bullets for 40S&W
- Thread starter edinidaho
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Most people run 135-155-165 grain bullets. It is possible to load a .40 with a 200 grain bullet, but that is quite large for that caliber. The little .40 I load I run 135 and 155.
Can not say for a Shield ( I have the 9mm) but 40 SW are usually 165 or 180 gr. There are also lighter ones as mentioned.
It will be "snappy" in the little shield so you will have to decide what you like the best. Run some factory rounds through it of different weights.
It will be "snappy" in the little shield so you will have to decide what you like the best. Run some factory rounds through it of different weights.
MasterTech1960
Member
I load 155 xtp's over universal clays. They shoot quite well. The SIG 229 has a heavy slide and eats everything I feed it.
Arub
Member
I usually run 180 grain bullets through a Glock 23 and Ruger PC4. Have run some 165 grain bullets and really can't tell much difference.
Jboutfishn
Member
For carry I use 165 gr Hornady Critical Defense. At the range I load 165 gr X-Treme copper plated LRN over HP-38 for my M&P 40C. Per the Speer #13 this approximates the load used by law enforcement.
Kilibreaux
Member
You want loads between 135 grains and 165 grains MAXIMUM!
Probably the ideal load is a 155 grain slug running about 1300 fps which delivers .357 Magnum level energy.
You might want to consider buying Underwood's excellent ammunition for your carry needs...they pretty much extract ALL that can be had from any cartridge with no guesswork.
Probably the ideal load is a 155 grain slug running about 1300 fps which delivers .357 Magnum level energy.
You might want to consider buying Underwood's excellent ammunition for your carry needs...they pretty much extract ALL that can be had from any cartridge with no guesswork.
scooter123
Member
I would recommend you look for bullets of either 155 or 165 grains for practice loads that match your carry choice. I would NOT recommend anything lighter because those 135 grain loads will be Flinch Builders AND too light to provide adequate penetration for Defense. Out of a shorter barrel bullets in the 155 and 165 grain weights will provide a good balance between mass for penetration and velocity for expansion. If you are loading for a 4 inch or longer barrel then going up to a 180 grain bullet is more suitable.
As for specifics, I like the Speer Gold Dot, it has an excellent reputation for functioning as expected. My carry choice is the high enerby variant of Speer's 165 grain Gold Dot offering that clocks in at 1150 fps from a 4 inch barrel. Out of the 3.6 inch barrel in my P239 I would expect a velocity of about 1100 fps. For a practice load I use a 165 grain Extreme Bullets Hollow Point loaded to the same velocity using Longshot.
For simple target shooting and plinking in the 40 caliber I prefer to load with 180 grain bullets, usually a plated bullet from RMR or Extreme. I also load these rounds so that they match the performance of Federal's 180 grain Champion offering at 950 fps. My powder choice for this is 5.4 grains of IMR SR7625.
As for specifics, I like the Speer Gold Dot, it has an excellent reputation for functioning as expected. My carry choice is the high enerby variant of Speer's 165 grain Gold Dot offering that clocks in at 1150 fps from a 4 inch barrel. Out of the 3.6 inch barrel in my P239 I would expect a velocity of about 1100 fps. For a practice load I use a 165 grain Extreme Bullets Hollow Point loaded to the same velocity using Longshot.
For simple target shooting and plinking in the 40 caliber I prefer to load with 180 grain bullets, usually a plated bullet from RMR or Extreme. I also load these rounds so that they match the performance of Federal's 180 grain Champion offering at 950 fps. My powder choice for this is 5.4 grains of IMR SR7625.
