So what were the hard-hitting 155gr .40 S&W loads of the 1990's?

IMHO the spunky 155gr loadings is where the .40 S&W got it's reputation 25+ years ago. Still wouldn't feel under-gunned with that caliber/load combo even to this day. Kind of mid-weight ammo for that caliber and not sedately loaded either.

155gr JHP's hitting in the 1150-1200fps range. I know the USBP used a Remington 155gr round, but it wasn't the standard "green box" Remmie ammo. It was loaded hotter by request of the BP. Then there was the Federal Hi-Shok (not Hydra-Shok) fodder. Might even throw the Hydra-Shoks in there too I guess. And of course can't forget the Silvertip.

Any I'm missing? I don't even have a .40 anymore but I was thinking about this the other evening as a "throw-back" memory.

Buffalo Bore still makes a “ Heavy .40 Smith & Wesson +P Pistol and Handgun Ammo” using a 155 JHP at advertised 1300 FPS.

I just fired up my G22 a week ago. Someone gave us 200 rounds of practice ammo.

I've always just had 165 gr Gold Dots for the most part, and never gave much thought to which round I carry. As long as it was quality manufacture, anything out of the 40 cal was going to be more than adequate.

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Originally Posted by gaijin

Buffalo Bore still makes a “ Heavy .40 Smith & Wesson +P Pistol and Handgun Ammo” using a 155 JHP at advertised 1300 FPS.

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Have you ever shot that load? I wonder if it can be carried in a Gen4 23.

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Originally Posted by ABNAK

IMHO the spunky 155gr loadings is where the .40 S&W got it's reputation 25+ years ago. Still wouldn't feel under-gunned with that caliber/load combo even to this day. Kind of mid-weight ammo for that caliber and not sedately loaded either.

155gr JHP's hitting in the 1150-1200fps range. I know the USBP used a Remington 155gr round, but it wasn't the standard "green box" Remmie ammo. It was loaded hotter by request of the BP. Then there was the Federal Hi-Shok (not Hydra-Shok) fodder. Might even throw the Hydra-Shoks in there too I guess. And of course can't forget the Silvertip.

Any I'm missing? I don't even have a .40 anymore but I was thinking about this the other evening as a "throw-back" memory.

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I don't remember if it was loader any more hot, but the muzzle flash during night fire was insane. I remember chrono'ing the standard Federal 155 gr, IIRC it was right around 1,000 fps out of a 3.6" HK barrel.

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Originally Posted by Bulldog7972

Have you ever shot that load? I wonder if it can be carried in a Gen4 23.

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Some boutique makers of hot .40 ammo will warn of using their stuff in Glocks because of "unsupported case head" (or something like that).

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Originally Posted by gunnerblue

I don't remember if it was loader any more hot, but the muzzle flash during night fire was insane. I remember chrono'ing the standard Federal 155 gr, IIRC it was right around 1,000 fps out of a 3.6" HK barrel.

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Damn, that's kind of lame. Thought those were a little faster than that.

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Originally Posted by gunnerblue

I don't remember if it was loader any more hot, but the muzzle flash during night fire was insane. I remember chrono'ing the standard Federal 155 gr, IIRC it was right around 1,000 fps out of a 3.6" HK barrel.

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A bit of a derail but their .45ACP 185JHP +P was a sight to behold as well from an Officer's Model.

Keith

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Originally Posted by gunnerblue

I don't remember if it was loader any more hot, but the muzzle flash during night fire was insane. I remember chrono'ing the standard Federal 155 gr, IIRC it was right around 1,000 fps out of a 3.6" HK barrel.

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I chronographed Federal 180g JHP at 1,000 fps out of a Glock 23. 1,000 fps seems slow for the 155g cartridge.

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Originally Posted by T2C

I chronographed Federal 180g JSP at 1,000 fps out of a Glock 23. 1,000 fps seems slow for the 155g cartridge.

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My bad, without my notes in front of me I was misremebering. It was the the Federal 180 gr. HST's that sped along at 1000 fps. The 155 gr. averaged around 1130 out of my gun.