Let the test begin!

[BigRich315]

I finally got the .40 ammo I wanted (TYVM to Ammunition To Go), so I can finally start testing through my M&P40c. I have, all in 180gr:

Federal Hydra-Shok
Speer Gold Dot
Hornady TAP
Remington Golden Sabre

I wanted a couple more, but this was difficult enough, maybe in the future.

For now I'm going to test short range accuracy, mid range accuracy, and proper cycling. I plan to repeat in some sort of penetration tests which I haven't given much though yet. Since these are all reputable rounds, I see that as more of an afterthought for my own amusement.

Now I just have to find time to get to the range...

 

[cowboydave]

Sounds interesting, keep us posted.
Dave

 

[BigRich315]

My trip keeps getting pushed back... It was to be tomorrow but is postponed yet again.

On the plus side, I have added Winchester Ranger Talon and Winchster Supreme Elite Bonded PDX (which I hear is the new FBI round) to the test. It should be interesting.

Sorry for the "flash in the pan"/false start post.

 

[flop-shank]

I look forward to hearing how it goes, Rich. I'll bet you can find gelatin results for some of those loads at www.stoppingpower.net and www.brassfetcher.com (don't forget to check the "old website" link on the homepage). You're doing the right thing doing your own tests, since your gun may not like the ammo you do.

 

[BigRich315]

Thanks for the sites, Flop. Brass Fetcher came in very handy, all of my test rounds are on there (though a few in different bullet weight). All did pretty well, but it looks like my favored Hydra-Shoks are bringing up the rear with less pentration than I would like.

Golden Sabres appear the most consistent in BF's testing so I hope my M&P likes it. I didn't care for Cor-Bon so I didn't get any to test, and these numbers back me up on that. Great site.

 

[flop-shank]

You're most welcome, Rich.

A search in the Test Bed forum only, at Stopping Power ought to yield a lot of info. Those cats have shot a lot of gelatin and popular calibers like .40 get tested a lot there.

One thing that becomes obvious when looking at the shooting results at Brass Fetcher is that Evan Marshall is right when he says there are no bad loads in .40 caliber. Obviously that's a slight exaggeration, but being new enough to not have pre-1990 loads, it takes advantage of newer bullet designs and the R&D budget that a super popular police caliber commands. I like lighter weights in that caliber (155-165 gr.), but the 180s looked impressive.
I was even impressed with the 180 gr. XTP, and I've never been a huge Hornady fan. I'd really like to see how it behaves after hitting heavy cloth. Make sure to look for data showing how your chosen load behaves in bare gel and heavy cloth as well as a barrel the same length as yours. That's a lot of variables. Now you know why I bought a block of Perma-Gel.

 

[BigRich315]

I am beginning to learn a few things about ammo choice:

1. You can't go wrong with Gold Dot in ANY caliber.

2. It's true, there really are no bad .40 loads (within reason). I suppose that's why, in no small part, it is such a well represented LE caliber.

3. I may have excluded Cor-Bon a little too easily. Though it does seem that the good folks at StoppingPower.net are a little biased towards it. I'll do a little more research on the DPX.

4. There are a number of loads that perform well in many calibers; it mostly come down to function and accuracy with my own weapon, availability, and price.

Conclusion: I chose a good test batch. All, with the exception of the Ranger Talons, are readily available. All are reasonably priced. I'll let my M&P40c choose which one it likes.

Further Conclusion: I've learned enough here so I don't have to repeat this with every caliber I choose to carry, THANKFULLY!!!

I'll have some actual results this coming week, I promise!

 

[flop-shank]

Rich, FWIW, Corbon's regular JHP line uses Sierra JHPs. I don't hear a lot of hype about Sierra JHPs and they're a little old school/low tech, but the simple truth is that they flat out work. There's no doubt in my mind, for example, that Corbon's 125 gr. .357 will work every bit as well as Federal or Remington's.

 

[BigRich315]

NKU's Bursar's office made a liar out of me...

Thank you Northern Kentucky University ! They are holding back financial aid for 2 WEEKS so I have to scrape together every available penny to be ready for classes next week. There is no range fee coming out of these pockets til then .

Maybe I have some bad ammo and it's a conspiracy by the manufacturers...

 

[BigRich315]

Finally Some Results!

After countless delays I finally made my range trip and was able to test out a pretty good sampling of .40 defense ammo:

Gold Dot, Golden Saber, Hornady TAP, Cor-Bon DPX, Double Tap, Hydra-Shok, Win. Ranger SXT, and Win. PDX1

All in 180gr except DPX which comes in 140gr, at a distance of 7yards. All cycled smoothly with no problems.

I think the dog ate the targets after I got home, which is weird because I don't have a dog... They have disappeared but I did manage to get one pic at the range before my camera batteries died. Luckily enough, it was the best result! I'll keep looking.

I found it interesting that nearly every round shot low, which is making me think my M&P40c needs a little work. The Hydra-Shok had a small low grouping but sent several rounds all over. It could be the shooter, so I'll have to try again and see if anything changes.

The front runners all had a nice grouping of 3" or under. In ascending order: Golden Saber, DPX, PDX1, Gold Dot, and SXT. The top 2 were almost identical except that the Gold Dot were a bit low. I was very impressed with the Cor-Bon DPX, not only for it's accuracy, but it was by far the softest shooting .40 round I have come across. It was almost as soft as the 6906 I also shot that day.

Until I clear some questions up I'll be loading the Winchester Ranger SXT 180gr. Here's that 5-shot target

 

[flop-shank]

Good to see you post results, Rich. Even though they shoot softer, I wouldn't be surprised if the DPX packed as much muzzle energy as the others. That's one of the big plusses on lighter bullets as well more velocity to get them open. It looks like you have a good field to choose from now that you and your gun have narrowed things down a bit.

 

[BigRich315]

The DPX advertise 1200fps and 448ftlbs. That blows away some of the other loads. I'm beginning to warm up to this round. Accurate follow-up shots are much easier and faster. I don't like paying the same price for 20 as I do for 50 SXT's, but it would be money well spent. I'm going to do some more research and test the DPX out further.

I feel alot better now, having some hard results instead of relying on what I read or see.