The .40 Smith & Wesson: this round came along at the right time in the right place

Guns Magazine, Sept, 2005 by Charles E. Petty

The coolest thing of all is that the naysayers of 10 years back are still wiping egg from their faces. Of course the speed freaks are still trying to find more speed but the majority of users have stuck with the 180-grain bullet even though my personal favorite is still the FBI's 165. I always was a heretic.

.40 S&W PREMIUM AMMO SPECIFICATIONS

MANUFACTURER      BULLET WEIGHT      VELOCITY

  (brand)        (grains, type)        (fps)

Black Hills          155 JHP           1,150
Black Hills          165 JHP           1,150
Black Hills          180 JHP           1,000
 CCI/Speer        155 Gold Dot         1,200
 CCI/Speer        165 Gold Dot         1,150
 CCI/Speer        180 Gold Dot         1,025
  Federal        135 Hydra-Shok        1,190
  Federal        155 Hydra-Shok        1,140
  Federal        165 Hydra-Shok          980
  Federal        180 Hydra-Shok          990
  Hornady            155 XTP           1,180
  Hornady            180 XTP             950
 Remington           155 JHP           1,205
 Remington      165 Golden Saber       1,150
 Remington      180 Golden Saber       1,015
 Winchester       155 Silvertip        1,205
 Winchester          165 SXT           1,130
 Winchester          180 SXT           1,010

Note: most manufacturers also offer training ammo with
similar ballistics as well as non-toxic/frangible loads.