Self Defense Loads

pbcaster45
.327 Meteor

Posts: 523

Self Defense Loads Jan 18, 2021 20:56:27 GMT -5 Squatch and flyingzebra like this

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Post by pbcaster45 on Jan 18, 2021 20:56:27 GMT -5

I know it's frowned upon to use handloads for self defense... but what if you can't find any for sale or the price is out of sight? Anyway, here are a few I've been working on over the last six-months. Some are a little over what the manuals recommend so work up in your own firearms. I've put in a few factory loads too - for science!

Yeah, I kinda like Speer Gold Dots!

Gun: Glock 17 Gen 4 9mm Luger (Alpha Wolf Barrel)

Bullet: Speer 115 gr. Gold Dot HP
Powder: Hodgdon CFE Pistol 6.0 grs.
Primer: Winchester Small Pistol
Case: Federal (2-Dot)
OAL: 1.125
Average Velocity: 1199.69 fps
ES: 36.00
SD: 11.21
Recoil Spring: ISMI 15 lb. recoil spring and Jager Polymer Guide Rod.

Gun: STI Edge .38 Super (5-inch factory barrel)

Bullet: Sig Sauer Elite Performance 125 gr. +P V-Crown JHP (factory)
OAL: 1.250
Recoil Spring: 12 lb. Recoil Spring, Wilson Buffer Pad and Dawson Tool-Less Guide Rod.
Average Velocity: 1277.96 fps
ES: 60.74
SD: 18.94

Bullet: Winchester 147 gr. JHP
Powder: Hodgdon CFE Pistol 5.2 grs.
Primer: Winchester Small Pistol
Case: Sig Sauer .38 Super +P
OAL: 1.258 – 12.60
Recoil Spring: 12 lb. Recoil Spring, Wilson Buffer Pad and Dawson Tool-Less Guide Rod.
Average Velocity: 1069.51 fps
ES: 30.56
SD: 10.86

For the following I need to give credit to tnoutdoors9 on YouTube and the Handloader #292 40 S&W article by Brian Pearce. My Glock 22 is my house gun so I obviously spent more time with it and I tried to keep close to factory specs. I've come to prefer 180 grain loads in the 40 S&W since the 155s tend to be pretty snappy. The 155 grain Gold Dot load with Power Pistol caused premature slide locks and had too much muzzle flash. I much prefer Auto Comp, CFE, and BE-86 since they produced almost no muzzle flash. I like Wolf 40 S&W Barrels too, I don't have to run my brass thru a Lee Bulge Buster after it's been fired in a Wolf Barrel. Warm loads fired thru a Glock factory barrel measured .433 at the case head versus .425 - .426 in a Wolf Barrel.

Gun: Glock 22 Gen 3 40 S&W (Alpha Wolf Barrel)

Bullet: Federal 135 gr. Hyda-Shok JHP (Factory)
OAL: 1.125
Average Velocity: 1211.86 fps
ES: 37.91
SD: 13.37

Bullet: Speer 155 gr. Gold Dot
Powder: Hodgdon CFE 7.4 grs.
Primer: CCI-500
Case: Speer Nickel Plated
OAL: 1.130
Average Velocity: 1166.97 fps
ES: 24.83
SD: 8.18
Recoil Spring: Wolf 17 lb. Recoil Spring and Steel Guide Rod

Bullet: Speer 155 gr. Gold Dot
Powder: Alliant Power Pistol 8.45 grs.
Primer: CCI-500
Case: Blazer
OAL: 1.120
Average Velocity: 1253.36 fps
ES: 44.05
SD: 12.40
Recoil Spring: Wolf 17 lb. Recoil Spring and Steel Guide Rod

Bullet: Speer 180 gr. Gold Dot
Powder: Winchester Auto Comp 6.0 grs.
Primer: Winchester Small Pistol
Case: W-W
OAL: 1.125
Average Velocity: 1016.45 fps
ES: 41.91
SD: 14.91
Recoil Spring: Wolf 17 lb. Recoil Spring and Steel Guide Rod

Bullet: Speer 180 gr. Gold Dot
Powder: Winchester Auto Comp 6.0 grs.
Primer: Winchester Small Pistol
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.125
Average Velocity: 997.66 fps
ES: 22.06
SD: 7.07
Recoil Spring: Wolf 17 lb. Recoil Spring and Steel Guide Rod

Bullet: Speer 180 gr. Gold Dot
Powder: Hodgdon CFE Pistol 5.9 grs.
Primer: Winchester Small Pistol
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.125
Average Velocity: 1000.79 fps
ES: 33.10
SD: 11.13
Recoil Spring: Wolf 17 lb. Recoil Spring and Steel Guide Rod

Bullet: Speer 180 gr. Gold Dot
Powder: Alliant BE-86 5.7 grs.
Primer: Winchester Small Pistol
Case: Starline
OAL: 1.125
Average Velocity: 934.74 fps
ES: 25.39
SD: 8.94
Recoil Spring: Wolf 17 lb. Recoil Spring and Steel Guide Rod
Comments: I haven't worked with BE-86 much but I like it!

