What Is Safe 40 Lead Load

[Armando Q]

Good morning folks:

I am looking a for a SAFE lead .40 SW load using the following components:

1. Bear Creek 180gr lead truncated cone molly coated bullets

2. Winchester Brass

3. Tight Group

4. Federal primers

Does any one know of any published data for lead loads in SW 40?

Would loading 10mm brass be any safer?

Thanks,

Armando

[sargenv]

Good morning folks:

I am looking a for a SAFE lead .40 SW load using the following components:

1. Bear Creek 180gr lead truncated cone molly coated bullets

2. Winchester Brass

3. Tight Group

4. Federal primers

Does any one know of any published data for lead loads in SW 40?

Would loading 10mm brass be any safer?

Thanks,

Armando

For shooting 180 bear creeks in 40, I seat them to 1.180" and load 3.5 TG for minor and 4.7 TG for major. 4.7 is Max for TG. Though the 610 could probably handle more, I'd stick with book max. I think I discussed things with you yesterday @ Richmond. I've found that the 40 seated long is no harder to load than any other cartridge. There is little chance to mess up the 610 since the cylinder is so beefy. 10 mm brass would not be any safer really since you'd have to deep seat the bullets to make it under Max overall length. You would also require large pistol primers. I generally load my 40's-180 bear creeks to 1.180" so that if they jump the crimp or otherwise work their way loose, they still have ample room to move before seizing up the cylinder or causing cylinder issues. You may not have this problem though.

I'm actually going to play with 140 gr round nose Bear creeks. The TC's are ok, but don't drop into the cylinders that great. I switched to the plated West coast RN-FP's for that reason. Dan mentioned that Barry's makes a 180 RN but I've not tried any of those. I tried some 185 gr 1911 RN lead bullets made by Lasercast and hated them due to the smoke they made. As I recall, accuracy wasn't that great either.

Vince

Edited January 23, 2006 by sargenv

[Armando Q]

Vince:

Thanks for the advise.

We did speak yesterday. I was not sure what bullets were availabe and, I was not specific. Any way, I want to try Bear Creak as they are what I have been shooting out of my model 19.

You mention the "book max". Which book? I am trying to build my library and was unabel to find load data for lead.

Thanks,

Armando

[sargenv]

That would probably be more a Web site based "book". Hodgdon lists 4.7 as a max load for TG on their web site and probably in their free loading manual. I was using this load as a max load for my Para P16 in 40 for Bear creeks in the past as well. I seat those to 1.180". If I change up from Winchester to Federal primers I can load my IPSC Major load in my 610 for Revolver Major. 4.7 of TG is what a lot of people use for various bullets in their S_I's, Paras, etc. I've never had any pressure signs with Bear Creeks, West coast 180's, or fully jacketed bullets like Zeros.

Vince