 mm"
    Me too.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master

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    The 401043 seems to be discontinued. Looks like an intereting bullet, however.
    "There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something."
    ~Thorin Oakenshield

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check