Anyone reload .40 S&W w/ Precision Bullets? (the black/coated ones)

[EckStee]

I'm new to reloading (actually haven't started yet) and my goal is to make relatively cheap practice ammo. I have dies for 40 and 9 but I mostly shoot 40 and want to start w/ that. After gathering info, mostly from this board, I think that Precision Bullets' coated lead bullets seem to be the best compromise between cost and convenience. Equipment wise I still need to buy a scale and a brass cleaning set up but as far as supplies go the only thing I currently have is brass. That leaves primers, bullets and powder to buy. Questions:

In 40 I can get 165gr ($68.33/1k), 170gr ($75.20/1k), and 185gr ($82.00/1k). Is there any reason to consider one weight over the other? My self defense rounds are 180gr Speer Gold dots. Will I really feel much difference between a 165gr and 185gr bullet? I have read that due to the 40 being a high pressure catrtidge that some people feel "better" reloading lighter bullets for a little safety margin. My first thought is that if I screw something up then a lighter bullet will not be enough to keep bad things from happening.

Does anyone have a recipe worked up using any of the above bullets? I figured that since I am a beginner that copying what has been proven by others might be a good idea, is it? Since I only currently have brass it would be easy for me to do.

And going back to square one is there anyone else that agrees that the extra cost of the coated bullets is worth it compared to lead bullets? I'd consider going to lead if this isn't a common view. FMJ's are definitely not worth the cost extra IMO.

Thanks,
X

[EckStee]

Oh yeah forgot to add...

Precision Bullets Index Page

Prices include shipping which is always a concern w/ heavy items. Makes it easy to figure costs too...

[Salilus]

I am about to go with precision, most of our IDPA matches are indoors and require plated, they allow molly coated also. I have been using berry's plated but they are going up in price. If you get these, use load data for lead. It will probably be a little faster then lead as the molly is pretty slick. As the weight, i see that you mentioned "bad things". Are you going to use reloads as defense rounds? i woule STONGLY suggest that you do not do this. Use speers lawyers on retainer instead of yours when balistics questions pop up in court after a shoot. They will defend you. So that makes these just practice rounds now. I prefer a heavy bullet (180gr .40) with a very fast powder (clays) at ~3.2-3.3gr for my .40 Tac. It is the stock spring weight and cycles fine, but is very soft shooting. These are running at 805-820 fps. For esp I only need 694fps. The heavy bullet and fast powder produces a push recoil, not a snap. I like it and others do to. Since you are new to this, a fast powder can be a dangerous thing. You got to watch it close. How will you be loading these? What press? Ask if you got anymore questions...

DISCLAIMER: USE THESE LOADS AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE POSTER ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY.

[ichy_trigger]

180 grain precision bullets with 4.5-5.3 grains of Tight group
(work the load up slowly)

They are fine bullets, Ive fired and loaded many thousands of them through my 3 .40 caliber guns. Normaly my load will be around 4.7 grains.

[fredj338]

You'll load the Bblack Precision bullets like a lead bullet. Mos guys here know I am NOT a fan of uberfast powders like Clays, BE or TG in the 40 for anything but very light loads. I like med. burn rates like Unique, WSF, Universal, etc. The 165gr bullet is a good comp between the light wts. & the 180gr. I use 6gr of Unique under 165gr plated for about 950fps.

[ichy_trigger]

Originally Posted by fredj338

You'll load the Bblack Precision bullets like a lead bullet. Mos guys here know I am NOT a fan of uberfast powders like Clays, BE or TG in the 40 for anything but very light loads. I like med. burn rates like Unique, WSF, Universal, etc. The 165gr bullet is a good comp between the light wts. & the 180gr. I use 6gr of Unique under 165gr plated for about 950fps.

5.3 grains of Universal is a nice load as well. I dont believe I would classify TG as an uber fast powder but CLAYS is a definate uber fast powder that I would NOT recoment to anyone reloading .40, especially for a new reloader.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by ichy_trigger

5.3 grains of Universal is a nice load as well. I dont believe I would classify TG as an uber fast powder but CLAYS is a definate uber fast powder that I would NOT recoment to anyone reloading .40, especially for a new reloader.

