Load Data for .40 S&W using Montana Gold bullets

[rmiddaugh]

Looking for a good load for a new STI Eagle 5.0 in .40 S&W. I plan on using MG 180 grain, but am interested in hearing thoughts on heavier bullet. Looking for soft feel and reliable functioning. Currently using VV320 with 147g MG out of a S&W M&P Pro. Great results. A good recipe would be appreciated.

[ncboiler]

I would start here, lots of loads.... http://www.k8nd.com/ipscload.htm

I've been testing some w/ 4.9g of N320 but still need to chrono them.

[rmiddaugh]

Thanks. That is a good start point.

[GISMap]

I use Titegroup with mine... I can't get any Vihtavuori powders locally otherwise I'd give them a try.

[steel1212]

Montanas chrono a little slower for me, I think its the brass jacket instead of the copper one all the other bullets use. I used 4.7 grains titegroup at 1.180 OAL and a Winchester Small pistol primer for 177PF out of my guns. Probably could get away with 4.6 maybe even 4.5. I know with Zeros I backed off the powder a tenth and still got the same results.

[8082011]

I use 5.0 of VV320 with MG 180 JHP loaded to 1.22

[JACKAL]

I will hopefully be starting loading soon. And will be need the same data.

[CocoBolo]

I will hopefully be starting loading soon. And will be need the same data.

If you want a soft feel it won't happen with 147gr bullets, get some 180gr or 200gr in 40. I personally use 5.1gr WST with 180gr set at 1.180. N320 is also good but more expensive @5.0gr. But if you want real soft 200gr with 4.3gr TiteGroup set at 1.200. Clays is also good in 40/45, I use it in 45 just have not had time to work with it in 40.

Good Luck.

[Bigpops]

I use 5.0 of VV320 with MG 180 JHP loaded to 1.22

Bingo! Great load.

[Kevin Spencer]

I use 5.0 of VV320 with MG 180 JHP loaded to 1.22

Bingo! Great load.

I am using the same load, with the exception of my OAL is 1.20

Kevin

[JACKAL]

Going to try MG or Zero 180gr set at 1.185 N320 @5.0gr if this sounds right out of a SV AET barrel.

[CocoBolo]

Going to try MG or Zero 180gr set at 1.185 N320 @5.0gr if this sounds right out of a SV AET barrel.

You should be very close to 165-168 pf depending on many factors but right in the zone. Make sure the rounds fit your mags, take the barrel out and ease one down feeling for anything. Then run some dummies thru a mag slow then fast, if it passes all these tests you are good to go crono. Most times in developing a load you will load 4.8gr 5.0, 5.2 and crono each. I always stop when I hit the PF I'm looking for and discard any rounds loaded higher. Start at the bottom and work up calculating the pf at each step, and stopping. Record your crono session in your load book complete with OAL etc.

[rmiddaugh]

Good to go! Thanks to all of you. I am on the right track now.

[earlbob]

Make sure the rounds fit your mags, take the barrel out and ease one down feeling for anything. Then run some dummies thru a mag slow then fast, if it passes all these tests you are good to go crono. Most times in developing a load you will load 4.8gr 5.0, 5.2 and crono each. I always stop when I hit the PF I'm looking for and discard any rounds loaded higher. Start at the bottom and work up calculating the pf at each step, and stopping. Record your crono session in your load book complete with OAL etc.

That's pretty good counsel there.

Thanks

[pjb45]

I use VV320 exclusively. I have been very happy with it. It is a clean powder for me.

I originally had a STI, now I shoot SVs. My limited guns run Nowlin and Schueman. My SS is a Kart.

The Nowlin and Kart are faster than the Schuemann. All three are accurate!

I use one standard for all guns. They all have made major at Nationals and A2 matches.

VV320, 4.85-4.9 grains

Zero or MG 180 JHP, mg do seem to do quirky things around the chrono. I have them not show up. With the artificial light that is used at Nats and A2 seem to reduce that effect more so than sunlight.

1.18 AOL

Assorted primers

Assorted once fired brass

The only time I came close to minor 166-167 was at Tulsa when it got really cold and rainy. Two days later it warmed up, same ammo chrono'd 169. My ammo usually comes in around 169-171. Next year in Vegas, I may drop to 4.8 just for the heat.

I have shot zero 165 and 200 gr out of both limited and SS guns. The 200 does seem to be a tad bit softer shooting. I did not adjust the powder and did not chrono them either. When I finished with this next batch of 180JHP Zeros, I will get 200. Depends on when Angus gets them in and my cash flow.

[High Lord Gomer]

Yesterday chrono'd some MG 180 CMJ-TC at 80 degrees through an M&P40. OAL was 1.130.

4.7gr of Titegroup averaged 911 for 163 pf.

4.9gr of Titegroup averaged 929 for 167 pf.

Hmmm...just checked and 4.7 is max published load and will supposedly give 978 fps for a Hornady XTP 180. I got nowhere near that with the MG180.

Ironically, I got better than published speeds out of the 9mm MG 115 JHP than what they list for Speer GDHP.

[Paul Burtchell]

Major- 4.7 grains Titegroup, 180 MG CMJ seated at 1.180 Federal Small Pistol Primers 173 PF

Minor - 3.5 grains 134PF

5" STI Trojan 40 S&W

Edited April 5, 2010 by Paul Burtchell

[8082011]

Yesterday chrono'd some MG 180 CMJ-TC at 80 degrees through an M&P40. OAL was 1.130.

4.7gr of Titegroup averaged 911 for 163 pf.

4.9gr of Titegroup averaged 929 for 167 pf.

Hmmm...just checked and 4.7 is max published load and will supposedly give 978 fps for a Hornady XTP 180. I got nowhere near that with the MG180.

