Defense ammo for a .40 cal

[blackirish]

Can anyone recommend some good .40 cal ammo for my glock?

[Skuggi]

I run winchester hollow points.

[VeryPrivate]

Remington 165 gr Golden Sabers
CorBon 155 gr DPX
Federal 155 gr Hydra-shocks
Speer 165 gr GDHP

[SSCUSTER]

I don't have a Glock, but both my Springfield XD and H & K P2000 like 180 grain Winchester Ranger T.

My wallet likes it to as it is almost half the price of other good defense loads.

I doubt that you will find it in any stores, but I have bought quite a bit of ranger ammo in various calibers from this site:
http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/s...pig27&ct=65201

[TonyF]

I posted this in the *what's the best 9mm and .45ACP load* threads.

This is from Dr. Gary Roberts, one of the most prominent and well respected ballisticians in the country.

Note the summation at the end (keys).


The following loads all demonstrate outstanding terminal performance and can be considered acceptable for duty/self-defense use:

9 mm:
Barnes XPB 105 & 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP (53617)
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP (53619)
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)

.40 S&W:
Barnes XPB 140 & 155 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Speer Gold Dot 155 gr JHP (53961)
Federal Tactical 165 gr JHP (LE40T3)
Winchester Ranger-T 165 gr JHP (RA40TA)
Winchester Partition Gold 165 gr JHP (RA401P)
Federal HST 180 gr JHP (P40HST1)
Federal Tactical 180 gr JHP (LE40T1)
Remington Golden Saber 180 gr JHP (GS40SWB)
Speer Gold Dot 180 gr JHP (53966)
Winchester Ranger-T 180 gr JHP (RA40T)

.45 ACP:
Barnes XPB 185 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal HST 230 gr +P JHP (P45HST1)
Federal Tactical 230 gr JHP (LE45T1)
Speer Gold Dot 230 gr JHP (23966)
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr JHP (RA45T)
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr +P JHP (RA45TP)

Notes:
-- Obviously, clone loads using the same bullet at the same velocity work equally well (ie. Black Hills ammo using Gold Dot bullets, etc…)

Keeping in mind that handguns generally offer poor incapacitation potential, bullets with effective terminal performance are available in all of the most commonly used duty pistol calibers--pick the one that you shoot most accurately, that is most reliable in the type of pistol you choose, and best suits your likely engagement scenarios. Whatever you choose, make sure you fire at least 500 and preferably 1000 failure free shots through your pistol prior to using it for duty. If your pistol cannot fire at least 1000 consecutive shots without a malfunction, something is wrong and it is not suitable for duty/self-defense use.

The keys are:

Invest in competent, thorough initial training and then maintain skills with regular ongoing practice

Acquire a reliable and durable weapon system

Purchase a consistent, robust performing duty/self-defense load in sufficient quantities (at least 1000 rounds) then STOP worrying about the nuances of handgun ammunition terminal performance.

[WMG]

black hills 155gr jhp "xtp"

[Emptymag]

Originally Posted by blackirish

Can anyone recommend some good .40 cal ammo for my glock?

Funny, I just got a G27 and was wondering the same thing.

I'm also hoping to see more responses that explain the choice for the ammo recommended.
Sorry, I'm like a little kid that way... I always want to know "WHY?"


In looking at the list provided by TonyF, I see that both the Federal Hydra-Shok and Winchester SXT are not there.
I've been carrying those two in my G19 and so I'd like to hear the reason(s) any of the others on the list are better choices. (in 9mm OR .40 cal.)

Thanks

[SSCUSTER]

Originally Posted by Emptymag

In looking at the list provided by TonyF, I see that both the Federal Hydra-Shok and Winchester SXT are not there.
I've been carrying those two in my G19 and so I'd like to hear the reason(s) any of the others on the list are better choices. (in 9mm OR .40 cal.)

Thanks

I have read several articles/opinions that said that Hydra-Shok is based upon obsolete technology. I have heard that it does not always expand properly when penetrating thick or layered clothing.

Here is an interesting website with observations by a former cop who now works in the Atlanta M.E.'s office. He does not recommend HS.
http://www.gunthorp.com/Terminal%20B...a%20morgue.htm

[VeryPrivate]

Originally Posted by SSCUSTER

I have read several articles/opinions that said that Hydra-Shok is based upon obsolete technology. I have heard that it does not always expand properly when penetrating thick or layered clothing.

I have heard this before, but without explanation. And how does a bullet become "obsolete?" All hollow points have trouble expanding if the cavity is clogged. Expansion is caused by the build-up of stagnation pressure in the cavity forcing the weakened cone outward, tearing the jacket and initiating the mushroom. Clogging is one reason .40 & .45 have an advantage over 9mm and .357 Sig, the initial diameter is larger from the start.

Federal EFMJ and Cor-Bon Pow-R-Ball are designed to overcome this by using a polymer ball in the cavity and having it expand the sides upon impact.

As for why someone chooses a given load, it usually comes down to one of three things.
1. Word of mouth.
2. Popular press regarding a bullet design.
3. It is what the local gun shop stocks.

Few people have time or money to test a selection for terminal performance. Even formal tests, say using the FBI protocol, are subject to interpretation and are only an educated guess regarding the terminal performance of a bullet.

For me, I follow the momentum school. I look for a round to have a power factor near 196 (=bullet weight [grains] * Muzzle velocity [fps] / 1000). This is based on the 125 gr .357 magnum (125 *1450/1000 = 181) and 230 gr .45 ACP (230 * 850/1000 = 196). Both these rounds are recognized as historically effective and produce recoils that I can control.

Looking at popular .40 S&W loads:
180 gr * 950fps /1000= 171
165 gr * 1150 fps /1000 = 190
155 gr * 1200 fps /1000 = 186
135 gr * 1350 fps /1000 = 182

The heaver bullets penetrate more reliably. A bullet is considered to be effective if it repeated penetrates a minimum of 8" - 12" of ballistic gelatin. So I prefer the 165 gr and 155 gr loads. Beyond that I look for an expanding design, typically a JHP or variation thereof.

The 180 grain loads are a little slower than the momentum theory suggests they should be, so out of preference, I avoid them. There are plenty of choices in other weights.

Just my humble opinion of things.

[TonyF]

Originally Posted by Emptymag

Funny, I just got a G27 and was wondering the same thing.

I'm also hoping to see more responses that explain the choice for the ammo recommended. Sorry, I'm like a little kid that way... I always want to know "WHY?"

In looking at the list provided by TonyF, I see that both the Federal Hydra-Shok and Winchester SXT are not there.

I've been carrying those two in my G19 and so I'd like to hear the reason(s) any of the others on the list are better choices. (in 9mm OR .40 cal.)

Thanks

To put Doc Roberts list into perspective, he has personally tested just about every premium loading from every major ammo maker and those that made his list all demonstrate outstanding terminal performance and can be considered acceptable for duty/self-defense use.

If a particular load didn't make the list, it's because it didn't demonstrate outstanding terminal performance.