.40 cal defense ammo

[Ruger Nut]

I'm currently using Magtech 180 gr. jacketed hollow point ammo as my defense round.What is everyone here using in their 40VE as a defense round? I just want the best defense round I can find from opinions and facts.
BTW,this is the only gun (SW40VE) I own in .40 cal.

 

[J Rich]

I use Speer Gold Dots JHP. Georgia Arms JHP in my back up mag. Georgia Arms 165gr. FMJ for target.

 

[Neumann]

I'm currently using Magtech 180 gr. jacketed hollow point ammo as my defense round.What is everyone here using in their 40VE as a defense round? I just want the best defense round I can find from opinions and facts.
BTW,this is the only gun (SW40VE) I own in .40 cal.

Gold Dot, 180 grain. The recoil and point of impact are the same as my 180 grain practice ammo. Gold Dot is also available in 165 grain, for more velocity, slightly more muzzle energy and less penetration.

 

[Wirbech]

I carry the Winchester 165gr PDX1 JHP in mine. As for what you choose to carry could something different. I tried a few different rounds until I found the one that I liked and shoot the most accurate with. You may want to try a different ammo and then carry what you like the best.

 

[vector16]

Pain soup

I use Winchester 165gr JHP in mine as a base for what i have for home protection. Its my "You made a huge mistake by choosing to break into my house and robb me" round.
I like to finely crush glass, mix with coursly gound rock salt and fill the HP about half way with the mix. Top that with a drop or two with soft lead so the top of the bullet, itself, is still the same hieght as the original HP. File off any excess , load up and wait to make a not so smart guy's day a whole lot worse. If the initial shot don't kill him it will hurt like hell. and he'll be picking glass out of his butt the rest of his natural born life and reminding him of why its not a good idea to break in and surprise the person that lives in the house with the mean dogs. (See previous post on home security)

 

[J Rich]

Vector that's out there, but my neighbor and I put a live primer in a hp once. Once you fill in the hp it does want to open.

 

[Swockster]

Winchester Ranger 155gr "LEO" ammo. 14 in the Sigma and 28 more in two additional mags on my other hip.

 

[MrApathy]

remington umc 180gr JHP is huge and performs well at expansion
the remington golden saber line is very effective as well. golden sabers available in 180gr and 165gr. the cavaties on these will not clog easily. speer golddot 180 and 165gr are comparable but the speer golddot is thick plated bullet and can shred up losing the expanded partitions but it wont have jacket seperation from the plated copper. the golden sabers can have jacket seperation as can the umc. though it is only in extreme velocities 1150fps you will see these results minus the golddot heavy cloth can or leather can get the expanded partitions to sheer off.

winchester whitebox jhp and hornady xtp's are poor expanders.

 

[Research Nerd]

I use Hornady Critical Defense 165 grain. Hopefully I'll never have to test it.

 

[Swockster]

I use Hornady Critical Defense 165 grain. Hopefully I'll never have to test it.

Amen to that brother.

 

[spcantwell]

I hate to bring up a 'specialty' ammo, but does anyone have experiance with the CCI shotshells? I know that they are useless for carry but they seem interesting for home defence (and they wont go though anything they arnt supposed to).

 

[J Rich]

I hate to bring up a 'specialty' ammo, but does anyone have experiance with the CCI shotshells? I know that they are useless for carry but they seem interesting for home defence (and they wont go though anything they arnt supposed to).

I haven't messed with shotshells, but you are wanting something that doesn't go though 8 layers of sheet rock. I suggest using a Frangible round like Extreme Shock, DRT, or SBR. Those go through 1 layer of sheet rock but usually not the 2nd layer.

 

[sonic]

I hate to bring up a 'specialty' ammo, but does anyone have experiance with the CCI shotshells? I know that they are useless for carry but they seem interesting for home defence (and they wont go though anything they arnt supposed to).

The shotshells are useless period, unless you are using them for extremely close shots (a couple feet) to a mouse/snake or something along those lines. My dad bought some out of curiousity in .38 special and put them through a .357 with a 6" barrel. They opened up super quick and didn't do much of anything according to him. Not to mention they are VERY expensive. As far as home defense you'd have to shoot someone in the eye socket from 3" to possibly incapacitate them with a CCI shotshell.

 

[spcantwell]

The shotshells are useless period, unless you are using them for extremely close shots (a couple feet) to a mouse/snake or something along those lines. My dad bought some out of curiousity in .38 special and put them through a .357 with a 6" barrel. They opened up super quick and didn't do much of anything according to him. Not to mention they are VERY expensive. As far as home defense you'd have to shoot someone in the eye socket from 3" to possibly incapacitate them with a CCI shotshell.

I haven't messed with shotshells, but you are wanting something that doesn't go though 8 layers of sheet rock. I suggest using a Frangible round like Extreme Shock, DRT, or SBR. Those go through 1 layer of sheet rock but usually not the 2nd layer.

thats pretty much what I expected. I know its the general feeling towards pretty much anything beyond hollow point... but they looked interesting so I had to see what real people thought of them.

 

[deerhtr]

using hornady critical defense in my sd 40.

 

[Crythzuel]

im kind of picky. in my home defense mags, the top 6 rounds are extreme shock 100gr frangables. the rest are remington golden saber hollow points. i use the frangables on top because i live in a condo.

my standard carry mags are loaded with the 4 top rounds being golden saber hollow points and the rest being a controled expansion jacketed bullet. im always trying new ones. the theory being that the first shots would be at close range, while later shots may need distance.

cory.

 

[Crythzuel]

and a few mags of black talons in the "im having a bad day bag."

 

[Ranger98]

Winchester Silvertip 155 grain jacketed hollowpoint (X40SWSTHP)
Less kick than 180 Grain but good stopping power

 

[Swockster]

Winchester Silvertip 155 grain jacketed hollowpoint (X40SWSTHP)
Less kick than 180 Grain but good stopping power

Outstanding rounds! Nothing but goodness in a Silvertip!

 

[Takamine350]

180 GR Federal HST!