40 with BE and Rainer

N

ncrypt

New member
Hey guys, I have a ton of Bullseye that I use for my 45 and I would like to load some 40 for my G27. I decided to try 165 Rainer projectiles. My go to's are the Hornady FMJ's but they don't have a 165 for the 40.

On the Alliant site, they suggest 5.8 grains with a GDHP, so I was thinking about starting around 5.0 grains and working up from there.

Since I've never use plated bullets, I figured I would run this buy you guys. Does anyone have any experience with this combination that can provide suggestions?

thanks for your help
 
I don't have experience with this combination. But . . .

Speer #14 has Bullseye from 5.3 to 5.8 grains. So I think your approach is plenty conservative. On the other side, Bullseye ignites easily, so there's no concern with 5.0 being an underload.

I do want to remind that Bullseye will behave differently in 40 S&W than it does in 45 ACP. As you move up incrementally, the pressure rise from one 10th grain to the next will build more quickly. Bullseye actually behaves a bit like an intermediate speed powder in 45 ACP; but it will definitely act more like its fast powder self in 40 Smith.

Once your work up is complete, you'll have some good range shooters.

As far as the plated thing goes: In this context, it's not really an issue. You're starting with jacketed data - and contrary what all too many incorrectly think - that is the correct approach.
 
Five grains of bullseye worked great under a plated 180 grain bullet in my .40. Unfortunately, I don't have data on 165 grain bullets.
 
I have worked up loads using Bullseye and Xtreme 165gr CPRNFP bullets starting at 4.8gr and settled on 5.1gr. I use a longer COL of 1.142", so depending on your COL, you probably could start at 4.7gr or less. Sorry, I have no chrono data for this load.
 
update: 5.0 grains wasn't enough to cycle my G27 properly. 5.5 was accurate and functioned properly. I'm thinking of moving even closer to the Alliant site 5.8 recommendation.

thanks again for helping
 
I'm not sure I like loading these softer plated bullets. I screwed up five of them because the case mouth cut into them. I adjusted the expander slightly which helped, but since I don't normally measure case length for pistol rounds it may still be a problem.

for those interested, here are some details from the chrony:

Description: 40 S&W Bullseye
Notes 1: 5.5 grains, Rainer plated bullets
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono (FT): 10.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight (gr): 165.000
Temp: 45 °F
BP: 30.18 inHG
Shots
# FPS FT-LBS PF
5 995 - 362.78 - 164.18
4 998 - 364.97- 164.67
3 1007 - 371.59 - 166.15
2 1008 - 372.32- 166.32
1 993 - 361.32 - 163.85
Average: 1000.20
StdDev: 6.91
Min: 993
Max: 1008
Spread: 15
True MV: 1001.34
Shots/sec: 0.09
Group Size (IN): 0.00
 
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