If you carry a Glock 23 or any other .40 caliber pistol, you should only trust your life with the best .40 S&W (40 S&W, .40 cal, or just “40”) ammo for self-defense.
When it matters most, you must be able to depend on the accuracy and dependability of the round you have chambered.
Training with the same ammo you would entrust your life to would be ideal. It would also get expensive quickly, so most shooters prefer target ammo for range training over more expensive defense ammo.
Which ammo is better for either situation? I trust Hornady Critical Defense in my carry weapon because it’s reliable and powerful enough to take down a threat.
Best .40 Cal Ammo on the Market
Here’s some of the best 40 S&W ammo on the market for self-defense and training.
- Underwood 150 Grain JHP - Most Powerful 40 S&W Ammo
- Sellier & Bellot XRG Defense 130 Grain SCHP - Best 40 S&W SCHP Ammo
- Hornady Critical Defense 165 Grain FTX - Best .40 Cal JHP Ammo
- Underwood 150 Grain JHP - Most Effective 40 S&W Ammo for Self-Defense
- Winchester Ready Defense 170 Grain JHP - Hardest-Hitting 40 Ammo
- Federal LE BallistiClean 125 Grain RHT - Best Close Quarters Target .40 Ammo
- Speer Lawman 180 Grain TMJ - Best 40 S&W Indoor Target Ammo
- PMC 165 Grain FMJ-FP - Best 40 S&W Outdoor Target Ammo
Most Powerful 40 S&W Ammo: Underwood 40 S&W 150 Grain JHP Ammunition
By “most powerful,” we are only considering the cartridge’s muzzle energy (i.e. the amount of power the bullet has the instant it exits the barrel). Muzzle energy is not the sole factor determining how effectively a cartridge can stop a threat, but for simplicity’s sake it’s the only factor we’re considering here.
Specs
- Muzzle Velocity: 1,300 feet per second (fps)
- Muzzle Energy: 563 ft-lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High velocity | Lightweight bullet |
| High muzzle energy |
Why I Chose It
I’ve found that the Underwood 150 grain JHP lightweight bullet attains an extremely high muzzle velocity without exceeding specifications for chamber pressure. At 563 ft-lbs, its muzzle energy is on par with that of a weaker 357 Magnum cartridge!
I understand many shooters are hesitant to carry a lighter bullet. Still, with correct shot placement, there is zero doubt as to whether the Underwood 150 grain load could neutralize a determined attacker.
Best 40 SCHP Ammo - Sellier & Bellot XRG Defense 40 S&W 130 Grain SCHP Ammunition
We will break this section into two subsections: SCHP and JHP. We’ll then take the winner of the two subsections and pit them head to head to determine the best 40 hollow point ammo.
Specs
- Muzzle Velocity: 1,247 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 449 ft-lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive | Lightweight bullet |
| High velocity |
Why I Chose It
Sellier & Bellot XRG Defense 130 grain SCHP is the fastest and hardest-hitting round, despite having the lightest bullet of the section. I love that it’s less expensive than other high-dollar SCHP rounds. Copper exhibits the high weight retention requisite for effective deep penetration, so you’re not sacrificing much with lightweight bullets. Lastly, the SCHP is better for the environment since the projectile is solid copper and not lead.
Best .40 Cal JHP Ammo - Hornady .40 cal 165 Grain JHP Ammunition
The overall hollow point winner is Hornady Critical Defense 165 grain FTX because it has more energy than other hollow point bullets, and you’re not sacrificing much velocity for the extra bullet weight.
Specs
- Muzzle Velocity: 1,045 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 400 ft-lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High velocity | Expensive |
| Trusted brand |
Why I Chose It
This is the most expensive on our list, but it’s also one of the most trusted by shooters everywhere. Critical Defense is one of the fastest rounds and is produced by a trusted brand.
I’ve carried Hornady Critical Defense for years and will continue to do so until I find something better.
My biggest gripe is just how expensive it is, but it’s a cost I’m willing to pay for its reliability and accuracy.
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