I used to keep up on all of this stuff but am not familar with the new loads for defense. What is the best rated load for the 9MM, and 40 S&W?

I am trying to taper back a bit on my guns as I am sort of burned out on reloading for 12-16 calibers like I do now. I am considering trading my 9MM and 45 for a 40 S&W. I know that the 40 has really caught on with law enforcement and I wondered what loads are best for defense.

My personal preference is the Federal Hydrashok. But I am looking into the new efmj (expanding full metal jacket)rounds. They are supposed to be great stoppers, with no chance of the hollow point clogging with material. Good luck.

Personally I carry Federal 180 grain hydra shocks in my 40. I recently fired one into some wet shreaded newspaper from 10 feet to see how they expanded and penetrated.

The recovered bullet was nearly a picture perfect mushroom. It was a little more expanded on one side than the other but I atribute this to firing at a bit of an angle into the paper. Penetration was about 20 inches.

I also tested the 155 grain hydra shock and 135 grain power balls. While they both had excelent expansion both shed their jackets.

I have not tested the Remington Golden sabers yet but they are suppose to be one of the best defensive bullets as well.


BTW recoil is very manageable. My 11 year old daughter has no problem controling my XD compact. While she can't put 13 down range in rapid succession she loves to shoot it.

JB I wouldn't get rid of the 45 to get a 40 just because you see so many carried by those with badges. Most law enforcement who carry 9s or 40s do so because they are required to by policy. Nearly too the man, the gents I know well in the military and tact squad law officers MUCH prefer the superior stopping power of the 45 vs either of the other two. In manners of gun, caliber and defensive bullets I take the recommendations from those who are shot at for a living!!!

Regardless of caliber, the two most preferred bullets I have seen by those same buddies are the Golden Saber from Remington and the Federal Hydra Shock.

My 1911 is full of Hydras,
RA

James I am sure you are probably aware but I will post this for those that aren't.

You mentioned reloading for 12 different calibers and defensive ammo in the same thread and reading RA's post I thought someone may benefit from this little bit of info.

If you want to avoid extra legal action against you should you have to shoot a person to defend your life do not shoot them with reloaded ammunition. Use only factory loaded ammunition and if you can, use what your local and state police use to defend their own lives.

If it passes police testing and is aproved for their use then this will greatly benefit you in court if you used the same ammunition.

In other words............CYA........... cover your a$$.

Good advice. I have read that before and was told the same by a cousin who was a county mounty.

I currently carry Hydrashocks in my 9mm and Gold Dots in My 45 ACP. I have also been looking at the 45GAP (Glock).

RA. I do love the 45 and have always had one of some kind. I have a Ruger right now which shoots well and never malfunctions. So far anyway. I have owned four 1911's all but one were build up SP Armaries. I sterted with a Auto Ord which worked great as well after I put in a SA barrel and had the slide tightened. I like the Kimbers but they are just to much money for a retired guy.

I'm calling BS on this one unless you can come up with a case where someone used handloads for self defense and was prosecuted for using 'extra deadly handloads.' This falls under the category or internet gun urban legend.

Briman do you honestly believe that? You should check around on some actual cases taken too court and see just what kind of crap cheesy lawyers will pull out of their butts just to try and get a jury on their side. If ammo didn't matter why did the whole "Black Talon" and "Cop killer" episodes happen in the first place? The cases I have looked into where someone actually used deadly force (by lawful conceal carriers defending themselves from thugs) has overwhelmingly resulted in some courtcase of somesort. The cost too the person defending their own life is typically at a MINIMUM of $10k, with many costing over twice that if the thugs family wishes to sue for rights violations. PC and weak DAs are the culprit here. This crap shouldn't even make it to trial, but that doesn't make .02c difference in todays world. Bottom line, you drawdown on someone and cut loose a round you ARE going to court if you live in most cities with a population over 50k. If you shoot someone of another race, then BANK ON IT and plan on spending a night or two in jail... and all in the name of "self defense".

Sadly in todays courtroom, logic is left in the parking lot. Whether it's boosheut or not, lawyers are gonna throw any bait they think they can catch a fish with!
RA

Blissninny gun banner got their collective soiled panties in a knot over the name and found a good 'evil' name they could pounce on. Winchester simply changed the name of Black talons to Rangers and still sells them. There are even better bullets out there now than the Black Talons.

Once again, RA, can you point to a case where handloaded ammunition led to a conviction of a shooter where factory ammunition might not have?

Didn't think so.

Another way to look at it is that it might be better to be sued in civil court by the emotional and irrational surviving family forthe loss of intangibles from the loss of their wayward son 'who fell into the wrong crowd' than to be sued by a thug themselves and have to pay out lifelong medical bills for his condition.