Best 40 S&W Ammo For Self-Defense & Target Practice

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.

1. Underwood 150 Grain JHP - Most Powerful 40 S&W Ammo
2. Sellier & Bellot XRG Defense 130 Grain SCHP - Best 40 S&W SCHP Ammo
3. Hornady Critical Defense 165 Grain FTX - Best .40 Cal JHP Ammo
4. Underwood 150 Grain JHP - Most Effective 40 S&W Ammo for Self-Defense
5. Winchester Ready Defense 170 Grain JHP - Hardest-Hitting 40 Ammo
6. Federal LE BallistiClean 125 Grain RHT - Best Close Quarters Target .40 Ammo
7. Speer Lawman 180 Grain TMJ - Best 40 S&W Indoor Target Ammo
8. 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.

Underwood 40 S&W Ammo - 20 Rounds of 150 Grain JHP Ammunition

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Specs

• Muzzle Velocity: 1,300 feet per second (fps)
• Muzzle Energy: 563 ft-lbs

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.

Sellier & Bellot XRG Defense 40 S&W Ammo - 25 Rounds of 130 Grain SCHP Ammunition

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Specs

• Muzzle Velocity: 1,247 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 449 ft-lbs

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.

Hornady 40 cal Ammo - 20 Rounds of 165 Grain JHP Ammunition

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Specs

• Muzzle Velocity: 1,045 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 400 ft-lbs

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.

Best 40 SW Ammo for Self Defense

The 40 Smith & Wesson is a favorite for personal protection because it has less recoil than the 45 ACP or 357 Magnum, yet it offers more stopping power than the 9mm. It's a happy medium between some of the most popular concealed carry cartridges

While individual purchases can add up in cost, buying in bulk offers a more affordable solution. We recommend considering our bulk 40 S&W ammo for great value and quality.

Let's find out which self-defense round is the best!

Most Effective 40 S&W Ammo for Self-Defense - Underwood 40 S&W 150 Grain JHP Ammunition

The 40 Smith & Wesson is a favorite for personal protection because it has less recoil than the 45 ACP or 357 Magnum, yet it offers more stopping power than the 9mm. It's a happy medium between some of the most popular concealed carry cartridges.

While individual purchases can add up in cost, buying in bulk offers a more affordable solution. We recommend considering our bulk 40 S&W ammo for great value and quality.

Let's find out which self-defense round is the best!

Underwood 40 S&W Ammo - 20 Rounds of 150 Grain JHP Ammunition

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Specs

• Muzzle Velocity: 1,300 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 563 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Because it's a 150 grain bullet, it travels fast. What's surprising is how much energy it has at the muzzle compared to heavier bullets. In terms of velocity and energy, 150 grains is a good weight for 40 S&W, which is what makes this an excellent round. However, some would disagree with that statement, believing that 150 grains is too light of a projectile.

The Underwood 150 grain JHP is the most effective .40 caliber ammo for self-defense because it's fast, penetrates well, and carries a lot of energy to transfer to the threat. However, other 40 ammo is very effective and will give you a good chance of defending yourself if the need arises.

Hardest Hitting 40 Cal Ammo - Winchester USA Ready Defense 40 S&W 170 Grain JHP Ammunition

When it comes to concealed carry, enthusiasts mention stopping power, knockdown power, and several other terms. In short, they're talking about how much force the bullet transfers to the target.

The bigger the bullet, the more force it carries down range, but it also takes more energy to get it down range, which means more recoil. So we must compromise to an extent.

Winchester USA Ready Defense 40 S&W Ammo - 20 Rounds of 170 Grain JHP Ammunition

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Specs

• Muzzle Velocity: 1,170 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 517 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

The hardest-hitting .40 cal ammo is Winchester Ready Defense 170 grain JHP. Because it's loaded with a heavier bullet, it carries more energy to the target. A 170 grain bullet will generally conserve more energy farther downrange than a lighter bullet at a higher velocity. However, I've experienced more recoil when firing heavier projectiles because of the energy required to get the bullet up to the required velocity.

Thousands of CCWers trust Winchester, and I rarely have a negative experience using Winchester ammo. The price is also reasonable compared to similar self-defense rounds.

If you're a "bigger is always better" believer, then these are the rounds for you.

Best .40 S&W Ammo for Target Shooting

Bullet weight is less of a concern when target shooting, because the paper or steel doesn't need to be immediately stopped.

So, the criteria for the best 40 S&W target ammo differ from those for self-defense. When I purchase ammo to use at the range, I choose based on price and how close the ballistics are to my carry ammo.

For the sake of this article, we're going to focus on price and safety.

Best Close Quarters Target .40 Ammo - Federal LE BallistiClean 40 S&W 125 Grain Frangible Ammunition

Federal LE BallistiClean 40 S&W Ammo - 50 Rounds of 125 Grain Frangible Ammunition

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Specs

• Muzzle Velocity: 1,300 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 469 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Frangible bullets are used to reduce the risk of injury that could result when lead and copper shrapnel ricochet off of a hard surface (a phenomenon known as "splash-back"). Federal LE BallistiClean is the way to go when shooting targets at close range – especially if those targets are made of steel.

Though it matters less in training situations, the downside to this ammo is that the bullet weight is much less than that of carry ammo. I prefer to train with the same ammo I'll carry, or at least something very similar.

The upsides are that it's about half the price of most self-protection rounds, it has a similar velocity, and you can train with live ammo with fewer safety concerns.

