Hodgdon Universal powder for Limited .40cal

[Mell531]

Hi Shooters,

In the last three years the cost of reloading ammo has gone up, as you all know. I'm replacing some of the components I use with items that are just as good but cost less. I've switched from using Montana Gold bullets to Rainier's. My favorite Limited .40cal powder load was Vihtavuori N-330 6.5grs, shot in my G35. I just ordered 8lb. of Hodgdon's Universal powder to replace the N-330. If you have worked up a load using Universal for IPSC Limited division would you please give me your info/feedback on this powder, thanks.

DVC,

Mell

[TBeazlie]

5.1 gr u. clays under a precision 180 gr tc out of a p 16-40. Oal 1.180. Not sure how it does in a glock however.

[davidwiz]

Been using Universal for the past 4 years or so in my .40 w/ 180gr bullets. Works well. You can find load data at Jeff Maass' reloading page.

[Guest Larry Cazes]

Mell, I found Uclays to be way too slow for optimum performance for major .40 loads. The recoil and muzzle rise were very large and would have limited the amount I would have practiced. Try something faster such as Hodgdon Titegroup or Winchester WST. I have been using WST for more than a year with excellent results, muzzle rise and velocity stats are very similiar to N320 and I have friends who swear by TG.

[bulm540]

Larry,

CAre to sheare your data with WST. I am using MG 180s + 320s. I am on my last 2 pounds of VV 320. Not sure if I want to continue using VV 320s since their cost have gone up. Either way somethings gotta give. be it bullets or powder. Thanks.

[DaBlaster]

I've used universal clays for the last 8 years , and it always makes major regardless the temperature!! I use 5.1 at factory length. It gets my Vote!!!!

Manny

[Mell531]

Thanks for all the info Guys, I feel that I need a fast velocity bullet for moving and or swinging targets so I use a 155gr. PFP Rainier or 155gr. JHP MG .40cal bullet at 1.125OAL. The velocity is about 1100 which will get me to about 170PF. I see most Limited shooters are using 180gr. bullets to tame recoil and muzzle rise but 950V x 180gr. = 171PF and that is to slow for the way I shoot. The Montana Gold 155gr. JHP and the V V N-330 worked well together. I'm hoping that the Universal powder and the Rainier 155gr. PFP will work as good. I shoot Open and Limited division and never use Glock barrels in any of my four Glocks, they are all KKM barrels.

DVC,

Mell

[toddrod]

Just so happen that I loaded up some 155 LRN bullets and 6.3 of Universal last week and it made major but don't remember the FPS as I chronoed about 25 loads that day. I do remember plenty of flames coming out of the end of the barrel with that load and it was very snappy. This was shot out of a P16-40 stock barrel.

Hope this helps.

[Mell531]

.40cal Limited Load

Thanks for all your help Guys,

I just received my shipment from Powder Valley and I'm going to try and work up a load for my Limited G35 w/KKM barrel. I'll start at 5.7grs of Universal and work my way up, using the Rainier 155gr.PFP bullets.

DVC,

Mell