Best reload for 40s&w.

H

Hammer76

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I recently purchased a S&W M&P 40fs for target shooting. This is my first pistol and was wondering what would be the best reload. I have compared the price per round and it looks like a reload would be around $.19-$.22 per round. With all the different types of powders out there, I have no idea which would be more feasible for my loads. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 
The only reloading experience I have is with shotshells. I do however have alot of help from my father in law. I'll be using a Dillon 550 progressive reloader.
 
I use 4.6/Red Dot/180L for most stuff. Not maximum performance, but it operates the slide, is more accurate than most shooters, and is powerful enough that I wouldn't hesitate to use it in a real fight.

6.0/Unique/180L or 4.5/W231/180L has also worked well for me. The .40 is a lot like the .38 Spl. or .45 ACP, in that it's difficult to find a pistol/shotgun powder that won't work pretty well in it.

You don't mention what powders you have on hand, but if you find they're usable in .38 Spl or .45ACP, they'll probably work fine in your .40.

What kind of shotshell powder do you have?
 
Wouldn't be my FIRST pick for the .40, but it'll certainly work. 8.0/Blue Dot/180L will probably work. Max is 8.8gr., and I'd bet there'll be a pretty big flame ball at the muzzle, unless you're shooting it out of a long-ish barrel.

This one of those times when I like to recommend Alliant Unique, Winchester 231, or AA#5. There aren't very many pistol calibers that cannot be reloaded with one of those.
 
My favorite load of late is 8 grains of HS-6 and a 165 grain Berry's bullet. Just short of max but HS-6 works best that way and the stores have lots of HS-6 these days.
 
My pet load for the .40 is 6.0grains of Power Pistol with plated 180gr bullets. Not a max load by any means but very accurate in several guns I have.
 
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HS-6 is an under-appreciated powder, in my opinion. People who shoot .38 Super and 10mm REALLY like it, and it works pretty well in the "little brother" of the two cartridges, 9mm and .40 S&W.

I don't know why, but I've always gravitated to Alliant powders for pistols, and Hodgdon for rifle powders, so I've probably missed out on a few nice pistol powders in Hodgdon's line-up.

Again, for just general-purpose loads in .40 S&W, I'd want something a little faster burning, but if those powders are not on the shelf, HS-6 will certainly work!
 
There are many great options. VV320 is outstanding but pricey. A lot of guys like Solo 1000. I've also had great luck with WSF AND Titegroup...Illini
 
I prefer Hodgdon TiteGroup - for most of my handgun calibers - and same for .40S&W.../ with a Montana Gold bullet....( I will mostly load a 180gr FMJ but a few 165gr FMJ).
 
I tried unique, great powder except the fact that its a flake powder which meters horrible through my Lee pro auto disc. I have about 7 lbs of WST (meter friendly ball powder) and been loading 165 rnfp's using 5.4 gr. Im at about 925 fps and seem to get very consistiant groups.
 
I've been using 4.5gr hp38/win231 and a precision delta 180gr fmj. Pretty Soft recoil, and shoots great. But then again I pretty much use hp38/win231 for all my target/plinking loads. If you want close to factory JHP performance I'd check out Hodgdon Autocomp, Ramshot Silhouette, & Alliant BE-86.

6.2gr of Autocomp duplicates the felt recoil and velocity of the 180gr federal HST load, :D
 
With all the different types of powders out there, I have no idea which would be more feasible for my loads. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
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I shoot 4.7 grains of Bullseye behind a nominal 175 grain (weights out to 180 grain) cast lead truncated cone bullet.
 
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