Jimbo76 Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Hello, Just getting started in USPSA and have an STI Edge in .40. I was wondering what the cheapest load combination would be for .40 to make major power factor. I have a Dillon 650 and have been loading .45 using WST powder for years. Mainly lead SWCs. So do I use lead, copper ? What grain bullet and type. And what is the preferred powder for the sport. Thanks in advance ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEH Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 welcome,,and that is a good question but,,powder primers,bullet,comb.are almost endless,,me I use wst powder 4.8gr,Bayou 180gr bullets loaded at 1.185,,works for me,, I also like zero 180 gr bullets,tightgroup powder,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankl03 Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 +1 I have been using Xtreme 180 Gr plated, rnfp with 4.5 gr tight group. I haven't used WST. I may try some lead bullets at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo76 Posted August 28, 2012 Author Share Posted August 28, 2012 So it looks like 180 grain seems to be popular. I am thinking of trying some of Penn Bullets or Missouri hard cast lead, pretty resonable. Thoughts ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKT1106 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Lots of people like the 180g bullets with either Tite Group or N320. Since you want economical, try Tite Group first. Also, if you have a recoil master on your Edge, try a full length guide rod and a few different springs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSteel Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 +1 on WST with Bayou Coated 180gr @ 1.18 oal. Clean, accurate and cheaper. Temp sensitive so chrono @ temp extremes. I recently drank the cool aid and switched to N320 but your going to spend more going that route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaster113 Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 180 grain bullets worked great in the two 5 inch guns I had. I'm partial to Solo 1000 with moly bullets, 4.7/4.8 grains is what I used to use with BBI 180s at 1.180 for about 168-170 pf. 4.8 grains of N320 with a 180 gr jhp was my go to match load, very soft shooting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biloxi23 Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 185 grain Precision Moly, 5.0 grains of WSF, COAL of 1.185 for STI. 185 grain Precision Moly, 4.7 grains of WSF, COAL of 1.140 for Glock with Lone Wolf Barrel I like WSF, but keep in mind it is reverse temp seisitive: the hotter the ambient temp, the lower your velocity gets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KTKlaus Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 (edited) I have tried Montana Gold, Hornady HAP, Berry, etc. all 180gr. usually behind VVN320. I use to use Tightgroup, but found it dirty and a little snappy. Figure whats best for you (price & load feel) and the gun. My current load is Hornady 180gr HAP or MG 180gr JHP over 4.9gr of VVN320 at 1.18OAL. Gives me a PF of 168 out of my Edge. Edited August 31, 2012 by KTKlaus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinQ Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 I shoot IPSC with an STI Edge (5" BBL) in .40S&W. Where I come from, you cannot use lead bullets in matches. Only plated or jacketed bullets are allowed. I'm not sure if it's the cheapest load, but it works well for me. Clean burning and good accuracy. - Berry's RS-DS bullets 180gr - VV N320 5,15gr - OAL is 29,1mm - Federal small pistol primers - Mixed brass - A little bit of crimp to avoid setback. My power factor is around 172-173 (at 15 degrees C). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globesmasher17 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Very interesting reading - thanks for the contributions folks. Just wondering if I could get some additional input from you all on the same sort of topic/thread. Shooting an STI Edge, 5" bbl in 40 S&W. It is "stock" out of the box so it comes with the factory STI 5" recoil master. It's still new (about to move out of IPSC production in IPSC standard). I would like to load to "just make major" PF in IPSC somewhere in the 170-175 range, plus or minus. Anybody have any advice and suggestions when using: 200 Grain, Berry TMJ Silhouette powder Federal small pistol primers Mixed brass. Also, with that in mind, what is a reliable OAL for the Edge? Any thoughts and advice for this noob would be appreciated and welcome. Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalaur Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 For the OAL on the edge, most jacketed bullets you can load out past 1.180, I've even loaded to 1.240. For lead, it really depends on your barrel, and the profile of the bullet. Generally you can still be in the 1.160-1.180 with lead. Missouri makes great bullets, I've used the 170gr LSWC and the 180gr LTC. About 4.8gr of WST at 1.170 should get those near major. For jacketed, MTG 180 JHPs I load with 5.2 to 5.9(CAUTION: my jug of powder is slow) at 1.230 or so. For a minor load, 3.8gr of WST behind a 180gr FMJ at 1.180 is about 128PF out of my gun. WST is reverse temp sensitive, It'll slow down as temps go up. Be aware of this if its excessively cold or hot. Biggest thing with 40 loading major is start low and go slow, load up and CHRONO your loads. Watch primers for pressure signs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globesmasher17 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Many thanks for the OAL confirmation. I had read in some other threads in this forum that folks seem to agree on a long OAL for the STI EDge. Consensus seems to be in the 1.18 - 1.20 range. I'm going to avoid lead bullets (for one reason or another) and stick with the jacketed Berrys since they are readily available and not too expensive from our source here. Thanks for the 180 Grain recommendations. Anybody have any 200 Grain recommendations ... or "starting point" for a recipe? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EkuJustice Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 Bayou bullets are cheap give good accuracy and are cleaner than lead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paopao Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 So far the best for sit edge is 180gr, 4.5 to 4.7 load and 1.180 OAL? Thats what most of here are using... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
assaulter Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Don't be surprised if lead bullets stick in your barrel and don't chamber properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcc96 Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Currently running 5.5 grains WST..JHP 165 zeros at 1.175....I run this load in both 5" and 6" PF in the 5"approximately 172 slightly higher in the 6" no signs of over pressure and very happy with the performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonglee0507 Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 i use 200 gr head with 4.2 ziira 3 or 4.2 n320 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASE772 Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 4.7 gr WST with 180 Bayou loaded to 1.185 (170 PF) 4.7 gr WST with 185 Precision loaded to 1.185 (174 PF) Both out of STI Edge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcarpenter82 Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Just my load and it works in my 5" STI Edge 4.9g of WST Xtreme 180g OAL is 1.175" Got an average that would make major. I may bump it to 5.0g in the summer to combat the reverse temps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waterfowl-widowmaker Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 180 gr bayou bullets. well worth the extra money over lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonglee0507 Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Ot They say that 180 gr has more felt recoil bec it requires more powder load as compared to 200 gr To make the pf in 200 gr i put 4.2g of n320. And in 180 gr i put 4.8g so is it safe to say that more powder more recoil? Thanks Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSCaster2 Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Don't be surprised if lead bullets stick in your barrel and don't chamber properly. Ignorant post if I've ever heard one, great contribution. In my 5" Edge I love the 200gr LRN loaded with N320 or WST... People have said "no way these make major" a time or two when letting them try a few rounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSCaster2 Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 I'm over 25,000 rounds with zero malfunctions with our 200gr LRN by the way............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskapopo Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Don't be surprised if lead bullets stick in your barrel and don't chamber properly. Operator error issues. You need to be smarter than the bullet your loading. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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