Finding the best powder for .40 S&W requires analyzing reputable load data, with Hodgdon Longshot, Alliant Power Pistol, and Hodgdon Titegroup standing as the three absolute best options. Hodgdon Longshot delivers the highest safe velocities for heavy defensive bullets. Alliant Power Pistol provides exceptional consistency for replicating factory carry ammunition, while Hodgdon Titegroup offers highly economical metering for high volume target loads.
Best Powder For .40 S&W
| Powder | Published Bullet Weights | Published Velocity | Published Load Data Available | Key Strength | Best Use | Source | Check |
| Hodgdon Longshot | 135gr to 200gr | 1000 to 1250+ fps | Yes | Maximum velocity | Full power defensive loads | Hodgdon Reloading Data Center | Check |
| Alliant Power Pistol | 135gr to 180gr | 950 to 1150+ fps | Yes | High velocity | Self defense practice | Alliant Powder Reloader’s Guide | Check |
| Hodgdon Titegroup | 135gr to 180gr | 850 to 1100+ fps | Yes | Economical metering | High volume target | Hodgdon Reloading Data Center | Check |
| Winchester 231 | 135gr to 180gr | 800 to 1050+ fps | Yes | Superb consistency | Standard practice loads | Hodgdon Reloading Data Center | Check |
| Accurate No. 5 | 135gr to 180gr | 900 to 1100+ fps | Yes | Excellent metering | Progressive presses | Western Powders Data | Check |
| Alliant Unique | 135gr to 180gr | 900 to 1050+ fps | Yes | Load versatility | All around plinking | Alliant Powder Reloader’s Guide | Check |
| Hodgdon CFE Pistol | 135gr to 180gr | 950 to 1150+ fps | Yes | Copper fouling reduction | High velocity target | Hodgdon Reloading Data Center | Check |
| Vihtavuori N320 | 135gr to 180gr | 850 to 1050+ fps | Yes | Clean burning | Premium competition | Vihtavuori Reloading Data | Check |
| Accurate No. 7 | 155gr to 200gr | 900 to 1100+ fps | Yes | Heavy bullet performance | 180gr to 200gr loads | Western Powders Data | Check |
| Alliant BE-86 | 135gr to 180gr | 950 to 1150+ fps | Yes | Flash suppression | Carry ammunition | Alliant Powder Reloader’s Guide | Check |
Hodgdon Longshot
Pros: Produces some of the absolute highest safe velocities possible in the cartridge and meters exceptionally well.
Cons: Can exhibit a sharp recoil impulse and a loud report compared to faster burning target powders.
Published .40 S&W Data: Extensively documented in the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center.
Common Bullet Weights: Highly effective with 155 grain, 165 grain, and 180 grain bullets.
Velocity Characteristics: Frequently pushes 180 grain bullets past 1,000 fps and lighter 135 grain bullets past 1,200 fps safely.
Accuracy or Consistency Evidence: Known for tight standard deviations specifically when loaded near maximum pressures.
Best Application: The definitive choice for the best powder for 40 S&W velocity in full power carry loads.
Limitations: Not recommended for reduced recoil plinking rounds because it burns inefficiently at low pressures.
Alliant Power Pistol
Pros: Power Pistol generates phenomenal velocities and meters exceptionally well through automated presses.
Cons: It produces a notoriously bright muzzle flash and a snappy recoil impulse in lightweight handguns.
Published .40 S&W Data: Available in the Alliant Powder Reloader’s Guide and Speer manuals.
Common Bullet Weights: Best utilized with 155 grain, 165 grain, and 180 grain jacketed hollow points.
Velocity Characteristics: Yields some of the highest safe velocities published for mid weight projectiles.
Accuracy or Consistency Evidence: Extremely stable at high pressures with excellent standard deviations.
Best Application: Perfect for loading full power practice ammunition to perfectly mimic self defense carry loads.
Limitations: The intense blast makes it unpleasant for indoor range target practice.
Hodgdon Titegroup
Pros: Titegroup offers flawless metering, position insensitivity, and incredibly low charge weights.
Cons: It burns exceptionally hot and can rapidly spike pressures if bullets are seated too deeply.
Published .40 S&W Data: Fully supported by the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center.
Common Bullet Weights: Excellent coverage for 135 grain, 155 grain, 165 grain, and 180 grain setups.
