Best .40cal defensive ammo - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

FatMatt1981 · 12-18-2004, 07:39 AM

I'm new to 40's so please forgive me. Which brand would be the best for defensive use, and what bullet weight. I've been usin Federal hyrdashoks 180gr. Which has more stopping power, a bullet with higher weight or lower. I've heard Speer is about the best.
Thanks for your help

one-eyed-fatman · 12-18-2004, 07:53 AM

This would be a very good FAQ... It is asked time and time and time again. The FAQ should cover 9, 40 and 357. Of course as most of us know there is no "one correct answer" so a list of ammo's would be required.

bd · 12-18-2004, 08:01 AM

Matt,

If your pistol is putting those Federal Hydroshocks where you aim then you have already found the best ammo for your gun.

"Stopping power" is a highly debateable term, in theory "bigger is better" stands to reason but a shot to center mass with a 135 gr. corbon is going to have more effect than an off center shot with a 180 gr. hydroshock.

Find the load that works best for you and your gun and stick with it, don't worry about grain weights and etc unless you are reloading.

See this site for related "stopping power" info.

http://www.handloads.com/misc/stoppi...=11&Weight=135

Speer is very good ammo......if it shoots well from your particular gun, all
XD 40's will not shoot the same ammo the same way.

bd

I agree with one-eyed fatman. There is no one correct answer and this would be a very good topic to include in the new FAQ's.

invssgt · 12-18-2004, 08:03 AM

shoot often- until the problem goes away. Caliber & loads are secondary concerns.

http://thesixgunjournal.com/Stopping_Power.htm

FatMatt1981 · 12-18-2004, 08:39 AM

I appreciate the feedback. I bought my XD only for defensive purposes.....I've only shot around 50rds of Winchester white box through it...hit where I was aiming... Only hopefully, to never have to be used again...well except for that cat one time lol Hyrdashcks on a cat..OMG

I've talked to Indiana State Troopers here locally, and they're why I decided to go 40, but never asked what grainage etc.
I figured they'd be the ones to ask...since it's what they do.
Just curious as to what would be the best knock down round for when I do happen to need it..........I know it wouldnt be cool to get shot with anything, but you know what I mean.

bd · 12-18-2004, 11:25 AM

Matt,

According to the site I posted for you.........

From data collected in 146 shootings, Remington 165g. Golden Sabres produced 137 one stop shots, that's 94% of the time. But they were used a whole lot more than any other round on the list as far as I looked. I suspect they are commonly used by law enforcement because of the frequency of the shootings reported and data collected.

They are the highest rated for .40 caliber ammo according to this site.

It's hard to commit to a specific formula for "knock down", all targets aren't the same. Is a Remington 165g. GS going to have the same "knockdown" effect on a 300 lb. psycho wacked out on crystal meth as it will a 140 lb. idiot who's trying to carjack you? Sure, maybe if you hit them both between the eyes.......but you see my point?

Just concentrate on hitting your target.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Any weight, name brand, .40 caliber ammo will get the job done as long as you do your part.

There is no "magic bullet".

bd

FatMatt1981 · 12-18-2004, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bd

Matt,

It's hard to commit to a specific formula for "knock down", all targets aren't the same. Is a Remington 165g. GS going to have the same "knockdown" effect on a 300 lb. psycho wacked out on crystal meth as it will a 140 lb. idiot who's trying to carjack you? Sure, maybe if you hit them both between the eyes.......but you see my point?

.

bd

You hit the nail right on the head my friend. One of the main reasons I decided to start carrying. That stuff is a major problem around here. People cooking the crap, and blowin themselves up all the time. People bein all tweaked out, and beatin someone down for only their wallet. Hell there's been people messed up pretty bad by someone on the crap, just over road rage.
The usual thing around here........where's a cop when ya need one.

Jamsub · 12-18-2004, 05:33 PM

One thing to also consider is over penetration. If you think you may have to use it indoors or where their may be innocent bystanders. Hydrashok's seem to be one of the best choices to prevent over penetration. Unless you can get some frangible rounds that the military is starting to use at pistol ranges. Instant coleslaw inside a BG.

DanaT · 12-18-2004, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bd

There is no "magic bullet".

bd

Yes, there is. But I can't tell you where I bought my magic bullets from. I will give you a clue though. I got them from a gnome.....

