Range day and new reloads...

Servant68

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Took out my XDS 40 and M&P40C to run through the latest batch of reloads. Not impressive at all.

Did all testing at 25yds using a rest. Wind might have been a factor with a cross breeze at about 10-15mph.

The XDS loves the lighter bullets and I always get much better groups no matter the load. However, with the WSF and 180gr cast boolits, it was disastrous. Actually got key-holing!

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Better with the 155gr XTPs and 6.5grs of WSF, but still not as good as my Titegroup loads.

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Recoil with both loads was substantial and noticeably sharper than with anything with Titegroup.

The M&P40C did a little better with both 180gr and 155gr.

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Shot my favorite Titegroup load at 25yds, then some WWB and some Blazer aluminum cased junk to see how they all compared.

My best group ever at 25yds with the XDS was a little 1 3/4" using WWB. Could not duplicate it today. Fliers kept getting me.

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Looks like I'll stick with my Titegroup for now. Which is too bad since I only load for .40 S&W and .45 Colt and WSF isn't listed for any .45 Colt loads. I am considering getting a 10mm, so maybe the WSF will work in it...
 

Divide

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I haven't ever loaded for 40 S&W specifically but have real good results with the faster powders in short barreled pistols. Unique works good in almost anything, and I've had good results with 231 & Bullseye too. Give those a try.
 
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Divide

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For the 45 Colt I use a 255 gr SWC and 8.0 gr of Unique, that's my accuracy load in my 5.5" BH. One ragged hole dead center. I chronographed that load and it was at 830 FPS/ 7 FPS AD/ 33 FPS ES

Are you having any leading problems with it?
 
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Servant68

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I have a Ruger BH Bisley with the 5.5" barrel and the cylinder needs honed for consistency before I get too serious working up loads for it. Just haven't got around to sending off the cylinder yet. Did some load development using Lil' Gun and Unique but wanted to get the cylinder done before I go any further. Haven't noticed any leading issues at all so far, but I shoot jacketed bullets after the cast stuff, so I assume they tend to clean it out.
 
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Divide

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I've a few guns that have never tasted a jacketed bullet. I did have leading problems back in the day and listened to all that horse manure about keeping it below 1000 fps and it didn't help much at all. But someone told me to try oversizing the bullets, and voila all my leading probs disappeared! Happy day there!

I'm beginning to try 2400 in the 45 Colt because it works so well in a lot of 44 loads. Time will tell on that.
 
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Servant68

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I cleaned my pistols last night and did notice some leading in the M&P. Real light, though.

I don't think I've ever seen a gas check boolit for the .40. My 300gr .45 Colt bullet is gas check capable, but haven't needed to use any yet.
 
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Divide

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I use Lyman's excellent 452424 255gr mostly in my 45 Colt and I do have a 325 gas check mould too that I've used some that has the dual crimping grooves for use in the 454
I used to have a FA mdl# 83 but someone stole it.
cowboy%20gun%20shooting%20smiley.gif


You might want to shoot the jacketed bullets first before shooting up the lead when you go to the range with your .40. I had a Glock 21 for a long time and I fed it 1000's of lead bullets. I know they say that you're not supposed to shoot lead out of Glocks, but I never had a problem with it because the 45acp is less than about half the pressure than the 9mm's are, and I'd shoot the jacketed first, then clean it good. But I'm pretty sure that your 40 S&W is up there in pressure too. I think that's how a lot of them 9mm glocks blew up, guys shooting their lead first and then jacketed behind it to blow it out of the barrel. You proably don't have to worry about it because you prolly dont have that weird rifling like glock uses. I gave my glock to my son who don't reload so it was a non issue plus just to be nice.
 
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Servant68

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I can't believe I can't find a 155gr or 196gr bullet mold for the .40 or 10mm for use in plinking ammo for my XDS. I'm considering buying a 10mm Glock G29 and then an extended Lone Wolf barrel for woods carry, then my 180gr mold can crank out all the plinking bullets I'll ever need.

Might have to try and find some good cheap jacketed bullets for plinking in the XDS.
 
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GeorgeJ

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I cleaned my pistols last night and did notice some leading in the M&P. Real light, though.

I don't think I've ever seen a gas check boolit for the .40. My 300gr .45 Colt bullet is gas check capable, but haven't needed to use any yet.
Ever consider powder coating?
 
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Servant68

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Yeah... I should have said one that is a reasonable cost... I have three or so Lee molds and one RCBS. One Saeco would cost more than all of my other molds combined, LOL.

Over the past few months since I got into reloading, I've already spent more on reloading equipment and materials than I ever have on ammo over the past 20 years.

But it is relaxing and fun... Never could have done it when I was married. The ex-wife would have run the numbers and shut me down. :D
 
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Servant68

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I went online and found the cheapest decent 165gr bullets on Midway at about $15 for 100. Selected them in my cart and the shipping was $8.50. So, it would cost me $23.50 for 100 cheap plinking bullets.

I can go to my local Wal-Mart and buy the Hornady XTP 155gr hollow points which my XDS loves, for $22 per 100...

Maybe if you buy in large quantities then the shipping cost evens out. But, brass costs me about $24 per 100. So, I have about $.60 per round in my XTP reloads (using fresh brass) and to buy a comparable defense round costs about $.85 a round.

If I just buy cheap WWB FMJ 165gr, then it's around $.35 a round, and I get to reuse the brass. So it's nearly a wash for plinking ammo using produced bullets.

Now, for my .45 Colt and my planned 10mm, it is a no-brainer. My BlackHawk loves cast boolits and store prices around here for the cheapest plinking ammo are $.70 a round. For the Buffalo Bore Had Cast that I have re-created with my 300gr hard cast boolits costs $1.60 a round in the store...
 
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