Favorite .40 SD round?

[Wasabi]

I just picked up a Kahr MK40 on a trade and am looking for advice on a good carry round. I've already got a bunch of FMJ for range duty. I usually carry my PM9 with HST 147g+P or my Glock G33 with Speer GDHP 125g. Should I set my sights on some 180g HST?

Thanks for any advice.

[TheTman]

I think the .40 performs a little better with a lighter bullet, 165 grains and under. Thats just my opinion. Some agencies like the 180gr cause it penetrates barriers better than the lighter bullets. I'm currently running Winchester Ranger "for LE only" 155gr and am very pleased with those. Cheaperthandirt lists FPE and FPS for many of the rounds they sell, and the lighter weight bullets seem to have more of each than the 180gr. They are still selling the 50 round box of the Rangers in 155gr and 135gr for $20, I don't think there are any really bad loads in .40 from American ammo makers. If 180 is what you like, then go for it.
I tend to like a lighter faster bullet in everything except .45.

[garyb]

Lots of good 40 carry ammo out there. HST's are good. Gold Dots-good. Corbon-good. Win Ranger T's-good. PDX-good. New Hornady Critical Defense (FTX or FXT can't remember) is good choice too, as it is designed specifically for that cal. In the 40 cal, you're pack'in some punch which gives you alot of options for good, capable ammo out there.

[TucsonMTB]

I'm currently running Winchester Ranger "for LE only" 155gr and am very pleased with those. . . . I don't think there are any really bad loads in .40 from American ammo makers. If 180 is what you like, then go for it.
+1 . . . for the 155 grain Winchester Ranger JHP. They (and the 135 grain Rangers) have always cycled well in both of my PM40's. Ranger rounds with both bullet weights are often available on-line at attractive prices.

The 180 grain Rangers have been less reliable in the first of my PM40's but cycle very reliably in the second gun purchased more recently . . . go figure. :rolleyes:

[Barth]

I bought a MK40 Elite myself a few months back
and went through the same exercise.

Phase I - Crunching the Numbers
Kahr MK40
.40 S&W Vel. @ 15' Energy Recoil Smallest Largest Average
Cartridge (f.p.s.) (ft.-lbs) (ft.-lbs) (ins.) (ins.) (ins.)
Federal P40HS4 1056 Avg. 334 5.6 2.74 4.42 3.67
135-gr. H-S 25 Sd
Hornady 9136 836 Avg. 279 6.1 3.00 5.63 4.29
180-gr. XTP 12 Sd
Win. X40SWSTHP 1027 Avg. 363 6.8 2.93 4.49 3.63
155-gr. STHP 15 Sd
Average Extreme Spread: 3.86

KAHR MK40 .40 S&W AUTOLOADING PISTOL
MANUFACTURER BULLET WEIGHT & TYPE # OF ROUNDS TESTED AVG. VELOCITY
COR-BON BEE-SAFE 101-GRAIN JSP 5 1,245
COR-BON 135-GRAIN JHP 5 1,188
FEDERAL PERSON DEFENSE 135-GRAIN HYDRA-SHOK 5 1,122
COR-BON 150-GRAIN JHP 5 1,097
BLACK HILLS 155-GRAIN JHP 5 1,023
HORNADY 155-GRAIN XTP JHP 4 1,103
SPEER GOLD DOT 155-GRAIN GD-JHP 5 1,147 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
COR-BON 165-GRAIN JHP 5 1,068
FEDERAL 165-GRAIN HYDRA-SHOK 5 972
SPEER GOLD DOT 165-GRAIN GD-JHP 5 942
BLACK HILLS 180-GRAIN JHP 5 918
FEDERAL 180-GRAIN HYDRA-SHOK 5 935
HORNADY 180-GRAIN XTP JHP 6 942
WINCHESTER SUBSONIC 180-GRAIN JHP 5 911

ACCURACY RESULTS
KAHR MK40
Ammo
Accuracy
Cor-Bon 165 gr. JHP +P
1 3/8"
American Eagle 180 gr. FMJ
1 1/2"
Winchester SXT 180 gr. JHP
2 3/8"
Black Hills 155 gr. JHP
1 1/16"
ProLoad Tactical 135 gr. JHP
1 1/16"
CCI Blazer 180 gr. PHP
1 5/8"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The ballistic tests had me leaning toward the Speer GDHP 155.

Phase II - Range Report
Then to the range where I fired at least 50 rounds of each weight.

Reliability and Accuracy
My personal MK40 fed 135/155/165/180 HP bullets, from a variety of manufacturers, reliably.
All were combat accurate.

Technical Note:
My baby has a favorite of her own
My particular MK40 clearly grouped 180 grain bullets,
from various manufacturer's, better than any other weight.

Phase III - Bullet Selection
I truly believe any quality HP, with any weight, will server you well.
My very personal choice was Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 180 grain HP.
It's bonded. And specifically designed to perform well, with reliable expansion, from a 3" barrel gun.
But that's just me and my girl choosing a favorite together - LOL!


BTW: Congratulations on the MK40. You're going to love it!!!


Update:
After extensive range work.
And taking the skin off the web of my hand twice.
I have experienced an occasional FTF with the large mouth HP Speer Short Barrel 180s.
Flawless with Speer 155/165 HPs.
Checking ballistic data the 155 grain 40s appears to be the sweet spot for energy out of the micro gun.
All weights are combat accurate.
So I'm switching to LE 155s.