Bullet: Winchester 180 gr. Bonded JHP (Factory)
OAL: 1.130
Average Velocity: 917.92 fps
ES: 79.60
SD: 30.46

Gun: Glock 35 40 S&W (Alpha Wolf barrel)

Bullet: Winchester 180 gr. Bonded JHP (Factory)
OAL: 1.130
Recoil Spring: Factory recoil spring
Average Velocity: 944.88 fps
ES: 67.80
SD: 26.72

Last Edit: Jan 18, 2021 22:18:18 GMT -5 by pbcaster45: grammer

x101airborne .414 Razorback Posts: 4,310	Self Defense Loads Jan 19, 2021 9:45:41 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by x101airborne on Jan 19, 2021 9:45:41 GMT -5 Good info!
	Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

pbcaster45 .327 Meteor Posts: 523	Self Defense Loads Jan 19, 2021 10:30:22 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by pbcaster45 on Jan 19, 2021 10:30:22 GMT -5 Thanks! I was starting to think I'd gone off the deep end and posted info no one was interested in.

webber .327 Meteor Posts: 601	Self Defense Loads Jan 19, 2021 12:21:21 GMT -5 ezekiel38 likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by webber on Jan 19, 2021 12:21:21 GMT -5 I load for my Glock M27 40 S&W with a 200 grain hard cast FP to 930 FPS from the M27 actual chronoed using Longshot for my "Heavy Load".

ezekiel38
.375 Atomic

Posts: 2,193

Self Defense Loads Jan 19, 2021 12:32:08 GMT -5

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Post by ezekiel38 on Jan 19, 2021 12:32:08 GMT -5

pbcaster, appreciate all the 40 S&W loads, the caliber has taken such a bad rap. I have one and it is a shooter. Looking for load info and your work is timely and handy. Thanks. I've got a lot of Longshot, have you ever used it in the 40?

I'm running a Kahr K40 98 Elite.

Last Edit: Jan 22, 2021 20:53:01 GMT -5 by ezekiel38

x101airborne .414 Razorback Posts: 4,310	Self Defense Loads Jan 19, 2021 18:09:25 GMT -5 ezekiel38 and flyingzebra like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by x101airborne on Jan 19, 2021 18:09:25 GMT -5 I used a Glock 22 as my duty weapon for 9 years, both as a LEO and SWAT officer. 40 S&W can be a real stopper!
	Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

bigbore5
.458 Devastator

Posts: 5,099

Self Defense Loads Jan 19, 2021 20:39:27 GMT -5 via mobile

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Post by bigbore5 on Jan 19, 2021 20:39:27 GMT -5

I often carry the Colt Delta Elite in 10mm loaded down to 40 velocities. I've shot enough pigs with the 9mm,357,and 45acp to say the 40 class cartridges are great killers on them compared to the others and rivals even the great old 45. I don't hesitate to rely on it against some junkie scum.

Wayne

pbcaster45 .327 Meteor Posts: 523	Self Defense Loads Jan 20, 2021 0:43:48 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by pbcaster45 on Jan 20, 2021 0:43:48 GMT -5 ezekiel38, No, I've never used Longshot. I thought about trying it in my .38 Super Open Gun but never got around to it...

flyingzebra .375 Atomic Posts: 1,592	Self Defense Loads Jan 20, 2021 0:48:32 GMT -5 via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by flyingzebra on Jan 20, 2021 0:48:32 GMT -5 Thanks for putting this together for us to look at

squawberryman .458 Devastator You're never so tall as when you are down on your knees Posts: 7,186	Self Defense Loads Jan 20, 2021 6:04:44 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by squawberryman on Jan 20, 2021 6:04:44 GMT -5 Even if no one payed attention you're stretching your brain. HOWever, I DO have some Gold Dots I'll be looking at. Got any 10mm loads?
	The good Lord takes his fish fried If a LITTLE bit of butter makes it a LITTLE bit better.... WD40 will eat it's way out of a can, yet people spray it on their guns

bradshaw
Global Moderator

Posts: 6,930

Self Defense Loads Jan 20, 2021 13:45:24 GMT -5 ezekiel38 likes this

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Post by bradshaw on Jan 20, 2021 13:45:24 GMT -5

Jan 20, 2021 6:04:44 GMT -5 squawberryman said:

Even if no one payed attention you're stretching your brain. HOWever, I DO have some Gold Dots I'll be looking at. Got any 10mm loads?

