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Soft loads for .40 S&W's?
- Thread starter twoblink
- Start date
usually the heavier-weight loads create the most felt recoil. So stick with 155-135 grain practice loads if you can find any.
The rounds need to be powerful enough to cycle the gun reliably.
Ben
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Almost Online IM: BenK911
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"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"
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Different, just like everyone else. (Ben Original)
The rounds need to be powerful enough to cycle the gun reliably.
Ben
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Almost Online IM: BenK911
ICQ # 53788523
"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"
http://ben.gunsnet.net
Different, just like everyone else. (Ben Original)
Kentucky Rifle
New member
Twoblink,
The sofest recoiling .40 caliber ammunition I've ever found is the Federal 135gr "PD" Hydra-Shok. (PD means Personal Defense) Federal's PD ammo is loaded down a little and the bullet weight is a little less. My wife has no problem shooting my .40 all day long with this round.
Will
The sofest recoiling .40 caliber ammunition I've ever found is the Federal 135gr "PD" Hydra-Shok. (PD means Personal Defense) Federal's PD ammo is loaded down a little and the bullet weight is a little less. My wife has no problem shooting my .40 all day long with this round.
Will
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
If you think Cor-Bon 135s are mild...
Dont invite me over for your Tacos!
Wait - scratch that... Just the oposite!
But CB 135s are indeed very brisk loads.
Dont invite me over for your Tacos!
Wait - scratch that... Just the oposite!
But CB 135s are indeed very brisk loads.
You're going to have a flincher on your hands.
Do the right thing and have her start with a .22 pistol, maybe a 9mm if she decides she likes it.
If you must use your .40, use standard 180gr ball. The lighter loads (unless they've a reduced powder charge, maintaining the same velocity as the 180s) have more snap.
Do the right thing and have her start with a .22 pistol, maybe a 9mm if she decides she likes it.
If you must use your .40, use standard 180gr ball. The lighter loads (unless they've a reduced powder charge, maintaining the same velocity as the 180s) have more snap.
I don't have much to compare to, but shoot a full-power 180 gr 357Mag load and a full-power 125 gr .357Mag load. You'll feel a difference, espeically in a little snub. Heavier loads often have more pressure, and heavier loads create more twist with the gun.
Ben
------------------
Almost Online IM: BenK911
ICQ # 53788523
"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"
Different, just like everyone else. (Ben Original)
[This message has been edited by Ben (edited September 29, 2000).]
Ben
------------------
Almost Online IM: BenK911
ICQ # 53788523
"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"
Different, just like everyone else. (Ben Original)
[This message has been edited by Ben (edited September 29, 2000).]
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ben:
I don't have much to compare to, but shoot a full-power 180 gr 357Mag load and a full-power 125 gr .357Mag load...[/quote]
Ben, with .40 it seems exactly the other way arround. The heaviest-recoiling loads are 165 and 155 gr. 180 gr rounds are, by far, much less snapier, kick less, and not as loud. 135 gr (HS Personal Defense, in my experience) are roughly in between.
All the aforementioned differences are not imaginable but are hard facts confirmed by many other people I go to a range with.
I don't have much to compare to, but shoot a full-power 180 gr 357Mag load and a full-power 125 gr .357Mag load...[/quote]
Ben, with .40 it seems exactly the other way arround. The heaviest-recoiling loads are 165 and 155 gr. 180 gr rounds are, by far, much less snapier, kick less, and not as loud. 135 gr (HS Personal Defense, in my experience) are roughly in between.
All the aforementioned differences are not imaginable but are hard facts confirmed by many other people I go to a range with.
For a given power factor (momentum), lighter bullets have a much sharper recoil - more of a snap. Heavier bullets have a slower recoil, more of a push. Most people find a heavier bullet more controllable which is why heavy bullets are the most common loads in IPSC Limited division.
The powder used for a given load will have a profound effect on what the recoil feels like too. In general, faster powders feel softer.
I just loaded some Star 165 gr. FMJ with some IMR HR7625 left in the bottom of the can in an attempt to duplicate Federal American Eagle 165gr. general purpose ammo. I forgot the exact charge weight right now... something in the range of 6.5-6.9gr. -- the OAL was the same as the American Eagle (1.135"??). At the same velocity, my handloads where noticably softer than the factory ammo. The initial batch, probably the 6.5 gr. range were VERY soft shooting. (NOTE: these loads numbers are off the top of my head and may not be right!)
The point here is that you can download most cartridges to shoot very soft. My wife started IPSC shooting with a Kimber using downloaded .45 ACP - 230 gr bullets in the low 600fps range. The load was a marshmallow. After a few thousand rounds, here technique improved to the point where she's comfortable and competent with full power ammo.
BTW, you guys discussing full power self defence ammo on this question are really missing the point. The guy wanted a soft load for his woman and you're comparing some of the hottest ammo on the market. Self defence ammo is not designed for shooter comfort.
The powder used for a given load will have a profound effect on what the recoil feels like too. In general, faster powders feel softer.
I just loaded some Star 165 gr. FMJ with some IMR HR7625 left in the bottom of the can in an attempt to duplicate Federal American Eagle 165gr. general purpose ammo. I forgot the exact charge weight right now... something in the range of 6.5-6.9gr. -- the OAL was the same as the American Eagle (1.135"??). At the same velocity, my handloads where noticably softer than the factory ammo. The initial batch, probably the 6.5 gr. range were VERY soft shooting. (NOTE: these loads numbers are off the top of my head and may not be right!)
The point here is that you can download most cartridges to shoot very soft. My wife started IPSC shooting with a Kimber using downloaded .45 ACP - 230 gr bullets in the low 600fps range. The load was a marshmallow. After a few thousand rounds, here technique improved to the point where she's comfortable and competent with full power ammo.
BTW, you guys discussing full power self defence ammo on this question are really missing the point. The guy wanted a soft load for his woman and you're comparing some of the hottest ammo on the market. Self defence ammo is not designed for shooter comfort.
I just started loading some .40-Lite for my wife and am using 65% of the max load for a 135 grain bullet with Alliant BullsEye powder. It reliably cycles the action of my USP40c, but feels quite nice.
Best of luck ... but I would also recommend the .22 if it is an option.
saands
Best of luck ... but I would also recommend the .22 if it is an option.
saands
For defenseive loads,I like the Federal Hydra Shok 165 HP@950 fps.If you can see the specific velocities of the loads you shoot,whether a defensive or fmj target load,you will do alright.Having purchased a Kahr K40 Elite and Glock 35 last month,I can tell you that they are completely different guns with a more manageable load.I shoot Miwall factory reloaded 180's @ 900 fps in them both.As a 45 230 gr fmj shooter,I have become rather recoil sensitive to most of the 40 S&W barnburner loads.Before I started using these loads in my Kahr,I was leaning strongly towards getting a Harts recoil reducer just to tolerate shooting several hundred rounds at one time,but with the right load,you will find a 40 very pleasant to shoot.
pittspilot
New member
Far and away the snappiest round to go through my SIG-PRO .40 is the 135 Gr Corbon Rounds. The lightest seem to be the Federal Reloads that the range I go shoot at. Why don't you just go rent a 9mm or a .380 for her to shoot the first time. Or even a .22