.40S&W cast bullets velocity

gumpokc · #1 02-11-2005, 08:59 PM

Anyone have a good idea of what would be a good velocity range for .40S&W cast bullets?

just for paper punching, wanted to try and keep lead buildup down if possible. They are fairly hard mix cast bullets.

i did try searchign the forom, but i am about halfbraindead at the moment, been a long frustrating week.

any info appreciated.

Rocky Raab · #2 02-14-2005, 06:02 PM

First, the standard warning about ANY 40 S&W: unless your pistol has a fully supported chamber, handloading is not recommended at all, with any type bullet.

Most or all Glocks in 40 S&W should NOT be fired with reloads, as their chambers are NOT fully supported. Para-Ordnance and other 1911-style guns are OK. Check yours to be sure.

The nice folks at Laser-Cast say that they got the best accuracy with 170-grain SWC bullets.

I'd try W231 (HP-38) first. 4.6 grs will give you about 965 fps and MAX is 5.0 at 1045.

The MINIMUM overall length should be 1.135" with this bullet to keep pressures low. A bit longer is better if they will feed.

gumpokc · #3 02-14-2005, 06:55 PM

Thanks for the info rocky.

I am aware of the glock chambers, but the pitols i am looking at using are a Taurus PT101, and a Steyr M40.

I am pretty sure that the PT101 is fully supported, not totaly sure on the M40 but will check into both.

as for the loadings, i'll stick with the lowest i can get good reliable functioning from, it's mainly for trigger practice, and paper punching.

Rocky Raab · #4 02-15-2005, 10:17 AM

Gotcha. I mainly put cautions like that in because it isn't just experienced reloaders that read this...

W231 is very good for low-level loads. Try the START load I listed above. If that's still too heavy, back down a tenth of a grain at a time. Generally, a total reduction of 20% under the MAX load is as far as you should go. With a maximum charge of 5.0 grains, that means you could work down to 4.0 with W231.

If you get down to where one in five rounds doesn't fully cycle the slide, then go back up a tenth and that's the absolute minimum load.

You might want to go to a softer bullet for loads like that. Harder ones will CAUSE leading at low pressures. If so, try a bullet made for cowboy shooters. They're usually soft and lightweight.

gumpokc · #5 02-15-2005, 07:39 PM

Thanks for the added input, always appreciate it Rocky!

The one si have are hard cast, from a local company, and i have used them in my PT101 before, i just had a brainfart and forgot what i did with my data

Believe me, i understand about the warnings, and It never hurts to remind someone, even if you knw they already know, cause we are all human, and we all have craniel-rectal instertion syndrome from time to time

Lycanthrope · #6 02-27-2005, 12:24 PM

I recommend Titegroup for the .40. It meters very well and is relatively insenitive to bullet seating depth. Bullet setback in a .40 can bite you hard with a nasty case separation. As Rocky mentioned, load on the long side for safety.

Hodgdon lists the .40 loads on their website.

aceoky · #7 03-07-2005, 10:19 PM

Hey Rocky, how about the S&W "Sigma" in .40(is it supported, or do you know; I think it's a "glock clone" so I'm curious as I own one)

Also if you handloaded new brass and only fired it once, is that safe in non supported pistols? I've heard this many times but never about this pistol or the new brass thing. Thanks in advance!

Rocky Raab · #8 03-08-2005, 10:01 AM

Loading UNFIRED brass should be fine, assuming sane loads. The warning is related to previously fired cases.

What happens is that the unsupported section of the case bulges when fired. The bulge is located so close to the extractor groove that the sizing die cannot reach it.

Even if you could iron the bulge back into place, that section of the case would be stressed - like bending a wire back and forth - and it is much weaker there. Firing it again can rupture the bulge, which can wreck the gun and the hand holding it.

I do not know about the Sigma for sure. A call to S&W seems in order to check.

Lycanthrope · #9 03-08-2005, 12:07 PM

Dillon dies are notorious for not getting out "Glock bulge".

RCBS dies, however, do it nicely. I've loaded thousands of these without issue, but I have a fully supported chamber. I'd not try it without.

aceoky · #10 03-08-2005, 05:10 PM

Many thanks, that's what I'd guessed, but it's nice to hear it from you(much better more informed opinion than mine)
Again thank you very much!