Mould recommendation for a 40 S&W

[Matt_G]

I have a new to me S&W model SD40 VE.
Actually it's Annie's, as it belonged to her Father who passed in Nov. of 2020.

Anyways, we haven't even shot this thing yet.
I have acquired dies, brass and some J-word bullets for it.
I have a few hundred Hornady XTP 180 grainers.
Going to try them with Blue Dot and hope to see a smooth running and somewhat accurate load here.
(Hopefully this will be a good use for the 5 pounds of BD I have.)
I think it would make a great nightstand gun.

So what cast bullet would you folks recommend that we can use to practice with?
I'm totally new to the 40 caliber world.

Miha's 402-190/180HP looks interesting.
Thoughts and/or suggestions?

 

[Rick H]

I use this to duplicate my carry load for practice.
I usually powder coat it and it runs well in my S&W Shield

 

[Hawk]

I have that mold and use it for my 10 MM.
I would go with a lighter bullet for the 40. Say a 155 to 165 gr.
Blue Dot will give top velocities as well as the biggest muzzle flash you have ever seen and maybe set your curtains on fire ( just kidding about the curtains).
For bedroom use, I would go with something flash suppressed, though those powders tend to eat powder coating.
My practice loads are 165 grain MH hollow points with unique powder.

 

[JonB]

It's tough to beat the Lee 401-175-TC that Rick H posted. It's the one I use.
Some of Lee's designs just plain work well.

 

[popper]

I started with the Lee 175 TC but changed to (accurate) 40-160H flat base. The 40-165F is bevel base and probably easier to load. 180 doesn't leave much room for powder (95% for 7gr BD, @ ~850 fps), 200 would be worse. TC feeds fine in XDm and PX4. Gov says 160gr is best for 40sw. about an extra 100 ft-lb. In either case, unless you use grease lube, the groove is way too deep.
My 9mm bullet is similar to your choice, feeds OK, I just like the larger meplat.
Never used BD but found 231 was much less 'flashy' than cfe pistol. Haven't tested with WSF or RD yet- flash wise. BD doesn't burn complete in 4" barrel. I don't use lino so mine drop heavier than spec'd by about 5 gr.

 

[Ben]

https://www.artfulbullet.com/index.php?threads/my-40-s-w-mould-finally-arrived-today.7431/

 

[MW65]

I have the TL version of the 175gr... haven't loaded up any, but sure makes a buncha castings fast in a 6-banger

 

[Matt_G]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Very good advice from all.

@popper I like the looks of that 40-160H flat base.
I think I have my choice narrowed down to that or this one from Miha:
MP 402-160

I own over a dozen moulds from Miha, but I don't own a single mould from Tom.
I think that right now would be a good time to remedy that oversight.
Or hell, maybe I'll just get both of them.

 

[PGPKY2014]

Matt-G,some very good suggestions ,I have the175 Llee,the 1MP-402_160 and also a Lee 145 swc. Get good results with all of them, but my wife likes 145 the best. Oh .Blue Dot seems to work better for me with upper end loads

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have two favorite bullets. The LEE 401-175TC. (Conventional groove)
Then the old Lyman 180 made for the 38/40.

AA#7 and LongShot are favorite powders. I only use BD for heavy loads.

I also have excellent results with the little LEE 145g but it wouldn't work in my carbines. My G35 LOVED IT!

When I first started shooting a 40 HS-6 was a favorite.

 

[Hawk]

You'll be happy with the 160 Gr. MH mold.
Blue Dot does give great velocities, just bushell basket size fireballs. Not an issue during the day, but can blind you at night.
Try it in the dark sometime.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Ooh I forgot about tha MP mold.

He offers two different profiles of his 160hp. A TC and a RN. I have shot both and they seem same. But I have the RN version and I do like it I just have t used it allot in 40. I have been loading it @ high velocity in 10mm

 

[JonB]

I forgot to mention, long ago, I bought a 160gr RN mold from NOE, it was spec'd for .403 and drops a hair larger than that, which is seemingly typical of everyone of my NOE molds. Anyway, I bought that mold specifically for a Baby Eagle I had in 40 with an oversized polygonal barrel. My daughter claimed that gun long ago and rarely shoots it. She got a bunch of ammo with it, and hasn't asked for any since...so I haven't needed to cast any. I could cast some for my tight chambered Hi-point (the only 40cal I still own), but sizing them down far enough is more than I like to do.
.
Oh, another that I forgot about, I have a real old H&G #6 with dual cavity (two different designs), one side has a neat 40 cal RNFP, but I don't recal exactly what weight it is? probably around 180gr?

 

[CZ93X62]

That Lee 175 TC does good work atop 4.7 grains of WW-231. It runs about 900-925 FPS from the CZ-75, a match for my carry load (WWB 180 HPs).
I seat all of the Lee TC bullets with about .020" of front drive band above the case mouth.

 

[Mainiac]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Very good advice from all.

@popper I like the looks of that 40-160H flat base.
I think I have my choice narrowed down to that or this one from Miha:
MP 402-160

I own over a dozen moulds from Miha, but I don't own a single mould from Tom.
I think that right now would be a good time to remedy that oversight.
Or hell, maybe I'll just get both of them.

That mp160,,is by far the most accurate bullet,in my 10mm,,,158hp,and ive took it over 1500fps,,,still splendid accuracy

 

[Missionary]

We use a TC 200 grain Lee 2 cavity ( two molds the same) so 4 cavities in rotation. Use them in our 2 Glocks (her's & mine), a Springfield P9 and our 2 Kel-Tec 40 SW (Glock mag) model 2000 "fold up's". Excellent feeding and the 200 grain makes a world of difference thwaping into targets of oppertunity cast of .... Range Scrap !
My books are in storage or I would let you know the powders... But Unique and #5 are in there.
The carbines produce a near +300 fps advantage. Easily soda can accurate at 50 yards.

 

[Ian]

I only used the Lee and it worked fine but recoil is crisp with full loads. Make the bullets firm or get/make a custom expanding spud that's near the same size as your bullets or they will squish when seated and lead your barrel. If the barrel has no throat it will probably lead but easy enough to clean out.

If you think BD is flashy, try Power Pistol! It's not yellow-orange, it's magnesium white.