I am going to start loading it very soon as I've finally accumulated enough brass from my shooting sessions. What grain weight bullet and powder do y'all like? I'll be using it for general ranch duties and possible self defense out of an H&K USP .40 and a Springfield XDm .40 4.5". I've had VERY good luck on paper and on hogs with plain old 165 grain FMJ WWB.

Hey T, I load it. I have pistols with conventional rifling so I am shooting 180-grain cast slugs. I normally cast all my own but I decided I'd go commercial with the 40s. I like W231, but there are a ton of powders that will work well no matter which bullet you choose.

If you and your gun like 165s stick with them. Should not be to hard to find a load that duplicates or beats the factory loads you have been using.

I have conventional rifling on the XDm, polygonal on the H&K so I think I'm going to stick with jacketed bullets. Both pistols really seem to like the 165's so now starts the process of looking for bulk bullets. When y'all are loading, have you had any issues with the "bulge" at the base of the shell? I have a Lee Bulge Buster and have been using it for the shell prep without issue, but so far I've yet to run across any of my brass thru either of these pistols that has any signifigant bulge in the first place. I only plan on using my brass as I really don't like the idea of using range pickups or brass thats been shot thru other's pistols.

I have the Redding version of that die, the G-RX I think it's called. I've got a ton of pick-up brass that I'll load up, but the empties will not be picked up when I shoot those. I have other brass I will retrieve and load again. I've run all my .40 brass through it and I think it's a good idea for reliability's sake.

I use the GRX die also. It just insures all bulge is removed from the case and will function in any .40. For bulk 165 fmj bullets try Precision Delta, about $120 per thousand shipped.

I have been using Berry's plated 180gr & Bullseye for practice.
I use factory for the serious stuff.

Another vote for Winchester 231

Awesome, I have some 231 left along with some Universal Clays and Unique. They all look to be excellent choices from what I've found so far. Been looking at the Rainier and the Precision Delta 165's (liking the PD's, I need some .45 ACP 230's as well) so I may give them a try.

ive been using hornady xtp 180grs with unique. I have some 165grs to use but havent got to them yet. I've been using them as targets loads. Not fond of reloading self protection rounds at the moment for concealed carry.

I like Winchest 231/ WST and VV N320 for loading 40. I've been loading the mly coated black pullets from Precision Bullets for years. They don't make a 165, but they do make a 170gr. l

isnt that moly coating hard on barrels?

I'm running Berry's 165's and Titegroup for plinking.

Just made an order with Precision Delta, and all I can say is WOW! Called their 1-800 # and got a very friendly and helpful salesperson. Best of all, (unlike most other places I looked) they currently have everything I needed IN STOCK. Their pricing rocks too, as the shipping fee is already included in the item pricing. Everything is up front and easy to see. We'll see how these bullets perform, I did some research and all I've been able to find so far is good reviews. So now the wait begins.

Precision Delta produces some good bullets at very reasonable prices. I've used both the 9mm and 40 S&W with no issues. Just called on my order placed a week and a half ago and they have not got to it yet. They are behind on orders due to the holidays so don't panic.

Yup, thats what they told me too. I have the order in and have plenty of time so I can get all the brass processed and do some more research on the round. I've been loading .38, .357, some .44 Mag and a lot of .45 ACP over the years, .40 S&W will be a relatively new one for me. Want to try 9mm sometime in the future.

Cool music for sure. I kept waiting for them to show Clint Eastwood draw on somebody.

http://www.precisiondelta.com/

And my 40 loads from Dillon dies have the bulge and work just fine.

I know, right?

I turned my volume all the way down, that music was driving me nuts!

Good to know about the bulge. I guess it's just me being a worry wart wondering about it. I can do a drop in test anyway (drop a loaded round in the chamber after removing the barrel from the pistol).

No, Stick...not really. Once you shoot moly-coated bullets and get the bore coated with the stuff, it can be a bear to get out of there should you decide it might be dertimental to your purposes. That's the only problem with it.

I've never seen a this problem of getting the bore coated with moly and I have 10k + rounds down range from precision bullet. I do enjoy them using sending 70lbs of bullets in a USPS flat rate box as well, but my mail carrier doesn't.

Several firms carry cartridge chamber testers. Only a few dollars.

You might try to purchase 50 bullets that interest you from a fellow THF to make certain they function in both guns before being stuck with bulk purchase that might pose a problem. Should not happen but load long enough and it will eventually occur.

I load 40 cal 180 gr rainier bullets (FP or HP)with titegroup powder. I think I use 4.3 gr or maybe 4.4. I use a lee pro 1000. I tried the 155 and 165 gr bullets and my XDs seemed to fling them all over. With the 180 gr if I do my part and not shake, they land right where I want them to go. I have the xdsc, service and tactical. they all like the 180 gr bullets.

Thanks for the recommendations, y'all. Trying to find more .40 brass, but over time I'm sure I'll accumulate more.

Can't wait to get this going and the test firing to start!

Maybe others can chime in, I load my brass till its dead. Meaning when it cracks or is really deformed ill toss it. I tossed my first round after 10 or so times being loaded only because I thought I should. This bunch I am using I have lost track of the times its been loaded.

What are your thoughts?

Is this a particular brand of brass you are using?