TG is right on the border IMO. I call any powder that goes from starting load to max in less than 1/2gr uberfast. There is just so little room for any error in weighing or bullet setback. Many guys like TG in all calibers but I prefer abit more volumn & a pressure curve abit more user friendly. YMMV, I just don't like trying to save 1/2c per round on my powder. I instead like to
load for performance & safety.

[ichy_trigger]

Originally Posted by fredj338

TG is right on the border. I call any powder that goes from starting load to max in less than 1/2gr uberfast. There is just so little room for any error in weighing or bullet setback. Many guys like TG in all calibers but I prefer abit more volumn & a pressure curve abit more user friendly. YMMV, I just don't like trying to save 1/2c per round on my powder. I instead like to
load for performance & safety.

Many many people load TG at 5.3 grains and less, depending on the barrel, in order to achieve the right power factor (920 fps with a 180bullet) Normaly it will be achieved that in an XD at 4.7 and you seat the bullet at 1.145 oal. I would not recomend seating the bullets at 1.125 with TG so yes you do need to know the ins and outs of it but I would not call it dangerous. You are 100% correct though with some of the other powders and my secondary load is Universal, it always provided very consistent velocities for me.

[EckStee]

Salilus,
Thanks for the info, it’s an excellent start to what I am looking for. I do have more questions but I wanted to get some input on what I already had planned. Sounds like the Precision Bullets in 180gr is a good choice. I was also wondering if I used lead loading data or what, now I know that too.

To address some of your concerns: I use factory Speer ammo for defense for exactly the reasons you stated. I mentioned them more for comparison purposes for the practice/ reload rounds than anything. I also appreciate the way you described the feel of this load, that alone saved me a lot of research. It looks like the others recommend a slower burning powder which I’ll probably consider since I’m new. I bought a Hornady LnL progressive press. I also have friend that has been reloading for years that will be helping me out, I wouldn’t feel very comfortable w/ any of this if I didn’t have anyone watching over my shoulder. He reloads .45 though so I need to get some good 40 info before we get started.

I’m not sure what else you mean by “How will you be loading these?”

Ichy,
Thanks for the info. One more thumbs up for Precision it sounds like.

Fred,
Thanks for your input. I’ll consider Unique since I am new to all of this. I am not sure what my reloading buddy uses but I might just go with that if he prefers to do so. After I get comfortable I’ll experiment a little more to find out what I like.

And to continue this conversation…
I’ve seen velocities quoted from 805(180gr w/ 5” barrel) to 950(165gr barrel length unspecified) FPS so far. To date I’ve shot factory 180gr FMJ’s (CCI Blazer Brass form Wal-Mart). Anyone know what velocity these typically run? I’m trying to get a feel for how the above recipes compare the CCI rounds. Currently I am shooting a subcompact so I know my velocities will be less than those stated above w/ the same loads. Out of curiosity, would 805 FPS in a 5” barrel still make the 694 minimum in a subbie for IDPA? I know a sub isn’t the best thing to compete w/ but they have a friendly meet at my local indoor range every other Sunday. Looks like cheap fun. Besides I have competed in enough different activities to know that it is impossible to be competitive w/o getting comfortable with the fundamentals first. IMO practically ANY gun that a person is comfortable with would be adequate for the first few times out.

Thanks,
X

[ichy_trigger]

I thinkt he CCI Blazers are a tad over 1000 fps. Im thinking like 1050 but its been awhile since I chronoed them.

Shooting heavy bullets with a faster powder gives you a pushy and softer feeling recoil impulse. Using lighter bullets will make your gun feel a bit snappier. Im not sure how long you have been shooting so you may or may not feel the difference. Ask Tom Foolery how the 180 reloads feel, I made some up for him to try and I think he was definately able to feel a difference between those and factory rounds. I load my .40 rounds to around 950 fps. I have no need to load them any faster. If you want a real pussycat load, try 3.7 grains of Tight Group. Its extremely safe and will run around 750 fps. and will translate into a 135 power factor.

As far as an 805 fps load being 694 in a subby, I would say PROBABLY but its best to shoot it over a chrony to be sure.