.40 S&W, 155, 165 or 180 Grain?

[SalchaketJoe]

Thoughts on this? Used to carry Federal 155JHPs, but curious about the 180 grainers.

 

[sarduy]

i use the 180 and i love it. it feels more of a push than a snap from the lowers grain bullets.

 

[BlindJustice]

Let's see here
Doubletap
155 gr. Bonded JHP 1,270 FPS - Glock 23/4" Bbl
165 gr. Bonded JHP 1,200 FPS - Glock 23/4" Bbl
180 gr. Controlled Exp JHP 1,100 FPS - Glock 23/4" Bbl

* when DT sez Bonded JHP = Gold Dots
and Controlled Exp. JHPs = Hornady XTPs

Other manufacturers usually load the 180s much
closer to 1,000 fps.

I don't have a .40 S&W - I have a .400 CorBon
and the short neck precludes use of 180/200 gr. bullets,
so I've got
155 gr. Gold DOt JHP @ 1400 fps
& 155 gr. Hornady XTP JHP @ 1350 FPS

From testsing in various stuff I like the XTps at
those velocities Gold DOts should be fine for
a .40 S&W imho.

Randall

 

[nathan]

Mines loaded with 180 grs WWB HP.

 

[BCPerry]

I shoot the 180 controlled expansions

 

[wally]

All things being equal, I always go with the heaviest bullet for the caliber as the three most important things in hand gun effectiveness is bullet: placement, placement, and penetration.

--wally.

 

[Walkalong]

it feels more of a push than a snap from the lowers grain bullets

Yep. I like to shoot 180s over 165s, but I got a deal on some 165 Gr HSTs, so that is what I have mostly. Wouldn't hesitate to use them, nor be worried about it. It's all good if your shot placement is good.

 

[NMGonzo]

I shoot whatever I got .... I am happy to hit the plannet, but I can do better.

 

[Fremmer]

180 does push a heavier round, which is nice.

But those 155 grainers are something fierce.

 

[mljdeckard]

How long is your barrel? (I think) the only reason to use lighter bullets is to get more velocity from shorter barrels. Oh the other hand, I only use full-length barrels to be able to use full-size bullets without compromising velocity.

 

[glocks rock]

I have to agree with the others, 180's. I always go heavy . 230gr for 45's and 147gr for 9mm.

 

[GojuBrian]

I'd compromise and go with 165gr.

 

[mete]

I started out with 155s Hydroshok but now use 140 DPX .While expensive the DPX is perhaps the best performer.
.From all my research it's hard to find a poor 40 round with the exception of the 'reduced recoil' ones.So take your pick of the ones that function perfectly in your gun.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

I shoot 155 and 165 Montana Gold hp's. Come to think about it, i have 1000+ xtp's i need to sell, 180g.

 

[wnycollector]

My CZ-40B is slightly more accurate with 155 and 165 weights vs the 180gr weight. I carry fiocchi 165gr JHP's but I think any .40 will do the job as long as you do your job by hitting the target!

 

[FM12]

I carry whatever my boss issues to me. Not sure what it is right now, but it's duty ammo and it's free!!(some kind of JHP, though, I'm pretty sure) for my issued Sig 226/40 S&W. It doesn't get much better that this does it? Free ammo for a Sig pistol? Woot!

 

[possum]

personally i like lighter and faster. i choose 155gr if i can get a hold of them, until corbon came out with the 140gr DPX that is exclusivly what i carry now.

 

[smoketheresfire]

I find the 180gr shoot more to point of aim in my usp than the lighter weights. The higher the grains the higher on the target you're going to be. I'm generally a lighter faster guy as well, but the usp shoots low as it is and with the 140gr DPX its like 4" below point of aim for me at 15y. Do love the DPX in my PPS9 though.

 

[BrianB]

I actually use the 135gr JHP for my defense loads. The terminal ballistics don't suck at all.

 

[Enachos]

I'm using 155 gr. Hornady XTP. I don't worry too much about under-penetration because of the fact that it's a lighter bullet. In the end it is a .40 cal round and i trust it to penetrate deep enough

 

[SouthernBoy]

For my G23, and K40 Elite '98 Kahr, I use the 165gr Federal HST. For my G27, I go with the 155gr HST.

 

[HydrostatiK]

I load the the 15 round magazines on the 24/7 pro with a mixture of 165 grain hollows, and 180gr fmjs. Seems to shoot it just fine. Sometimes i use 155 grain gold dots too.

 

[armsmaster270]

I prefer the 165's but am issued the 180gr ww Rangers. I.C.E. is going to 135gr WW Rangers

 

[-v-]

165gr GDHP. However, thats because I have a ton of 'em. I'm considering moving to 180gr.

 

[KAK]

If you load it with the 135gr expect balistics similar but not exactly like the 357sig.
If you load it with 180gr expect big and slow and safer for home use.

I load my G27 carry gun with the heavy 180s
I load my G22 with lightweight 135s (I also shoot hogs from 50 yards with this setup)