What is your .40 cal load?

[sky hawk]

For those of you who shoot .40 cals what load does your rifle like? List your barrel length and favorite powder/ball/patch load. I'm trying to work up a load for a .40 cal with 42" barrel. After just an introductory sighting session, it seemed to prefer 45 or 50 gr. 3F over 40 gr. What would you consider min. and max. powder loads?

 

[majg1234]

I've got a S MTN TVM 40.It has a long hammock barrel 42".The load of 50gr Fffg Goex,hand cast .390 ball,.018 ticking lubricated with beeswax and olive oil,Oxyoke wonder wad over the powder, produces < 1/2" groups @ 60yrds.I upped the powder to 60gr Fffg for hunting and the group opened up to about 1 1/2 inches @ 60yrd.But sure did put a stop on a Doe last year :thumbsup:

 

[Rat Trapper]

I asked this same question a while ago. Seems most here are shooting 40 grains of Goex 3F with a .395 ball and 15 thousands patch. I'm using wonder lube on prelubed/cut ox-yoke patches. shoots very well. Have not had this gun long enough to shoot over 100 balls out of it yet. May want to try a heavier charge on day just to see what happens. For now if I go squirrel hunting I want a light load anyway.

 

[Rifleman1776]

My wife's little rifle liks lighter loads. Didn't shoot enough recently to prove much. But 40 grains 3Fg, Swiss didn't produce good result. At 25 gr. we were doing fine. I haven't measured her barrel but it is about 36".

 

[dbutch]

Gm perc. 32" X 15/16" 1in48 twist...

40gr. fff-goex or 50 gr.ff-goex.
.015 ticking.
Hoppe's bp solvent and lube.
#11 cci mag caps.
no swabbing.
Just a pleasant crack on report.


one elongated hole at 65 yards....8-10 shots

 

[sky hawk]

Do you guys like .390/.389 balls or .395 balls? Also, no swabbing? You like to test the grouping with a fouled bore? Just trying to collect some info for different variables I can try.

Rat Trapper, do have the link for that previous thread?

 

Rat Trapper, do have the link for that previous thread?

You can click on his name, then click on is Topics.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/263511

 

[ohio ramrod]

My nephew and his son both have 42 inch douglas barrels in 40 caliber. They shoot 35 grain FFF on paper and 45 grain on deer.Good out to 75 yards. :idunno: :idunno:

 

[Rat Trapper]

Do you guys like .390/.389 balls or .395 balls? Also, no swabbing? You like to test the grouping with a fouled bore? Just trying to collect some info for different variables I can try.

Rat Trapper, do have the link for that previous thread?

No I don't have a link for ther previous thread, you will have to look for it.

I use the 395 ball as my barrel is a green mountain barrel and it is a round ball barrel. I have not been doing any wiping between shots at this time. Often the first shot will print different than follow up shots. Have to shoot your rifle to see how it does. Most people get better groups with a fouled barrel.

 

[StewartLeach]

My favorite rifle (for right now) has a 40 cal Getz barrel, 40 inches in length. Pet load has turned out to be 40 grains volume GOEX 3Fg, cut at the muzzle patch of WallyMart ticking washed and dried to remove sizing, saliva for lube, and a ball cast in a Lee mold. Had to use homecast ball, Hornady balls are too large to start, even with .005" patch material. Not sure of Lee ball diameter, but they weigh 89.2-89.5 grains.

Accuracy is good with charges as low as 30 grains. Groups open up and patches are in poor condition at 50 grains and above.

This rifle is funny- it shoots better dirty! Accuracy drill boiled down to fire one shot as a fouler, wipe barrel with one damp patch and one dry, then don't clean it until done for the day.

Have fun finding your "sweet load"!

White Fox

 

[Rifleman1776]

My nephew and his son both have 42 inch douglas barrels in 40 caliber. They shoot 35 grain FFF on paper and 45 grain on deer.Good out to 75 yards. :idunno: :idunno:

What size ball?
I believe my wife's barrel is a Douglas. I'll have to try to contact the builder (hopefully he is still alive) and ask if he knows.
I just bought a .395 mould for it. The .400s are too large to seat without a big mallet.

 

[750k2]

I had a Rice 40" and ran .390,.395 and .398's
All with various patching and lubes.
Shot everything well one of the nicest bbl's
I've had - pittys me I sold it.
Pick a starting point around 40fff and every time you go out
try something new at the end of the session - your rifle willtell you when you stumble onto a treat.
Usually picked an OK load that loaded easily over a hammered target load. Ease of loading in the woods is really nice.
Felt over powder, 42fffg .010 linen, mink oil.
Sure wish I still had it but it let me get a .54 Beck that
is my best shootin iron I ever had or would hope to have.

 

[hanshi]

With a .390" ball and 40 grains Goex 3F, this is about my best all around load. The rifle is a TVM Lancaster with 38" swamped barrel. At 60 grains I can get groups at 100 yards of around 4"; this is the load I'd use on deer. I plan getting a .395" mold. Accuracy and velocity should improve.

100 yds, 5 shots 60 grns 3F.

25 yds, don't have one at 50 to show.

 

[bob308]

i have a .40 hoyt barrel. 36" long 15/16. use a .395 ball with .018 patch spit lubed 40 gr. 3f. i use it for offhand matchs. do not have to wipe between shots.