Velocity Characteristics: Yields stable target velocities from 850 fps up to roughly 1,050 fps.
Accuracy or Consistency Evidence: Provides tight groups and consistent velocity regardless of powder position in the case.
Best Application: An outstanding option when you need the best powder for 40 S&W target loads produced in high volume.
Limitations: The extremely small powder volume makes accidental double charges physically possible, requiring strict visual inspection.
Winchester 231
Pros: Winchester 231 meters predictably, burns cleanly at standard pressures, and is highly economical.
Cons: It will not safely achieve maximum full power defensive velocities.
Published .40 S&W Data: Extensively documented by the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center and Lyman.
Common Bullet Weights: Broadly supports 135 grain, 155 grain, 165 grain, and 180 grain projectiles.
Velocity Characteristics: Produces strictly standard target velocities typically between 850 and 1,000 fps.
Accuracy or Consistency Evidence: Renowned for exceptional consistency and very low standard deviation.
Best Application: Widely considered the best powder for 40 S&W 180 grain target loads for casual range practice.
Limitations: Unsuitable for heavy defensive applications requiring maximum kinetic energy.
Accurate No. 5
Pros: Accurate No. 5 is a dense spherical powder that meters perfectly and requires no charge weight adjustments.
Cons: It requires a heavier charge weight compared to fast burning target powders.
Published .40 S&W Data: Thoroughly covered by Western Powders and current Hodgdon manuals.
Common Bullet Weights: Works beautifully with 155 grain, 165 grain, and 180 grain bullets.
Velocity Characteristics: Pushes 180 grain bullets to 950 fps and lighter bullets past 1,050 fps safely.
Accuracy or Consistency Evidence: The consistent metering results in highly uniform shot to shot performance.
Best Application: Fantastic for loading full power practice ammunition on automated progressive presses.
Limitations: Less efficient for very light, reduced recoil target loads.
Alliant Unique
Pros: Unique is a medium burn rate powder that can safely load almost any pistol cartridge in existence.
Cons: The large flake size does not always meter perfectly through volumetric powder drops.
Published .40 S&W Data: Heavily documented in the Alliant Powder Reloader’s Guide and older Lyman manuals.
Common Bullet Weights: Excellent for everything from 135 grain to heavy 180 grain projectiles.
Velocity Characteristics: Easily replicates standard factory practice ammunition velocities.
Accuracy or Consistency Evidence: Extremely consistent ignition even with standard primers.
Best Application: A highly reliable 40 S&W reloading powder for standard pressure practice ammunition.
Limitations: Can burn quite dirty if loaded below mid range published charges.
Hodgdon CFE Pistol
Pros: Features proprietary technology to erase copper fouling and delivers very high velocities.
Cons: Burns slightly slower, requiring much larger charge weights than fast target powders.
Published .40 S&W Data: Found in the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center and Hornady manuals.
Common Bullet Weights: Supports the full range from 135 grain up to 180 grain.
Velocity Characteristics: Capable of pushing 180 grain bullets near 1,000 fps and lighter bullets past 1,100 fps.
Accuracy or Consistency Evidence: Excellent consistency when loaded near the top end of the pressure spectrum.
Best Application: The definitive choice for high velocity target and field loads with jacketed bullets.
Limitations: Performs poorly and leaves unburnt powder if used for low pressure plinking loads.
Vihtavuori N320
Pros: Vihtavuori N320 is remarkably clean, produces low muzzle flash, and handles temperature variations well.
Cons: It is typically more expensive and sometimes harder to find than domestic powders.
Published .40 S&W Data: Comprehensive data is published in the Vihtavuori Reloading Guide.
Common Bullet Weights: Optimized for 135 grain, 155 grain, 165 grain, and 180 grain bullets.
Velocity Characteristics: Safely pushes a 180 grain bullet to 900 fps with excellent stability.
Accuracy or Consistency Evidence: Highly prized by USPSA shooters for single digit standard deviations.
Best Application: The top choice for the best powder for 40 S&W premium competition loads.
Limitations: The higher cost makes it less economical for casual high volume plinking.
Accurate No. 7
Pros: Provides excellent load density and operates beautifully with the heaviest bullets in the caliber.
Cons: Generates slightly less absolute maximum velocity than Longshot with lightweight 135 grain bullets.
