I was just curious if anyone has tried reloading pistol, particularly 40 SW with Greendot powder?

Green Dot is a good shotgun powder which usually translates to being a good pistol powder. I have never loaded for the 40 S&W so I don't know how appropriate GD will be mate.

I checked out the Alliant Loading Data for guidance and note that they don't list Green Dot for the 40 S&W, so I would not use it without good data. You don't list the weight bullet you will be using, which will also be a big factor in the equation.

Vince is right, Green Dot is a good powder for shotgun, I dug out some of my manuals and scanned Alliants data from the year 2000 which list's green dot with the 40S&W.

This is a powder I'll probably try as Blue Dot is my go to powder for the 40S&W which burns clean and pretty dog-gone accurate.

I agree with Vince, if the current data doesn't show it I wouldn't use it. Your best bet would be to email Alliant and ask them before proceding.

I wouldn't use it either.

The current Lyman book doesn't list it for 40S&W.

Last week I e-mail atk (alliant) with the above question and here is the reply.

Amonette, Ben <Ben.Amonette@atk.com>

10:50 AM (8 hours ago)

to me
Attached are some loads for comparison. Thanks for your note.

-----Original Message-----
From: heydennisj @ gmail.com [mailto:heydennisj@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 6:35 PM
To: Alliant Reloading
Subject: Alliant Powder - Ask the Expert Form


Dennis
heydennisj @ gmail.com
Iowa USA


I've been using "Green Dot" for my 40S&W. Load is as follows, 5.3grs with a 170gr hornady xtp using remington brass. Now their are a few people skepticle of using Green Dot for the 40 S&W. Do you still recommend Green Dot for the 40S&W?

Thanks
Dennis

Here is the reply I got and yes it is still recomended. I will do a copy/paste but if anyone wants the original .doc from atk, e-mail me and I forward it to you.




40 Smith & Wesson


135 gr jacketed
Red Dot start 5.2 grs max 5.7 grs
Bullseye start 5.5 grs max 6 grs
Green Dot start 5.6 grs max 6.1 grs
Unique start 5.8 grs max 6.5 grs
Power Pistol start 7.2 grs max 8 grs

150 – 155 gr jacketed or lead
Red Dot start 4.7 grs max 5.2 grs
Bullseye start 5 grs max 5.5 grs
Green Dot start 5.2 grs max 5.7 grs
Unique start 5.5 grs max 6 grs
Power Pistol start 6.3 grs max 7 grs
Herco start 6.5 grs max 7.2 grs
American Select start 5 grs max 5.5 grs

165 gr jacketed or lead
Red Dot start 4.5 grs max 5 grs
Bullseye start 4.8 grs max 5.4 grs
Green Dot start 5 grs max 5.5 grs
Unique start 5.3 grs max 5.8 grs
Power Pistol start 6 grs max 6.8 grs
Herco start 6.3 grs max 7 grs
Blue Dot start 7.5 grs max 8 grs

180 gr jacketed or lead
Red Dot start 4.3 grs max 4.8 grs
Bullseye start 4.6 grs max 5.1 grs
Green Dot start 4.8 grs max 5.2 grs
Unique start 5 grs max 5.5 grs
Power Pistol start 5.8 grs max 6.3 grs
Herco start 6 grs max 6.5 grs
American Select start 4.2 grs max 4.7 grs
Blue Dot start 7 grs max 7.5 grs

Note: Start with the minimum charge wt and test fire a few to be sure they will cycle the action of your pistol before reloading a quantity.

It is good to get load data right from the manufacturer.
I noticed that from start load to max there is only 0.5 grains different - I wonder if that is due to the fact that the data is for an auto-loader or if the cartridge is that temperamental.

I noticed that too Paul, and I think the answer might be both of your questions.

the load data listed is exactly what I used based on what my manual from alliant listed. It actually list 5.3 grains as max then I used some calculations to find a minimum suggested load and loaded test rounds based on that info. I set my max a 5.2 and loaded 3 of each charge plus 2 fowlers. This way if the minimum load has issues cycling my weapon then I have some higher loads to try, it also allows me to check for signs of pressure. I figure that if there is no issues with cycling at the lowest charge then that is likely what I will load at for safety and for personal comfort. So omni reaffirmed just what I had determined on my own. I just thought someone may have an opinion on the subject. It sounds like according to the data he has listed there that I can use this same charge for my cast bullets as well.