I just bought the SW sd40 ve. What's best practice ammo to use and best defense ammo to use?

The best practice ammo is the cheapest you can find because you will shoot more of it. The best defense ammo will depend on your personal needs and wants.

Wow... Okay.

Anyway, when you are looking for practice ammo, stick to the big names to hopefully avoid issues relates to cheap ammo. Winchester, CCI, Blazer Brass, Federal American Eagle, Remington UMC -- you would be in good shape if you picked:

Boxes of 50rds of 165 or 180 grain FMJ that sells for $13-$16 a box... or $24-$26 for a hundred round pack.

Avoid aluminum case ammo, avoid "remanufactured" ammo and stick to the big American makers before you later venture off in to other options that may cost less.

Defense ammo is a different ball of wax and some folks get wildly twisted around the axle when choosing or rooting for their favorite. Me? I believe all of that is wasted energy -- if you pick any big-name manufacturer's top-tier product and AVOID the silly overhyped nonsense ammo, the ammo will do what you need as long as the pistol runs it RELIABLY.

So...
Grab some Federal HST or Winchester Ranger-T or Speer Gold Dot or ANY of the $1 to $1.50 per round top-tier defense ammo and try some in your pistol. If your gun successfully runs maybe 50 or 100 rounds of it, it will do as much as you can ask in a defensive situation.

Avoid: hyped silly stuff like "DRT!" or any junk with with an ultra-light fragmenting or sintered bullet that makes ridiculous claims.

An easy way to go is carry what the local cops carry. Ask 'em. Or ask the biggest local gun stores who might work with the local police.

Any of DocGKR's recommendations will serve you well for self defense. Just make sure you cycle enough to make sure your gun likes and functions well with your choice.

Self Defense and Duty Loads...ballistics info by DocGKR

Target and practice ammo, I like to try to approximate the same weight as my self defense in order for the gun to feel the same. And the cheapest I can find! Hope this helps!

Buy whatever is cheapest regardless of whether it is steelcase, aluminum, or brass as long as its new production. Freedom munitions makes good reman ammunition though. If your gun can't feed steel or aluminum case dump the gun and buy something better. A box of 50 brass case should run you $12 or less shipped online. Last I bought was 180gr Remington for $9 a box shipped

For defense, buy federal hst in 180gr or 165gr and don't worry about the other options. It's available for under $20 per 50 online

Can't say I agree with very much of this. Federal hst shouldn't be costing you more than $0.50 a round.

I would never ask a gun shop or cop what ammo to use as 75% know barely anything about guns

Use any of the big brand name self defense ammo? Most of those don't expand under anything but the perfect condition. I have yet to see a video where hst didn't expand from any barrel length even going through wood, denim, glass, etc (in 40 anyway) There is a large difference between self defense ammo choices

Try them out, but currently the top defensive ammo (that's reasonably easy to find) is Hornady Critical Duty, Winchester Ranger, and Federal HST, in no particular order.

Pick practice ammo that closely matches the weight and power of the defensive ammo. While match precision is not really a concern, it's nice to know where your bullets will generally go. Rule of thumb is heavier bullets hit the target higher, and lighter ones lower, all other variables being equal.

Get good instruction. I see lots of people just shooting away at the range. All they are doing is reinforcing bad habits with their feet/stance, and grip (teacup, grip the wrist, thumb over, etc). Unless it's unsafe I've stopped giving free advice to people. It's not like I'm wearing a shirt that says, "I know what I'm talking about." They just figure I'm a jerk half the time.

Finally, work on the psychological aspect, mainly through good training but also running through things mentally. It doesn't matter how great your gun is or how accurate you are...if you hesitate at the moment of decision and the bad guy doesn't...you're toast. Guns aren't insurance policies there for peace of mind, you're the one pulling the trigger should the need arise.

First....
break it in with 200 rounds to get the "paint and rough spots" off the weapon and smooth out the operation a little.

Then try three to five brands of target ammo, to see if your weapon prefers one,

As for the self defense ammo......
run at least 50 rounds through your weapon, minimum and hope for no problems.

Some pistols like the lighter bullets while some like the medium to heavy weight bullets.
This test will and should take a while , unless you get a "Winner" right off the bat.

Have fun.

I use the cheapest FMJ I can find for range use. I'm kinda partial to Ranger T's for carry.

If you are truely new, the first priority was brought up bk Hkcavilier. Seek competent instructor or highly knowledgeable mentor. Learn a grounding of fundamental skills and minimize bad habits . When you practice, do so constructively.

That said ;

Whichever practice ammo that is reasonably priced and readily available in your area, that * Goes Bang Every time in Your Pistol * . After gaining some basic marksmanship skills, and some practice time under your belt, the phrase " 25yd group size " should become meaningful to you.

Many individual LE Ofc have little knowledge of guns, ammo, or shooting beyond their what's issued to them, and their required qualifications. But the LE divisions of the major US ammo mfgs are knowledgeable about the generally accepted range of the various parameters for duty/ defensive ammo. I can disagree about the fine print of their prioritizations, and they disagree on details amongst each other. But it isn't going very far on a limb for me to say the any 180gr or full power 165gr ammo marketed as LE ammo by a major US mfg will be at least reasonably adaquate for defense. ( Any ammo within those criteria that anyone thinks unacceptable, I'd to curious to hear.)

A full blown 165gr JHP would not even go through a pad of butter I had on a plate.

However, it was inside a refrigerator, at the time.


Sorry I could not resist.