Best .40 S&W Ammo 2016: Self Defense & Target Practice

Got your four-tay and want the best ammo possible?

Read on for the best recommendations of self defense, concealed carry, and target ammo based on ballistics gel data.

Best .40 S&W Ammo for Self Defense

Sometimes called the “short & weak” since it is a scaled down 10mm round.  I prefer to think of the .40 as a “Goldilocks” round that is a step up in power from the more popular 9mm.

Learn more about all the popular handgun calibers here.

Testing Background

So how do we figure out what’s the best self defense .40 ammo?  We look at Lucky Gunner that has done all the hard work for us in terms of testing and add in our own personal criteria.

Here the tests were set up to mimic the FBI’s protocol:

• Shot at a distance of 10 ft
• 4 layers of fabric: For a “worst case scenario” of the most heavily bundled up bad guy

• Ideal penetration of 12-18 inches: Again, some Goldilocks thinking applies.  You want the bullet to enter a good amount but not so much that it exits the bad guy before it gets the chance to expand.  12 inches was chosen in case of thicker targets or if the round hits another body part first before entering the torso.
• 5 Shots
• Shorter barreled handgun: A longer barrel equals more velocity but most people carrying for self-defense are going with a shorter barreled handgun.  For the .40 S&W, the test was a Glock 27 with its 3.42″ barrel.

Recommendations

I stick with 165 gr and 180 gr since those are the two bullet weights that I shoot as target practice rounds.  And since we’re in self-defense mode, let’s make those jacketed hollow points (JHP) for maximum expansion and stopping power.

I tend to veer towards heavier rounds since I find the recoil a little more of a push than a snap.  But make sure you choose what you normally shoot and like!

Winchester 180 gr Ranger Bonded: A newer round from Winchester that is showing off the latest in bullet technology.  Penetration distance is Goldilocks with great expansion and fast velocity.

• Average Penetration: 16.9″
• Average Expansion: .72″
• Average Velocity: 930 ft/sec

Remington 180 gr Ultimate Defense: Penetration depth is good, one of the best expansions, and great velocity for a short barrel.

• Average Penetration: 15.5″
• Average Expansion: .79″
• Average Velocity: 977 ft/sec

Winchester 165 gr PDX-1: Penetration depth is good for 165 gr .40 rounds, along with impressive expansion and fast velocity.

• Average Penetration: 14.6″
• Average Expansion: .74″
• Average Velocity: 1066 ft/sec

Winchester 165 gr Ranger Bonded: It’s a clean sweep for Winchester in the 165 gr category.  This is another of their newer rounds that displays great penetration, expansion, and velocity.

• Average Penetration: 14.7″
• Average Expansion: .77″
• Average Velocity: 1098 ft/sec

Best .40 S&W Ammo for Target Practice

Now we’re back to target practice…where cost reigns supreme.  Of course, we’re choosing the ones that aren’t so cheap that they become a reliability factor.  We’ve shot a bunch of these in .40 and other calibers so we know the brands are good to go.  I lean towards brass casings so I can reload.

Try out the different weights for yourself to see what you like best.

Blazer Brass – Assorted – 165/180 gr FMJ (Cheapest brass option normally)

PMC – Assorted – 165/180 gr FMJ (my go to brand for plinking)

Conclusion

So there’s our recommendations for the best .40 S&W ammo for both self defense and target practice.  What did you end up choosing and how does your gun like it?

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