I got a new batch of .40 S&W, 165 gr, fmj bullets and needed to figure how I wanted to load them. I have Bullseye and Power Pistol powder and three loading manuals. I put the data in a spreadsheet (first picture, the top row is bullseye powder the second is PP). Then made up a series of loads to try (second picture)
I loaded 5 rounds for each load and marked each case 1X for bullseye, and 2X for power pistol. At the range I took a full size paper target and drew one cross for each load and put the load number above it. The gun used was a full size M&P .40. The distance to target was a measured 25' and the shots were fired using a pistol rest.
Actually I was surprised at how accurate the gun was with all the loads. There are a few flyers that were my fault. All the groups looks pretty good to me, but the best was 7.0 grains of power pistol. It was interesting to me that the cartridges loaded with power pistol were noticeably louder than the Bullseye loads. When I started shooting the PP loads the guy in the lane next to me asked was I shooting a .44. He said he could feel the concussion every time I pulled the trigger.
I loaded 5 rounds for each load and marked each case 1X for bullseye, and 2X for power pistol. At the range I took a full size paper target and drew one cross for each load and put the load number above it. The gun used was a full size M&P .40. The distance to target was a measured 25' and the shots were fired using a pistol rest.
Actually I was surprised at how accurate the gun was with all the loads. There are a few flyers that were my fault. All the groups looks pretty good to me, but the best was 7.0 grains of power pistol. It was interesting to me that the cartridges loaded with power pistol were noticeably louder than the Bullseye loads. When I started shooting the PP loads the guy in the lane next to me asked was I shooting a .44. He said he could feel the concussion every time I pulled the trigger.