3djedi Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 What are some good powders to look for to make 40 major with? I'm fairly new and the only thing I've tried is CFE pistol with ok results....my supplier is getting a large shipment in next week and I would like some tips on powders to look for. He gets Hodgon's, IMR, and Alliant...... He said he may be getting some tightgroup What he has now: bullseye, unique, IMR PB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Titegroup is a favorite for 40 Major, personally I love Clays (if I could get more I would never try anything else), I just bought some IMR 7625 to try which I expect to be OK, but not as soft as Clays.Where's what I do: I keep the Hodgdon burn rate chart open in one tab, Enos on another and when I see a powder in the range I'm looking for, I search the forum and see what people have to say about it. If nothing comes up it's likely so bad no one wants to admit to even trying it CFE is pretty slow for a non compensated pistol. If you can get Bullseye, I would; Unique and PB should be OK, I've only tried Unique. For your purposes (and those brands) I would recommend Titegroup, Bullseye, or Clays. I like, 700X, but some people really don't; it's a flake powder (like Clays) so it can meter inconsistently in some reloaders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klee Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 N320 or Titegroup if you can find any Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Isn't clays more suited to 40 minor? Universal clays for major? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 you should be able to load long enough to avoid pressure issues with Clays and Major. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 I actually have 2 lbs of 700x. It was the first powder I bought when I bought my press. I tried to load 9mm with it but the powder drop was kind of inconsistent. I remember it shot pretty soft. Might work better with a larger powder drop in 40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 I actually have 2 lbs of 700x. It was the first powder I bought when I bought my press. I tried to load 9mm with it but the powder drop was kind of inconsistent. I remember it shot pretty soft. Might work better with a larger powder drop in 40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob01 Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Titegroup works great for .40 major with the 180s. I make it easily with 180 HAPs and 4.5grns. Also 3grns is a nice light shooting minor load with both 180s and 200s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rokihsa Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I just ran a test group of WST, Titegroup, CFE, and n320. I like the n320 load the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) If you are loading to 1.185 or longer, the ones mentioned will work. If for Striker fired pistol or shorter length, like the normal 1.135, you need to go slower. WSF is the one I like for the shorter loads. Edited July 25, 2014 by MarkCO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Scored 10lbs of titegroup today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Tompkins Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Scored 10lbs of titegroup today! Do tell, where please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 (edited) LGS in overland park KS. Edited July 31, 2014 by 3djedi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZombieHunter Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 (edited) All I use is Clays or Clay Dot for 40 Major, loaded long to 1.20. Don't try to use Clays or Clay Dot within normal OAL specs for 40 S&W. I easily make 175 PF using just about any bullet. I prefer 180 gr. Bayou or BBI coated. SUPER soft shooting. However, I have a ton of that powder and haven't had to buy any for a long time. Based on the list you have available, I'd go with Bullseye. IMO, Titegroup is just just way to harsh in the recoil department; same with CFE Pistol.... at least when you compare it to Clays. I suppose if you're used to it - it might be okay. LGS in overland park KS. Which one? I'm in OP Edited July 31, 2014 by ZombieHunter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob01 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Scored 10lbs of titegroup today! Got 16 pounds being delivered tomorrow. Should last a little while LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxximuss Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I like Tite group, N320, and Silhouette. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike21STI Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Wsf, makes major pretty easily with room to spare, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckDC Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 Wsf, makes major pretty easily with room to spare, Yup. I started off loading .40 with the old Winchester Action Pistol at first, but when that was discontinued, I switched to WSF. I've shot a LOT of that behind the Bear Creek 180 TC bullets. I tested it out way back, even did heat and cold testing to see if that affected it, and so on. Best thing was how low my SD's were, single digits for test lots of 20 rounds. I've run WSF for both 180gr.for Limited and 140's for my Open gun, though it's not optimal for that. I'm going to try AutoComp for the 140s soon and see how that goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grouptherapy Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 I like longshot an autocomp. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howa4au Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 WST has been nice and soft for 40 major for me. Never tried Clays though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Clays if loading long 1.180 to 1.200 WST is real soft Tite Group is quick if you like a fast cycle feel WSF will work I use Unique as a 180 practice load, cause I have a bunch of it, though it is accurate and comfortable to shoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMike Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) I just loaded up some 180 gr X-treme FMJ and 180 gr Black Bullets (40SW) with some Alliant BE-36. I had never heard of this powder but it is supposed to be good for 9mm & 40SW. Alliant's website recommended 6.6 gr for 180 gr projectiles but I started with 5.9-6.0 gr. and 6.2-6.3 gr to test/chronograph. I am glad I didn't go any higher. I was getting an average of 985 fps & 1022 respectively. OAL was 1.19-1.20. I calculate about 957 fps avg at 5.8 gr & that will make a PF of approximately 172. I am pleased with the powder. It didn't seem smoky at all. I haven't loaded any 9mm yet but I think it should do just fine. Ymmv. Edited September 9, 2014 by JMike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hcf1976 Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 I'm using Titegroup and IMR 7625 with 180gr BB 40cal and is working great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMike Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 (edited) My calculations were a bit off but I ended up settling on 6.1 gr of the BE-86. PF 172-175 with X-treme 180 CP FMJ.So far, I am really pleased with this load and the powder has been fairly easy to obtain locally. Edited September 14, 2014 by JMike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grouptherapy Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 (edited) I just loaded up some 180 gr X-treme FMJ and 180 gr Black Bullets (40SW) with some Alliant BE-36. I had never heard of this powder but it is supposed to be good for 9mm & 40SW. Alliant's website recommended 6.6 gr for 180 gr projectiles but I started with 5.9-6.0 gr. and 6.2-6.3 gr to test/chronograph. I am glad I didn't go any higher. I was getting an average of 985 fps & 1022 respectively. OAL was 1.19-1.20. I calculate about 957 fps avg at 5.8 gr & that will make a PF of approximately 172. I am pleased with the powder. It didn't seem smoky at all. I haven't loaded any 9mm yet but I think it should do just fine. Ymmv. Alliant gives max load. Ya have to back off and start. Good thing you did. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited September 14, 2014 by grouptherapy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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