Anybody running cast bullets in a .40 S&W?

[chuckbuster243]

I have an STI Trojan in .40 S&W. I would like to try loading some 155 Gr LSWC bullets that were given to me. Digging around on here and on the internet, I came up with a starting load of 3.5 grs of TiteGroup (which I have). I'm just looking for some suggestions. I'd like to run them slow (800-850 FPS) to avoid leading the barrel, but with enough power to reliably cycle the action. The goal is to find a cheaper alternative to running JHPs all the time (which the gun shoots beautifully). The load would be for fun, no competition.

Thanks,
PopCharlie

Find Some PB Blocker and treat the barrel. I used to have leading bad. now thats a thing of the past. https://www.pbblocker.com/shop/

 

[Minshooter]

I ran many thousands of hard cast 155/165 around 950 fps through factory Glock .40 S&W barrels.
Just tumbled in a jug with some Lee Liquid Alox. Never had a leading problem. They are not smoke
free, but shooting outdoors with any kind of breeze, it wasn't an issue, even in competition.
Indoors, and suppressed with aftermarket threaded bbls, I would only use full copper plated bullets.
VV N310/320 were the most smoke free powders for me.

Have not tried any of the powder coats, but they might be a better solution; L. Alox is kind of messy.

 

[PopCharlie]

It is gonna smoke for sure. But the blue lubes have seamed to be slightly less than the red imo. I can look but I think your loads are very light from my notes for cast using tightgroup. I am pretty certain I am well over a grain over your load with 180's. But dont hold me to it until I check my notes. Mine were loaded for USPSA Major PF.

I ended up loading 4.0 grs of TiteGroup under the 155 Gr LSWC from Meister. I loaded 25 rounds for testing. I should be able to get to the range this week to try them out.

PopCharlie

 

[PopCharlie]

Find Some PB Blocker and treat the barrel. I used to have leading bad. now thats a thing of the past. https://www.pbblocker.com/shop/

Interesting idea. BTW: the site you linked above caused my malware blocker to block the site.

PopCharlie

 

[Webster]

I have an STI Trojan in .40 S&W. I would like to try loading some 155 Gr LSWC bullets that were given to me. Digging around on here and on the internet, I came up with a starting load of 3.5 grs of TiteGroup (which I have). I'm just looking for some suggestions. I'd like to run them slow (800-850 FPS) to avoid leading the barrel, but with enough power to reliably cycle the action. The goal is to find a cheaper alternative to running JHPs all the time (which the gun shoots beautifully). The load would be for fun, no competition.

Thanks,
PopCharlie

Be carefull of bullet diameters.

 

[chuckbuster243]

Interesting idea. BTW: the site you linked above caused my malware blocker to block the site.
View attachment 1425708
PopCharlie

You got a tight blocker then. That stuff work like a champ.

 

[PopCharlie]

You got a tight blocker then. That stuff work like a champ.

yeah, it's tight, but I trust it. I've been using Acronis products for many years. I'll use my tablet to order some.

Thanks for the suggestion.
PopCharlie

 

[Forum Boss]

I have had very good luck with polymer-coated cast bullets in .357 mag, .40 sw, .44 mag, .45 ACP.

The barrels stay quite clean and accuracy is excellent. These are sold by Precision Bullets in TEXAS.



Precision Bullets are swaged with certified 6/2 lead alloy and proprietary PolyLube coating. This process completely encases the precision lead core resulting in: Less smoke, safe for indoor ranges, no leading in the barrel, load twice as much before cleaning your dies.

I used to shoot hundreds of rounds a month, and these significantly reduced cleaning chores compared to regular cast lead bullets.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Be carefull of bullet diameters.

Many different sizes out there. What size for fmj typical round?

 

[PopCharlie]

Many different sizes out there. What size for fmj typical round?

Jacketed bullets measure .400. Cast bullets measure .401.

PopCharlie

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Jacketed bullets measure .400. Cast bullets measure .401.

PopCharlie

many thanks, PopCharlie