[budro]

I need some help finding a good practice load in 40 S&W. Im going to be reloading 165 grain projectiles, my carry load for work is 165 golden sabers. I need some ideas on a good powder and suggested loads to touch around 1150 fps, I want it to be similar to what we carry for work. I have a load for longshot but no access to longshot at the moment. Any suggestions would be welcome and I only have a hornady reloaders man and they dont show a 165.

[fredj338]

Well, you need more data. There are manuf web sites to look at, more books. I am happy w/ a 165gr bullet o/ WSF or Unique to make 1100fps+, close enough to call it good for practice. You will not feel any diff between a 1100fps load & a 1150fps load.

[Cwlongshot]

I agree,

As a rule I will not offer any loads only powder recommendations it's up to you to find what's safe in your guns. What Manuel do you use? All else fails buy the Manuel put out by the bullet maker you like....

Havin said that I see many like Longshot and WSF. I have not used either. BUT I like Blue Dot and HS6. In the 40 cal. 1150 is not a just load and go recipe at least for the short Ot mud length barrels. More importantly than velocity is point of aim.

Try WSF/Bluedot/ Unique along with a number of others and see where they print and that they are safe in your gun.

Good luck,
CW

[budro]

I am using the hornady reloading man, but the dont show loads for 165s. Im running a G35 with a kkm 6 inch barrel ive looked at hodgdon load data and one or two others before asking around here. Im just not seeing alot of options for the 165.

[F106 Fan]

The Speer Reloading Manual #14 has a dozen loads for the 165 gr TMJ-FN and the 165 gr GDHP.

The Hodgdon web site has a bunch of loads for the Sierra 168 gr JHP:

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Why don't you have access to Longshot? Just order it from Powder Valley. To cover the $27.50 HazMat fee, you need to order far more than 1#. I would order at least 4# or, more likely, 8#. It depends greatly on whether you have ever tested the Longshot loads. It certainly isn't a good idea to have a large can of powder you don't like. It's pretty expensive fertilizer.

Another approach: buy a BUNCH of primers (like 10k) and just 1# of powder. If you buy Federal or CCI primers, it won't matter what powder you eventually use, the primers will be fine. You might even consider just 5k of primers and 2 or 3 different powers (Unique, Longshot, Power Pistol, 231, whatever...) in 1# cans. I don't load 40 S&W so I can't recommend a particular powder.

Search this forum for powder recommendations. It only comes up about 3 times a week.

Richard

[shotgunred]

You should defiantly use Power Pistol.

[F106 Fan]

Originally Posted by shotgunred

You should defiantly use Power Pistol.

In which case the Start Charge in Speer #14 is commented to say that it approximates 165-gr law enforcement loads ("40 Lite").

Richard

[shotgunred]

Power pistol is very accurate but has some serious kick. A good choice to simulate + loads without loading to + pressures.

[SDGlock23]

Unique is pretty good for all-around use. I really don't reload 165's, but the book max load for a 180gr (6.5gr or so) gets over 1100fps from my G22, so you should be able to get 1150 no problem with Unique and that same charge or less. Only reason I bring it up is because it's a popular powder and should be in stock most places....maybe.

[sourdough44]

I load 165 grn plated bullets for the 40 with H Universal. My charge is 5.2 grns, cycles fine but won't cause any high pressure trouble.

[firefighter4215]

I've used Power Pistol and Longshot with Precision Delta 165 grain fmj's. Since you can't get Longshot right now, PP would be my choice. I'm using 7.1 grains, though, so I don't think it makes over 1,100 fps. It feels pretty good, and cycles the guns just fine, so I left well enough alone.


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[alitke15]

I am have been running Precision Delta 165gr FMJ FN with 5gr of bullseye and it has worked great for me.

[WeeWilly]

My recommendation would be to buy a big bottle of Hodgdon Longshot from Powder Valley and load it using Hodgdon's load data (available online). You will get to the velocities your desire, the powder meters beautifully. Longshot is fast becoming my favorite powder for many calibers. 40S&W, 10MM, 45 Super, etc. etc.

[budro]

Ok so I made it to the range this weekend and and chronied 3 diff loads first two are unique first load was 7.2, with a 3 shot average was 1290, 7.0 grains 3 shot average was 1230 and blue dot 8.5 gr 3 shot average was 1105. Gona have to do somemore testing.

[budro]

I appreciate all the input and recommendations everyone thank you.

[GIockGuy24]

Most factory 165 grain bullet loads do not reach their rated velocities. Remington Golden Sabers and the hotter of the two Speer Gold Dot loads do come closest to their rated velocities. Even then they are a bit slower than rated. If they make 1100 fps you doing good. Often they are a bit slower than that. Power Pistol with 165 grain FMJ bullets works well for velocity and pressure. It is a fashy powder though. WSL and Silhouette are low flash. Unique works too but I think Power Pistol might be better for 165 grain bullets. It gives good velocity without too much pressure. WSL and Silhouette are very good, low flash powders. I used to use quite a bit of WSL but now I tend to favor Silhouette.

[Goldstar225]

I've been using 7.0 of power pistol under 155-165 grain bullets for about 12 years. It does have a bit more flash and blast than a comparable load of unique but IME meters more consistently.

Regarding the 165 Golden Sabre round, despite remington's claims of 1150 FPS it has chronographed at 1050-1060 FPS in two Glock 23's and a Kahr K40 for me.

[russelldehart]

I've had excellent results with Blue Dot for my .40, 10mm and .41 Mag loads. Check your favorite manual for exact loads.

[glockout]

One can't tell by reading your post but you sound like you haven't a lot of experience in load development.

Here is my take on it....If it is for practice only. You really don't need that kind of velocity. I have been running 180gr Berry or 175gr SS cast bullets using Promo (Red Dot) powder. 40SW. I get them to about 950fps.

I figure it is a lot less wear on the gun and brass.

As far as point of aim. If it is for combat practice; I doubt if is noticeable at 20 feet.

[roundball]

Would suggest looking into Accurate #5. Works great and gives good numbers plus accuracy in my G22 and G27 and other 40's around here.

[Colorado4Wheel]

You can use 180 data for 165 and just work it up using a chrono.

[budro]

So ive done some reloading using berrys 165 hollow base bullets and a 6 inch kkm barrel, results were hot 1grn bellow max chronied at 1290 to 1305, I am know 2 tenths of a grn bellow min and getting 1190 to 1200. Any thoughts?

[ColoCG]

Originally Posted by budro

So ive done some reloading using berrys 165 hollow base bullets and a 6 inch kkm barrel, results were hot 1grn bellow max chronied at 1290 to 1305, I am know 2 tenths of a grn bellow min and getting 1190 to 1200. Any thoughts?

What load are you using that is .2 gr. below min. With the plated bullets, they probably will perform best under 1200fps.

[budro]

Ok im looking for a clean burning powder for 40, wanting to shoot 165s around 1050 for uspsa matches. Anyone have any suggestions please let me know.

[aerod1]

I've been using 6.3 grains of Power Pistol under a 165 grain bullet in my G-22.