Published .40 S&W Data: Extensively tested with dozens of loads published by Western Powders.
Common Bullet Weights: Broadly supports heavy 165 grain, 180 grain, and 200 grain projectiles.
Velocity Characteristics: Delivers strong upper mid range velocities that perfectly mimic heavy factory defensive ammunition.
Accuracy or Consistency Evidence: Renowned for exceptional consistency and very low extreme spreads.
Best Application: Widely considered the best powder for loading maximum penetration 180 grain and 200 grain loads.
Limitations: It is not the most economical choice for shooters looking to stretch a pound of powder.
Alliant BE-86
Pros: Features a proprietary flash suppressant while delivering velocities perfectly mimicking Power Pistol.
Cons: Can be difficult to find in stock during reloading component shortages.
Published .40 S&W Data: Heavily documented in the Alliant Powder Reloader’s Guide.
Common Bullet Weights: Excellent for 155 grain, 165 grain, and 180 grain jacketed bullets.
Velocity Characteristics: Easily reaches maximum factory defense load velocities with safe pressure limits.
Accuracy or Consistency Evidence: Provides extremely consistent ignition and excellent accuracy in factory length barrels.
Best Application: The ultimate choice for loading your own high performance carry and self defense ammunition.
Limitations: Slower burning than pure target powders, requiring slightly larger powder drops.
How To Choose Between The 10 Powders
When viewing a comprehensive 40 S&W powder comparison, your ideal choice depends entirely on your specific shooting goals. For sheer velocity and self defense replication, Hodgdon Longshot, Alliant Power Pistol, and Alliant BE-86 are the absolute best choices. If you are focused on highly accurate, low recoil target loads, fast burning options like Hodgdon Titegroup, Winchester 231, and Vihtavuori N320 will serve you perfectly. For shooters wanting to safely load heavy 180 grain to 200 grain ammunition for outdoor applications, Accurate No. 7 and Accurate No. 5 are the clear winners.
Published Data And Safety
Using exact 40 S&W powder load data is mandatory for your safety and the longevity of your pistol. The .40 S&W is a high pressure cartridge operating at 35,000 psi, and some older pistol models feature unsupported chambers that can cause case bulging if pressures spike. Every published reloading recipe is carefully calibrated for a specific bullet weight and bullet design. Maintaining the exact cartridge overall length is paramount because seating a .40 caliber bullet too deeply drastically spikes internal chamber pressure to dangerous levels very quickly. Always begin your process with the published starting load and slowly work up toward the maximum published load. Monitoring your brass for pressure signs and adhering strictly to your specific firearm specifications will prevent catastrophic failures. Relying solely on official data from powder manufacturers guarantees safe and reliable ammunition.
FAQs
What is the best powder for .40 S&W?
The best powder for .40 S&W depends on your specific application, but Hodgdon Longshot, Alliant Power Pistol, and Hodgdon Titegroup are universally recommended based on decades of published load data.
What are the 3 best powders for .40 S&W?
The 3 best powders for .40 S&W are Hodgdon Longshot, Alliant Power Pistol, and Hodgdon Titegroup.
What powder gives the best .40 S&W velocity?
Hodgdon Longshot and Alliant Power Pistol will safely provide the best powder for 40 S&W velocity when shooting heavy defensive bullets.
What powder is best for .40 S&W 180 grain bullets?
Accurate No. 7, Hodgdon Longshot, and Winchester 231 are widely considered the absolute best choices for highly accurate 180 grain practice and defense loads.
What powder is best for .40 S&W target loads?
Faster burning powders like Hodgdon Titegroup and Vihtavuori N320 are excellent choices for .40 S&W target loads due to their consistent metering and moderate recoil.
Does powder choice affect .40 S&W accuracy?
Yes, powder choice directly affects accuracy by changing the burn rate, the internal pressure curve, and the standard deviation of your velocity for a specific bullet weight.
What powders have published .40 S&W load data?
Almost all modern fast and medium burning pistol powders have published data, including extensive options from Hodgdon, Alliant, Vihtavuori, Winchester, and Accurate.
Does Hodgdon publish .40 S&W powder data?
Yes, Hodgdon publishes extensive, free .40 S&W powder load data for their entire family of powders through their online Reloading Data Center.