I've owned a Glock 23 (.40cal) for about 2 years now, and during that time I have always carried the Federal Hydra Shoks in 180gr. I've been doing some research on the caliber in hopes of finding out what the optimal bullet weight for this caliber is for SD from people.
I've looked at some ballistics data, and the 155gr loading seems to be a hot performer. The ft lb's in energy are higher than the 180's by a decent amount. This leads me to believe that the 155's may be the better choice. On the other hand I believe that perhaps the higher amount of energy transfer from the 155's v.s 180's could be offset by the heavier projectile's deeper penetration and larger expansion?
Which bullet weight do you think is the best performer for the caliber given the intended usage criteria?
I have had a Glock 23 since 1992. When it first came out your choice was pretty much limited to the 180gr bullet as there wasn't much data out there. Now the round has been around several years and there are several different bullets out there. I think the 155 might be a better choice than the 180 as I feel the 180 is a little heavy for this caliber. I think it's better suited for the 10mm where you can push it to intended speeds. I shot a 180gr Hydra shock into wet telephone books when I first bought the gun and although it penetrated fairly deep it didn't open up as well. I found out later that they were still making the jackets heavier for the 10mm velocities. I switched to Remington Golden Sabers a few years ago for both my 357, 45, and my 40. Another one to look at is the Corbon power ball. 135 gr bullet with a poylmer ball to make it expand no matter what it comes into contact with. I have tried them in my 10mm and have shot several boxes through it and they cycle flawlessly. I don't know the velocity or energy out of the 40 but the 10mm pushes them around 1400fps and 588ft/lbs.
That is a very tough question. I have done some testing for the .40 S&W caliber (you can probably still see it on the ammunition pages). I read a lot about bullets before ever getting any, and I was sold on the light and fast bullets (I had 135 grain Corbons, which have an incredible muzzle energy). Well, I made a test rig to hold water jugs (milk jugs full of water) and shot several bullets over the last few months. I have moved on to different calibers and still have some more to do this spring. Anyway, here is what I found, specific to the .40 XDm (4.5" barrel)...
Corbon 135 grain JHP - did not penetrate very deeply and went into two pieces. Did not appear to be a significant penetration or size...I have not had one in my gun since I did this test.
Federal 155 grain Hydra-Shok - did better than the Corbon, went a little deeper, but fragmented into multiple pieces, and the mushroom was not uniform.
Remington Golden Saber 165 grain BJHP (brass jacket) - went into the fourth water jug (very good and deep) and opened perfectly. Uniform and full expansion with good penetration. Now I felt good and I loaded up with these.
Remington Golden Saber 180 grain BJHP -again, went into the fourth water jug and expanded perfectly...exactly like the 165 grain RBS, but just slightly larger in size.
Remington Golden Saber 180 grain BJHP bonded, penetration into fourth jug, but it did not open up as much. Since I never had an issue with the other RGS's coming apart, I didn't switch to these bonded rounds - I would rather have the complete and full mushroom
Remington Golden Saber 165 grain BJHP bonded, penetration into fourth jug, and same as the 180 grain bonded round, didn't open up as much as the unbonded. I would not have tested this, but it is what the Knox County Sheriff's department uses, and a friend on the force wanted to go shoot a few into water jugs. The Sheriff's department has some of the rounds we shot. I think they like these bonded rounds because they stay intact when going through metal and glass...something I did not test.
So...I have two magazines for my gun. The first one is loaded with 180 grain Remington Golden Sabers (BJHP). The other magazine is loaded with 165 grain RGS(BJHP). Either one is good in my book and from my gun.
Remington has not given me an adequate or intelligence response regarding the exact differences in the unbonded and bonded rounds, and I have since given up asking them.
I have an article that says the 180 grain round is going out, and is no longer the best .40S&W round, since the 165 grain rounds are faster and more potent. But, when I saw how the 135 grain Corbon did, I guess I went to the far extreme and became a big and slow guy. No really, I am big and slow.
Hope some of that helped. Also, RGS are not always the best round. I do like them in my .38+P, but I'm wanting to test some Federals in my .357 magnum. In 9mm I have tried Hornadys, Federals, Speer, RGS, etc - those were specific to different guns - one liked RGS, and another only liked Federal. I would like to try some of the new Hornady Critical Defense in the .38+P. Other .40S&W rounds that I would like to try are the Speer Gold Dot and the Hornady TAP. Basically, you need to go shoot something and see how it does (cardboard, phone books, water, gel, something like that). Later, B
After reading the posts here it seems all the money they were using to boost the T.A.P. ammo, the 155gr .40 cal stuff wasn't even mentioned. After all that $marketing$, I bet they would be upset by this thread!! LOL
I chose 180 grain after doing a fair amount of research, the 180's delivered a whole lot of energy and 12-14 inches of penetration. In the end, the most important part of a bullet is placement, and that has nothing to do with the weight.
