Factory fmj for 40s&w

**Bushboy** · 22-07-2009, 15:57

Are factory fmj's available in 40S&W? I see from frontier, you can get 200gr cmj.are these any good? If I cant get factory and max penetration is my aim at short range, what would reloaders on this forum suggest? I ll be using G23, so unfortunately no cast bullets. Im not afraid of recoil but a little skittish of Kaboom!

**Thorkind** · 22-07-2009, 16:53

I stick to 160gr and 165gr loads in .40 for competition. If your heart is set on a heavier load, use 180gr CMJ's instead of 200gr. 200gr is too heavy for .40 IMO

**SSP** · 22-07-2009, 16:55

Especially in a Glock which has a short magazine limiting overall length.

**Brendank** · 22-07-2009, 17:10

Originally Posted by Thorkind

I stick to 160gr and 165gr loads in .40 for competition. If your heart is set on a heavier load, use 180gr CMJ's instead of 200gr. 200gr is too heavy for .40 IMO

Where do you get 165gr CMJ's TK? They must be imported as none of the local manufacturers produce 165gr CMJ loaded ammo.

**Thorkind** · 22-07-2009, 17:17

Frontier do a swaged round nose flat point 165gr bullet. Not loaded, but OP asked about reloading options.

**Armed Preacher** · 23-07-2009, 20:47

Check this site out before you load with 200gr bullets. If the 180gr bullet is a bad idea in the 40 then the 200gr is even worse.
http://www.greent.com/40Page/ammo/40/180gr.htm
"the .40S&W was never intended to be a high-pressure round like the .357 Magnum, 10mm, or 357SIG. In fact, the SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) specification for the .40S&W is the same as the 9mm spec (35kpsi). Furthermore, there is no such thing as "+p" ammunition for the .40S&W. Manufacturers claiming to produce "+p" .40S&W ammunition are either lying (the ammo is really within standard pressure allowances) or taking risks with your life. Using ammunition rated over SAAMI spec in a .40S&W handgun is very dangerous and should not be attempted.

However, because of the deep-seated 180gr bullets, there is very little extra case volume left after powder and bullet are added to the case. Even the smallest variation in bullet seating or powder volume drastically affects the volume of space inside the case where the chemical reaction occurs which builds the pressure which sends the bullet down the barrel. These minor variations, therefore, make it very easy to get an overpressure situation with a 180gr bullet. The table below shows how dramatically peak pressures increase when the bullet is seated too deeply.

Overall Length
Pressure
1.140" 26,195 psi
1.130" 27,521 psi
1.120" 29,079 psi
1.115" 29,924 psi
1.100" 32,900 psi
1.075" 39,641 psi
1.050" 50,954 psi
1.040" 57,926 psi
1.030" 66,890 psi
1.020" 80,345 psi
1.010" 101,286 psi
1.000" 138,744 psi

Standard OAL for the .40S&W is 1.120" ... table data from "Handloading" by Charles E. Petty, American Handgunner Jan/Feb 1998, p41.
"

**Bushboy** · 23-07-2009, 23:27

Thanks for all the info. As far as reloading goes, I am accutely aware of pressure and hence my questions. Thanks for the advice on the 200,s . Still my question is, what round will give me the best penetration. These are not carry rounds, for that I ll buy the best hp rounds I can get my paws on.

**Thorkind** · 24-07-2009, 08:37

Originally Posted by Armed Preacher

Overall Length
Pressure
1.140" 26,195 psi

As a matter of interest this OAL equates to 28.95mm which I round off to 29mm. IIRC Somchem suggests this also.

Bushboy, if you give us an indication of what you want to achieve with the round (penetrate what & why?), maybe that'll help us give better advice.

**Bushboy** · 24-07-2009, 17:28

Thorkind, Long story! Basicaly I spend a lot of time in a big 5 game reserve. Quite frequently whilst working in the reserve I do not have my rifle at hand. Sometimes Im working with darted or drugged cats. Personally Id prefer to carry a .357 or 44 mag rollie, but I dont have one. Even my G23 hasnt yet arrived (licence that is). Now before any smart alec out there tries to tell me that 40 S&W is not up to dropping a big cat, Im fully aware that it is not ideal. Penetration is the key and CNS is the only way to go. I have seen soft nosed light rifle bullets not penetrate the skull of a lioness. Until I can get another handgun fit for purpose, this is probably better then feeding the cat my arm as I go to work with my leatherman ala Wolhuter. I accept it is of little use against thick skinned game and will have to rely on my nj skills in that scenario.

**Thorkind** · 24-07-2009, 17:55

Yea, that puts it into perspective. Ok, I'm severely unqualified to comment on what to take big cats out with but in an emergency, if it were me with the G23, I would still use a 180gr CMJ @ a max of 1050fps (absolute limit). Anything hotter than that and you'll risk popping your Glock.