Ironically, I got better than published speeds out of the 9mm MG 115 JHP than what they list for Speer GDHP.

I've noticed that the MG180's need a tenth or so more then the ZERO180's

[LPatterson]

WSF 6.44 MG 155JHP Federal Fed200M G24C H 1104 L 1030 ES 74 SD 17 A 1079 PF 167.2

WSF 6.44 MG 155JHP Federal FedGM200M G24C H 1105 L 1049 ES 56 SD 17 A 1065 PF 165.0

WSF 6.44 MG 155JHP Federal WSP G24C H 1075 L 1039 ES 36 SD 19 A 1057 PF 163.8

AutoComp 7.41 MG 155JHP Federal Fed200M G24C H 1202 L 1149 ES 53 SD 33 A 1180 PF 182.9

AutoComp 7.41 MG 155JHP Federal WSP G24C H 1191 L 1141 ES 50 SD 29 A 1170 PF 181.3

Silhoutte 7.25 MG 155JHP Federal Fed200M G24C H 1113 L 1059 ES 54 SD 16 A 1084 PF 168.0

Silhoutte 7.25 MG 155JHP Federal FedGM200M G24C H 1114 L 1048 ES 66 SD 24 A 1090 PF 168.9

Silhoutte 7.25 MG 155JHP Federal WSP G24C H 1086 L 1040 ES 46 SD 15 A 1067 PF 165.4

VV N350 7.15 MG 155JHP Federal Fed200M G24C H 1120 L 1081 ES 39 SD 10 A 1102 PF 170.9

VV N350 7.15 MG 155JHP Federal FedGM200M G24C H 1127 L 1092 ES 35 SD 11 A 1108 PF 171.8

VV N350 7.15 MG 155JHP Federal WSP G24C H 1111 L 1070 ES 41 SD 13 A 1087 PF 165.8

Universal 5.97 MG 155JHP Federal Fed200M G24C H 1164 L 1130 ES 34 SD 10 A 1144 PF 177.3

Universal 5.97 MG 155JHP Federal WSP G24 H 1171 L 1137 ES 34 SD 11 A 1156 PF 179.1

OAL 1.120

[G-ManBart]

Going to try MG or Zero 180gr set at 1.185 N320 @5.0gr if this sounds right out of a SV AET barrel.

You should be very close to 165-168 pf depending on many factors but right in the zone. Make sure the rounds fit your mags, take the barrel out and ease one down feeling for anything. Then run some dummies thru a mag slow then fast, if it passes all these tests you are good to go crono. Most times in developing a load you will load 4.8gr 5.0, 5.2 and crono each. I always stop when I hit the PF I'm looking for and discard any rounds loaded higher. Start at the bottom and work up calculating the pf at each step, and stopping. Record your crono session in your load book complete with OAL etc.

That may actually be quite a bit hotter than that. 5gr of N320 with a Zero 180gr JHP at 1.200" was over 180PF in my Edge. AET barrels sometimes run a touch slower, but not a whole bunch. R,

[G-ManBart]

Looking for a good load for a new STI Eagle 5.0 in .40 S&W. I plan on using MG 180 grain, but am interested in hearing thoughts on heavier bullet. Looking for soft feel and reliable functioning. Currently using VV320 with 147g MG out of a S&W M&P Pro. Great results. A good recipe would be appreciated.

It makes a difference whether you're using the JHP or FMJ. At the same OAL, FMJ will have lower pressures and velocities compared to JHPs because of the amount of case volume used.

For a starting load with N320, I'd go with 4.6gr at something like 1.200 or that ballpark. R,

[earlbob]

I chrono'd some MG 180 JHP's today. Using Vihta N 340 and a 1.190 OAL 7 shots yielded a 965 average with an ES of 63, SD of 21 and a Power factor of 173. If I toss out the one shot which went 1013 the ES lowers to 15 and the SD would be better also. It would then average a 172 power factor with the new 957 average velocity.

earl

and...this Hoosier hoser welcomes all the friends coming from afar to shoot the SS State in Warsaw this coming April 10/11 2010 weekend. Hope you all have fun and walk away satisfied. wish I could be there.

earl

[Aircooled6racer]

Hello: I like 180 grain Montana Golds and 185 Precision Moly's for a 5" pistol. I tried the 200's and even some 220grain(I think). I found the heavy bullets a little too slow for me. I like the gun quick and snappy to get back on target faster. I use the 180 MG with 4.6grains Tite Group and loaded to 1.180" OAL. I have not tried VV320 yet. The Zero's are faster. Thanks, Eric

[werewolf45auto]

Yesterday chrono'd some MG 180 CMJ-TC at 80 degrees through an M&P40. OAL was 1.130.

4.7gr of Titegroup averaged 911 for 163 pf.

4.9gr of Titegroup averaged 929 for 167 pf.

Hmmm...just checked and 4.7 is max published load and will supposedly give 978 fps for a Hornady XTP 180. I got nowhere near that with the MG180.

Ironically, I got better than published speeds out of the 9mm MG 115 JHP than what they list for Speer GDHP.

In my M&P 40 I had to got to 5.3 grs of Titegroup at OAL 1.140 before I made an avg of 168PF. Forgot to add thats with the MG 180 gr HP

In the next few days I'm going to shoot chrono those out of my new limited gun with a 5" Schuemann just to see the difrance.

Edited April 16, 2010 by werewolf45auto

[furyalecto]

In a Para Ordnance I am using 5.3gr of Solo 1000 with MG 180CMJ at 1.18OAL.

If you wanted to try it I would start much lower than 5.3 as that seems to be at the top of what is needed for 40S&W power factor.

I like Solo 1000. It is cheaper than VV. The gun isn't burning up after shooting a long stage & there isn't much residue. It does seem a little more difficult to meter.