Every Once in a while a powder and a cartridge match up so well that the round itself starts exceeding all expectations. This is the case with 4831 and the 270 Win, as well as H110 and the 44 Mag. I don't think that it has happened with the small auto loaders yet, but it looks like it may now be emerging with Hodgdon's Longshot and the 40 S&W.

I suspected this when I first viewed Hodgdon's Longshot data for the 40 in a 4 inch bbl and went to work in my little ballistics lab with a CZ 75 with a 4.7 inch bbl. All of their now controversial velocities were easily attained with nary a hiccup or sign of excess pressure. Without going into details, I had 10MM power up through 180 gr bullet weight.

However, it kicked like a 10MM and the 155 and 180 gr bullet weights gave me some 50 fps spreads I did not like. I noticed that the spreads dropped as bullet weight went down, so I finally got a box of Sierra 135 gr HCs…the spreads went to 15 fps and I could score quite well with it. Since I planned on shooting a lot of this load, I went to a heavy 20 lb spring from Wolff to help protect the gun from over-travel.

This resulted in a totally different gun, with perceive recoil back in the 40 S&W category and no evidence of premature unlock on the primers. About this time, I also tested the Sierra 135 JHC for expansion and penetration, as I felt it might not hold up at high velocities. I was pleased to find that recovered weights averaged 134.5 grains with expansion running 0.76 to 0.81 inches.

So, what are we really talking about?

· Federal brass nickel-plated.

· Sierra 135 gr JHC with Power Jacket.

· Longshot powder 12.0 grs (Hodgdon Manual 2002).

· Win Small Pistol Primers. COL 1.13 inches.

· Velocity 1500 fps.

· Energy 675 FP.

I have been loading Longshot for the 40 S&W for a year and a half now, glad to see another handloader agreeing it's an ideal powder for this cartgidge.
I shoot mostly 165 & 180 gr plated bullets at 8.5 & 7.5 gr rspectively with CCI500 primers in mixed brass. Recently tried 175 gr cast bullets with 7.5 gr of this powder - a plesant load to shoot, although I have replaced the recoil springs in my Beretta 96's w/ 18# Wolf springs.
Just recently obtained a chrony, so will most likely be May when the snow is off before I can obtain velocity data. But the current loads are accurate and the Longshot is a relatively clean burning powder.

Longshot is a very unusual powder. Its burn rate is just a bit faster than 2400, but the quantity
used in a given application is closer in weight to Power Pistol. So, you get a lot of energy in a small space
which is great for compressed shotgun and pistol loads.

It is technically referred to as "spherical", but you can readily see that the spheres are totally flattened ans well coated.
These little saucers probably ignite slowly and burn fast, giving a pretty long, flat pressure curve.

I also use it in snub nosed revolvers to compensate for the short barrels and get velocity up at safe pressures, Sometimes seating to the base of the cone
on truncated bullets to REDUCE case capacity and charge weight.

Do NOT use it for small charges in rifle cases, as you might 2400 or Blue Dot, as it will spike pressures in a serious way.

I agree on the cast loads...I use 8.0 grs with 180s for 1200 fps. These I developed before the 20 Lb spring and reciol was a dead ringer for the 10MM. I bet the heavy spring helps a lot.
Does not this load qualify the 40 as a small trail gun?

got 1134 at a temp of 30 with a 180 and a 3.9 inch barrel.

Hmm...might have to give longshot a try...ive been using titegroup and unique with prety good results, but maybe its time for a change.

Same here.....AA5, Unique, and Titegroup, in my case, mostly AA5. I would guess Longshot meters pretty well, I guess I'd better try some next time I buy powder for my 40!
PJ