Ok, I have shot for my sigma .40cal with rounds of 180 and 165 grains. I have some questions:

What is the difference in the grains? 165 vs 180 etc.

Which is best and why? For my home defense magazines, I keep Federal 180 grain hollow points. Ive shot 10 rounds of this and compared to target/range rounds, I can definatley tell the difference with performance.

I know that FMJ is full metal jacket and my home defense rounds are hollow points. What is the difference? Is it the shape or the way the bullet expands while traveling through the target?


Much Thanks

Your questions aren't well phrased, here goes an attempt.

A grain is a measure of weight, 7000 grains = 1 pound. You generally see the bullet weight on the label of ammunition. As a very general thing, more bullet weight produces deeper penetration and greater recoil.

Target loads are generally lighter (develop less velocity/energy) than service/full power loads. The only thing a target load has to do is: operate the weapon, be accurate and put a hole in the paper target.

"Range loads" sold at a shooting range may well be reloaded ammunition. There's nothing wrong with that if done by properly qualified people with good quality control. It might also be factory produced bulk grade ammo.

FMJ-full metal jacket, minimizes feed issues, complies with Hague Agreements regarding military ammunition. Cheap to produce.

JHP- jacketed hollowpoint, expanding bullet intended to cause a larger wound channel in tissue than a FMJ bullet. More expensive to produce, especially if they actually perform as intended.

Silver Tip, Hydra-Shok, Golder Saber and other names are brand names of proprietary premium bullet designs. They may perform better than garden variety JHP bullets, depending upon your requirements.

Thanks for the clarification W. Moore. It helped out a lot.