[ravenslay3r]

Just ordered my first firearm, a Beretta PX4-Storm in .40S&W. Now I need to know what kind of ammo I should buy for it?

What make, what type, and what grains will work well with this pistol?

For defense rounds: Should I get hollow-points, or is there newer/better technology out there these days? I'm looking for "more damage, less over-penetration", and don't mind spending some extra $$$

For Training: I want a cheaper round, that will give a similar shooting experience.


Thanks!

 

[matt g]

Just ordered my first firearm, a Beretta PX4-Storm in .40S&W. Now I need to know what kind of ammo I should buy for it?

What make, what type, and what grains will work well with this pistol?

For defense rounds: Should I get hollow-points, or is there newer/better technology out there these days? I'm looking for "more damage, less over-penetration", and don't mind spending some extra $$$

For Training: I want a cheaper round, that will give a similar shooting experience.


Thanks!

I like Federal Hydrashocks for defense, I run 230 gr. .45 ACPs, but any good hollow point will work well. Look at Winchester's Sabers or Cor-Bon's defense hollow points.

As for range ammo, go to Walmart and ask for CCI Blazer Brass. I pay about $10/box for .45 ACP. If I shot more than I do, I'd consider hand loading.

 

[Dgunsmith]

Ammo:

The best choice in hollow points would be to ask around what LE in your area uses in 40S&W....covers many liability/choice issues.

CCI/Speer Gold Dot hollow points are very good. What ever you choose, shoot some for practice, function and accuracy BEFORE carrying them.

I would NEVER even consider putting Corbon ammo in my firearms or yours.
far too many Corboomed & destroyed pistols in 40S&W by this ammo. Often exceeds SAAMI specs for safe pressure in this round.

Try verious FMJ loads to see which shoots best in your 40S&W.
wither 165's or 180 grains. Then shop and buy by the case to save more $$$.

Get a couple of extra mags for the pistol...in case Hillary gets elected and Shummer gets another hi-cap mag ban passed !

 

[Weedeater]

The best choice in hollow points would be to ask around what LE in your area uses in 40S&W....covers many liability/choice issues.

CCI/Speer Gold Dot hollow points are very good. What ever you choose, shoot some for practice, function and accuracy BEFORE carrying them.

I would NEVER even consider putting Corbon ammo in my firearms or yours.
far too many Corboomed & destroyed pistols in 40S&W by this ammo. Often exceeds SAAMI specs for safe pressure in this round.

Try verious FMJ loads to see which shoots best in your 40S&W.
wither 165's or 180 grains. Then shop and buy by the case to save more $$$.

Get a couple of extra mags for the pistol...in case Hillary gets elected and Shummer gets another hi-cap mag ban passed !

Not sure what U.S laws are like regarding ammo, but would suggest going light and fast, rather than the opposite.
Speer Gold dots in 155gr @ approx 1200fps from a 4" barrel should do plenty damage and stop most people.
The 165gr option is also not a bad idea. Same for Federal Hydrashok. Keen to see how the 165gr Ranger SXT's perform, that might also be a good option, if you can get your hands on them.

 

[robocop10mm]

Oh great, here we go with the light and fast vs heavy and slow argument.

IMHO .40 cannot be made to go fast enough to qualify for the light and fast argument. Leave the light bullets to the 9mm/.38/.357 crowd.

The bullet MUST penetrate deeply enough to reach vital organs to do damage. Just about anything can get to the vitals on a thinly clothed, bad guy facing you straight off with out any intermediate cover. When the perfect conditions do not exist, you must be able to penetrate deeply enough to do the job. Heavy is better as long as it has enough speed to drive it deep.
.40 180 gr Gold Dot is the standard by which all other .40 ammo is judged.

ps. I do like light and fast. In rifles. 5.56 64 gr Winchester power point @3000 fps cures ones desire to do evil toward ones fellow man.

 

[pioneer461]

You're going to get as many opinions as there are members of the forum. I don't think you can beat any of the modern hollow point rounds made by the major manufacturers. They are all competitive and they all perform well. Once upon a time that wasn't the case, but the various ammo makers are all competing for our dollars and therefore put out quality products.

There is no perfect round, or magic bullet. Forum members will tell you what they use, and why, but what works for me, won't necessarily work for you.

 

[hazmat]

Federals hst and tactical loadings. remington golden sabers, speer golddots, winchester's ranger t line, Any of these will serve you well.

 

[RePete]

Just ordered my first firearm, a Beretta PX4-Storm in .40S&W. Now I need to know what kind of ammo I should buy for it?

What make, what type, and what grains will work well with this pistol?

You will have to try a bunch of different ones to really find which works best in YOUR gun.

For defense rounds: Should I get hollow-points, or is there newer/better technology out there these days? I'm looking for "more damage, less over-penetration", and don't mind spending some extra $$$

Check with you local LE agency and find out what they use.

For Training: I want a cheaper round, that will give a similar shooting experience.

Assuming that you chose Federal 180gr Hydra Shok's, then you could use Federal 180gr American Eagle because it prints very close, and is a whole bunch cheaper.


Thanks!

Hope this helps.

 

[bobkreeger]

bobkreeger

take a look at buffalobore.com & their 155 gr hp +P loads for the .40 S&W. Loaded for self defense, it's what I carry in my .40's.

 

[zap]

I shoot Rangers or Hornaday Tap

 

[BudW]

Magtech are very good

 

[jeepejeep]

I shoot Double Tap ammo in my Glock and my Hi-Point carbine , both in 40 S&W. Powerful and accurate ammo. 165 Gr. works great.

 

[Deathsniper]

Just ordered my first firearm, a Beretta PX4-Storm in .40S&W. Now I need to know what kind of ammo I should buy for it?

