Terry_P

I remember somewhere here TGR said he refuses to load the 40 S&W because of over pressure concerns. TGR did you experience that 1st hand? I have loaded in the past but my only 40 pistol at the time shot the best with 155 gr bullets so that is what I loaded. I have done some reading on the issue and one article I saw said stay away from 180 gr for reloading and drop down to 165 gr due to pressure spikes with too deep seating of the longer bullet. Now that I have the P320 I would like to reload and figure to use both 155 and 165 gr light to moderate loads and watch my OAL closely. Anyone have any advice or words of wisdom?

44s Rock

I remember hearing that as well and only shoot factory 40S&W but to be honest, I have standardized on 9mm for most of my shooting. The only 40 I have left is the P226.

tx gun runner

The last ammo shortage I started loading . 5.8 of Unique .. The OH the length of the cartridge and the depth of the bullet is super important too deep will drive the pressure out of sight . My cast bullets and jacket both fly at 1000 fps so the both have the same POI and both are super accurate . I use the stock barrel with the jackets and the Lone Wolf barrel for cast only . The 40SW can go from mild to wild real fast . So double check everything twice when you reload it . It is not a forgiving round like a 45 auto .

Attached Images

	7462802c-bcde-4158-80b6-840316060469 (1).jpg (407.0 KB, 10 views)
	7b4e54fc-419c-46b6-942e-c55b180d4114.jpg (368.9 KB, 8 views)
	3915fa21-5bde-4aa4-a613-7cd5f5259686.jpg (248.2 KB, 9 views)

Terry_P

Thanks TGR I plan to load for practice and keep them on the easy side. For years my favorite load has been 155 gr JHP's over 8.0 gr of Power Pistol. That is the starting load in the Speer Manual and has been a great accuracy load for my Ruger P94. I will pick up a box of 500 165 gr and they are listed at 7.0-7.8 gr of PP and work up something well below the top. For carry I will try some different factory loads and see how they function and how accurate they are in my pistol. I would prefer the heavier 180 gr for that and I'll let the accuracy dictate which weight or which ammo I choose.

north country gal

Can't help on the reloading, but I can state that I've had the same excellent reliability with evert=y Sig I've owned. Hard to beat.

tx gun runner

Since my 40 is a CCW gun only I love the 180Hp bullets with a 1 lbs heavy recoil spring . It tames the snap out of the light weight guns . All my CCW guns I fly the heaviest that will reach 1000 fps so HP will expand . Since I don't shoot the lighter bullel in my CCW guns . My 1911 I fly the 185 HP for my CCW at 1000 fps . My Glock 40 SW matches my 1911 45 acp to a tee . 40 SW and 45acp are 2 pea in a pod in my book . . .

Attached Images

7bb7fdbf-5810-4c5d-9610-88474faf6151.jpg (331.5 KB, 7 views)

Terry_P

I bought the Ruger P94 when I had my FFL. It was a early police production over run so it is a P94 in 40 and not a P944, according to the Ruger website it was never made as the serial number isn't listed. But I digress, since I have owned it I developed an appreciation for the .40 and that is why I got the P320 in that caliber. My current carry pistol is a 9 MM and I have never been a fan of that caliber and I will work the .40 into the rotation.

TGR your load of 180 gr @ 1,000 fps will give 400 ft/lbs of energy and a momentum factor of 25. That will stop a fight.

tx gun runner

I test all my CCW loads on 1 gal water bottles for 50 yrs . That tell me if it is a good loads or not . Most HP bullets open up at 1000 fps .

noylj

The .40 case simply doesn't have the web strength of the 9mm and any pressure spike or such can easily blow out the case.
Only time in 45 years I blew a case was .40 S&W.
Load fast powders only to mid-range and use slow powders above that.

[IMG][/IMG]

Terry_P

I'm guessing that one didn't come out easily.

44s Rock

tx gun runner

Web strength is the same in both 40 and 9 for over 30 yrs . . The 1st 40SW had a thinner web for more powder volume to meet FBI ammo spec for power , plus the early Glocks have very little web support and put a smiley face on the brass . Your brass blowup from super high pressure above 60,000 psi . The prime hole is enlarged and the letters on brass are almost gone . Looks like overcharge or the bullet got pushed in on gun feeding the ammo or it was set in too deep . I use 5.8 of Unique gun powder with 180 gr it is a compressed load and making bullet seating to deep very hard to do . They say a bullet seated only .030 too deep can double the pressure in a small volume like the 40 SW .

noylj

All I am saying is that after 45 years of reloading, that is the one and only case that ever did anything except fire and eject. Every charge is weighed and every charge is inspected. Every seated bullet is thumb pressed for any set back. SOMETHING happened, but still only the .40 has done THAT.
Note: NT case, so flash started out larger.

tx gun runner

All my bottom feeders the last step is run all loaded ammo [ reloads or factory ] is to run them thur a taper crimp die . This will help in finding a bad piece of brass and will keep the bullet from moving when it is being feed into chamber . It also helps feeding too .

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...aper-crimp-die

PS been reloading since 1968

tx gun runner

Here is my cast bullet reloads in my Glock . They match my factory jacket FBI ammo in speed , weight , accuracy and POA . Make for cheap shooting .

Attached Images

	7462802c-bcde-4158-80b6-840316060469 (1).jpg (407.0 KB, 10 views)
	7b4e54fc-419c-46b6-942e-c55b180d4114.jpg (368.9 KB, 9 views)

noylj

Yes, all my semi-autos get a taper crimp, and thumb pressure test.