40S&W 135gr test

[wruckis]

Hi all. For those interested or curious tnoutdoors9 on youtube did a test with these 135 grainers that are at wal-mart. He chrono'd at 1152, 11" of penetration and an expansion of .76 if im not mistaken. Would make a Good HD round IMO.

[1smoothredneck]

Thanks. I like 'em. Closest thing I've found to my favorite Cor-bon 135 grain
carry load, and their at a good $ and available. Whats not to love?

[thegriz18]

I'm disappointed in the low velocity. A 135 .40 at 1152fps is basically a 9mm with a lower sectional density. I would have liked to see this round up around 1200+fps.

[JW1178]

I'm disappointed in the low velocity. A 135 .40 at 1152fps is basically a 9mm with a lower sectional density. I would have liked to see this round up around 1200+fps.

I feel the same way about that, and that's out of a G22 at that. Something closer to 1300 out of that platform would be impressive, mid 1200's would be great to good, but mid 1100's?

[mclaren]

Finally!! I have been waiting to see this thing expanded since the day I saw it in walmart. I dont own a 40 cal but I wish i did.
I would like to see this bullet loaded in 10mm

[triggerjerk]

Might have to pick up a few boxes for my G35.

I see people state everywhere that this is available at walmart but none near me have it . . . some sporting goods stores have it though . . .

[GunFighter45ACP]

I checked this vid out this AM. Just curious, as I'm relatively new to .40 (again). What are the benefits of a 135 gr offering vs. the more traditional .40 bullet weight offerings?

[thegriz18]

I checked this vid out this AM. Just curious, as I'm relatively new to .40 (again). What are the benefits of a 135 gr offering vs. the more traditional .40 bullet weight offerings?

Typically the 135 grain offerings are loads that come close to 357 Sig performance, or low recoil loads. I'm not quite sure what the point of this Federal load is. It doesn't feel low recoil, but 1152 fps is darn slow.

[fastbolt]

You guys are talking about that reduced velocity 135gr JHP .40 load developed at the request of one of the large fed agencies, right? (ICE div of DHS.)

The one originally intended to replace the harder-recoiling 155gr JHP .40 load they used for many years?

I think both Federal and Winchester developed 135gr loads to meet the stated specifications.

Probably not going to be popular among the non-LE users who favor the hotter high velocity/light bullet weight loads with increased muzzle blast & felt recoil.

Wouldn't be surprised to see it end up on the open market, though, just like the Remington Express and Winchester Ranger 155gr loads did after a while. Once the LE/gov contracts are filled (or run out) the companies have to get their money out of the loads somehow ...

[wruckis]

I would have to agree with you guy's on the velocity. Be nice to see it up around 1250-1275, might get 2-3 more inches of penetration which isnt a bad thing but 11 inches for SD isnt bad unless you have to shoot through barriers.

[Ak.Hiker]

While not running like the CorBon 135 at 1300 plus I would think that if the bullet went into the right place it would get the job done. I feel pretty well protected with the Colt Detective Special loaded with the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P at 890. So why not a 40 S&W 135 at 1150. Also I would think that with the slower velocity they may go deeper than the hotter loadings. Just a guess as I have not tested this load. I do like the CorBon for certain applications.

[fastbolt]

This load wasn't developed at random, but reportedly to meet the desired specifications stated by the LE end user who had experience in knowing what they felt best served their needs.

LE/Gov users don't all necessarily agree when it comes to the interpretation of ballistic performance testing and evaluating the results from actual shootings, you know.

I feel pretty well protected with the Colt Detective Special loaded with the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P at 890.

Ditto. That's why I carry one or another J-frame more often than not as a retirement CCW weapon. However, a snub .38 Spl wheelgun wouldn't be my first choice as a primary service weapon for uniform use when performing general enforcement duties. ;)

[thegriz18]

While not running like the CorBon 135 at 1300 plus I would think that if the bullet went into the right place it would get the job done. I feel pretty well protected with the Colt Detective Special loaded with the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P at 890. So why not a 40 S&W 135 at 1150. Also I would think that with the slower velocity they may go deeper than the hotter loadings. Just a guess as I have not tested this load. I do like the CorBon for certain applications.

For me, the issue isn't as much why not, but why. Why would I use this 135 grain load at 1150fps when I can use a 165 grain load at 1130-1150 fps? Same velocity, 30 grain heavier bullet.

There are a few things I have been thinking about.