What make, what type, and what grains will work well with this pistol?

For defense rounds: Should I get hollow-points, or is there newer/better technology out there these days? I'm looking for "more damage, less over-penetration", and don't mind spending some extra $$$

For Training: I want a cheaper round, that will give a similar shooting experience.


Thanks!

Hey man I dont know how long ago this thread was but I read it and answered it, so if you figured out which one you like already or are going to use then it's kewl, but if not.... Then I suggest Remington Golden saber rounds... they are GREAT! Absolutely the best bar none... the rest that people have said with the exception of CARBON are good too, but the golden saber is tops... as a matter of fact let me find this..... ok here's this for you to see.

Pay attention to Velocity, Penetration, Energy,BPW which is hydrostatic shock,and OSS(One-shot stop) and the golden saber is great overall. I somewhat color coordinated this comparison chart I found to make it a little easier to see.. You said you wanted more damage over penetration, so if you notice the golden saber actually only penetrates 12 inches which is great because it wont go through and hit someone behind target, and the energy is a great number plus it has the highest One-shot stop overall that means its better. Plus the golden sabers are engineered to give you a match grade accuracy.
So for personal defense I would go with Remington Golden Saber rounds, for training or range use, that would depend on your handgun because some ammo doesn't work well with certain guns... That's why I like Springfield XD(XDm) fires anything great ALL the time and you can even use really crappy ammo for training lol.

 

[robocop10mm]

Hydrostatic shock at handgun velocities is a myth. It does not become a factor until you exceed 2000 fps. None of these loads reach that threshhold.

The "OSS" percentage is a nice reference as it evaluates "real world" performance. What it does not evaluate is the mindset of the target, the drug/alcohol level of the target, the determination of the target, etc. It considers torso hits in actual shootings. If bullet "A" is used frequently in high drug use populations full of hardened criminals that are buffed up after long prison terms, it may have an "OSS" that is lower than a bullet that is heavily used in areas frequented by less viable targets.

Be careful with the Golden Sabres. There are two different versions. One is "bonded core" and the other is not. The bonded core is a good bullet. The unbonded version is crap. It will easily shed its jacket and lose mass which will compromise penetration.

The Hydroshok is a good bullet design, but some guns do not reliably feed it.

Look for a round that is labeled for LE only. It is not an offense to possess this ammo (except maybe in New Jersey), but the LE ammo usually is propelled by triple base, low flash powder so you won't wreck your night vision

The Double Tap Gold Dot looks good on paper, but shoot it at night to see how much flash you get.

I use the Double Tap 10mm Gold Dot for carry only because they are the only ones making that caliber with that bullet.

 

[Poink88]

Don't know about the best but here is what I use (which I personally believe are the best ):

Defense:
Federal HST 155 grain (I'd prefer 165 gr but this is what I found)
Winchester Ranger SXT 165 grain

Target:
Federal Champion (from Walmart for $13.67/box of 50)

 

[Deathsniper]

Hydrostatic shock at handgun velocities is a myth. It does not become a factor until you exceed 2000 fps. None of these loads reach that threshhold.

The "OSS" percentage is a nice reference as it evaluates "real world" performance. What it does not evaluate is the mindset of the target, the drug/alcohol level of the target, the determination of the target, etc. It considers torso hits in actual shootings. If bullet "A" is used frequently in high drug use populations full of hardened criminals that are buffed up after long prison terms, it may have an "OSS" that is lower than a bullet that is heavily used in areas frequented by less viable targets.

Be careful with the Golden Sabres. There are two different versions. One is "bonded core" and the other is not. The bonded core is a good bullet. The unbonded version is crap. It will easily shed its jacket and lose mass which will compromise penetration.

The Hydroshok is a good bullet design, but some guns do not reliably feed it.

Look for a round that is labeled for LE only. It is not an offense to possess this ammo (except maybe in New Jersey), but the LE ammo usually is propelled by triple base, low flash powder so you won't wreck your night vision

The Double Tap Gold Dot looks good on paper, but shoot it at night to see how much flash you get.

I use the Double Tap 10mm Gold Dot for carry only because they are the only ones making that caliber with that bullet.

You have very good points and I thought of those..... but imagine me writing all I did PLUS what you added lol... TOOOOOO MUCH WRITING lol but yeah I agree with you 100 percent

 

[DoyleTheDog]

Hornady Critical Defense 165 Grain Flex Tip eXpanding rounds. That's what I keep in my M&P .40

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=147764

 

[Deathsniper]

Hornady Critical Defense 165 Grain Flex Tip eXpanding rounds. That's what I keep in my M&P .40

Hornady Critical Defense Ammunition 40 S&W 165 Grain Flex Tip eXpanding Box of 20 - MidwayUSA

Yeah those are sweet I like them... I love what the polymer(flex tip) insert does

 

[NavArch]

If You Re-load

If you re-load, my answer is to de-rate my .40's to a 9mm power factor for purposes of timing and training for multiple targets. It uses a bit less powder and beats up my wrist and elbows somewhat less.

I have used Berry plated lead bullets, and found them to be satisfactory. On the basis of a friend's recommendation, I will be ordering Montana Gold for my next lot. My experience has been that Ranier's plating seems to flake off a bit in the loading process. Ranier and Berry do well in Glocks, if that is a question.

 

[Steelersfan]

You Tube Videos

This guy- "Tennessee Outdoors Nine" has some great videos on Self Defense Ammo. He tests all kinds of .40 S&W and 9MM ammo. So just do a search on YouTube.

Here is a quick link to one.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/user/tnoutdoors9#p/c/BDB9A9740F47C67A/27/Nc5ToYdcq7A]YouTube - tnoutdoors9's Channel[/ame]