That is a very tough question. I have done some testing for the .40 S&W caliber (you can probably still see it on the ammunition pages). I read a lot about bullets before ever getting any, and I was sold on the light and fast bullets (I had 135 grain Corbons, which have an incredible muzzle energy). Well, I made a test rig to hold water jugs (milk jugs full of water) and shot several bullets over the last few months. I have moved on to different calibers and still have some more to do this spring. Anyway, here is what I found, specific to the .40 XDm (4.5" barrel)...
Corbon 135 grain JHP - did not penetrate very deeply and went into two pieces. Did not appear to be a significant penetration or size...I have not had one in my gun since I did this test.
Federal 155 grain Hydra-Shok - did better than the Corbon, went a little deeper, but fragmented into multiple pieces, and the mushroom was not uniform.
Remington Golden Saber 165 grain BJHP (brass jacket) - went into the fourth water jug (very good and deep) and opened perfectly. Uniform and full expansion with good penetration. Now I felt good and I loaded up with these.
Remington Golden Saber 180 grain BJHP -again, went into the fourth water jug and expanded perfectly...exactly like the 165 grain RBS, but just slightly larger in size.
Remington Golden Saber 180 grain BJHP bonded, penetration into fourth jug, but it did not open up as much. Since I never had an issue with the other RGS's coming apart, I didn't switch to these bonded rounds - I would rather have the complete and full mushroom
Remington Golden Saber 165 grain BJHP bonded, penetration into fourth jug, and same as the 180 grain bonded round, didn't open up as much as the unbonded. I would not have tested this, but it is what the Knox County Sheriff's department uses, and a friend on the force wanted to go shoot a few into water jugs. The Sheriff's department has some of the rounds we shot. I think they like these bonded rounds because they stay intact when going through metal and glass...something I did not test.
So...I have two magazines for my gun. The first one is loaded with 180 grain Remington Golden Sabers (BJHP). The other magazine is loaded with 165 grain RGS(BJHP). Either one is good in my book and from my gun.
Remington has not given me an adequate or intelligence response regarding the exact differences in the unbonded and bonded rounds, and I have since given up asking them.
I have an article that says the 180 grain round is going out, and is no longer the best .40S&W round, since the 165 grain rounds are faster and more potent. But, when I saw how the 135 grain Corbon did, I guess I went to the far extreme and became a big and slow guy. No really, I am big and slow.
Hope some of that helped. Also, RGS are not always the best round. I do like them in my .38+P, but I'm wanting to test some Federals in my .357 magnum. In 9mm I have tried Hornadys, Federals, Speer, RGS, etc - those were specific to different guns - one liked RGS, and another only liked Federal. I would like to try some of the new Hornady Critical Defense in the .38+P. Other .40S&W rounds that I would like to try are the Speer Gold Dot and the Hornady TAP. Basically, you need to go shoot something and see how it does (cardboard, phone books, water, gel, something like that). Later, B
Thank you for your input! After doing more research I also found that many ppl say good things about the Speer Gold Dots in 155-165. I'm going to pick up a box of the 155's and 165's and use the one that I get better accuracy from.
Thanks bassoneer, one thing i would like to point out for all, is what are you preparing for? Is it it strickly for use in your home, or is there a chance that you may have to shoot through an object, such as a house door, or car door?
Being the cheap person i am, i stagger my loads with rem. 180gr. jhp, and blazer brass 180 mc. If i am forced to shoot, i want to kill the s.o.b., i don't care whats between us.
You might be suprised at what will and what won't go through car doors and walls. blue
I saw that same Box-O-Truth page and gave up on HydraShok myself. I have heard too many bad stories. I like Golden Sabers myself. I really like Rangers but they are hard to come by these days. Do you have trouble finding them?
I saw that same Box-O-Truth page and gave up on HydraShok myself. I have heard too many bad stories. I like Golden Sabers myself. I really like Rangers but they are hard to come by these days. Do you have trouble finding them?
I actually bought a 500 round case for $175 shipped many months back from a gentleman on GlockTalk.com forums. I doubt they're that good of a price still, but he still may have them. Just go over and search for Ranger SXT.
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