Recommendation sought for .40 S&W ammo

[DCWilson]

I just acquired a 4006 and would like advice on what to feed it. I'm mostly a classic wheelgun guy who is trying to move a little into the semi-classic semi-autos, so I am really stumbling around in the dark here.

I'm thinking my first purchase ought to be a case of Federal 165 gr FMJ for get-acquainted sessions, and maybe some Hydra-shok rounds for defense. Does that make sense? This is not a carry gun. I will just have it in the house for HD purposes.

In light of the California small lot/near neighbor situation, maybe I should consider frangible ammo for home defense?

All opinions welcome.

 

[Dragon88]

David, I recently purchased a 4006 as well. I have been feeding it primarily Fiocchi 170gr, mainly because I can buy it cheap at my LGS. This ammo has proven reliable and accurate, though it is certainly snappy in the recoil department. I consider it a good introduction to almost-full-power 40 S&W. Federal would be a good choice too, I ran a 100-pack of Wally World Fed AE through the gun with no issues and similar accuracy.

For SD ammo, I think any of the premium hollowpoints would be fine. I'm originally from Cali and I know about the close houses, close enough to reach across and borrow your neighbor's shampoo as we used to say. 40 S&W is not lacking in the velocity department though, especially in the 165gr range. A good hollowpoint should expand fully and provide about 12" of penetration, just right for most SD situations. The SD ammo I bought for the gun is Winchester Ranger T-series 180gr. I like this brand because you can buy it in 50-count boxes. This load has a good reputation and produces 980fps from my 4006 on a cold morning. It should do the advertised 1000fps inside a warm house. 180gr @ 1000fps is the original loading and concept of the 40 S&W cartridge. I wanted the 165gr Ranger T-series instead, but could not find it locally.

.40 S&W Winchester Ranger T-Series 165 gr Ammo Test - YouTube

Hope that helps.

Dan

 

[DCWilson]

Dan,

Very helpful. Thank you for your comments and observations.

David

 

[ArchAngelCD]

In light of the California small lot/near neighbor situation, maybe I should consider frangible ammo for home defense?

All opinions welcome.

It's my opinion frangible ammo can get you killed. Something as simple as a leather jacket can stop a frangible bullet as well as a military vest does "normal" ammo.

If you are in tight quarters and over-penetration is an issue switch over to a shotgun with #4 Buckshot for HD.

 

[papajohn428]

I second your notion of getting a case of blasting ammo to help familiarize yourself with the gun and its characteristics. If it's a new gun, it will need to be properly broken in anyway.

As Dragon88 said, almost any brand-name commercial JHP load should serve you fine. We all have our favorites. Mine happens to be the Hornady Critical Defense load, a 165-grain bullet that expands well in a variety of media. Most of the CD loads are light-for-caliber, this one is the exception.

BTW, the W-W Ranger Load is what our local FBI office uses, and they seem pretty happy with it.

 

[DCWilson]

I appreciate the warning about disintegrating ammo.

I like the looks of the expanded Hornady CD load, so I'll probably pick up a box or two of that.

 

[CrazyMFFM]

The Winchester PDX1 is an excellent round in that caliber and if I remember correctly the FBI's new carry round, it should expand past .61 in .40 with a bonded jacket. It also fed everytime.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I use CorBon 135 grain in my H&K. WW got a giant contract to produce 135 HPs in the Ranger line for ICE (gov't) which are very reasonably priced --- I use them for practice.

 

[papajohn428]

Larry is right about those 135 W-W Ranger loads........they are excellent, and not horribly spendy, since they come in 50-round boxes. In wetpack and water jug testing they expanded like spring flowers, and still penetrated better than several heavier bullets. If there's a downside, it's that most fixed-sighted 40S&W guns are regulated for 165 or 180-grain bullets, and the 135's shoot noticeably lower.......in adjustable-sighted guns it's not an issue.

Average velocity from a 4.5" barreled gun was 1129 fps, wetpack penetration was 4.5 inches, which equates to about ten inches in ballistic gelatin.

There are few bullets I'd like to be struck by, but this one's near the top of the list!

 

[crofoot629]

With 40 ammo I always liked other people's the best.

The Sheriff's Office I worked for alternately issued Winchester and most recently Federal 180 grain loads. All were in 50 round boxes. $ certainly was an issue helping to decide which round was "best". Though LE almost always opts for penetration and heavier bullets.

I don't get too hung up on exactly what the bullet is as long as its a quality HP.

For me other people's ammo along with the credo of shoot the snot out of them worked.

Emory

 

[BreakerDan]

Avoid frangibles for any serious situations. They may not
function your weapon properly nor shoot to the point of
aim.

The US Border Patrol issued Remington Express 155gr JHP
for quite a few years and found it to be excellent. It has been
around for a while but is a great loading as is the Golden Saber.
The 40 calibre has quite a following in law enforcement
especially in the Gold Dot line as well.

Given your concerns, 155gr might suit you well.