I know it is personal opinion, but which do you prefer, Magtech First Defense or Federal's Hydra-Shok Jacketed Hollow-Points? Just thought I would ask.

That's a tuff one. Are other rounds an option? If not, I would go with the Hydra-Shok's.

There are other options, its just I can get a good deal on either of these two.

I love everything I have shot from MagTech...

If I were you I would spend a tad more for a better performing round.


Here's a list of the top performing .40 loads:

Barnes all-copper bullets (140 & 155gr) loaded by: Cor-Bon (DPX40140)
Winchester Ranger 180gr JHP (RA40T)
Winchester Ranger 165gr JHP (RA40TA)
Winchester Partition Gold 165gr JHP (RA401P)
Winchester Bonded 180gr JHP (Q4355)
Speer Gold Dot 155gr JHP (53961)
Speer Gold Dot 180gr JHP (53962)
Federal Tactical 165gr JHP (LE40T3)
Federal Tactical 180gr JHP (LE40T1)
Federal HST 180gr JHP (P40HST1)
Remington Golden Saber 180 gr JHP (GS40SWB)

I think there are better, more modern bullets than the Hydra-Shok, but I would be very comfortable with it in the 155 gr. loading. I have no opinion of Magtech. .40 S&W is a hard round to screw up and there are many good loads to choose from.

FWIW, Hydra -Shoks have a reputation for superb accuracy.

Hydra-Shoks do their job. My favorite, the best performer I've found, is Win Ranger SXT 180gr.

__________________
Fast is fine;accurate is final

Looked up the winchester rangers. What is the difference between the sub sonics hp and the bonded hp and which is the better?

Subsonic means it's a subsonic velocity or below approx 1050 FPS.

Bonded means the bullet is bonded together as in one solid projectile. It provides superior barrier penetration which is especially good for law enforcement.

The standard Ranger is just fine. After expanding it produces sharp talons that cause extra tissue damage.
Look for the newer generation "T-Series". The SXT is the older gen. The T-Series was modified to expand better through clothing and it's talons are longer and better designed to stick out farther upon expansion.

I myself stick with the T-Series. It's really not going to matter to much unless you are law enforcement and faced with barriers such as automobiles and whatnot.



Believe it or not the Hydra-shoks have a horrible reputation of failing to expand when passing through clothing. Can they do it? Sure, but newer rounds provide a much better chance of expanding.


I have seen numerous reports of the Magtech failing to expand even when being tested in water.

1330 fps / 530 ft lbs : Cor-Bon Self-Defense 135 Gr JHP
1215 fps / 508 ft lbs : Magtech Guardian Gold 155 Gr JHP
1200 fps / 495 ft lbs : Winchester Super-X 155 Gr Silvertip HP
1020 fps / 416 ft lbs : Winchester USA 180 Gr JHP

Recently chronoed by my brother in law using a glock 22. The Cor Bon and Magtech both had good consistant expansion.

I personally prefer 155 gr for defense.

I typically use Gold Dots in my 9mms and only just recently acquired my first 40 S&W. I bought a case of Federal Hi-Shoks in the 155 gr. weight which seem to perform well enough for my needs.

Magtech FD is a 130gr all copper bullet loaded at 1190fps, comparable to Corbon DPX. If they're reliable and accurate they should perform well.

__________________
Fast is fine;accurate is final

Between those two choices I would take the Hydra shoks. I've seen people shot with the Hydra's and they didn't live to tell about it.