40 S&W loading help.

[Juwalantz]

Hello folks. I’m new to reloading and I could use some help. I’m currently working on a 40 S&W. I’m using Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder and 140 grain coated lead bullet from Bayou Bullets. I cannot find any data for this combo so I’m slowly working on it. First I tried 5.3 grains 1.125 COL. I got 1653 average FPS. The round fires but will not cycle the action completely. Out of 10 rounds 2 cycled the action completely. So I tried 5.7 grains of powder with same COL of 1.125 and action still will not cycle completely. I did not measure FPS of that round because it was way to cold outside today. I’m going to try another round with 6.1 grains tomorrow and see if that will cycle the action. I guess my main question here is, does 1653 FPS sound too fast for a 40 S&W round? Out of all the loading data I have seen The most FPS I’ve seen was 1400 with a 90 grain bullet. I just want to make sure that kind of velocity is ok before I add more powder and try again. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

 

[jsn]

I think your chronograph is wrong.

I would use the 135gr Nosler HP data from Hodgdon's web site. They don't have data for your exact bullet, but the Barnes 140gr they show is a total copper bullet, the load would be much lower than a jacketed/lead core bullet due to higher pressure. I would have no problem using the starting load for the 135gr.

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[SeabeeKen]

6.1 gr is max on Hodgdon website at a COL of 1.135" and you are .010 under that so 6.1 may be a hot load. It also shows a velocity of 1159 fps so I'd say your chrono is wrong or you are shooting a very long barrel

 

[Rick300]

I think you have a setting wrong on the chronograph. Is it possible the spacing of the sky screens isn't right? That, of course, is if you are using something like an Oehler

 

[Juwalantz]

Thanks for the input. Using a Caldwell G2 chronograph. I tested several factory rounds through the same day I tested these 40s and chronograph was reading them accurately. That’s why I threw a red flag when I saw 1600+ FPS. I’ll double check everything and give it another try. I gave that 135gr Nosler Data a look on Hodgdons website. It’s amazing the differences in powder charge between the 135 and 140s listed. Thanks jsn for explaining the differences in those bullets. Sounds like I need to just keep stepping it up until I find what works. Thanks again.

 

[Spike A]

Thanks for the input. Using a Caldwell G2 chronograph. I tested several factory rounds through the same day I tested these 40s and chronograph was reading them accurately. That’s why I threw a red flag when I saw 1600+ FPS. I’ll double check everything and give it another try. I gave that 135gr Nosler Data a look on Hodgdons website. It’s amazing the differences in powder charge between the 135 and 140s listed. Thanks jsn for explaining the differences in those bullets. Sounds like I need to just keep stepping it up until I find what works. Thanks again.

Exactly what is it doing that it is not cycling right? I.E. stove pipe, not running the slide back far enough, I’ve seen slides hammer back to fast and not eject right from too much pressure is why I ask. I would not just start going up in powder till it does... could be catastrophic... i would be very carful about going over max load... i would try a different powder before doing that...

 

[emmett]

I have used the very same chronic for a few years and it is very likely to be giving an errant reading even if it was checked and were accurate before. The angle of the sun, fluorescent lighting near by, and several other things will give inacurate velocity readings. I seldom had confidence in mine until I made a cover for it and used the light bar.

 

[klamathsteel]

Try a heavier bullet. 140 is lite for a 40 S&W.

 

[pirate ammo]

40's love the 180s

 

[JMayo]

Cold weather and slide grease are my concerns.
I run mine near dry. Not familiar with your bullets but I can find the lead & fmj, figure out where my bullet falls in between or matches those and load from there.
My s&w's are tight chambered compared to my other pistols. I use a case gage on every round and load length to mag allowance.
Blow back on the cases tells me
"hot or not". If cases are blackened badley the load is low.

In my experience Books are big time with safety concerns. Max in the book is always low.

 

[Juwalantz]

When I say my action was not cycling I mean the slide was not moving back all the way and the case was not being ejected. It was very close though. Quick update here. I went out today and did some more testing. I believe the chronograph readings were incorrect as guessed by most of you. Tested some today with completely different numbers. Today I tried two different loads 10 rounds each. One at 6.1gr and the other was 6.5gr. Both at 1.20 COL. Both rounds cycled perfectly. Average velocity on the 6.1gr was at 908 FPS. 6.5gr was at 953 FPS. I’ll increase my charge to 6.9 and try again. I’m looking for 1000 FPS. I’m almost there. I’m going to try and cover my chronograph up as Emmett mentions. Nice idea. I’ll post my results of this next test once I get done. Thanks again to everyone for your help. It is appreciated.

 

[Juwalantz]

Another update for the 40 s&w. 7.0 gr of CFE pistol and bayou 140 FP @ 1.120 yielded 1020 average FPS. Also if anyone is looking for ACME 180 grain data I loaded them with 6.1 gr of CFE pistol at 1.120 COL and they are doing 1054 average FPS. Cheers.