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Posted: 7/12/2012 1:25:31 PM EDT
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I am loading .40SW with 180 grain Flat Nose plated I got from Rockey Mountain Reloading.
I have sized, cleaned, expanded and primed the cases. Alliants website says to use 5.5 grains. Is that a starting point? Or a max load? Do I start there and go up, or down? From what I can tell online, most people use 5.5grns. But I dont want to start loading without testing first. Any advice. And if anyone does not know. It hurts like heck if you stick your finger in between the ram and die. Just a little PSA. 
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Read the first page.
WARNING REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD. The exceptions to this are the loads listed as "target" in the 38 Special and 45 ACP data tables. |
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alliants site lists 5.5 grains for bullseye so I'm guessing that's what the op is wanting to use.
Usually if there is only 1 load listed it is the max. The data on aliants sight is for a gold dot hollow point you should use cast bullet data for plated bullets. always check more than 1 source. probably a work up from 5 to 5.5 would be in order. I probably wouldn't even go up to 5.5 and just keep them on the light side as they are plated also don't listen to me I'm just a moron on the internet go look in the manuals at your local gun store if you can. |
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Quoted:
Read the first page. WARNING REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD. The exceptions to this are the loads listed as "target" in the 38 Special and 45 ACP data tables. Quoted:
alliants site lists 5.5 grains for bullseye so I'm guessing that's what the op is wanting to use. Usually if there is only 1 load listed it is the max. The data on aliants sight is for a gold dot hollow point you should use cast bullet data for plated bullets. always check more than 1 source. probably a work up from 5 to 5.5 would be in order. I probably wouldn't even go up to 5.5 and just keep them on the light side. also don't listen to me I'm just a moron on the internet go look in the manuals at your local gun store if you can. Thank you both. Ill crunch some numbers and post back for yall to check my math. Thanks again. |
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Very Important Question: Is the data that you have for "plated" bullets?
Plated bullets are softer than FMJ, so you have to use a lighter charge. If the data isn't specific for plated bullets, you can split the difference between the charge weight for lead and for FMJ bullets. It is dangerous to use charge weights designed for FMJ bullets with lead or plated bullets! If only one charge weight is given, that is the maximum charge weight. The manufacturers recommend to subtract 10% from max to use as a starting load and work your way up. In just about every pistol load that I have developed, I've never gotten close to the max load before I found something that I was happy with (for .40 especially). If 5.5gr is the published charge weight for a 180gr plated bullet, I'd probably make up some 4.8, 5.0, 5.2, and maybe a very small amount (ex. 10 rounds) at 5.4. Shoot them for function and feel. Once you zero in on what runs good in your gun and feels good to shoot (ex. 5.0 and 5.2), make another run with smaller increments in charge weight (5.0, 5.1, 5.2) and shoot for accuracy. |
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Quoted:
Very Important Question: Is the data that you have for "plated" bullets? Plated bullets are softer than FMJ, so you have to use a lighter charge. If the data isn't specific for plated bullets, you can split the difference between the charge weight for lead and for FMJ bullets. It is dangerous to use charge weights designed for FMJ bullets with lead or plated bullets! If only one charge weight is given, that is the maximum charge weight. The manufacturers recommend to subtract 10% from max to use as a starting load and work your way up. In just about every pistol load that I have developed, I've never gotten close to the max load before I found something that I was happy with (for .40 especially). If 5.5gr is the published charge weight for a 180gr plated bullet, I'd probably make up some 4.8, 5.0, 5.2, and maybe a very small amount (ex. 10 rounds) at 5.4. Shoot them for function and feel. Once you zero in on what runs good in your gun and feels good to shoot (ex. 5.0 and 5.2), make another run with smaller increments in charge weight (5.0, 5.1, 5.2) and shoot for accuracy. Thank man. Upon reading this and a lot more this morning online, I think I am going to do 4.2 4.4 4.6 4.8 5.0. Do about 20 round so of each and see how goes it. Thanks again. |
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Measuring takes the longest.
Try my method sometime. Finger trickling to within .05 grains. When OCD really flares up it's to within .02 grains. RCBS Little Dandy Powder Measure makes quick work of pistol caliber load work up. Rotors 3 through 11 just about covers my powder spreads. |
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Just fired everything off.
From my notes: 4.2g- good group/ good recoil. Had 1 failed to extract, but I'm certain I limped it. (I was kinda nervous. Didn't wanna blow myself up.) 4.4g- ok group/ good recoil. No failures to eject, feed, etc. 4.6g- bad group but shot fast. noticeable recoil 4.8g- best group and was able to fire fast. smoke from between the slide and frame 5.0g- good group, 2nd best. more smoke coming from frame I'm mainly a plinker, not really going for accuracy or anything. Plus I want to make the most of my powder so I think I am going to go with the 4.2g. Unless someone has any inputs. This was all standing, unsupported, at 7 yards, stock Glock 22. Bullseye powder and 180grn Plated flat nose. |
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i went with the low end of my load work up for plated 40 cal bullets grouped well (at least as far as my newb to pistol shooting could reveal)
i noticed after i did my workup with hotter loads there was some definite copper fouling in the bore. after using just min there was much less. |
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Quoted:
Just fired everything off. From my notes: 4.2g- good group/ good recoil. Had 1 failed to extract, but I'm certain I limped it. (I was kinda nervous. Didn't wanna blow myself up.) 4.4g- ok group/ good recoil. No failures to eject, feed, etc. 4.6g- bad group but shot fast. noticeable recoil 4.8g- best group and was able to fire fast. smoke from between the slide and frame 5.0g- good group, 2nd best. more smoke coming from frame I'm mainly a plinker, not really going for accuracy or anything. Plus I want to make the most of my powder so I think I am going to go with the 4.2g. Unless someone has any inputs. This was all standing, unsupported, at 7 yards, stock Glock 22. Bullseye powder and 180grn Plated flat nose. I love the light loads too. Why beat yourself and your pistol up? If you think getting your finger between the ram and the die hurts just wait until your bell mouthing cases and get your finger between a case mouth and the die. 
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