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I'm curious what the 40 S&W users prefer for bullet weights in factory ammo for:

1. self-defence

2. casual target practice

3. competition target practice (IPSC, IDPA)

I don't currently use/carry/reload 40, so I'm starting from the beginning with this calibre.

thanks

ghostrider wrote:I'm curious what the 40 S&W users prefer for bullet weights in factory ammo for:

1. self-defence

2. casual target practice

3. competition target practice (IPSC, IDPA)

I don't currently use/carry/reload 40, so I'm starting from the beginning with this calibre.

thanks

I hope this helps.
Self-defense: 165 gr Gold Dot
Casual target practice: what ever is cheapest
I don't shoot in competition.

I hope this helps.
Self-defense: 165 gr Gold Dot
Casual target practice: what ever is cheapest
I don't shoot in competition.

yes, that does. Especially since I like Gold Dots :-)

WildBill wrote:

ghostrider wrote:I'm curious what the 40 S&W users prefer for bullet weights in factory ammo for:

1. self-defence

2. casual target practice

3. competition target practice (IPSC, IDPA)

I don't currently use/carry/reload 40, so I'm starting from the beginning with this calibre.

thanks

I hope this helps.
Self-defense: 165 gr Gold Dot
Casual target practice: what ever is cheapest
I don't shoot in competition.

I run the 165 GD also. I have read that the 155-165 bullets are the optimum for penetration and expansion in the .40, so I stuck with them. Of course its all opinion and the actual difference may be negligible. I'm also the the same guy that prefers the 147 over 124 + in 9mm.

IM the odd man out on this one.
135gr corbon. yes its light weight, yes it lack the depth of penatration that the fbi standard has set.
it has been street proven as very effect despite it lack of 12" fbi rule. Its numbers on paper look very close to the .357 @125gr and its street record reflects the same too.
On colder days were people are wearing more cloths I would be more inclined to 165gr golddot... but here in Tx were winter is short and not normally as cold its not much of an issue.

cheezit wrote:IM the odd man out on this one.
135gr corbon. yes its light weight, yes it lack the depth of penatration that the fbi standard has set.
it has been street proven as very effect despite it lack of 12" fbi rule. Its numbers on paper look very close to the .357 @125gr and its street record reflects the same too.
On colder days were people are wearing more cloths I would be more inclined to 165gr golddot... but here in Tx were winter is short and not normally as cold its not much of an issue.

If I was gonna run a 135, I would just switch to 357 Sig. That's the great thing about the 40 all you need is a new barrel.

SD - - - 140 GR CorBon DPX

Backup SD - - - 155 Federal HST

Practice/competition what ever I have loaded from 155 to 180 gr.

The CorBon 135 gr load is used by a number of LE agencies up North. They like it! As stated earlier performance mimics the 125gr .357 Magnum.

I run several grains but mainly 155. I have some double tap 135 that I am sure will do the job but I carried Corbon 135 a while back and didn’t really like it. I also run Black Hills 155-180jhp, which is just a Hornady xtp bullet but mainly I carry the Winchester 155 silvertip or 165 ranger t-series. I love Gold dots but I practice a lot with carry ammo and $23.00 for a box of 20 gets real expensive real quick. I only carry ammo that I can afford to practice with weekly and Corbon and Gold Dots are not in that category.

For practice I use whatever is the cheapest brass ammo at Wal-Mart. I don't shoot competition either.

Currently have 165 gr Federal Tactical HST. Getting ready to make the switch to Hornady TAP FPD in (I believe 150 gr).
For practice, I usually use 165 gr. WWB if it's available. Otherwise, I have some Remington target ammo (also 165 gr).

I only use 180-grain in .40 S&W.

I carry Speer Gold Dots of the 180-grain variety for self-defense. I use Federal 180-grain for target practice.

I like 180-grain and will stick with it.

For SD in the Glock 27: 165gr Winchester Ranger T-Series, 165gr Winchester PDX1 and winter switch to 180gr Federal HST
For SD in the Glock 22: 180gr Bonded Winchester Ranger or 180gr Federal HST

I still prefer the Winchester T-Series Ranger for SD but the Federal HST is a close second.

For Range: 180gr FMJ from T's or any cheap brass stuff thats on sale.

I don not currently shoot in any form of competition.

Vic wrote:I only use 180-grain in .40 S&W.

I carry Speer Gold Dots of the 180-grain variety for self-defense. I use Federal 180-grain for target practice.

I like 180-grain and will stick with it.

x2. Only difference here is my carry ammo is Winchester Ranger T-Series rather than Gold Dots...

ghostrider wrote:I'm curious what the 40 S&W users prefer for bullet weights in factory ammo for:

1. self-defence

2. casual target practice

3. competition target practice (IPSC, IDPA)

I don't currently use/carry/reload 40, so I'm starting from the beginning with this calibre.

thanks

1) Hornady TAP (180 gr. IIRC) or 165gr. Critical Defense.
2) 180 gr. (usually Federal or WWB from Wally)
3) As 2.

thanks guys.

looks like 165gr and 180gr are the more popular weights.

a quick browse through the Cabelas catalog shows mostly 180gr loads.

Even though it seems counterintuitive, I have found that shooting heavier bullets results in a less "snappy" recoil and more control during rapid fire. I shoot 180 grain for carry and competition in 40 cal.

Gringop