-Dana

FatMatt1981 · 12-18-2004, 10:03 PM

them gnomes have been stealing my sanity for years
they gave me some magic beans once, but they just gave me gas

12-18-2004, 07:39 AM	#1
FatMatt1981 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,467	Best .40cal defensive ammo I'm new to 40's so please forgive me. Which brand would be the best for defensive use, and what bullet weight. I've been usin Federal hyrdashoks 180gr. Which has more stopping power, a bullet with higher weight or lower. I've heard Speer is about the best. Thanks for your help __________________ \"Through strength, we deter tyranny\" ICVM OD XD-40 4\" Black on black XD-9 4\"

12-18-2004, 07:53 AM	#2
one-eyed-fatman XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 10,733	This would be a very good FAQ... It is asked time and time and time again. The FAQ should cover 9, 40 and 357. Of course as most of us know there is no "one correct answer" so a list of ammo's would be required. __________________ Never underestimate the power of a large group of fools. http://home.houston.rr.com/gunpics/images/one%20eye.wav This link no longer works due to a corporate buyout.

12-18-2004, 08:03 AM	#4
invssgt XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,413	Shoot well... shoot often- until the problem goes away. Caliber & loads are secondary concerns. http://thesixgunjournal.com/Stopping_Power.htm __________________ It ain't personal. Nothing contained herein is intended is to offend the immature, retarded, hyper-sensitive, emotionally/hormonally unstable, or otherwise easily-offended. But if it does- don't cry to me. I don't care. "Sarge" www.thesixgunjournal.net http://sargesrollcall.blogspot.com/ LOCK & LOAD the VOTE!

12-18-2004, 08:39 AM	#5
FatMatt1981 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,467	I appreciate the feedback. I bought my XD only for defensive purposes.....I've only shot around 50rds of Winchester white box through it...hit where I was aiming... Only hopefully, to never have to be used again...well except for that cat one time lol Hyrdashcks on a cat..OMG I've talked to Indiana State Troopers here locally, and they're why I decided to go 40, but never asked what grainage etc. I figured they'd be the ones to ask...since it's what they do. Just curious as to what would be the best knock down round for when I do happen to need it..........I know it wouldnt be cool to get shot with anything, but you know what I mean. __________________ \"Through strength, we deter tyranny\" ICVM OD XD-40 4\" Black on black XD-9 4\"

12-18-2004, 10:03 PM	#10
FatMatt1981 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,467	them gnomes have been stealing my sanity for years they gave me some magic beans once, but they just gave me gas __________________ \"Through strength, we deter tyranny\" ICVM OD XD-40 4\" Black on black XD-9 4\"

12-18-2004, 08:01 AM	#3
bd XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,864	Matt, If your pistol is putting those Federal Hydroshocks where you aim then you have already found the best ammo for your gun. "Stopping power" is a highly debateable term, in theory "bigger is better" stands to reason but a shot to center mass with a 135 gr. corbon is going to have more effect than an off center shot with a 180 gr. hydroshock. Find the load that works best for you and your gun and stick with it, don't worry about grain weights and etc unless you are reloading. See this site for related "stopping power" info. http://www.handloads.com/misc/stoppi...=11&Weight=135 Speer is very good ammo......if it shoots well from your particular gun, all XD 40's will not shoot the same ammo the same way. bd I agree with one-eyed fatman. There is no one correct answer and this would be a very good topic to include in the new FAQ's.

12-18-2004, 11:25 AM	#6
bd XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,864	Matt, According to the site I posted for you......... From data collected in 146 shootings, Remington 165g. Golden Sabres produced 137 one stop shots, that's 94% of the time. But they were used a whole lot more than any other round on the list as far as I looked. I suspect they are commonly used by law enforcement because of the frequency of the shootings reported and data collected. They are the highest rated for .40 caliber ammo according to this site. It's hard to commit to a specific formula for "knock down", all targets aren't the same. Is a Remington 165g. GS going to have the same "knockdown" effect on a 300 lb. psycho wacked out on crystal meth as it will a 140 lb. idiot who's trying to carjack you? Sure, maybe if you hit them both between the eyes.......but you see my point? Just concentrate on hitting your target. Don't sweat the small stuff. Any weight, name brand, .40 caliber ammo will get the job done as long as you do your part. There is no "magic bullet". bd

12-18-2004, 05:33 PM	#8
Jamsub XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 3	One thing to also consider is over penetration. If you think you may have to use it indoors or where their may be innocent bystanders. Hydrashok's seem to be one of the best choices to prevent over penetration. Unless you can get some frangible rounds that the military is starting to use at pistol ranges. Instant coleslaw inside a BG.

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