*****

Greg.... settled from the git-go on Accurate #7 as my base powder for the 10mm Auto. Among earliest loads, Hornady 180 JHP over 11/Accurate No. 7; later adding Sierra, and still later Nosler. And the Hornady 155 JHP over 13/AA #7. Accurate #7 is a medium burn rate pistol powder which keeps SLIDE VELOCITY lower than stiff loads of slow powder.

The 10mm Auto is a cartridge of high intrinsic accuracy, holds velocity well, and does honest work without pretending it’s a .41 Mag. Which it ain’t.
David Bradshaw

squawberryman .458 Devastator You're never so tall as when you are down on your knees Posts: 7,186	Self Defense Loads Jan 20, 2021 13:53:34 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by squawberryman on Jan 20, 2021 13:53:34 GMT -5 THANKS David
	The good Lord takes his fish fried If a LITTLE bit of butter makes it a LITTLE bit better.... WD40 will eat it's way out of a can, yet people spray it on their guns

ezekiel38 .375 Atomic Posts: 2,193	Self Defense Loads Jan 22, 2021 20:57:02 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by ezekiel38 on Jan 22, 2021 20:57:02 GMT -5 pbcaster: Only used Longshot in 40 and it runs well, going to try some in 38 Spl, but it appears to be a niche powder, if you're not a shotgunner.

pbcaster45
.327 Meteor

Posts: 523

Self Defense Loads Nov 18, 2023 19:16:42 GMT -5

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Post by pbcaster45 on Nov 18, 2023 19:16:42 GMT -5

Sorry, I know this thread is pretty old! Here's another .38 Super load I've been working on - just checked the velocity today. Trying to come up with something similar to the Sig Sauer Elite Performance 125 gr. +P V-Crown JHP factory load. More work needed.

Gun: STI Edge .38 Super (5-inch factory barrel)

Bullet: Sig Sauer Elite Performance 125 gr. +P V-Crown JHP (factory)
OAL: 1.250
Recoil Spring: Dawson tool-less guide rod, 12 lb. Recoil Spring and Buffer Pad.
Average Velocity: 1277.96 fps
ES: 60.74
SD: 18.94

Bullet: Sierra Sig Sauer V-Crown 124 gr. JHP
Powder: Hodgdon CFE Pistol 5.95 grs.
Primer: Winchester Small Rifle
Case: Starline .38 Super Comp (New)
OAL: 1.210 (.995 with Stoney Point)
Average Velocity: 1202 fps
ES: 42
SD: 11
Recoil Spring: Dawson tool-less guide rod, 12 lb. Recoil Spring and Buffer Pad.
Comments: Lee U-Die and Lee Expander Die used.

I'm going to switch to the 125-grain version and seat to the same OAL as the factory load. I used 1.210 for this first load after reading some reviewers complain that the factory ammo jammed in their 1911s. My Edge has a longer throat, and the Sig Sauer load works great.

Post by pbcaster45 on Jan 18, 2021 20:56:27 GMT -5

Post by x101airborne on Jan 19, 2021 9:45:41 GMT -5

Post by pbcaster45 on Jan 19, 2021 10:30:22 GMT -5

Post by webber on Jan 19, 2021 12:21:21 GMT -5

Post by ezekiel38 on Jan 19, 2021 12:32:08 GMT -5

Post by x101airborne on Jan 19, 2021 18:09:25 GMT -5

Post by bigbore5 on Jan 19, 2021 20:39:27 GMT -5

Post by pbcaster45 on Jan 20, 2021 0:43:48 GMT -5

Post by flyingzebra on Jan 20, 2021 0:48:32 GMT -5

Post by squawberryman on Jan 20, 2021 6:04:44 GMT -5

Post by bradshaw on Jan 20, 2021 13:45:24 GMT -5

Post by squawberryman on Jan 20, 2021 13:53:34 GMT -5

Post by ezekiel38 on Jan 22, 2021 20:57:02 GMT -5

Post by pbcaster45 on Nov 18, 2023 19:16:42 GMT -5