The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: KW Gary M on July 01, 2008, 10:27:35 PM

Title: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: KW Gary M on July 01, 2008, 10:27:35 PM
I like Remmington Golden Saber best.  I also like Speer Gold Dots.  Looking for other shooters' top choices as the perfect defence/protection round for a .40 S&W.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: DDMac on July 02, 2008, 05:59:22 AM
Last time I checked, Feds picked Gold Dots. Good enough for me.
Mac.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: jnevis on July 02, 2008, 06:47:42 AM
I keep a box of Federal Personal Protection or Hornady TAP for each caliber available.  I occasionally have Winchester white box JHPs but that's just for the range (since I'm usually on the way there when I pick it up).   I've had good luck with Gold Dots, Gold Saber, and XTPs in the past.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: HAWKFISH on July 02, 2008, 07:22:36 AM
1st Choice= Speer Gold Dots!  There are a few others too: Winchester Ranger Bonded (the bonded is just like Speer Gold Dots) and Hornady TAP'S. Those three work extremely well in my GLOCK's.  8)  I have wanted to try some Federal varieties too because of how accurate the Speer Gold Dots (also an ATK company) are, I imagine that Federal would be too. I have heard lots of bad and some good about Federal's ballistic tests. But, with ammo, everyone has an opinion/preference for what seems to work well for them.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: KW Gary M on July 02, 2008, 07:24:29 AM
I've gotten some good answers here as usual.  Seems everyone I talk to liked Gold Dots and even everyone who answered here said Gold Dots.  I think I'll stick with them.  I haven't had a chance to fire Hornady.  I'm going to buy a box or two next time I hit the range.  I hope I am never faced with a situation where I have to fire any round at a person but I like knowing I have the right one if I ever do have to.  Keep the answers and info coming.

Thanks Guys,
Gary
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: Dharmaeye on July 02, 2008, 08:04:06 AM
If you can find them - Federal HST.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: USSA-1 on July 02, 2008, 09:15:55 AM
Speer Gold dot.

USSA-1
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: TScottW99 on July 02, 2008, 09:28:54 AM
180 grain Speer Gold Dot if your gun likes them.  That is all I carry in my personel and duty weapon.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: KW Gary M on July 02, 2008, 01:23:19 PM
If you can find them - Federal HST.

Is Federal HST different from Federal Hydra Shok?  If yes, how so?
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: 2HOW on July 02, 2008, 05:15:42 PM
Im carrying the old Black Talons now but will shoot them up and going to either Gold Dots or the new Federal EFMJ 124 grain bullett.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: TAB on July 02, 2008, 05:56:41 PM
I don't think the bad guy will know the diffrence between the barnds when you double tap him.


I'd use what ever you can control and what works best in your gun.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: DesertMarine on July 04, 2008, 08:51:29 PM
I normally carry Federal HydraShok but I am going to look into Gold Dots. 
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: gunman1911 on July 04, 2008, 09:44:22 PM
I notice  nobody has mentioned CoreBon??? Never shot their .40 ammo but their .357 is wonderful.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: tombogan03884 on July 04, 2008, 09:54:40 PM
I notice  nobody has mentioned CoreBon??? Never shot their .40 ammo but their .357 is wonderful.

How do federal "Hi shok" stack up ?
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: Obiwan on July 05, 2008, 06:40:39 PM
My agency issues the Federal Classic 155gr/1195 fps.  I've never heard anyone badmouth the load.  I did manage to acquire some Gold Dots with the same specs (through official sources).  I use them in my off duty Kahr K40.  I really don't have any problems with the .40.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: 2HOW on July 06, 2008, 04:16:34 PM
I really would not use frangible loads, Not enough good data on them , the powerball seems to be the best in that categorie but I believe in penetration and large wound cavities. I want a bullet that will go thru any clothing and doors and windows.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: Hazcat on July 06, 2008, 04:20:11 PM
I will readily admit that I know SQUAT about the frangible loads, but I second 2How.  How well do they penetrate?  Will heavy clothing defeat them?  Just not enough info on my part to feel comfortable with them and they are too expensive for me to go buy and test on my own.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: KW Gary M on July 06, 2008, 07:05:56 PM
I really would not use frangible loads, Not enough good data on them , the powerball seems to be the best in that categorie but I believe in penetration and large wound cavities. I want a bullet that will go thru any clothing and doors and windows.

I'm going to risk sounding ignorant here but what are "Frangible Loads"?  Can someone give me some examples of ammo brands that are Frangible Loads?  Never heard that temr before.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: ericire12 on July 06, 2008, 07:10:49 PM
I'm going to risk sounding ignorant here but what are "Frangible Loads"?  Can someone give me some examples of ammo brands that are Frangible Loads?  Never heard that temr before.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frangible
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: DDMac on July 06, 2008, 07:14:20 PM
My only experience with frangible loads is when training to shoot close in, man sized targets made of steel plate, we used ammo that turned to powder (more or less) upon impact, minimizing injuries from lead splash back. Went through lots of band-aids anyway.
Mac.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: 2HOW on July 06, 2008, 07:15:16 PM
No problem, that would be any load that is pre fragmented as in small pieces that break apart when they hit an object and go different ways into the medium. Frangible bullets, often made from sintered (formed by heat and pressure) metal powders that will break into tiny fragments, are designed to disintegrate on impact with a hard surface. They are becoming increasingly popular in situations where ricochets or "splash-back" from bullets is not tolerable. These include firearms training facilities and crowded places such as airports, courtrooms and office buildings. Additionally, the lead-free nature of frangible bullets eliminates the risk of exposure to that hazardous substance, Corbon and Glaser are a few. Some good tests I saw were at Box o truth .com pretty good real world test site.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: KW Gary M on July 06, 2008, 07:38:28 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frangible

So Glaser Safety Slugs or Magisafe rounds is what they mean?  I had just never heard that term.  I have heard stories about Glaser not going through the windshield of a car in Ohio that was involved in a drive by shooting.  The Police were useing Glaser and they just broke up on the windshield as the car drove away never to be caught.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: John McCreery on July 22, 2008, 08:28:56 AM
I use corbon DPX and Pow r ball in my beretta 96 and dpx in my charter arms 38.


I notice  nobody has mentioned CoreBon??? Never shot their .40 ammo but their .357 is wonderful.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: Dharmaeye on July 22, 2008, 09:58:04 AM
155 gr HST
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: Rob10ring on July 23, 2008, 08:01:20 PM
I've been following Massad Ayoob's advice to carry what your local police carry to help defend ammo choice. Hence, I'm loaded with Winchester Ranger. Our police carry Sig 220 45's, so I carry a similar round in 40. I've been know to go with Corbon 135 gr. and like what I've heard about DPX. Haven't seen any DPX in our local shops yet. All of these other choices sound pretty good too.
Title: Re: .40 S&W protection Ammunition
Post by: PegLeg45 on July 29, 2008, 01:49:30 PM
I've carried Cor-Bon JHP ammo in both my Glock 27 .40 S&W and in my Commander .45 ACP for years.
It is accurate, functionably reliable (in my guns, and as reliable as one would trust in a carry load) and shootability is good.
No one around here stocks it so I order from Sportsman's Guide in bulk quantities.

My suggestion would be to test, test, and test some more. Anything yo're going to bet your life on needs to be tested often.

My $.02 worth.