40 S&W, what would you recommend.

[noobvang]

Hi all, just wanna say I just bought my first XD 40 sub compact last night

Now its time to move on to ammo selection.. My question is which do you recommend for practice ammo and self defence ammo. I will also be working towards a conceal carry permit in the near future.

For the practice rounds, I would mainly like cheap, reliable, and clean rounds.

For the self defence rounds, I want an effective round for the 3.5" barrel.

Please give complete ammo info if possible.

Thanks in advance.

[nickb]

I don't' have any specs for you. But my xd40sc is my favorite pistol. So far it liked every ammo flavor I've fed it. A not too expensive round for all purpose is the Rem HP green box. It's not quite as dirty as the WWB which I used at the range quite a bit. I'm going to try more expensive defense ammo soon, but lately my 45c has received more attention.

[cid_ayrbourne]

My brother and I both shoot .40 (SC and Service respectively), and we use WWB fairly regularly at the range. I also like Independence.

For carry, I use Federal Hydra Shock 165gr. I've used a couple of others as well, and have only seen an issue with Speer Gold Dot (my XD ate it fine, but a couple of casing seemed deformed afterward).

[fredj338]

For practice ammo, I load my own. For carry ammo, WW Ranger, REm GS, Speer GD, Fed. HST, Hornady XTP, they are all good. You should choose your carry ammo w/ the following in mind:
#1 must be 100% reliable (50rds min. from all your mags)
#2 accurate (some rounds are more accurate than others)
#3 terminal preformance
If the first two can not be met, I really don't care if it's supposed to be THE best round. If it isn't 100% & accuracy isn't at least 2" @ 15yds offhand, then I would rather use a "lesser" JHP.

[fyrfytrcwd]

Originally Posted by fredj338

For practice ammo, I load my own. For carry ammo, WW Ranger, REm GS, Speer GD, Fed. HST, Hornady XTP, they are all good. You should choose your carry ammo w/ the following in mind:
#1 must be 100% reliable (50rds min. from all your mags)
#2 accurate (some rounds are more accurate than others)
#3 terminal preformance
If the first two can not be met, I really don't care if it's supposed to be THE best round. If it isn't 100% & accuracy isn't at least 2" @ 15yds offhand, then I would rather use a "lesser" JHP.

Fred,

2" at 45 feet (15 yards) offhand??? That's a lot to ask from a sub-compact (especially in a .40,) don't you think? Most of these compact and sub-compact weapons are tested at seven yards (21 feet) or out to 25 feet. IMHO, as long as you can hit center mass with a full mag at 45 feet (15 yards) offhand rapid-fire, you WILL be fine. I shoot a Kimber Ultra CDP 2 in .45 and can put as many rounds as I'd like in a very ragged 2" hole offhand at 15 yards slow fire. In rapid fire, just dumping ammo like what would most likely happen in a confrontation, anyone (including myself) would be happy to get them all within 5" somewhere in center mass at 15 yards, nevermind in 2". Then again, I guess practicing to get into 2" with a compact weapon at 45 feet could make the difference, I just think it's asking a lot from most of the casual shooters out there.

-Fyr

[fredj338]

No, I don't think it's too much to ask. You test your ammo slow fire for accuracy. As an example, my USP does not like WW155grSTHP. It puts them in 4" @ 15yds. Speer 165grGD go just over 1". Both are good rounds, both are 100% in my USP. I choose the 165gr GD. Even a crap pistol w/ crap ammo will put everything into 2" @ 21ft. If you are happy w/ that, that's fine w/ me. I may be requried to defend myself beyond 21ft. If the pistol, ammo & shooter aren't up to it, then you are short changing yourself IMO.
Obviously if your pistol or you are not upto that accuracy level then you have to set your accuracy requirements lower, but those are mine. FWIW, my Colt OM will put almost anything I shoot under 2" @ 15yds. My P239 will also do it. So small size doesn't mean you loose accuracy. Now I can't do this w/ my SP101 in DA mode, but I still test it for accuracy SA, slow fire.

[noobvang]

Thanks for the replys guys. I just saw in the paper that there is a gun show somewhere around me this weekend... never been to one yet but will that be a good place to stock up on ammo?? or will it be just the same as if buying from the store??

[petey1]

Originally Posted by noobvang

Thanks for the replys guys. I just saw in the paper that there is a gun show somewhere around me this weekend... never been to one yet but will that be a good place to stock up on ammo?? or will it be just the same as if buying from the store??

It could be hit or miss. Lately, I've had better luck with Dick's (during a case sale) or Walmart. Rem. UMC and WWB are what I use for practice. The last couple of shows I've been to didn't have many deals on "range" ammo. Good luck in your search. Who knows, maybe you'll find a good score!