The .40 Is Perfect
Testing cartridges sounds glamorous, but it means spending
days of shooting into ballistic gelatin over chronograph screens.
The .40 was developed after the FBI sought a handgun and cartridge combination that could duplicate or exceed their +P .38 loads but in a semi-auto. They began to adopt the 10mm, but the reduced case volume and recoil of the .40 would allow it to work in 9mm-sized frames and make it more controllable.
I carried a GLOCK 22 with Winchester Black Talon cartridges for duty. It was amazingly effective, and I speak from firsthand knowledge. When subsequent tests determined (incorrectly) the differences in performance between the 9mm and .40 S&W were minor, I was one of the last holdouts, carrying a .40 until retirement.
The truth is, the .40 S&W is perfect. It can launch 155- to 200-grain bullets from the same gun. It has the widest use (defensive pistol, camping gun, concealed carry, etc.) of any other handgun cartridge besides the .357. Some shooters use the .40 to make major pistol. I’ve known some people to carry a .40 for dangerous game, but that goes far beyond its intended design.
The .40 S&W is a steady performer in ballistic gelatin. Even with
moderate loads, it is easy to reach the 12" standard.
Loading The .40 S&W
I used to think the .38 was the easiest thing to load until I discovered the .40. Both the 9mm and .40 have similar pressure standards and similar reloading procedures, so you’ll get the same number of loads from each brass case. In a given load, the amount of powder one uses per cartridge is similar, and they both use small pistol primers, so the only component price difference is the price of bullets. The .40 brass has slightly less taper between the case rim and mouth, which, theoretically, will cause less wear when reloading. Realistically, it is negligible. Because the .40 is about the straightest of straight-walled cartridges, it is the easiest-to-load cartridge for a progressive press like the Dillon XL750.
The problem I have had in the past with loading .40 is the fact most published loads are for jacketed bullets. This is great for shooters who want to draw out the performance of the .40 but is no help to the shooter who loads a lot. Plated bullets are cheaper, and they work in conventional and polygonal rifling. Many manufacturers tell reloaders plated bullet users can use loads for lead bullets, while others tell users to stick to lead load tables for lead bullets. Both statements are partially true, but we really want loads “worked up” using the actual bullets we are going to use.
Lindsey used a Lee Precision 175-grain 6-cavity bullet mold
(90690) and a Lyman 4500 Lube Sizer for practice loads.
This bullet runs well, even in short barrels.
Performance Loading
The .40 S&W will almost always do well in ballistic gelatin tests. If you are loading for performance, always consider overperformance. For example, I managed to load up the Nosler 180 JHP bullets so they expanded well but exceeded 18″ in gelatin. Ideally, the bullet should settle between 12″ to 18″ and retain the full bullet weight when it comes to rest. No one has ever said .40 S&W defensive loads are marginal because they aren’t.
Here are some performance loads for the .40 S&W. Just so you know, these are .40 S&W loads just above idle. They are not “hot loads” by any means.
It is very hard to stunt the performance of the .40, but do not over-crimp to the point of jacket distortion. The RCBS pistol taper crimp die works best for me.
I guess my obsession with the .40 S&W really works against me. Everyone will soon realize how good I have it with reduced prices on brass and components for .40 and a surplus of gun parts. It’s a good thing there is still .45 GAP.
