Load Charge amount?

[JADB]

Got a friend who reloads who seems to be struggling to find out this out. Maybe somebody here can help. Here is what he is trying to load.

175 grain STHP (silver tip hollow point) made by Winchester
He is using nicket plated starline brass w/Power Pistol Powder

Can't seem to find any data on the proper load charge. Caliber is .40 S&W.

 

[robin303]

Have you tried their website:Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

 

[JADB]

Have you tried their website:Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

Yea, just didnt see anything for a 175 gr

 

[robin303]

Use the 180 data and start at the light loads or 165 data and work your way up 0.02 grains at a time.

 

[robin303]

One of my books say with a 180 gr boolit to start off at 4.6 at 800 FPS up to 6.8 at 1000 FPS.
If I was going to reload this I would start maybe 5.5 and work up and use a chrono to check.
I would just load 10 at a time and test. Nothing worse is to pull loads.

 

[Texas1911]

Yea, just didnt see anything for a 175 gr

Generally speaking ... for an FMJ / JHP you can measure the OAL of the bullet and gauge it against a known load. The idea is that for a set cartridge OAL the higher grain count bullets will seat deeper in the case, negating volume. This causes a faster pressure rise for any powder, and as such you'll want to cut down the powder charge.

Not only that, but the bigger grain weight bullets will remain in the barrel longer, so it's subjected to the pressure generated for a longer period of time. Essentially the powder charge is more efficient in a short barrel firearm like a pistol.

 

[DubiousDan]

Lyman 48th Edition lists 6.0 grains as a starting load and 6.7 grains as a max load for the 175 grain STHP using Winchester cases and Winchester small pistol primers.

 

[Texasjack]

A 175 gr. bullet is less than 3% lighter than a 180 gr. bullet. Lyman lists exactly the same loads for both.

The best powder for .40 S&W is Longshot. Even at the low end of the loading range, velocities are near factory loads. When he works through that Power Pistol, tell him to give Longshot a try.

 

[JADB]

I think he started with the 180gr specs and worked down. Thanks for all the responses guys!