Seeking opinions on good .40 cal JHP self-defense

[dlombard]

Hi all,

First time gun owner coming into possession of a SD40VE and I am looking for opinions on "good" self-defense ammunition. I've been looking at Federal Hydra-Shok 135gr. ammo for my first pick, but I saw a review that said they weren't worth the money and so I'm beginning to consider Sig Sauer .40S&W 165 gr. JHPs instead. My criteria is accuracy and low-recoil first followed by a low rate of FTFs or FTEs, penetration (tissue, not drywall), and yet "decent" stopping power (I want to rely on good training and lots of practice for being effective and not necessarily just a heavy bullet).

I'm coming here as a first time poster and a brand new shooter to get some guidance on what experience has taught others on the ammo being made now and what's junk and what's not.

Keep in mind I live in Los Angeles, so there's a lot of stuff out there that's being made that may not even be legal where I live.

Thanks everyone!

Best,
-d

 

[Whitwabit]

I carry a 40c and use Winchester Defend 180 gr HP .. I shot thru 4 layers of denim into water filled milk jugs and they didn't plug and had a very nice expansion of .729 on one and .722 on the 2nd shot ..

But your pistol may shoot better with a differ brand .. all have different rounds in the same caliber .. trying different ones till you find one you think would be best ..

You can go to YouTube and watch some of the video's of different 40 S&W ammunition .. that would give you a good idea of what you want ..

 

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum

One of the joys of shooting is playing with different ammunitions and doing home tests and comparing results with buddies at the ranger or these days on the Internet and trying to prove what is the "BEST"

However only a small percentage of us get a kick out of that.

With the gigantic growth of folks that carry for Personal Defense ever since Florida passed that first SHALL ISSUE Carry law what seems like so long ago there is a group of firearms owners that just want to know what to carry.

Those millions and millions of firearms owners are confused over all the youtube reports and Internet Forum debates and what to make out of all that. So how can they easily make a viable ammunition choice?

What I have been telling my Home Firearms Safety and Concealed Carry students is to learn what their Local PD or SO carry and buy that same manufacturer and line of ammunition. It does not matter if they carry a different caliber

The top 6 or 8 or 10 defensive ammunition lines are all so good that which is the "BEST" won't make a difference in the long run

While there is no documentation that shows a case against a lawful use of self defense getting lost based on ammunition, many prosecutors can be a pain. If ever asked in court (or out) why you chose to carry "Super Duper bad guy killer ammunition" in your firearm you can always answer that you had learned this was the ammunition the local PD or SO chose to protect the Citizens of the Community and you went along with their expert judgement on the issue of ammunition choice.

 

[Arik]

Light recoil is different for everyone. 40S&W isn't know for "light" but it's not bad.

Try different types and look up performance on YouTube. Usually gel tests.

Good proven rounds are Speer Gold Dots, Winchester Rangers, HXT

 

[moxie]

Try either the Speer Gold Dot or the Federal HST, both in 165 grain:

.40 S&W Ammo | .40 S&W Bulk Ammo | .40 S&W Ammo Hollow Point Ammo

 

[W.E.G.]

Everything you ever want to know about .40 ammo selection is on this YouTube channel:
https://m.youtube.com/user/tnoutdoors9

Specific search for .40: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE8F6382529FB5C51
.
.
.
.

 

[dlombard]

So glad I signed up here. Easily the best firearms forum I've seen out there. Fast, courteous responses. I am very thankful for all of the opinions you've all shared and I really appreciate the links too! I think these were very thoughtful and gives me the right perspective to have when making my choices...

People seem to really like the Federal HSTs and I see Winchester's name come up often, so I will give them a fair look. For $20-$25 each, I'm not overly oppose to maybe trying all 3 brands I'm considering (as was suggested to me here) in back-to-back tests. This is, as has been said, somewhat suggestive and so while there's no "#1, you can't beat this" option, there are probably a few options that are at least somewhat better than the rest.

I knew going in that a .40 is going to much more to handle than, say, a .22, but even at that caliber, I assume there are differences between 135 grain as oppose to 180 grain (the cartridge is physically heavier, which likely acts on its ballistic characteristics). The rookie in me is thinking "135 gr. makes the most sense," but I'm doing my best to stick with the facts. If a heavier round makes it actually easier to shoot more accurately, then even if it's harder to handle, at least the shot will count (which, if I'm trying to save my wife or my life, is obviously the most important thing).

Looking forward to sharing my experiences with everyone here!

 

[litenlarry]

I have various mfgr' of carry ammo..The 165 gr projectile , regardless of brand works very well in my Glock G22 and G23..

 

[ContinentalOp]

It's hard to go wrong with Gold Dot or HST in any bullet weight. When I had a Glock 23 I kept it loaded with 165gr Gold Dot.

I never tried Winchester's 180gr Defend JHP, but if I still had a .40 S&W gun I would give them a shot (pun intended ). They seem to have good performance in gel while being a lower recoil load. I would have more confidence in Gold Dot or HST, though.

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

Before asking "What ammo should I use?" you should ask "What should ammo do, what shouldn't it do, and how is it tested?" I recommend the following:
Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness by the Firearms Training Unit of the FBI
Basic Wound Ballistic Terminal Performance Facts by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)
Ordnance gelatin test assessment for rifle and pistol calibers by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)
What's Wrong With The Wound Ballistics Literature And Why by Dr. Fackler

For specific recommendations I start here:
Service Caliber Handgun Duty and Self-Defense Ammo by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)

 

[Doug M.]

^ Ding ding ding, we have a winner. ^

 

[dlombard]

Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness by the Firearms Training Unit of the FBI

This was the single most fascinating piece of reading and probably the most informative I've ever seen on the subject and I am eternally grateful for it. It is objective, cuts through the baloney, and really points your head in the right direction about how to think on these things. I couldn't be more thankful for you sharing this link.

Thank you!

- d

 

[scooter123]

Speer Gold Dot, Nuff Said.

 

[dlombard]

Speer Gold Dot, Nuff Said.

They do seem popular. How come you like those so much?