Best 40 S&W Indoor Target Ammo - Speer Lawman .40 Cal 180 Grain TMJ Ammunition

Speer 40 cal Ammo - 1000 Rounds of 180 Grain TMJ Ammunition

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Specs

• Muzzle Velocity: 1,000 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 400 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

When target shooting indoors with FMJ bullets, lead vapor can increase to dangerous levels. That's where TMJ bullets excel. Unlike an FMJ, which exposes the base of its core to hot propellant gasses which vaporize lead off its surface, a TMJ's lead core is totally encapsulated by its jacket. The heat of ignition therefore cannot evaporate any of the lead within a TMJ's core.

Some of the best 40 S&W TMJ ammo is Speer Lawman 180 grain. Speer is a brand trusted by many law enforcement agencies and CCWers. It's inexpensive, especially when you buy bulk 40 S&W ammo, so you can save up for that new gun. It also protects you and others from the dangers of lead vapor in a confined area.

Best 40 S&W Outdoor Target Ammo - PMC .40 Cal 165 Grain FMJ-FP Ammunition

Specs

• Muzzle Velocity: 989 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 358 ft-lbs

Why I Chose It

Since the lead vapor isn't confined to a small space, FMJ bullets are often the best choice for target shooting outside. They're less expensive, and you can get similar ballistics as a TMJ.

PMC 165 grain FMJ-FP offers decent ballistics at a reasonable price, and that's all you can ask out of an outdoor plinking round. I wouldn't recommend using it as self-protection ammunition because a hollow point bullet is better suited for that than an FMJ.

For more PMC ammo options, visit our PMC .40 cal ammo page.

Bullet Types of 40 Cal Ammo

Let's dive deeper into the different bullet types found in .40 S&W ammo.

Frangible

Frangible bullets are designed to disintegrate when they strike a hard target. This helps prevent ricochets and allows shooters to train in close quarters.

Though potentially lethal, law enforcement agencies often use frangible ammo during training scenarios in hallways, small rooms, and other minimally maneuverable situations.

TMJ and FMJ-FEB

The total metal jacket and full metal jacket fully encapsulated base are similar to an FMJ except their lead cores are surrounded by their metal jackets, including the base.

The TMJ is often used in indoor ranges to help reduce the amount of lead vapor. When an FMJ is fired, the lead at the bullet's base vaporizes as the propellant ignites. This vaporized lead gets into the air. If the shooter breathes it into their lungs over a long enough period of time, it can cause health problems.

The lead doesn't vaporize off a TMJ's core because it is entirely protected by the metal jacket, making it much healthier for indoor gun ranges.

FMJ and FMJ-FN

The full metal jacket and full metal jacket flat nose are primarily used for outdoor training, but many shooters use them in indoor situations, as well. Their ballistics are similar to those of a TMJ, which helps with consistency in training.

The main difference between an FMJ and a TMJ is the exposed lead at the base of an FMJ bullet.

JHP

A jacketed hollow point bullet is often used by law enforcement and for self-defense. It's similar to an FMJ in that it has a metal jacket surrounding the lead core, but instead of having a rounded nose profile, it has a concave one.

JHP bullets don't penetrate as deeply as an FMJ, but cause more damage because they expand on impact.

SCHP

A solid copper hollow point helps reduce lead pollution and can be used on public lands that don't allow lead bullets. It looks like any other hollow point bullet, the main difference being that it's made of solid copper instead of lead surrounded by a metal jacket.

Semi-automatic pistol shooters don't believe SCHP bullets are the best .40 cal hollow points because copper isn't as dense as lead and doesn't expand as easily, so you won't see as much of it on store shelves as you would other bullet types.

How I Chose the Best 40 S&W Ammo

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to ammo, which is why so many options appear when we visit Ammo.com.

However, after testing thousands of rounds, I’ve found that there is a way to determine the best .40 cal ammo for your situation based on a few criteria. The first and often most important is price, followed by brand recognition/reliability, intended purpose, and amount of recoil.

Price

Ammo prices have skyrocketed over the last several years for various reasons, which often means we're left to choose between going to the range or paying the bills.

So, finding reasonably priced ammo is critical to continuing to train effectively.

I usually opt for cheap ammo at the range and carry my more expensive rounds. While this makes financial sense, the inexpensive ammo performs differently than my carry ammo, so I have to brush up on my skills with my expensive ammo every now and then to stay sharp.

Brand Reliability and Recognition

While it's not always the case, choosing a brand you recognize as a trusted ammo brand is a safer bet than going with a brand you've never heard of.

Using reliable ammo is crucial to your well-being in a self-defense situation. It's not as much of a concern when target shooting,, but purchasing unreliable ammo is a hassle and a waste of money.

A certain brand will perform better with your firearm, so be sure to test several before making a final decision.

Intended Purpose

When buying ammo, I always consider how it was intended to be used. The bullet type is the primary determining factor of intended purpose, as FMJs are a poor choice for self-defense but a good choice for target shooting.

Recoil

Beginner shooters are very sensitive to recoil, which is why it's best to start with a low-recoil round and slowly work up to rounds with heavier recoil.

Even if you're not a beginner, it's not fun to shoot a firearm with a lot of recoil. It often makes the average enthusiast less accurate.

That's why I strongly believe in testing out several different bullet weights and brands to see which one you're most comfortable shooting.

Parting Shots: Best 40 S&W Ammo

The 40 S&W is an excellent semi-auto handgun cartridge for target shooting and personal protection.

However, without Hornady Critical Defense – the best 40 S&W ammo for self-defense – you put your family and yourself at increased risk.

Written by

Wes Littlefield