40 s&w XTP opinions
- Thread starter JO JO
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gamestalker
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I load for various .40 cal. pistols and my primary bullet is the 155 gr. . So far as self defense is concerned, I generally go with XTP's or Gold Dots sitting on top of a healthy charge of HS6 or Longshot. But you were asking specifically about the XTP, to which I have done some testing with, and found to be an excellent performing bullet with regard to both penetration and controlled expansion. I haven't however tried Power Pistol, so I can't offer an opinion there.
In my opinion, the .40 cal. is at its best with bullets of 165 gr. or less. And when being pushed with either of the two powders I mentioned above, 155 gr. JHP's are delivering a velocity of near 1400 fps from a 4.5" XDM, and slightly less with the sub compact XDM. Contrary to what many claim regarding accuracy at higher velocities, even the less expensive Taurus pistols have delivered very impressive accuracy, even when being pushed at maximum velocities.
In my opinion, the .40 cal. is at its best with bullets of 165 gr. or less. And when being pushed with either of the two powders I mentioned above, 155 gr. JHP's are delivering a velocity of near 1400 fps from a 4.5" XDM, and slightly less with the sub compact XDM. Contrary to what many claim regarding accuracy at higher velocities, even the less expensive Taurus pistols have delivered very impressive accuracy, even when being pushed at maximum velocities.
chrisf8657
Member
I've heard mixed reviews on the XTP bullets - some say there great, others say they perform miserably at expansion and penetrate way too much...however, the one thing they all agree on is that they have excellent accuracy.
I personally use only Gold Dot for SD loads (for put away for SHTF), or regular FMJ/Plated for target practice.
I personally use only Gold Dot for SD loads (for put away for SHTF), or regular FMJ/Plated for target practice.
I've shot the 155 XTP's in a G23 using Power Pistol and they shot well. Don't know about penetration or expansion. 8.0 grains got 1140 fps using CCI 500 primers in Win cases. Hornady says 8.6 is maximum for 1200 fps using Hornady cases and Win SP primers at an overall length of 1.125".
ssyoumans
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Out of my Glock 23 using Power Pistol, CCI SP primers:
8.0gr PP: 1166fps, ES 35fps, 423 ft-lbs
7.7gr PP: 1109fps, ES 33fps, 423 ft-lbs
I've chosen to stick with the 7.7gr. Don't like pushing 40S&W reloads hard out of a Glock. As a point of reference, factory ammo:
155gr Speer Gold Dots: 1140fps
155gr Silver Tips: 1117fps
155gr Federal HST: 1150fps
I see no reason to ever go above 8.0 and prefer 7.7gr PP
If you prefer a less flash powder, I'm working on a load using True Blue (one of my new favorite powders).
7.5gr TB: 1052fps, ES 40fps, 382 ft-lbs
Note: Ramshot does not publish data for a 155gr 40S&W, my load was an extrapolation from the 150gr data they provide. Work up carefully should you choose to use it, as neither I or The High Road are responsible for any Kabooms.
8.0gr PP: 1166fps, ES 35fps, 423 ft-lbs
7.7gr PP: 1109fps, ES 33fps, 423 ft-lbs
I've chosen to stick with the 7.7gr. Don't like pushing 40S&W reloads hard out of a Glock. As a point of reference, factory ammo:
155gr Speer Gold Dots: 1140fps
155gr Silver Tips: 1117fps
155gr Federal HST: 1150fps
I see no reason to ever go above 8.0 and prefer 7.7gr PP
If you prefer a less flash powder, I'm working on a load using True Blue (one of my new favorite powders).
7.5gr TB: 1052fps, ES 40fps, 382 ft-lbs
Note: Ramshot does not publish data for a 155gr 40S&W, my load was an extrapolation from the 150gr data they provide. Work up carefully should you choose to use it, as neither I or The High Road are responsible for any Kabooms.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I would also use the 180gr bullet instead of a 155gr bullet. HS-6 and Longshot do work well in the 40 S&W so I see no reason why Power Pistol wouldn't since they are all in the same burn rate range...
briantf
Member
If I want to shoot 10mm bullets, I'd get a 10mm. I find the 180 gr commercial loadings unpleasant in 40 S&W.
I went with the 155 XTP's since the 230 gr XTP's give excellent accuracy in my various 45's (1911 especially). Power Pistol is my new favorite pistol powder, even for 105 gr lead in 9mm, so it was a given in my recipes.
I carry GDHP commercial ammo in the regular world, but have been carrying XTP's up at the ranch for ~10 years. I find the claim that XTP's overpenetrate/don't expand to be questionable; I managed to drop a turkey with my Glock 21 at 20 yards, a shot through the backbone and into one wing showed the results of excellent expansion. On the other hand, if a bigger critter becomes the issue and I don't have a rifle, I'm not going to be too upset about "overpenetration".
I shoot my 40 S&W handloads in a Glock 33 with a Glock 27 barrel and a CZ-75B. I got best accuracy at 8.3 gr. and stopped there.
Regards,
Brian in CA
I went with the 155 XTP's since the 230 gr XTP's give excellent accuracy in my various 45's (1911 especially). Power Pistol is my new favorite pistol powder, even for 105 gr lead in 9mm, so it was a given in my recipes.
I carry GDHP commercial ammo in the regular world, but have been carrying XTP's up at the ranch for ~10 years. I find the claim that XTP's overpenetrate/don't expand to be questionable; I managed to drop a turkey with my Glock 21 at 20 yards, a shot through the backbone and into one wing showed the results of excellent expansion. On the other hand, if a bigger critter becomes the issue and I don't have a rifle, I'm not going to be too upset about "overpenetration".
I shoot my 40 S&W handloads in a Glock 33 with a Glock 27 barrel and a CZ-75B. I got best accuracy at 8.3 gr. and stopped there.
Regards,
Brian in CA
Waywatcher
Member
Shooting 180 out of a .40 is similar to a 230 from a .45 for sectional density.
The .40 gets an additional 130 fps (+/-) which is pretty impressive.
I have tried the Hornady 180 FMJ in my Glock 23 and I like it with HS-6 or Power Pistol.
I found with my chronograph, that these loads were factory equivalents at about 980fps:
6.5 grains of Power Pistol (CCI 500, OAL of 1.125)
7.5 grains HS-6 (CCI 500, OAL of 1.125)
To drop the velocity to about 950 fps:
Power Pistol @ 6.2
HS-6 @ 7.0
These loads are well within all data I have seen; with the one exception of the 7.0 grains of HS-6--it is under the start load according to Speer, but not Hornady or Lyman.
The .40 gets an additional 130 fps (+/-) which is pretty impressive.
I have tried the Hornady 180 FMJ in my Glock 23 and I like it with HS-6 or Power Pistol.
I found with my chronograph, that these loads were factory equivalents at about 980fps:
6.5 grains of Power Pistol (CCI 500, OAL of 1.125)
7.5 grains HS-6 (CCI 500, OAL of 1.125)
To drop the velocity to about 950 fps:
Power Pistol @ 6.2
HS-6 @ 7.0
These loads are well within all data I have seen; with the one exception of the 7.0 grains of HS-6--it is under the start load according to Speer, but not Hornady or Lyman.
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