Throwin Lead Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 (edited) I'm trying to find the right powder that would work well as a minor load using 185 Precision bullets in 40SW. Tried Clays and the accuracy isn't there. Currently using TG but I have issues with the smoke, lots of smoke. I talked with Dave Long from Precision and he thinks the TG may be too hot as a minor load burning into the coating at the bullet base causing smoke. The weapon is fine - no signs of lead fouling - so that's not an issue. How do I select a powder from here? Do I look at the burn rate chart and select a powder that is not as hot as TG (burn rate - 12) and try it? Should I try WST (burn rate - 20th) or Universal Clays(burn rate-36) or something in between? Any thoughts on powder to try? Current TG load is Primer:WSP, 4.0gr TG, 185 gr Precision bullet, OAL 1.125 making 150 PF out of my MP40 (4.25" barrel) 4.0 gr TG is the accuracy sweet spot for my weapon. If I changed OAL to 1.130 would that help? Edited July 7, 2007 by Throwin Lead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinMike Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 I think that the Clays family is generally a bit smoky, regardless of bullet used. I use Clays in .45 and Universal Clays in .40 with FMJ or coated bullets and the smoke doesn't really bother me. IIRC, N320 was less smoky, but I'm too cheap to buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoshidaex Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 you may try Vihta Vuori (sp?) powder a try. A bit on the pricey side but very clean burning. I'm cheap so I just live with the filth and smoke from H company powders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wide45 Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 Try the WST. It's known for less smoke with lead than Clays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxtrotuniformlima Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 On a budget ? Try WST Money less of a concern ? VV N320 I think the VV meters a little better so when you are trying to get consistent loads where the charge is light, the VV will be more consistent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viggen Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 WST is a fine powder for the 40. My preference is WSF. Both WST and WSF are cost effective, available, and clean burning. I like WSF for it is a little slower than WST but the I also tend to run 200 grain bullets. Either WSF or WST are fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kz45 Posted July 7, 2007 Share Posted July 7, 2007 I load 4.9 gr. VV340, 185 precision OAL. 1.165, I don't see any smoke at all, and its very accurate out of an 5in.EDGE Price really isn't that bad, I found 4lbs.keg for $98,I like it so that little bit of price difference is no big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Hello: Try the Tite group again using only 3.5 grains and a OAL of 1.140. It should make minor and not smoke that bad. Let us know how it works for you. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kz45 Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Hay Throwin Lead. I don't no what I was thinking, your looking for minor loads The load I gave VV340 makes major 171PF sorry about that, i hope this didn't mess you up. KZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnikoley Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I'm trying to find the right powder that would work well as a minor load using 185 Precision bullets in 40SW.Tried Clays and the accuracy isn't there. Currently using TG but I have issues with the smoke, lots of smoke. I talked with Dave Long from Precision and he thinks the TG may be too hot as a minor load burning into the coating at the bullet base causing smoke. The weapon is fine - no signs of lead fouling - so that's not an issue. How do I select a powder from here? Do I look at the burn rate chart and select a powder that is not as hot as TG (burn rate - 12) and try it? Should I try WST (burn rate - 20th) or Universal Clays(burn rate-36) or something in between? Any thoughts on powder to try? Current TG load is Primer:WSP, 4.0gr TG, 185 gr Precision bullet, OAL 1.125 making 150 PF out of my MP40 (4.25" barrel) 4.0 gr TG is the accuracy sweet spot for my weapon. If I changed OAL to 1.130 would that help? No matter what powder you select, you won't get away from the smoke with a lead or moly bullet. Use a Total metal jacket, Jacketed hollow point, or plated bullet to solve the smoke problem. Whatever bullet you choose, you don't want any exposed lead at the base of the bullet. The smoke is coming from the lube and lead being vaporized/burned. I use tg combined with plated bullets in my 40 loads and have no smoke, whatsoever. Its easy to spot shooters using lead or moly bullets cause all the smoke when they shoot. It's not the powder. Stick with the tg, change the bullet. Jason A16273 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA Friday Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I have little to no experience with 40 minor, but from what I found with 9mm minor precisions your best bets for cutting down the smoke will probably be Solo 1000, WST, and WSF. I would even consider tinkering around with Solo 1250 and see what you can see too. The VV's would probably be decent also, but definately more expensive. 40 Major, I had pretty decent luck with Universal Clays and keeping the smoke to an acceptable level, but never tried it with a minor pf load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Throwin Lead Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Since posting this topic last year I have tried both WST and Solo 1000. I liked them both but chose on WST as it was available to buy in bulk in my area. The smoke factor is less than with TG, but there is still some smoke. Both powders work well with cast lead bullets as well. The load I use is 3.5 gn of WST, WSP primer, OAL 1.135 using a 180 gn bullet (Masterblaster or cast). That load makes a consistent 135 PF out of my M&P. When I was testing with Solo 1000 I found that the charge weight relationship to WST was similar to one another. IIRC the same load using S1000 made about the same PF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tk4 Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Since posting this topic last year I have tried both WST and Solo 1000. I liked them both but chose on WST as it was available to buy in bulk in my area. The smoke factor is less than with TG, but there is still some smoke. Both powders work well with cast lead bullets as well.The load I use is 3.5 gn of WST, WSP primer, OAL 1.135 using a 180 gn bullet (Masterblaster or cast). That load makes a consistent 135 PF out of my M&P. When I was testing with Solo 1000 I found that the charge weight relationship to WST was similar to one another. IIRC the same load using S1000 made about the same PF. If solo 1000 had been available in bulk would you have chosen it, or were the two pretty equal? I am having good luck with solo 1000 in 40, but I'm finding it has a little too much volume to make minor with some bullets in 9mm. At least through my 9mm 2011. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben b. Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I'm making a 135 PF .40 load with 3.5 gr Solo1000 and a 170 gr LSWC, from a 4" barrel. Noticeably less smoke than my W231 attempt, didn't even notice smoke at a recent IDPA state match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghawk249 Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 I just started to use WST @ 4.2 grains with a 180 gr moly coated bullet. Very accurate out of my xd 40. I was using Titegroup but did not like the smoke and was experincing pressure spikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kildar Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 I'm using WST with Bear Creek 180 gr TC. Very little smoke compred to TG and as posted earlier the price is right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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