.40SW ammo recommendation - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

makarov9b · 06-15-2008, 12:44 AM

I'm about to pick up a new XDM .40SW, and need to know which is a better loading- 155gr, 165gr or 180gr for self protection? I believe 180g is not the best..

Also, assuming all brands will function and be accurate in my pistol, and using the answer to which wgt. is best; which of these brans are best- Gold dots, Rem. Golden Sabers, Winch. XST, Fed. Hydra-shoks, Hornady XTP?

rickett · 06-15-2008, 12:53 AM

Welcome to the forum! Best bullet weight will depend on your application. Lighter bullets are faster and won't penetrate walls, etc. as easily. Heavier bullets are harder to stop and therefore have better "knock down" power. As for brands, it seems like a lot of folks here (myself included) prefer Gold Dots. There have been a couple other threads with a lot more info on this subject.

http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/ammo-can/72210-what-type-self-defense-ammo-does-everyone-use.html

sourpatch45 · 06-15-2008, 01:26 AM

gold dots are great.. but they are expensive. i carry the winchester ranger 40 s&w. Not the talons but just regular JHP, they are 155 grains and only cost about $15 per 50 rounds. hell its hard to find cheap FMJ rounds for $15 per 50. and even the WWB is just a little cheaper and thats for the 100 value pack so if you compare the regular WWB 50 round box they are VERY close in price.

Pit Man · 06-15-2008, 01:29 AM

I personally like 180gr in my .40 right now it is loaded with Hornady Custom 180's (XTP). I also like Winchester SXT or Ranger "T" series. Rangers are getting pretty hard to find. Below is a link to Winchester's ballistic comparsion chart. To give you an idea on penetration and velocity. The best thing is to test the brands you want to carry and see how they shoot and feed in your gun. It can get expensive testing ammo but do you put a price on your safety. Have fun and Welcome.

Winchester Law Enforcement#

Plinkomatic · 06-15-2008, 03:46 AM

Most accurate round in my XD40 5" is Hornady TAP and I've blasted through pretty much everything I could find.
Don't worry about feeding and reliability, it will eat everything and ask for more.

06-15-2008, 12:44 AM	#1
makarov9b XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 11	.40SW ammo recommendation I'm about to pick up a new XDM .40SW, and need to know which is a better loading- 155gr, 165gr or 180gr for self protection? I believe 180g is not the best.. Also, assuming all brands will function and be accurate in my pistol, and using the answer to which wgt. is best; which of these brans are best- Gold dots, Rem. Golden Sabers, Winch. XST, Fed. Hydra-shoks, Hornady XTP?

06-15-2008, 12:53 AM	#2
rickett XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 745	Welcome to the forum! Best bullet weight will depend on your application. Lighter bullets are faster and won't penetrate walls, etc. as easily. Heavier bullets are harder to stop and therefore have better "knock down" power. As for brands, it seems like a lot of folks here (myself included) prefer Gold Dots. There have been a couple other threads with a lot more info on this subject. http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/ammo-can/72210-what-type-self-defense-ammo-does-everyone-use.html __________________ XD-45 service with Trijicon night sights GP-100 6" stainless .357Mag. Heritage Rough Rider 4 3/4" 22LR/22Mag. Savage 99 EG .300 Savage "At long last I have discovered that most shooters are not interested in firearms as tools, but rather as toys. Such people do not acquire their weapons because of what they will do, but rather to gratify the "Christmas morning joy" that we largely left behind in our childhood." -Jeff Cooper Last edited by rickett; 06-15-2008 at 12:55 AM. Reason: Added Link

06-15-2008, 01:29 AM	#4
Pit Man XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 141	I personally like 180gr in my .40 right now it is loaded with Hornady Custom 180's (XTP). I also like Winchester SXT or Ranger "T" series. Rangers are getting pretty hard to find. Below is a link to Winchester's ballistic comparsion chart. To give you an idea on penetration and velocity. The best thing is to test the brands you want to carry and see how they shoot and feed in your gun. It can get expensive testing ammo but do you put a price on your safety. Have fun and Welcome. Winchester Law Enforcement# __________________ XD-40 Service XD-45 Tactical

06-15-2008, 03:46 AM	#5
Plinkomatic XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,305	Most accurate round in my XD40 5" is Hornady TAP and I've blasted through pretty much everything I could find. Don't worry about feeding and reliability, it will eat everything and ask for more. __________________ It's the year of the .22LR

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-15-2008, 01:26 AM	#3
sourpatch45 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 695	gold dots are great.. but they are expensive. i carry the winchester ranger 40 s&w. Not the talons but just regular JHP, they are 155 grains and only cost about $15 per 50 rounds. hell its hard to find cheap FMJ rounds for $15 per 50. and even the WWB is just a little cheaper and thats for the 100 value pack so if you compare the regular WWB 50 round box they are VERY close in price.