bullet selection for 40 S&W

[hardertr]

I plan to shoot my first match in a couple of weeks, and I would like to start using "cheaper bullets".  I don't know much about lead and plated bullets, but would like to switch to save a little money.  I understand these loads need to be kept under 1200 fps to avoid using a gas check.

Brass Plus, Hunter's Supply, Magtech, Meister, Oregan Trail, Rainier..any suggestions??

[Patriot_1776]

As for plated bullets, Rainier and Berry's Mfg. are both very good. I believe the Rainier's are a few cents less, and therefore are the more money-saving of the two; but I like Berry's because of their cosmetics, I guess. Berry's bullets look shinier to me, and the shape of their 45cal. 230gr. Plated RNs are the more "traditional" look (like a gumdrop) in my opinion.

As for cast bullets, my experience is limited to Oregon Trail only. As far as I know, they are a little on the expensve side. But, I recommend that you stick with the plated bullets (either Rainier or Berry's, they're both very good) if you want to shoot a lot, keep prices down, and reduce the possibility of lead exposure a great deal all at once.

If one wants to shoot almost dirt cheap, then swaged lead is the way to go; but the downside is lead exposure, leading in the barrel is common if velocities are not watched, etc.

Both brands do plate their bullets 100%, so there is no lead exposed at the base or anything. One thing I noticed though is I don't think the velocity cap is too much to worry about with plated bullets. I've used the 230gr. Rainier Plated RNs in my 454 Casull before; velocity was at least 1400fps. Kind of fast, but I didn't have any leading problems with them. But then, bore finish can play a role in whether a bullet's material is deposited inside the barrel or not. So for what it’s worth, I suggest that the velocities should be kept at or under the 1200fps mark just for good measure.

My suggestion is take a look at these two brands and see what you think. Either way you can't go wrong with the plated bullets. God bless your efforts with your shooting match, and hope I've helped you some.

http://www.berrysmfg.com/
http://www.rainierballistics.com/mainframe.htm

 
-Patriot

[Somerled]

Hardertr, what pistol are you shooting?

[hardertr]

I have the Ruger 944.  I haven't had ANY problems with it yet.  But then again, I've only used jacketed bullets.

[Somerled]

I fiddled a long time trying to get Berry 155 and 165 grain FPs to work in a Browning HP .40 S&W. I finally gave up. I tried some Winchester 180 grain JHPs I buy in 500-round lots at Midway USA. They are affordable and shoot extremely well with Alliant Power Pistol, the first powder I tried with them. I also tried some Magtech 180 grain JHPs. They weren't as accurate as the Winchesters but were far better than the Berry bullets. Some of the Magtechs were undersized about .003. I don't remember if I ever checked the Berry bullets.

After I switched, I read somewhere how truncated cone bullets don't do well in the .40 S&W. Maybe the other Berry bullet shapes would have worked better. The best I ever managed to get was around 4 inch, 5-round groups with the 165 grain FPs.

I haven't loaded lead in the .40 S&W. I've used some Meisters in other calibers. They are really uniform and are lubed well.