10ring Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 I'm getting ready to start loading for a .40 Limited gun. What loads are the pros using these days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 I would guess 180 gr JHP's with fast powders like N320, N330, Titegroup, Clays and the like. I really don't think it matters what someone else is using, what matters is what (1) functions reliably in your gun and (2) what load combo you are able to shoot the best in terms of tracking the sights in recoil and followthrough/recovery. Just my $.02, other opinions my differ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted October 6, 2002 Share Posted October 6, 2002 What gun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Olhasso Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 I'm not a pro but: Clays with a 180gr is my favorite load in the 40. If the 'best' accuracy is a must (as in 50yard standards), then I use 7625. Titegroup has gained a following, but I don't like how blasty it is. 320 works very well, but hits harder (in my gun) than does the clays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Moore Posted October 7, 2002 Share Posted October 7, 2002 according to the poll in last years front site magazine was 180gr projectiles made by montana gold and vihtavouri powders. this poll was also taken at the 2002 factory gun nationals, look for it to come out in a furture edition of front site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10ring Posted October 8, 2002 Author Share Posted October 8, 2002 Thanks for the info.... The gun in question is built around an SV frame/slide with a tungsten sleeved scheuman barrel and tungsten guide rod. I'm sure there's a lot to it. I was hoping that there was some magic load that worked "the best" most of the time so I didn't have to buy a selection of powders and bullets in search of the perfect combination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Merricks Posted October 8, 2002 Share Posted October 8, 2002 Quote: from David Olhasso on 10:24 am on Oct. 7, 2002I'm not a pro but: You sure about that. Your name is up towards the top most of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Olhasso Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 I'm sure I'm not a pro. This sport costs me many $$ to play just like to majority of the shooters. Last year was the first year I had any sort of sponsorship and that was from Blade-Tech for my production & idpa holsters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebraketurn Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 lighten up...he's giving you a complement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted October 9, 2002 Share Posted October 9, 2002 180g bullet from Zero, Montana Gold, West Coast, Berry's, or Star... no lead. V.V. 320 or TightGroup NO brass marked "F C" or "A-MERC" The 40 is a fairly high pressure round. The powders used are fast. Be careful, work up, watch for pressue. (The use of the Lee FCD (Fatory Crimp Die) seems to help ensure that the bullet is held in the case with neck tension...thus, helping to prevent bullet set-back, which would raise pressure.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10ring Posted October 10, 2002 Author Share Posted October 10, 2002 Thanks again Flexmoney! You're just a wealth of information! First the Marvel conversion unit, now .40 Limited loads! Wow!!! I was thumbing through a old American Handgunner magazine last night and came across an article on the 2000 Nationals. 3 out of 4 shooters used a 180 gr bullet and 3 out of 4 used VV N-320. The forth one in both cases was not the same. Anyway looks like a trend to me which lines up with what you said. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Olhasso Posted October 10, 2002 Share Posted October 10, 2002 I agree w/ flex. 1. NO FC, Federal, or A-Merc Brass. 2. Insure you have enough crimp to avoid bullet setback. 3. Try the various powders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sterling White Posted October 10, 2002 Share Posted October 10, 2002 Try this for starters... 200 gn west coast or star fmj w/ n320, start at 4.3 on then work up...4.4 made major on the chrono in my hotrod. Use small rifle primers. Careful with brass! Just finished 2000 rounds of this, gun track excellent, cycle rate great. Thumbs up! Now trying 180's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10ring Posted October 12, 2002 Author Share Posted October 12, 2002 Does everyone recommend small rifle primers for the 40 S&W loading? I've just recently started loading 38 Super +P for compensated gun and learned that small rifle primers were the way to go for that hot-rodded round. I didn't realize the same should be done for the .40 as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 10ring, I use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSeevers Posted October 12, 2002 Share Posted October 12, 2002 Small rifle is good. Some loads are 30,000+ cups. I load more Super so its less to worry about ie mixing regular primers in your Super loads. One primer for all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtypool40 Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 OK, I'm new here so go easy......what's difference between Rifle and pistol of the same size. They are the same price, what am I looking to gain. No, really, I am asking an honest question. Do I have to change charge weight with them? Also on the loading question, on STI/SV guns, they seem to like oal of 1.200+ Mine ain't finicky in much else, but VV320 / West Coast seems to be the best combo for me. Cleanest too. And I think the West Coast is the cheapest way to go "Lead Free" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chriss Grube Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 The SR has a thicker cup which prevents primer flow and the flame is a little hotter to iginite bigger charges of powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Anderson Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 Is 320 still good with standard length 40 loads? (as opposed to the long 1911 40 loads) It would be good if we specify which in our 40 load discussions. Course, Kyle and I may be the only ones not using 1911s... SA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sterling White Posted October 13, 2002 Share Posted October 13, 2002 Also, here's a trick for shooting once fired brass or glock brass out of the 40. If your using a dillon die or any other, take about 200th's off the base of the sizing die. I did this with a shop grinder. This will insure that most of the bulge at the base of the shell will be covered. STI/SV guns are very particular, once you get this done then case check. You should be able to elimate many problems by doing this little trick. Rifle primers are the way to go. Have a variety of applications from pistols to rifles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norfra Posted October 18, 2002 Share Posted October 18, 2002 Hi David Olhasso What would the oal of your 180 bullets be when using clays powder. I like the clays powder and would like to give it a try in my 40 cal, but I am told the pressures are to high? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sterling White Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 Results of the last 1200 rounds. N320 4.8 with 180 west coast bullets seem to work just fine in the STI 2011 limited gun. Making major, great slide rate, good track, and its clean burn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Olhasso Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 My OAL is 1.200. I have a friend who uses a 1.180 OAL with Clays as well. Just make sure your chamber is fully supported is you are going to use clays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtm Posted October 30, 2002 Share Posted October 30, 2002 WOW: I don't usualy post over here but this is what works for me in 3-gun competition. A West Coast 200 gr. bullet and 4.5 grs of WW 231. This makes major, "just", out of my S.T.I. and seems to have the benifit of heavy bullet/ fast powder soft felt recoil. I hate to say I use about any brass, and small pistol primers. Matter of fact almost all my brass is Federal. I sort brass by how the primer "feels" when seated and loose ones are reserved for practice durring snowy months ( fire and forget). I chamber check ALL my match ammo and so far seem to get about 7-10 reloadings per case. This probable doesn't help but it has worked for me. KURT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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