JimB
Active Member
I need to load up some .40 S&W and was looking for opinions on the best powder for 165 grain as well as 180's. One for both would be great but you can never have too much.
.40 S&W Powder
- Thread starter JimB
- Start date
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taxidermy2
Member
CFE Pistol works for me on 155&165
Power Pistol is about the best I have found for the .40 S&W.
alucard0822
For great Justice
I'm a big fan of the new CFE pistol powder. $22/LB, burns clean, ignites well with standard primers, accurate ball powder so measures well. It is good for a wide range of velocities, and has worked well for me in about every caliber I'v tried it in. It's my go-to service caliber powder now for mild-warm loads in 9, 40, 10, 45, 38spl, 38 super, and 357 mag.
cstone
Active Member
Power Pistol is what I use for .40 S&W and .357 SIG
I use Red Dot/Promo in most of my other pistol calibers and have worked up loads for .40 S&W as well, but it doesn't give me the same felt recoil that I am looking for.
I use Red Dot/Promo in most of my other pistol calibers and have worked up loads for .40 S&W as well, but it doesn't give me the same felt recoil that I am looking for.
Clippers69
Member
- Mar 7, 2011
- 59
40 S&W loads
I have tried a lot of different powders for 40 including titegroup, power pistol, and unique. I shoot 165's and have settled on Unique. I use a Dillon 650 and use a powder sensor to keep the charges consistent. Because Unique is a flake powder, I had some issues on the Dillon. But the powder sensor puts enough weight on the powder in the hopper to drop consistent loads. I use 5.6-5.8 and have been happy. It can go to 6.0 at max. I am not shooting competition so accuracy for me is 1 inch at 5 yards. Unique does that for me and because it uses less powder then Power Pistol, I can get more rounds per pound. Titegroup is too fast for me. It works well in 9 mm and that is what I use it in.
Any powder will do so it is up to you on which one works for you. Unique has been less cost per container than Power Pistol from my supplier.
I have tried a lot of different powders for 40 including titegroup, power pistol, and unique. I shoot 165's and have settled on Unique. I use a Dillon 650 and use a powder sensor to keep the charges consistent. Because Unique is a flake powder, I had some issues on the Dillon. But the powder sensor puts enough weight on the powder in the hopper to drop consistent loads. I use 5.6-5.8 and have been happy. It can go to 6.0 at max. I am not shooting competition so accuracy for me is 1 inch at 5 yards. Unique does that for me and because it uses less powder then Power Pistol, I can get more rounds per pound. Titegroup is too fast for me. It works well in 9 mm and that is what I use it in.
Any powder will do so it is up to you on which one works for you. Unique has been less cost per container than Power Pistol from my supplier.
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
I ended up loading .40 with HS-6.
In SIGs, with 231 and other really fast powders, the rifling would strip the bullet and cause tumbling.
HS-6 had no problems.
This was with a USPSA major load.
In SIGs, with 231 and other really fast powders, the rifling would strip the bullet and cause tumbling.
HS-6 had no problems.
This was with a USPSA major load.
PowPow
Where's the beef?
What kind of shooting are you doing with your loads? Are you shooting FMJ, plated, coated, or cast projectiles?
TrappedinMD
Active Member
HS-6 here as well
JimB
Active Member
I am using FMJ. I am also using single stage press. I may be crazy but I weigh every load.
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
There will probably come a day where your reloading equipment, your processes and your checks are refined to a point that you’re rightfully confident that you won’t need to do that.
Until then, keep doing just exactly what you’re doing.
Reloading .40 cal is not a task to be taken lightly. The .40 S&W is a high pressure round and one should be cautious when loading it. Until the OP has a reliable powder measure to throw charges, weighing each will keep him out of harms way.
JimB
Active Member
I am also shooting them out of Glocks. I don't want to be blowing out the cases.
Smart thinking. Lee makes a die to iron out the "Glock Bulge". I think it is called the bulge buster. I have one that I am not using since I don't reload .40 anymore. Where do you live, I'd be happy to give it to you if you we could meet up someplace not too far away.
JimB
Active Member
I am in Union Bridge. The libs like to call us names but as best I can tell gun people are AWESOME!
PowPow
Where's the beef?
One of the things I like about CFE Pistol is how well it meters in my powder measures. This might help you save some time, since you're running them through your Glock. Overweights in your situation cost time. You may also want to simply get a replacement barrel that offers better case wall support. There are many to choose from.
alucard0822
For great Justice
If you like HS-6, you will love CFE pistol, performs similarly, but a little smaller charge, cheaper, cleaner, and a little wider "ideal" velocity zone. I loaded 9 and 40 almost exclusively with HS6 before CFE ended up proving to be better in most every way for a medium burn-rate powder. Where HS6 put up the best groups twards the top end of the range, CFE doesn't seem to care, It is a tack driver with my 124gr plated @ 1050fps minor PF 9mm load, up to full power 9mm and 40 major loads
byf43
SCSC Life/NRA Patron Life
Agreed.
I've loaded .40 S&W w/ 165 gr using W-231.
Good, accurate rounds.
The .40 is not very forgiving, and making sure to be 'on' with the load is important.
OP:
Knowing the load, having/using a well-metering powder, and knowing your equipment is important.
Tebonski
Active Member
I load 4.1 grains Bullseye under a 180 Berry's double struck flat point plated bullet. Primer is Remington 5 1/2. Flawless functioning in my Glock 23 and Glock 27. Very mild recoil. Very pleasant and tight groups. I also use 4.8 grains Bullseye for a full power simulated load. Same primer and bullet. I only load 180 plated. No use spending more money for an FMJ that I am just shooting into the dirt. Lead bullets won't feed in my Glocks with an after market traditionally rifled barrel.
I actually used my 4.1 load to qualify at Leosa one year. Passed easily.
I actually used my 4.1 load to qualify at Leosa one year. Passed easily.
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