XD Talk

holota18 · 09-23-2010, 01:05 PM

Im looking for something comparable to w231 powder, i know that hp 38 has the same stats but cant find either of them around here. Im using it for 40sw with 180 gr cast bullet just for shooting paper so i like to keep things on the low end just to have fun with. Ive heard that hs-6 is a good powder for 40. Right now im using wsf becuase thats readily available, and insight or suggestions?

thanks dave

Horoscope Fish · 09-23-2010, 01:27 PM

Off the top of my head I'd suggest you try either WST or AA #5.

fredj338 · 09-23-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horoscope Fish

Off the top of my head I'd suggest you try either WST or AA #5.

Yep. WST would by my choice for lead bullets @ lower vel. Just a bit faster than W231, clean burning, low smoke. Problem is you won't find much printed data for it. With a 175-180gr lead bullet, 4.5gr runs just under 900fps. At that speed/pressure, shy away from really hard lead bullets.

JustSomeGuy · 09-24-2010, 05:46 AM

Like Fred and Horoscope said, WST is pretty good in reduced lead bullet loads in the .40!

I've been experimenting lately with some WST and 180grn lead bullets from S&S Casting, which are on the hard side, but not rock like!

For reduced loads I have used 3.9grns of WST and OAL of 1.131 with that bullet and got velocities of about 849fps average for 20 shots with the XD Tactical40, or 847 with the XDm40. Both guns operated perfectly with that reduced load. It was accurate, had a light recoil, and there was no unburnt powder even at those low pressures. That is the so called minimum recommended load for that powder and bullet combination according to Hodgdon.

Since I was looking for something for "Production Division" of USPSA and the above load was still a little faster than I was looking for, I also experimented with a 3.6grn load in the Tactical, which is less than a minimum recommended load, and got 816.6fps average for 20 shots with the stock spring and again the gun ran fine with that reduced load also, but I think I will try a lighter recoil spring next time just to see how it runs. The stock spring seemed a little sluggish at that loading, and some other guns might not run as well with that much of a reduced load. That is one reason that Hodgdon might have recommended a slightly higher loading for that powder as a minimum. I would not go too much below that because the gun might not run well, or if you go TOO low, you will not generate enough pressure to burn all the powder and things can get dicey and you might even get a squib!

I might add that using a faster powder like WST for full power loads is going to a place that might become unpleasant, and should be avoided, but for these reduced loads, and up to that one that Fred recommended you are still in safe territory. As in all things related to reloading, too much is TOO MUCH, and too little is almost as bad.

The WSF you have is also a good powder for more zippy to full power loads, but I have had great results using 5.8grns of Silhouette (you can use up to 6.2grns in the .40) with the same 180grn lead bullet mentioned above at 1.130-1.135 OAL, and it is one of my favorite powders in this caliber. I don't know which gun you are shooting this in but my results for Silhouette at 5.8grn was around 956fps in the Tactical, 948 in the XDm, and about 943 in my 4" Service model. This gave me "power factors (bullet weight X Velocity / 1000) of 172, 170-171, and 169 in the three guns respectively, which is major power factor (165 or above) in USPSA gaming.

Both of those powders were reasonably clean burning and produced less smoke than others I have used with lead bullet loads. Most smoke is from the lubrication, but opinions vary about that.

holota18 · 09-24-2010, 12:19 PM

I think I'm gunna take your addvice at try some wst, I'm shooting an xdm 4.5lm finally getting the whole reloading thing down good enough that I'm starting to enjoy it, I also just got a case tumbler so I've been loading a lot more. Thanks guys

**Blatch** · 09-24-2010, 01:18 PM

Noooooo! Don't do it!

Fredj and the others here have gotten me addicted to WST. 8lb jugs to feed the habit.
Great for 9,40,45

fredj338 · 09-24-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blatch

Noooooo! Don't do it!

Fredj and the others here have gotten me addicted to WST. 8lb jugs to feed the habit.
Great for 9,40,45

HA! My mission in life; to get reloaders off their TG habit.

WST, easily the best choice IMO for medium power service loads & full power, soft shooting 45acp.

holota18 · 09-24-2010, 08:50 PM

Another quick question, is there any difference is brand of primers? I noticed some are cheaper than others, is it one of those its you get what you pay for kinds things? IV been using cci but federals are a little cheaper locally

scooterj · 09-24-2010, 10:27 PM

Federal is my primer of choice but will and do use Winchester, Remington, and Wolf. Don't even see CCI on the shelves in these parts.

fredj338 · 09-25-2010, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holota18

Another quick question, is there any difference is brand of primers? I noticed some are cheaper than others, is it one of those its you get what you pay for kinds things? IV been using cci but federals are a little cheaper locally

Wow, CCI are usually much cheaper than Fed. Does it matter, as long as you are not running the ragged edge of pressures, swapping primer brands rarely causes any issues. Some are more reliable than others, Federal vs say Wolf, but cost & availability often decide for me, at least in handgun ammo. Precision rifle, I am more picky & yes, primers can matter for extreme accuracy.