Just got into reloading S&W 40 caliber and really enjoy shooting it! Started out with 165 grain X-treme bullets and 5.1 grains of universal. Great looking numbers and tight groups. (ADV 983, ES 56 SD 12) Factory rounds are checking in at 1125/50 range with this weight bullet. One noted departure is Winchester's Defender load with an advertised 1050 FPS. That became my "want to match that load". Happy with the powder and a few tenth's would get the speed. (Liking this round more all the time) Now for the bullets. And here's where the happy ending come to a sudden stop!!
JHP 165 grain made by anybody is automatically on backorder. Well that's almost the truth! Two suppliers do have name brand bullets and the shipping/handling cost is just short if the price of the bullets! That is so wrong I decided to just wait.
In the past I've had very good results with Montana Gold bullets and use them for reloading 357Sig. A quick check on the net showed one of the "custom" self defense companies have started using MG due to the lack of Hornady's offering. If it's good enough for them---. I ordered one box of a hundred. The hallow point did seem kind of shallow. As it turns out these are target bullets and not intended for SD! Back to the drawing board!

MG JHP were never designed for uniform expansion. I have had them fragment, expand perfectly & not expand at all within the same lot, pushed at the same vel. I wouldn't trust my life to them. Why I buy factory for SD, better bullets than you can normally buy for reloading. Gold Dots, RGS & Hornady the exceptions. A 50rd box of HST should last you an entire life of CCW. For zombie apoc, any bullet will do.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

The Xtreme 165gr JHP's appear to be in-stock on Xtreme Bullet's website. Looks like $117 shipped on Xtreme's website, and $110 shipped on TjConevera's.

X-Treme 10/40 165gr HP Plated Bullets 1000 Count
IN STOCK $110 PER K DELIVERED

I AGREE WITH fredj338. I SHOOT RELOADS FOR BULLSEYE AND PLINKING. WHEN IT COMES TO S/D AND HUNTING, I PURCHASE THE BEST FACTORY ROUNDS THAT I CAN BUY. I FAVOR GOLD DOTS FOR S/D IN .38SPL+P, 135GR JHPSB. I LIKE LOADS FROM BUFFALO BORE IN MORE POWERFUL CALIBERS FOR HUNTING……….

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Extreme's JHP are an excellent bullet for practice ammo but not suitable for SD and Extreme is quite specific about this.

Since Hornady is most likely to be in stock somewhere you may have to resign yourself to choosing between a 155 grain XTP or a 180 grain XTP. Having just looked I can tell you that Midway has the 180 grain XTP in 40 caliber in stock. If you want to try the 155 grain XTP those are in stock at Natchez. Another source is Powder Valley who have both the 155 and 180 grain XTP's in stock at a better price than either Midway or Natchez.

If you really just gotta have a 165 grain bullet your best option is to use the Notify Me feature on Miday and put in a want for Speer's superb 165 grain Gold Dot. Or you could go to Powder Valley and order up a few boxes of the 180 grain Gold Dots which are currently in stock.

The RGS is another good choice, but haven't seen them in awhile. I don't understand the endeavor. Buy once fired brass & new just ok bullets, the cost of a box of 165gr HST is about the same. The HST is quite a good bullet, not available to the reloader. Then load what ever 165gr bullet you want for practice. Some people over think this stuff.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

As much as I really don't want to, I'll have to agree with you 100% on giving up and buying factory Winchester Defender rounds at Gander Mt. tomorrow while I'm in town. As you stated, a box will last a lifetime!

You can get 180n Zero JHPs from PowderValley for $67/500, if you can live without 165n bullets.
For SD, I stick to a "life time supply" of 20 rounds, after shooting about 50 to be sure my gun likes them.
I prefer lead in my .40s over any plated I have ever tested, so I am well stocked with 155gn L-SWCs from mastercastbullets.com

If you cast your own bullets, you will never be out stock -- unless it is raining.

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S&WHF 366

Not to hijack an interesting thread, BUT, concerning a box of ammo lasting a lifetime.... if you are talking about SD guns that are carried on your person, please rotate your ammo out at least every 6 months to ensure proper ignition.
Ed