40 S&W FMJ bullet choices?

leadchucker · December 19, 2012, 07:27 PM

I just got a 40 S&W Shield for CCW, and I'll be wanting to start loading some practice ammo for it. Already have plenty of suitable powder, primers, and brass. A new set of dies is under the Christmas tree. (I'm not supposed to know that.

) Now I'm figuring what bullets to order.

FMJ will be fine, just for plinking/practice at the range. I'll probably be ordering from Precision Delta. So I'm trying to decide whether I should get 165gr or 180gr. Any reason why one should be preferable to the other. Any help out there?

David Bachelder · December 20, 2012, 07:33 AM

I personally would prefer the 180 gr bullets for self defense. Better yet 180 gr hollow points.

leadchucker · December 20, 2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

...FMJ will be fine, just for plinking/practice at the range. I'll probably be ordering from Precision Delta. So I'm trying to decide whether I should get 165gr or 180gr. Any reason why one should be preferable to the other. Any help out there?

No preferences? Anyone?

jim8115 · December 20, 2012, 11:02 AM

I usually try to load my target / range ammo to shoot and feel as close as possible to my carry ammo. So, if you are going to carry 180's , get 180's for the range, etc

JIM

Sarge · December 20, 2012, 11:44 AM

If you're looking for a dual-purpose FMJ load, I'd pick something with the biggest flat point I could find. The important things are that it feeds well in that particular gun and that it is affordable enough to shoot a lot.

Several years ago I shot some .40/180 UMC into water jugs; the stuff seemed to be wanting to expand and rivet at the nose a bit. I had pics of this uploaded but can't seem to find them.

leadchucker · December 20, 2012, 07:28 PM

Trying to load to something roughly as close to my SD load as I can makes sense. I just did some price/shipping comparisons on 1000 165 gr flatnose fmj.

Every supplier except one was either totally out of stock or saying it would be four weeks or more to fulfill the order.

Precision Delta was the only one who would even take my order. And I had to order a thousand more 9mm that I really didn't need right away to get the free shipping. And I'm not yet sure how long it will take to get these.

Can you say "panic buying"? Sheeze!

serf 'rett · December 20, 2012, 10:42 PM

I'm interested in trying the Precision Delta sometime soon. I currently use Berry's plated 165 and 180 grain flat point - slightly less cost and accurate in my pistol.

December 19, 2012, 07:27 PM	#1
leadchucker Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2011 Location: NC Posts: 252	40 S&W FMJ bullet choices? I just got a 40 S&W Shield for CCW, and I'll be wanting to start loading some practice ammo for it. Already have plenty of suitable powder, primers, and brass. A new set of dies is under the Christmas tree. (I'm not supposed to know that. ) Now I'm figuring what bullets to order. FMJ will be fine, just for plinking/practice at the range. I'll probably be ordering from Precision Delta. So I'm trying to decide whether I should get 165gr or 180gr. Any reason why one should be preferable to the other. Any help out there?

December 20, 2012, 07:33 AM	#2
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 636	I personally would prefer the 180 gr bullets for self defense. Better yet 180 gr hollow points. __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06

December 20, 2012, 11:44 AM	#5
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	If you're looking for a dual-purpose FMJ load, I'd pick something with the biggest flat point I could find. The important things are that it feeds well in that particular gun and that it is affordable enough to shoot a lot. Several years ago I shot some .40/180 UMC into water jugs; the stuff seemed to be wanting to expand and rivet at the nose a bit. I had pics of this uploaded but can't seem to find them. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

December 20, 2012, 10:42 PM	#7
serf 'rett Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Stuttgart, AR Posts: 1,569	I'm interested in trying the Precision Delta sometime soon. I currently use Berry's plated 165 and 180 grain flat point - slightly less cost and accurate in my pistol. __________________ A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part.

December 20, 2012, 11:02 AM	#4
jim8115 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2011 Location: Arkansas Posts: 229	I usually try to load my target / range ammo to shoot and feel as close as possible to my carry ammo. So, if you are going to carry 180's , get 180's for the range, etc JIM

December 20, 2012, 07:28 PM	#6
leadchucker Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2011 Location: NC Posts: 252	Trying to load to something roughly as close to my SD load as I can makes sense. I just did some price/shipping comparisons on 1000 165 gr flatnose fmj. Every supplier except one was either totally out of stock or saying it would be four weeks or more to fulfill the order. Precision Delta was the only one who would even take my order. And I had to order a thousand more 9mm that I really didn't need right away to get the free shipping. And I'm not yet sure how long it will take to get these. Can you say "panic buying"? Sheeze!