Federal Specs this ammo at 1220 fps. 1152fps is much lower than that. This load was shot out of a G22. Is it possible that the chrono malfunctioned and the velocity average was really 1252 fps? It seems odd to me that this ammo would run 75 fps slower than advertised in a 1/2 inch longer barrel than standard. I could understand 30 fps slower than advertised, but 75? Compared to the test that TNoutdoors9 did with 165 Ranger T, which averaged 1140+ fps, this load seems extremely slow. After I watched the video I swapped out the 135 load and loaded back up with 165 Ranger T. I've done my own testing with it and it works very well.

[fastbolt]

Chrono testing might sometimes reveal occasional lower velocities than specified for a given load.

I remember when some earlier 147gr 9mm and some later production 180gr .40 S&W loads were randomly tested and sometimes found to produce significantly lower velocities than that specified by the manufacturer. Some of the velocities were found to be in the 700 fps range. One large agency started randomly checking ammunition shipments and returning ammunition lots which revealed velocities below the stated specifications for the contract bid (there was a process for this sort of QC issue in the contract, of course).

I received a call about another large agency who ended up rejecting several pallets of cases of another manufacturer's premium LE .40 S&W 180gr load after an unacceptable number of squib loads were encountered during training.

I received notice (and spoke with a state contract person) of another major manufacturer's recall of what essentially amounted to a week's worth of production of another premium-type 180gr .40 S&W load (produced for an LE contract) because of a couple of agencies who reported experiencing reduced powder charges (short-loaded) which resulted in key-holing during training.

Checking ammunition lots for normal feeding, functioning and performance would seem prudent when you're discussing ammunition dedicated to defensive use. The big names spend a lot of money on QC, but when you consider the huge amounts of ammunition produced (sometimes round-the-clock) it's not terribly surprising if something happens every once in a great while.

[DRT]

It's the terminal ballistics that's important, not the muzzle velocity. Based upon the test results, if it was going 100fps faster it may have fragmented in water (or bare gel). It was also going fast enough to expand reliably and large after heavy clothing/denim. It seems like they matched the bullet design and velocity fairly well. Once again, HST worked well... I'd be happier with the heavier version, however.

[ULVER]

For that "specialty" load, the velocity was meant to be reduced. It wasn't designed to be a full-bore smoker, like the original Cor Bon. Still, mid-11,00's seems a tad mild for that weight. If it hit even 1,200fps, I could live with it.

However, it was the Cor Bon & Triton 135's, that did an honest 1,300fps ( or better!:wow:), that actually duplicated the legendary 125gr., .357 Magnum JHP.

I loved Triton! The quality was top-tier, and they loaded hot. It's a shame they no longer load. :crying:

Anywho, I think the L/E community is best served with a mid-weight, bonded bullet, in .40 caliber. That said, keep in mind, the hot 135's did indeed mimic the mighty Magnum, and no one in L/E ever had any complaints, aside that it was a tiger to tame.

If I carry a 135gr. .40, I want it hot; or not at all...:wavey:

[thegriz18]

For that "specialty" load, the velocity was meant to be reduced. It wasn't designed to be a full-bore smoker, like the original Cor Bon. aStill, mid-11,00's seems a tad mild for that weight. It if hit even 1,200fps, I could live with it.

However, it was the Cor Bon & Triton 135's, that did an honest 1,300fps ( or better!:wow:), that actually duplicated the legendary 125gr., .357 Magnum JHP.

I loved Triton! The quality was top-tier, and they loaded hot. It's a shame they no longer load. :crying:

Anywho, I think the L/E community is best served with a mid-weight, bonded bullet, in .40 caliber. That said, keep in mind, the hot 135's did indeed mimic the mighty Magnum, and no one in L/E ever had any complaints, aside that it was a tiger to tame.

If I carry a 135gr. .40, I want it hot; or not at all...:wavey:

Yes, this. I agree. I'll stick with 165 Rangers.

[thegriz18]

It's the terminal ballistics that's important, not the muzzle velocity. Based upon the test results, if it was going 100fps faster it may have fragmented in water (or bare gel). It was also going fast enough to expand reliably and large after heavy clothing/denim. It seems like they matched the bullet design and velocity fairly well. Once again, HST worked well... I'd be happier with the heavier version, however.

While I agree the terminal ballistics are important, I feel that this load is no more than a 9mm in a .40 cartridge. I don't get anything more out of it. I am honestly better off carrying a Glock 19 with 124 +p loads than this Federal load. This load makes no sense. If the Feds want a 9mm like recoil or whatever, just carry 9mms. Better sectional density and better penetration. That is my only qualm about the load.

[voyager4520]

I like! I didn't know Federal was selling civy packaged HST, I'll have to get some.