Short Barrel Ammo - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

treesloth · 12-14-2007, 05:41 PM

Hi to all. First, thanks for the great forum. I've spent some time exploring, and greatly enjoyed what I found. Second, I just got my first XD, second pistol. I have the .40 subcompact. It will serve as a primary carry weapon, alternating with my 1911. The trick, it seems, is to optimize the ammo to the short barrel. So, if I reason this out correctly, a fast-burning powder would be best, as there will be 40% less in-barrel flight distance as compared to my 1911. What do you all suggest I look at? Is there anything that makes the most of the short barrel while retaining acceptable accuracy? Understand that the word "acceptable" is a high standard, IMHO.

Thanks in advance.

JBHorne · 12-14-2007, 06:08 PM

Welcome!

I use Speer GoldDot 9mm +P 124gr. Short Barrel. They make a .40 180gr. equivalent. You are correct, it is fast burning powder. To me, it even smells different when shot.

Not sure if this improves the accuracy, but provides better expansion of HP.

rockerz71 · 12-14-2007, 07:15 PM

Can't help, but welcome to the forum

treesloth · 12-14-2007, 10:52 PM

Thanks to both. The Speer is an option I didn't know about. Muzzle velocity of 950 fps in a 180 grain bullet comes to 360.81 foot-pounds, which is pretty darn impressive-- that's low-end .45ACP power, but from a 3-inch barrel. Thanks for the pointer.

EckStee · 12-15-2007, 08:39 PM

Treesloth,
Your velocity specs are from a 3.5" barrel. I don't know how much difference it makes but when one is talking about barrels this short I think it is at least worth mentioning.

I know Speer makes a lighter .40 GDHP as well as the 180gr in their standard bullets. I'm not sure why they don't do the same for the short barrel ammo (this would keep the velocity up as well as possibly reducing recoil).

Also, I believe hearing somewhere that the SXT ammo is designed to work in short barrels as well as standard barrels. I haven't researched this but I kind of doubt as I am guessing that people are assuming that since the SXT ammo is less sensitive than its predacessor then it must be good for short barrels as well, which isn't necessarily so. If you can find out differently please let us know.

I have the same gun and concerns about defensive ammo as you do. I asked a similar question a while back and came to the conclusion the Speer SB ammo was about the only option we have. I'd love to hear differently.

Any info/recommendations for .40 ammo for an s/c?

Good luck,
X

hotpig · 12-15-2007, 10:33 PM

Ranger T-Series ammo works well in compacts. This is the reason that GD had to break into the 21 century with the SB to keep up, or loss market share to Ranger and HST.

EckStee · 12-16-2007, 12:58 AM

Hotpig,
Do you know where I can find some regarding the Ranger T ammo and short barrels? I'm not doubting you but if you have some links handy I'd like to check it out.

Thanks,
X

hotpig · 12-16-2007, 02:50 AM

You can check around the internet. Just a little while ago some one posted wetpack results for their Kahr 9mm. Most of the info I get is first hand by being a dealer.

Keep in mind that wetpack and water jug tests are not scientific by any stretch. The ammo mfgs spend millions running tests on ammo. Their published results are normally right on the button give or take a few fps.

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=796284

treesloth · 12-25-2007, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotpig

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=796284

Wow... pretty good review, and certainly applicable to my XD40 SC. Thanks for the pointer.

fredj338 · 12-26-2007, 10:54 AM

The Rem 165grGS is a good performer at reduced vel. in a short 40.

12-14-2007, 05:41 PM	#1
treesloth XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 20	Short Barrel Ammo Hi to all. First, thanks for the great forum. I've spent some time exploring, and greatly enjoyed what I found. Second, I just got my first XD, second pistol. I have the .40 subcompact. It will serve as a primary carry weapon, alternating with my 1911. The trick, it seems, is to optimize the ammo to the short barrel. So, if I reason this out correctly, a fast-burning powder would be best, as there will be 40% less in-barrel flight distance as compared to my 1911. What do you all suggest I look at? Is there anything that makes the most of the short barrel while retaining acceptable accuracy? Understand that the word "acceptable" is a high standard, IMHO. Thanks in advance. __________________ Springfield Armory 1911 Loaded, Springfield Armory XD 40 Subcompact, Benchmade 630 Skirmish

12-14-2007, 10:52 PM	#4
treesloth XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 20	Thanks to both. The Speer is an option I didn't know about. Muzzle velocity of 950 fps in a 180 grain bullet comes to 360.81 foot-pounds, which is pretty darn impressive-- that's low-end .45ACP power, but from a 3-inch barrel. Thanks for the pointer. __________________ Springfield Armory 1911 Loaded, Springfield Armory XD 40 Subcompact, Benchmade 630 Skirmish

12-26-2007, 10:54 AM	#10
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,189	The Rem 165grGS is a good performer at reduced vel. in a short 40. __________________ EVERY GOOD SHOOTER SHOULD BE A HANDLOADER!

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12-14-2007, 06:08 PM	#2
JBHorne XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,000	Welcome! I use Speer GoldDot 9mm +P 124gr. Short Barrel. They make a .40 180gr. equivalent. You are correct, it is fast burning powder. To me, it even smells different when shot. Not sure if this improves the accuracy, but provides better expansion of HP.

12-14-2007, 07:15 PM	#3
rockerz71 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norcross, GA Posts: 2,908	Can't help, but welcome to the forum

12-15-2007, 08:39 PM	#5
EckStee XDTalk Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 39	Treesloth, Your velocity specs are from a 3.5" barrel. I don't know how much difference it makes but when one is talking about barrels this short I think it is at least worth mentioning. I know Speer makes a lighter .40 GDHP as well as the 180gr in their standard bullets. I'm not sure why they don't do the same for the short barrel ammo (this would keep the velocity up as well as possibly reducing recoil). Also, I believe hearing somewhere that the SXT ammo is designed to work in short barrels as well as standard barrels. I haven't researched this but I kind of doubt as I am guessing that people are assuming that since the SXT ammo is less sensitive than its predacessor then it must be good for short barrels as well, which isn't necessarily so. If you can find out differently please let us know. I have the same gun and concerns about defensive ammo as you do. I asked a similar question a while back and came to the conclusion the Speer SB ammo was about the only option we have. I'd love to hear differently. Any info/recommendations for .40 ammo for an s/c? Good luck, X

12-15-2007, 10:33 PM	#6
hotpig XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SW Illinois Posts: 256	Ranger T-Series ammo works well in compacts. This is the reason that GD had to break into the 21 century with the SB to keep up, or loss market share to Ranger and HST.

12-16-2007, 12:58 AM	#7
EckStee XDTalk Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 39	Hotpig, Do you know where I can find some regarding the Ranger T ammo and short barrels? I'm not doubting you but if you have some links handy I'd like to check it out. Thanks, X

12-16-2007, 02:50 AM	#8
hotpig XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SW Illinois Posts: 256	You can check around the internet. Just a little while ago some one posted wetpack results for their Kahr 9mm. Most of the info I get is first hand by being a dealer. Keep in mind that wetpack and water jug tests are not scientific by any stretch. The ammo mfgs spend millions running tests on ammo. Their published results are normally right on the button give or take a few fps. http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=796284