Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .40 S&W with .401 | 180gr | ACME RNFP COATED bullet and 57 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are ReloadSwiss RS 20, Alliant UNIQUE and SNPE Vectan A0.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 60% and propellant combustion ≥ 80%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,776 psi | 88% | 1004 fps | 97.5% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,457 psi | 90% | 1070 fps | 90.2% |
| Accurate Solo 1000 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,486 psi | 90% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,368 psi | 81% | 974 fps | 100% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,862 psi | 85% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,644 psi | 85% | 850 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 76% | 29,008 psi | 89% | 892 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,065 psi | 86% | 925 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,079 psi | 86% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86 | <<locked>> | 84% | 26,919 psi | 82% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,166 psi | 86% | 1033 fps | 99.5% |
| Alliant Green Dot | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,644 psi | 85% | 961 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Hercoᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,556 psi | 78% | 1007 fps | 98.6% |
| Alliant RED DOT | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,385 psi | 90% | 958 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,950 psi | 89% | 1047 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant UNIQUE | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,152 psi | 86% | 1047 fps | 99.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100 | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,905 psi | 82% | 942 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistolᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 26,020 psi | 80% | 955 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 76% | 26,672 psi | 82% | 968 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol | <<locked>> | 80% | 26,745 psi | 82% | 991 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Clays | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,557 psi | 84% | 879 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,427 psi | 84% | 1033 fps | 91.4% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 26,745 psi | 82% | 1027 fps | 93.1% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,936 psi | 34% | 676 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon Universal | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,862 psi | 85% | 1007 fps | 100% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,399 psi | 90% | 1070 fps | 90.1% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,746 psi | 85% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,529 psi | 87% | 1024 fps | 99.9% |
| Maxam CSB 1 | <<locked>> | 88% | 26,774 psi | 82% | 974 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,079 psi | 86% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 3 | <<locked>> | 84% | 28,297 psi | 87% | 978 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,514 psi | 87% | 965 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,616 psi | 88% | 925 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette² | <<locked>> | 72% | 27,528 psi | 84% | 1030 fps | 97.7% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 28,210 psi | 86% | 1040 fps | 93.9% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 76% | 28,108 psi | 86% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 9,921 psi | 30% | 666 fps | 97.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20 | <<locked>> | 92% | 28,311 psi | 87% | 1060 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 72% | 29,240 psi | 90% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 25,208 psi | 77% | 1102 fps | 91.2% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 29,399 psi | 90% | 1070 fps | 90.1% |
| SNPE Vectan A0 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,501 psi | 90% | 1020 fps | 99.3% |
| SNPE Vectan A1 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,385 psi | 90% | 994 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,297 psi | 87% | 991 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 72% | 28,993 psi | 89% | 892 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2* | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,311 psi | 87% | 1033 fps | 93.1% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2 | <<locked>> | 84% | 29,066 psi | 89% | 1010 fps | 100% |
| Somchem MP200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,514 psi | 84% | 1024 fps | 98.3% |
| Somchem MS200 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,775 psi | 85% | 1014 fps | 99.5% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37* | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,414 psi | 90% | 1073 fps | 94.9% |
| Vihtavuori N320 | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,921 psi | 89% | 981 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Starᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 20,450 psi | 63% | 833 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,485 psi | 84% | 1014 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N340 | <<locked>> | 84% | 27,224 psi | 83% | 1007 fps | 99.1% |
| Vihtavuori N350* | <<locked>> | 96% | 28,108 psi | 86% | 1053 fps | 94.7% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 68% | 27,775 psi | 85% | 984 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp | <<locked>> | 88% | 28,485 psi | 87% | 1014 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate No. 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,780 psi | 48% | 801 fps | 89.4% |
| Accurate No. 5*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,931 psi | 70% | 968 fps | 85.8% |
| Accurate Solo 1000² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,767 psi | 54% | 804 fps | 100% |
| Accurate Solo 1250² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,996 psi | 43% | 771 fps | 96.7% |
| ADI AP 70N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,827 psi | 61% | 892 fps | 99.8% |
| ADI APS 350² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,842 psi | 64% | 771 fps | 100% |
