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and lubricated sparingly either with Tri-Flow or S&W Friction Block.
The figures for expansion were done by firing the particular round into 12"
LDPE cubes filled with 55ø tap water and recovering the bullets.
Estimated penetration in 10% gelatin was figured by dividing the actual
distance in water by 1.55, your results may vary, multiply by 1.55 to get
actual distance in water penetration.
Other factors for loading these cartridges are:
Case: Winchester 40S&W, new or once fired (I suggest new for the hottest
loads).
Primer: Winchester WSP, seated below the rear face of the case.
Crimp: Lee Taper crimp, moderate crimp, enough to slightly deform the
bullet but enough to allow the case to headspace on the rim.  If you use a
roll crimp die, be careful working up to the maximum charges, although you
may get more consistent ignition with the Blue Dot powder.  Another
IMPORTANT reason to heavily crimp your maximum loads, although most people
seem to agree this may effect accuracy, is that is keeps the bullet from
being jammed any deeper during the jarring is gets from being in the
magazine or getting chambered.  As we know by now, excess seating beyond
the maximum Over-All-Length is a big time no-no.
Since the .40 is most often compared to the .45, let's start with the heavy
bullets:
======================
Hornady 10mm 200gr XTP.
Max load of Hercules Blue Dot Powder:           7.9gr.  (seven point nine)
Book velocity from Hercules from a 4" barrel:   960fps; 409 ft/lbs
Actual measured velocity from a 4" HK USP40:    993fps; 438 ft/lbs
Ambient temperature of velocity/pressure tests:  35ø F
Maximum height of recovered bullet:             .60"
Weight of recovered bullet or largest item:     62gr; 200gr total recovered
Expansion, largest by least diameter; & weight: .56" x .51"; 200gr
Estimated Penetration in 10% gelatin:          21"
Muzzle flash on this load was mild, recoil quite manageable, deep
penetration from the Hornady XTP bullet, the recovered bullet looks
reminescent of low expansion dangerous game bullets.
Max load of Vihta Vuori N350 Powder:            7.0gr.  (seven point zero)
Book velocity from Hercules from a 4"* barrel:  1095fps; 532 ft/lbs
Actual measured velocity from a 4" HK USP40:    1079fps; 517 ft/lbs
Ambient temperature of velocity/pressure tests:  35ø F
Maximum height of recovered bullet:             .55"
Weight of recovered bullet or largest item:     193gr
Expansion, measured largest by least diameter:  .62" x .56"; 195gr
Estimated Penetration in 10% gelatin:          19"
This load surpasses in muzzle energy that listed of the hottest factory
.40S&W available, the Cor-Bon 135gr at 1300fps for 507ft/lbs.  The bullet
expanded more the the slower one did of course, but still held together
very well.
* = The Vihta Vuori reloading guide lists barrel length as 4", then goes on
to list it in millimeters as 140mm, which is 5.5".  Great gunpowder they
make, but I'll take a pass on the math tutoring...  Well, nobody's perfect.
I was _very_ careful in testing out their powder the first time...  I
suspect the actual length was in fact 5.5 inches, since they would have
probably tested using equipment measured in the metric system.  Vihta Vuori
is from Finland, you know...
======================
Nosler 10mm 180gr JHP:
98% load of Hercules Blue Dot Powder:           8.6 (eight point six )
Book velocity from Hercules from a 4" barrel:   1041fps; 433 ft/lbs
Actual measured velocity from a 4" HK USP40:    1010fps; 408 ft/lbs
Ambient temperature of velocity/pressure tests:  55ø F
Expansion, measured largest by least diameter:  .76" x .68"
Maximum height of recovered bullet:             .41"
Weight of recovered bullet or largest item:     180gr
Estimated Penetration in 10% gelatin:          17"
Max load of Vihta Vuori N350 Powder:            7.8gr.  (seven point eight)
Book velocity from Hercules from a 4"* barrel:  1211fps; 586 ft/lbs
Actual measured velocity from a 4" HK USP40:    1163fps; 541 ft/lbs
Ambient temperature of velocity/pressure tests:  55ø F
Expansion, measured largest by least diameter:  .65" x .62" fragmented
Maximum height of recovered bullet:             .34"
Weight of recovered bullet or largest item:     140gr; 170gr total recovered
Estimated Penetration in 10% gelatin:          11"-19"
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þ SLMR 2.0 þ I am .50BMG of Borg, sporting purposes are irrelevant.
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