.40 S&W Ammo

**djpup** · September 15th, 2014, 04:36 PM

It's time to buy ammo. I have a S&W SW40VE. Right now I'm using Federal American Eagle 155 gr FMJ ammo for carry and range. Thinking of going to Federal Hydra-Shok JHP 165 or 180 gr. for carry, and Federal American Eagle
180 gr FMJ for range.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks

**ExFlyinguy** · September 15th, 2014, 05:11 PM

I had the same question myself awhile back and I came across this article: http://greent.com/40Page/ammo/40/180gr.htm

Maybe someone will take exception with it, but it sold me, and I stopped carrying 180's in favor of 165/155's.

HTH

**bluetrane2028** · September 15th, 2014, 06:07 PM

Here's my advice:

Switch to hollow points for carry, and if possible use whatever weight FMJ your carry ammo happens to be for target shooting at the range.

Also target shoot with your carry ammo from time to time.

As for what hollow points? I have 165gr Federal HSTs in my .40s. It just happened to be what I could get in enough quantity for the right price. It will dump energy a whole heck of a lot better than FMJ.

**Justin///M** · September 17th, 2014, 07:28 PM

I use 180gr HSTs myself.

If you scour forums like poofa and arfcom, you can get good deals on it. I recently bought 9 boxes for 23 bucks each from a guy here.

Justin

**Justin///M** · September 17th, 2014, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by ExFlyinguy

I had the same question myself awhile back and I came across this article: http://greent.com/40Page/ammo/40/180gr.htm

Maybe someone will take exception with it, but it sold me, and I stopped carrying 180's in favor of 165/155's.

HTH

If I'm not mistaken, that is a 10+ year old write up.

Justin

**Rblakely** · September 17th, 2014, 07:49 PM

I buy my practice ammo from LaxAmmo and Freedom munitions (180gr FMJ reloads). Good prices and if you watch the deals you can get free shipping.

I carry Federal 180gr JHP.

**ExFlyinguy** · September 17th, 2014, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

If I'm not mistaken, that is a 10+ year old write up.

Justin

Thanks Justin! It looks like you are probably correct on the dating of that article. Do you have any information that makes it irrelevant/outdated?

I bought into it because of other information that came to my attention about bullet set back of 180's raising the pressures, and the infamous 40 kaboom. The information was being discussed regarding carry ammo and especially the one that always gets chambered. Recommendations were that an attempt be made not to continuously chamber the same round over and over.

Since I'm a newb reloader & just started reloading .40's I'd love any info I can read up on.

Thanks, Tom

**Yellowfin** · September 18th, 2014, 01:19 AM

Just do what I do and every time you go to the range, shoot the one out of the chamber while your mags are stuffed with practice ammo. .40 is a sweetheart to reload, very gentle with Titegroup, PB, and other similar powders. Be sure to get a Lee Bulge Buster, absolutely a MUST have when doing .40 and .45.

**TXDMERC73** · September 18th, 2014, 02:36 AM

i have 3 boxes of .40 HST in 165 gr and 155 gr i bought on ammunitiondepot.com

the shipping is murder its 13.74 just to ship a single box of ammo from there, i only buy from there when i need JHP,you cant put a price on your life!

i buy all my FMj from walmart .

**mosseater** · September 25th, 2014, 12:44 AM

I've been using Rem Golden Saber 165s for a long time. They used to be comparitively cheap until the big ammo scare a few years back, which is apparently still underway. When everybody elses HP were selling at $25 or higher for 20 rounds, GS was still easily had at $14 per 25 on line at several places. Not the case anymore, but still good ammo. It fared better then most on tests with auto glass and other barriers. Low flash, nickel cases and consistant performance. They work well on deer, too! So, I figure they'll do ok on "other aminals". The bonded are like hens teeth anymore. Not even sure if they still make them.