| ADI APS 450² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,653 psi | 60% | 781 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 30² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,216 psi | 53% | 781 fps | 100% |
| ADI AS 50N² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,579 psi | 57% | 830 fps | 100% |
| Alliant BE-86² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,170 psi | 43% | 781 fps | 98.8% |
| Alliant BULLSEYE² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,304 psi | 56% | 876 fps | 95.5% |
| Alliant Green Dot² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,781 psi | 51% | 804 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Herco*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 11,095 psi | 34% | 715 fps | 86.4% |
| Alliant RED DOT² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,418 psi | 50% | 781 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Sport Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,755 psi | 64% | 922 fps | 96.3% |
| Alliant UNIQUE*² | 4.2 gr | 60% | 13,822 psi | 42% | 791 fps | 90.4% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 100² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,172 psi | 50% | 787 fps | 99.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,500 psi | 29% | 669 fps | 97.8% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 103 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,186 psi | 50% | 817 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,316 psi | 47% | 804 fps | 97.3% |
| Hodgdon Clays² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,070 psi | 49% | 728 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon HS-6*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 21,379 psi | 66% | 938 fps | 87.2% |
| Hodgdon Longshot*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,653 psi | 63% | 928 fps | 88.9% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 5,381 psi | 16% | 492 fps | 93.4% |
| Hodgdon Universal² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,128 psi | 49% | 823 fps | 98.7% |
| Lovex D036*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,887 psi | 70% | 971 fps | 85.8% |
| Lovex S011² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,698 psi | 66% | 886 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S020*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,490 psi | 47% | 820 fps | 94.8% |
| Maxam CSB 1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,894 psi | 40% | 741 fps | 95.8% |
| Maxam CSB 2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 12,575 psi | 39% | 771 fps | 99.3% |
| Maxam CSB 3² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,127 psi | 46% | 784 fps | 99.7% |
| Maxam CSB 4² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,317 psi | 50% | 794 fps | 100% |
| Maxam CSB 5² | <<locked>> | 60% | 19,072 psi | 58% | 810 fps | 100% |
| Ramshot Silhouette*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 18,971 psi | 58% | 892 fps | 92.9% |
| Ramshot True Blue*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,161 psi | 65% | 932 fps | 89.4% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 12² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,129 psi | 52% | 853 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 4,975 psi | 15% | 476 fps | 86.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 20*² | 4.3 gr | 60% | 11,748 psi | 36% | 751 fps | 89.8% |
| Rottweil P 801² | <<locked>> | 60% | 20,552 psi | 63% | 876 fps | 100% |
| Rottweil P 806* | <<locked>> | 92% | 19,682 psi | 60% | 1010 fps | 86.7% |
| Shooters World Auto Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,887 psi | 70% | 971 fps | 85.8% |
| SNPE Vectan A0*² | 4.1 gr | 60% | 13,068 psi | 40% | 741 fps | 89% |
| SNPE Vectan A1² | <<locked>> | 60% | 17,056 psi | 52% | 817 fps | 99.4% |
| SNPE Vectan BA 9² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,317 psi | 50% | 807 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan BA10² | <<locked>> | 60% | 21,567 psi | 66% | 807 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2* | <<locked>> | 80% | 18,797 psi | 58% | 879 fps | 86.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA9 1/2² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,766 psi | 48% | 807 fps | 97.7% |
| Somchem MP200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 15,548 psi | 48% | 817 fps | 90.7% |
| Somchem MS200*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,678 psi | 45% | 787 fps | 92.6% |
| Vihtavuori 3N37*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 17,158 psi | 53% | 876 fps | 86.2% |
| Vihtavuori N320² | <<locked>> | 60% | 16,998 psi | 52% | 823 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,122 psi | 25% | 600 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N330² | <<locked>> | 60% | 14,533 psi | 45% | 814 fps | 98.5% |
| Vihtavuori N340*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,387 psi | 41% | 768 fps | 90.3% |
| Vihtavuori N350*² | <<locked>> | 76% | 16,607 psi | 51% | 863 fps | 85.9% |
| Winchester 231² | <<locked>> | 60% | 22,220 psi | 68% | 909 fps | 100% |
| Winchester AutoComp *² | <<locked>> | 60% | 13,068 psi | 40% | 758 fps | 94.7% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
* not dangerous but load has suboptimal powder burnt with possible characteristics such as extensive muzzle flash or inaccurate loads.
² fill rate low - you might want to consider using a filler to ensure proper ignition.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 22 powders for .40 S&W loaded with the .401 | 180gr | ACME RNFP COATED. Vihtavuori 3N37 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,073 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 666 fps to 1,073 fps. Alliant Herco gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 22 of the 22 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (225 MPa), the top charges use 30–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. Alliant Herco, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. ReloadSwiss RS 20, Alliant UNIQUE, SNPE Vectan A0 rank at the top here: for .40 S&W with the .401 | 180gr | ACME RNFP COATED they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, SNPE Vectan BA7 1/2, Vihtavuori 3N37, Vihtavuori N350 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Accurate Solo 1250, Alliant BE-86, Alliant Herco stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.