.40 Grains for the Range - The Firearms Forum

wingspar · 02-06-2010, 12:52 PM

I know this subject has to be beat to death, but I couldn’t find this with a search, so here goes. I don’t need another center fire hand gun, but if I did, at this point in time it would be the Sig 226 or 229 in .40. Another 9mm would make more sense ammo wise, but something different, something I’ve never shot would be nice too.

So, what grain .40 rounds are the best and cheapest for the range?

With my 9mm, I shoot almost exclusively 115 grain, and I keep some 124 grain HP’s in the drawer at home.

woolleyworm · 02-06-2010, 01:34 PM

165 and 180 gr are the most common bullet wts in .40 s&w. 155 and 170 are also fairly common. The 165gr Rainier RNFP using Clays has been a great plinking combo for me. With my reloads at just under $10 / 50rnds, it's affordable and accurate. For factory, I'd recommend MagTech, should be able to find it for less than $20 a box.

CampingJosh · 02-06-2010, 08:13 PM

Walmart usually has 180 grain Federal FMJ for less than $15 per box. Around me, .40 is the only handgun ammo they consistently have in stock.

old semperfi · 02-07-2010, 08:10 AM

you need to shoot what ever grain at the range that you depend on for self defense.if your life depends on your accuracy then stay as close as you can from target to defense. old semperfi

wingspar · 02-07-2010, 12:24 PM

Thank you for the info. That gives me an idea on ammo cost. Now that I know what grain to look for, it seems like I can find it cheaper than 9mm, or about the same cost. 180 grain is the most common weight I’ve seen mentioned, but till the last week or two, I have mostly ignored any threads to do with .40, so was curious as to what is common for the range. Whether I actually buy a .40 or not is uncertain. I certainly have no need for another center fire hand gun. I marvel at the beauty and engineering and close tolerances of a well built hand gun, and I’d just like to have one, and I see no reason to not try a new caliber if I do this.

As for my 9mm, I shoot targets with 115 grain. I do not carry, or even keep a loaded gun in the house, but if strange things start happening in the neighborhood, I do have a box of 124 grain Gold Dot HP’s, and have some Winchester Ranger in 124 grain +p that I have shot at the range.

02-06-2010, 12:52 PM	#1
wingspar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 479	.40 Grains for the Range I know this subject has to be beat to death, but I couldn’t find this with a search, so here goes. I don’t need another center fire hand gun, but if I did, at this point in time it would be the Sig 226 or 229 in .40. Another 9mm would make more sense ammo wise, but something different, something I’ve never shot would be nice too. So, what grain .40 rounds are the best and cheapest for the range? With my 9mm, I shoot almost exclusively 115 grain, and I keep some 124 grain HP’s in the drawer at home. __________________ Gary Will Fly for Food -->

02-06-2010, 01:34 PM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: .40 Grains for the Range 165 and 180 gr are the most common bullet wts in .40 s&w. 155 and 170 are also fairly common. The 165gr Rainier RNFP using Clays has been a great plinking combo for me. With my reloads at just under $10 / 50rnds, it's affordable and accurate. For factory, I'd recommend MagTech, should be able to find it for less than $20 a box. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

02-06-2010, 08:13 PM	#3
CampingJosh TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 4,788	Re: .40 Grains for the Range Walmart usually has 180 grain Federal FMJ for less than $15 per box. Around me, .40 is the only handgun ammo they consistently have in stock. __________________ Nothing posted on TheFirearmsForum.com constitutes legal, accounting, gunsmithing, or other professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for real advice. Your life is lived at your own risk. Don't blame me for the dumb things you do.

02-07-2010, 08:10 AM	#4
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: .40 Grains for the Range you need to shoot what ever grain at the range that you depend on for self defense.if your life depends on your accuracy then stay as close as you can from target to defense. old semperfi

02-07-2010, 12:24 PM	#5
wingspar V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 479	Re: .40 Grains for the Range Thank you for the info. That gives me an idea on ammo cost. Now that I know what grain to look for, it seems like I can find it cheaper than 9mm, or about the same cost. 180 grain is the most common weight I’ve seen mentioned, but till the last week or two, I have mostly ignored any threads to do with .40, so was curious as to what is common for the range. Whether I actually buy a .40 or not is uncertain. I certainly have no need for another center fire hand gun. I marvel at the beauty and engineering and close tolerances of a well built hand gun, and I’d just like to have one, and I see no reason to not try a new caliber if I do this. As for my 9mm, I shoot targets with 115 grain. I do not carry, or even keep a loaded gun in the house, but if strange things start happening in the neighborhood, I do have a box of 124 grain Gold Dot HP’s, and have some Winchester Ranger in 124 grain +p that I have shot at the range. __________________ Gary Will Fly for Food