Questions for .40S&W reloaders

Gun Lover

Gun Lover

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Which bullet (brand, weight and model) do you get the most accuracy from in your guns?

Which powder/bullet combination gives you the best accuracy?

I just tried loading Nosler 150gr JHPs in front of Longshot and got very decent velocities, but no impressive accuracy. I also didn't like the fact that the stronger loads placed the shots about 5" to 6" under POA at 15 mts. This gun, a brand new Norinco NP58, places Win. USA 165gr TMJs right to POA (behind the front sight) at the same distance.

I been reloading for a few other cartridges for the last 14 years or so, but I'm new to the .40 S&W. I would usually have fun slowly working up my own reloads with different components, until I find the right combination. But, money being a little tighter at this moment, I'm less inclined to do that this time. So, any shortcut I can find to the right load would be appreciated.
 
WOW, I thought there would be a lot more people reloading for the .40!

Are those 180 gr Jacketed bullets Jason, or cast lead?

I don't have any clays available, since I don't use it in any of the calibers I reload for, but I've heard it's clean so maybe I should try it. I use W231/HP38 for my other handgun reloading, so I might stick to them for the light stuff. But I still wanted a Zombie load, hence my trying Longshot. I just don't know if the heavier bullets would be more accurate than the light ones. Also, the manuals have some pretty hot recipies for the light bullets, but practically everything for the heavies is yawning hot.

Thanks for your answer!
 
I've used 135 grain Nosler JHP with Longshot without much success in the accuracy department. Strangely, it does okay with cast bullets out of my M&P and 6 grains or 6.5 of Longshot. The cast bullet being 175 grain Lee ??(sharp angled flat point, the technical name slips my mind right now:redface:)
I think it was running around 1000 fps.

Titegroup with the same cast bullets works fine too.....3.8 grains and 4.1 or 4.2 run well for me. A nice soft load around 850 fps.
 
180 gr lead 5.0 ww231 coal 1.125
200 gr plated frontier or HAP 4.2 VVN320 coal 1.195"(too long for standard chamber) best accuracy.

try Green Dot with alliants load data for 180 or 200 tmj/fmj works well.
 
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Two best results out of my Glock 22 is 3.0grains of Titegroup pushing 180 grain Frontier TMJ and 4.5grains of Titegroup pushing same bullet.

Usual reloading cavaets apply.
 
Thanks a lot guys... I originally wanted to try 165gr bullets; since I want more speed than you can get with 180 grainers, and since the gun shoots the 165s factory loads right to point of aim. But 165s have proven harder to find than the proverbial hen’s teeth, so I now have 1200 180 grainers, in two different flavors, to try instead. Unfortunately I ran out of money before I could ask for any Titegroup yesterday; 400$ in primers and bullets took care of everything I had in my pockets, so I’ll try what I have in hand right now, Longshot and W231. I’ve already been planning on trying Titegroup in the .45 ACP, though, so I’ll do that as soon as I get some of it.

Again, thanks for all your answers. And for those who haven’t said anything, yet, if you have something to add, please do. It’ll be greatly appreciated.
 
I have been using titegroup 4 grains under 180 gr Montana Gold. Makes about 145 PF for IPSC. Looking to reduce the load to get closer to minor PF. Have just loaded some AIM 180 gr at 3.4 and 3.7 grains but have not put them over the chrony yet.
Shootin baby eagle
 
Results fom thr range:
Loaded on Lee Loadmaster
Mixed brass
CCI 500 primers
Sunny day aprox 25 C
Elevation apro 750 m

Fired in Baby Eagle Polygonal rifling

Old load 4 grains Titegroup and 180 grain Montana Gold FMJ
Test bullets weight sample 180 grains
10 rounds
avg = 786.6 fps
Extreme Spread = 36.18
STD DEV = 12.8
Power factor 141

New Loads

#1
3.4 grains Titegroup 180 grain AIM Plated
Test bullets weighed from 173 to 180 grains
AVG = 707.2
Extreme Spread = 104.4
STD DEV = 30.3
Power Factor = 127

#2
3.7 grains Titegroup 180 grain AIM Plated
Test bullets weighed from 173 to 180 grains
AVG = 782
Exterme Spread = 82.5
STD DEV = 23.7

Look like my new load is 3.7 grains titegroup pushing 180 grain AIM. Littel concerned with the low weights of some of the AIM bullets. Need to keep the power up to compensate.

hope this helps
 
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