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  #1  
Old 05-31-2018, 03:00 AM
Tjohns42 Tjohns42 is offline
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Default .40 Question

My dad asked if I could make a defense round for his .40. His qualifications were >.70 expansion, 900-975 fps and ~12-15” penetration. My initial thought was Hornady XTP 180 gr with 6.1 gr of Power Pistol (950 FPS per Hornady data sheet). My second thought was, this is going to lack in expansion and be greater than his penetration parameters. Any thoughts on a better load for this request?
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Old 05-31-2018, 04:43 AM
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I don't load for the 40 S&W, but for a defensive load I think a Speer Gold Dot in either 155 or 165 grains would be a better choice for a defensive load. Lighter is faster and a better chance of expansion. And the Speer Gold Dot bullets seem to have a good reputation for expansion. And even a 155 grain bullet is plenty heavy enough for a defensive round when used on homo sapiens. According to the Hodgdon loading data page, you can get almost 1300 ft/sec with a 4" barrel and a 155 grain bullet (Longshot). That's getting real close to 357 magnum territory.
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Old 05-31-2018, 05:16 AM
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Default XTP would be a good choice..

XTPs are said to perform well at that velocity.

Speer Gold Dot short barrel bullet might be more of a sure thing.


The Federal HSTs are excellent, but need to be pushed a little faster.
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Old 05-31-2018, 06:37 AM
Wise_A Wise_A is offline
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Yes--going out and just buying it.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/sel...ic-tests/#40SW
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Old 06-01-2018, 10:41 PM
Tjohns42 Tjohns42 is offline
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Thank you for the GDHP suggestions. One thing her has always been about is a heavier round so I looked up some videos of the 180 gr and that looks to be the ticket. Now I just have to convince him that he doesn’t need to buy the supplies himself on a retirement budget and I’ve got him hooked up. As for going out and buying it... well, I started this hobby for a reason if, with a nudge in the right direction and some research, I can’t figure out something like this then I should frequent Wally World for eternity and give up my bench. Personally I just got the wife on board and built the bench so I am opposed to that idea. Also $25 for 25 sd rounds I can load for $.25 seems silly to me.
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Old 06-01-2018, 11:24 PM
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In my exp, the xtp is not a bullet to reach 70cal, not even in 45. If you can find some gold dots, Rem GS you'll get close. Personally, buy him a 1/2 case of hst & call it good.
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Old 06-02-2018, 02:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Tjohns42 View Post
Thank you for the GDHP suggestions. One thing her has always been about is a heavier round so I looked up some videos of the 180 gr and that looks to be the ticket. Now I just have to convince him that he doesn’t need to buy the supplies himself on a retirement budget and I’ve got him hooked up. As for going out and buying it... well, I started this hobby for a reason if, with a nudge in the right direction and some research, I can’t figure out something like this then I should frequent Wally World for eternity and give up my bench. Personally I just got the wife on board and built the bench so I am opposed to that idea. Also $25 for 25 sd rounds I can load for $.25 seems silly to me.
Practice with what you carry. Well, I do...a LITTLE. If I practiced with defensive ammo I wouldn't be shooting much. I'm doing ok but my wife has been working but she's getting ready to retire and I'm sure the financial situation will change. As long as I keep myself in cast bullets I should be ok.
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Old 06-02-2018, 02:54 AM
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I have loaded a lot of 180 Gold Dots with Longshot powder. The max load is 8 grains. I settled on 7. At 7.5 the recoil was a little more than I wanted for a defensive gun.

I mostly target practice with a 150 grain cast boolit that I pour myself. It has lower recoil than a heavy 180 load and is more accurate. I actually leave those in the gun all the time now.
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Old 06-03-2018, 04:25 PM
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I only shoot cast in my 40's but with 175 and 145 gr bullets, Power Pistol is my powder of choice.
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Old 06-03-2018, 05:51 PM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
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Based on experiments with a 10 mm, the only way 10 mm JHPs are going to reach 70 caliber at around 1000 f/s is to shoot a steel plate. The XTP is built to penetrate, the Sierra is built to expand. That said, neither is likely to reach 70 caliber. Sixtyish, yes.

I've never tested the Gold Dots in 10 mm, but what I've seen in 9 mm/.357 suggests it's not gonna happen with them either. The Sierra 230 gr JHP in .45 @ 860 f/s does.

Load all your dads practice ammo. Lots of practice ammo. BUY the actual ammunition he may use for defense. It'll do wonders for his/your legal bills/concerns should the worst case happen.

Last edited by WR Moore; 06-03-2018 at 05:53 PM.
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