I am an extreme novice when it comes to pistol cartridges and need the help from members to help me out. What powders are u guys using, whats the best bullet wait for personal defense of two and four legged creatures and what primers are you guys using?

For personal defense, most people recommend that you Do Not use reloaded ammunition for legal reasons and though I am an (somewhat) experienced reloader, I don't want to have a problem due to my error. For personal defense, I use the 165 Hornady critical defense. As for powder, I have been using tightgroup from hodgdon. I have noticed it its a little on the dirty side, especially with low charge weights. Primers, I use whatever small pistol primer I have lying around.

Thanks Model7, I will look into a box of some good ammo fro the house. I do have some titegroup at the house that I will try. Are there somepistol powders that are cleaner than others.

I use green dot in my reloads.

These powders are so fast and new to me. I am use to rifle powders but pistol is a new game. What are some of the cleaner burning powders for use in this cartridge? What are your peffered bullets for two legged defense and what are your preffered bullets for 4 legged defense.

a good hollow point. My brother is a LEO and they use federal hydra shocks exclusively. Some others use winchester lawman,etc. With the increase in demand in personal defense, there is a propensity of factory ammo madefor just that purpose. Select one and PRACTICE. As for powder, I have only experimented with titegroup, and dont shoot my pistol much anymore, so its taking me some time to go through it. My saying it is dirty is just my personal observation, but I have only loaded it in 180grs at relatively light pressures, which I believe is causing the inefficient burn. Others may have much more information.

I have had good luck with Unique for reloads for practice. Factory loaded Goldots for personal defense, for legal reasons as stated above.

For legal reasons?

Eloborate please

As to the OP

155's over Power Pistol

ted, do a search on the forum about the legal reasons. There have been several discussions about using reloads as personal defense rounds. I just assume not do it.

I use 155 grain bullets and titegroup. I still have a large stash of 155 Rangers that I bought for $12 per box of 50, so I only reload for pure practice rounds.

I did a lot of research and never found a single incident where the fact the round was hand loaded was a negative question. I personally believe it is a myth that Massad Ayoob started with no evidence.

I have no fear that the round I produce will function 100% of the time as I have ran thousands of handloads......the only factory ammo I buy is .22LR and 12 gauge

But find it funny anyone would trust a mass loaded factory round as better than one they could create

As far as legality.....I'm all ears

As I said, search the forum. I'm not about to get into a pissing contest with you. If you want to use your reloads for personal defense, that's your choice. I just choose not to go that route.

Ted Thorn,

Maybe Massad Ayoob did start the rumor about reloads for self defense, I can't say for sure. I have "heard" of people involved in self defense shooting getting into legal issues using reloaded ammo with man killer bullets.

As for using my own reloads for self defense, I would have no problems as to any failures to fire. I reloaded my own ammo for capebuffalo and had no problems.

quote:

Originally posted by model7LSS:
As I said, search the forum. I'm not about to get into a pissing contest with you. If you want to use your reloads for personal defense, that's your choice. I just choose not to go that route.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:

I have a G27. a Sig 226 and a Sig 2340 all in a 40S&W that all get Power Pistol for the powder.

I'm getting a chronographed 1300 fps with a 155g cast bullet and 1150fps with a 180g cast slug. Surprisingly enough, those velocities are coming out of the G27 with a KKM barrel. Great accuracy with that powder and love it.

For self defense I have the Federal HST +P 180g which is hard to find but has some spectacular performance numbers as far as penetration and weight retention. It's not expensive at all if you can find it, try the internet.

I ran off 1000 155 gr wadcutters with 4.6 grains of Winchester WST. Just punching paper with them, but one thing I like is the powder smells like black pepper when it burns. It's really quite pleasant, unlike some smokeless powder. Only problem is I get hungry whenever I shoot those reloads.

Joe

I've tested Unique, AA#5, Power Pistol, and Winchester Super Field WSF with 165 grain HP's and FMJ's. The best performing for me was clearly WSF followed by Unique. Either makes a good load using 165 grain bullets. WSF for some reason has less felt recoil at the same velocity as the other powders and is a highly recommended 40 S&W powder.

I've had excellent results with Tightgroup. Clays is ok for light target loads but don't push it as pressure seems to go up quick, Universal is much more forgiving but can be dirty. The gold standard is VV N320 but it's too pricy for me and I refuse to ask for something I can't pronounce.

Have used WSF for years with great success. Is clean burning, measures well and gets terrific velocities. I like small rifle primers as I can stock a smaller number of primer types.

I personally like 165 gr projectiles for the purpose.

I don't load a lot of .40 S&S, but what I have done have been with AA#7. It functions fine in my Baby Eagle with both cast and jacketed bullets, and I don't plan to switch.

Blue Dot under 155 grain JHPs is my go-to .40 load.

Legality refers to an article published by Massad Ayoob sometime ago and his opinions concerning personal reloads and the implications one could possibly face in a court-room concerning them.

Arguments such as, "What? Commercial ammo isn't deadly enough you have to make some super dooper deadly rounds?" or "it is obvious this person has a screw loose because he spends hours in his garage/basement/man cave developing ways to produce and carry out mass harm on other people..." things of that nature.

My reccomendation concerning the "legality" of it all is KEEP RECORDS...as highly detailed as you are able to. Mark each box of ammunition reloaded with the date and information that any reloader should do anyway.

I shoot cast in my 40s, 155 SWC and 180 Trunc bullets, like my 45 I bye Bullseye by the keg and use 5 gr under it all from the 230, 210, 190, 185 gr 45s or the 150, 155, 175, 180 gr 40s...doesn't matter all shoot great for practice and personal defense.

quote:

Originally posted by love22hunt:
I am an extreme novice when it comes to pistol cartridges and need the help from members to help me out. What powders are u guys using, whats the best bullet wait for personal defense of two and four legged creatures and what primers are you guys using?

For high velocity, high energy SD loads 180gr XTP powered by Longshot. If velocity is the goal then Longshot is the powder. Accurate too.
A max charge of LS with 180gr XTP = 1159fps out of a 4 inch barrel. That is smokin.

Another favorite of mine is Ramshot True Blue. Very fine ball powder that meters like water, clean burning and accurate in my CZ.