135 grain .40 Federal brand any good?
- Thread starter TheProf
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REAPER4206969
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135gr. is way too light for serious use.
Marshall
Member
What does "outperform" mean to you?
Each to their own but I prefer a 155gr, minimally, in .40 S&W.
Each to their own but I prefer a 155gr, minimally, in .40 S&W.
pacerdude
Member
I have two boxes of it that I have been meaning to take to the range, mine are the frangible rounds in a white box.
I guess sooner or later I will find out how they shoot.
I guess sooner or later I will find out how they shoot.
I'm with Reaper and Marshal. I like 155gr and up in .40. Preferably 165 or 180gr.
130gr .38spl would have a lot better sectional density than a 135gr .40cal. Therefore, all else being equal, the .38 would penetrate more.
Of course, in the real world, all else isn't always equal, so YMMV.
130gr .38spl would have a lot better sectional density than a 135gr .40cal. Therefore, all else being equal, the .38 would penetrate more.
Of course, in the real world, all else isn't always equal, so YMMV.
REAPER4206969
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The Lone Haranguer
Member
If you're seeing any ammo, period, in your Wal-Marts, you should probably jump on it. 
There are more effective loads for defense in this caliber out there, though. A 135-grain is very light for this caliber unless also pushed to extra velocity to compensate, which I doubt this is.
There are more effective loads for defense in this caliber out there, though. A 135-grain is very light for this caliber unless also pushed to extra velocity to compensate, which I doubt this is.The lighter bullets in the .40 S&W can be pretty snappy. The Federal load (#PD40HS4H) drives a 135 to 1,200 FPS.
Generally speaking, bullets that are light for the caliber lose velocity quickly and do not penetrate as well as heavier, albeit slower, slugs. IOW, a 135 .40 S&W bullet is likely NOT to perform as well as a 130 from a .38/357, due to very poor sectional density.
I shoot all 180s in my .40. I find the heavier bullets MUCH more pleasant to shoot, and believe them to be much more effective than lighter bullets in the same caliber.
Generally speaking, bullets that are light for the caliber lose velocity quickly and do not penetrate as well as heavier, albeit slower, slugs. IOW, a 135 .40 S&W bullet is likely NOT to perform as well as a 130 from a .38/357, due to very poor sectional density.
I shoot all 180s in my .40. I find the heavier bullets MUCH more pleasant to shoot, and believe them to be much more effective than lighter bullets in the same caliber.
cwbjaxfl
Member
i shot some of my 135gr federal ammo from wally world yesterday and my uspc loved it. i will be buying more!
Reaper.... you said that the "135 grain is too light for any serious work... and then you provided a video link that essentially said that the recommended buying the 135 grain .40. So.....I'm a little confused?????????
Is the 135 grain .40 HP (Federal brand) an effective round for SD?
Is the 135 grain .40 HP (Federal brand) an effective round for SD?
dpeticca
Member
If they're using the Copper bullets similar to what I carry (140 Grain Corbon DPX), then I'd say it's great. In fact, the 140 Grain DPX is going about 1200 fps, and the lighter weight (for the caliber) makes it shoot real sweet. The round expands and penetrates just as well as any other manufacturers 155 to 180 Grain JHP's.
Federal utilizes the Barnes XPB in some of their other calibers, so it's possible they're doing the same here as Corbon.
I'd want to know more about the bullet and the velocity to be sure though.
Federal utilizes the Barnes XPB in some of their other calibers, so it's possible they're doing the same here as Corbon.
I'd want to know more about the bullet and the velocity to be sure though.
Shadow 7D
Member
Look at the job you want them to do, fast light bullet, expands well, and doesn't??? overpenetrate.
It depends on what you like/want to shoot
I've been looking for lighter and semi mild .40 loading to see if I can get to the point where I can shoot a P40 consistently, because, while a faster 180grn is great out my XD, it aint out of the little KT
It depends on what you like/want to shoot
I've been looking for lighter and semi mild .40 loading to see if I can get to the point where I can shoot a P40 consistently, because, while a faster 180grn is great out my XD, it aint out of the little KT
Full Metal Jacket
member
cabela's has had this one in stock for some time now. it's loaded to pretty weak velocities. i got the 180 & 165grn hst's instead. there's a reason the cabela's near my house has a buttload of it, and is only asking $22/box for it.....
REAPER4206969
Member
I don't agree with his opinion, but it is a good video. 11" of penetration in water jugs is way too little. The light .40's also generate excessive slide velocity causing reliability/durability problems in some pistols.
REAPER4206969
Member
That's what you want.
Full Metal Jacket
member
HST & PDX1 are the best jhp's on the market right now.
If your pistol has fixed sights, it may well be regulated to place the standard 180-grain loads at point-of-aim. Lighter-bullet loads may have a different point of impact. Any reasonable bullet weight can be driven at a velocity that will cause significant damage to a living target, but shot placement can be important, as not all armed encounters are at arm's length. I use 180-grain Gold Dots in my SIGs. I wear a badge, and am more likely to defend another person, and/or be dispatched to trouble, which will mean I may seek cover at some distance from an adversary upon arrival. 165-grain ammo impacts notably lower than 180, but is still close enough to be an OK substitute. (I must buy my own duty ammo, within guidelines.) 155 is starting to get really low at 15 yards, and is noticeable at shorter distance.
If one uses 135-to140-grain ammo, it might be a good idea to see where it impacts at something like across-a-parking-lot distance.
If one uses 135-to140-grain ammo, it might be a good idea to see where it impacts at something like across-a-parking-lot distance.
Rexter... ...that a lighter bullet will lose its trajectory quicker than a heavier bullet when fired across a long distance? That seems counterintuitive. I would think that a heavier bullet will start dropping faster than a lighter one.
I understand that a heavier bullet will penetrate more due to momentum...but as you factor longer distances, I would think that the heavier bullet will start dropping first.
Please explain....
I understand that a heavier bullet will penetrate more due to momentum...but as you factor longer distances, I would think that the heavier bullet will start dropping first.
Please explain....
Full Metal Jacket
member
a lighter bullet is likelier to be deflected off course by air current, or contact with an object such as a leaf.
moot point at the usual range of handgun defense distances of less than 7 yards.
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I saw the Federal 135 gr. ammo in Wal-Mart too, I was leery of the weight and unsure if if was a standard "full power" load or a weakened load.
I ended up getting a couple boxes of the Winchester 180 JHP. Although it might not be a "premium" bullet, it is a standard 40 bullet weight offering the traditional 40 ballistics.
I ended up getting a couple boxes of the Winchester 180 JHP. Although it might not be a "premium" bullet, it is a standard 40 bullet weight offering the traditional 40 ballistics.
Just a footnote here.Mike from DoubleTap ammo loads a 10mm round (my fav) in a 135grain load and it screams.I think at ranges and condition's a citizen will run up against these would be very effective.
No im not going to quote any studies.BUT the most effective .357 magnum load is a 125 grain.
Also Wally world have these for 23.97 a box..
just my .02 cents.
No im not going to quote any studies.BUT the most effective .357 magnum load is a 125 grain.
Also Wally world have these for 23.97 a box..
just my .02 cents.
Full Metal Jacket
member
not a bad choice at all.
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