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[BigDogatPlay]

The 155 to 165 grain loads deliver the optimal performance on paper in .40. The 180s are okay, but they aren't a big gain in performance for the difference in weight.

I shot the Ranger round as issued duty ammo, and it's very good, but I prefer Hydro Shock when I am paying for my own ammo.... and when I can find them. The new Winchester PDX is supposed to be just plain awesome, but I haven't tried it yet.

[Southbay]

Totally depends. Different brands will react in different ways. Honestly, if you hit someone in the torso with a .40 round they will go down. Doesn't matter what type of round it is. If you absolutely have to have the best terminal ballistics and knock down potential then there are a few to choose from. Winchester makes very good JHP. Expensive, but the FBI supposedly uses it, so...

Are you sure about that? I remember reading about a cop that got into a live fire exchange, got 15 hits with his 40 S&W and the scumbag drove off, went about 3 miles before he pulled over and stopped. I believe the cop got shot 6 times and survived.

[OneSevenDeuce]

Are you sure about that? I remember reading about a cop that got into a live fire exchange, got 15 hits with his 40 S&W and the scumbag drove off, went about 3 miles before he pulled over and stopped. I believe the cop got shot 6 times and survived.

Here is the thing. The human body can do a lot of things under pressure. More often than not, if you place your shots well enough the person will drop. A lot of cops use JHP rounds in their duty weapons so he may have been firing with the best scientifically calculated human destructo rounds ever, and this guy still drove off. Just saying. My point is this, if you practice your drills, do a dry run of your home (Without a loaded weapon, PLEASE!) with potential shooting positions and locations, make a PLAN, and be prepared, you are in a much better situation than if you did none of that but used hollow point ammo touched by god. Hits count, and at 7-10 yds a hit from a .40 will more than likely drop a guy, no matter what type of round it is.

[Munk]

The answer, as others have said, is whatever you can hit with and whatever your gun feeds reliably.

[pinwheels]

But FWIW, I tried some 135 Corbon (1400+fps). Loudest and largest muzzle flip of any round I've used. I practice with 180 gr FMJ and have 180 gr HST and Ranger T for SD. Similar feel, and familiarity is good.

Try 'em all and find what you can control best.

[Colt]

My federal LEO family member and colleagues were issued Gold Dot 180 grain for their Glock .40s.

[Southbay]

Here is the thing. The human body can do a lot of things under pressure. More often than not, if you place your shots well enough the person will drop. A lot of cops use JHP rounds in their duty weapons so he may have been firing with the best scientifically calculated human destructo rounds ever, and this guy still drove off. Just saying. My point is this, if you practice your drills, do a dry run of your home (Without a loaded weapon, PLEASE!) with potential shooting positions and locations, make a PLAN, and be prepared, you are in a much better situation than if you did none of that but used hollow point ammo touched by god. Hits count, and at 7-10 yds a hit from a .40 will more than likely drop a guy, no matter what type of round it is.

[OneSevenDeuce]

I'm not saying 1 shot 1 kill. I mean, that's why we train to fire controlled pairs, and practice "failure" drills. My point is this though. I feel very comfortable having ball ammo in my gun tucked away in my night stand. On the other hand, I feel very comfortable having JHP in it too.

[E. Fudd]

No handgun round can guaranty 100% stopping power.

I like 165gr. or 180 gr. Ranger T's or Gold Dots.

[OneSevenDeuce]

No handgun round can guaranty 100% stopping power.

Exactly.