40 S&W Bullets Heavy, Light, Ultra Light?

In most calibers, I like the heavier or medium standard weight bullets. In .38/.357 I prefer 158gr or 125gr over 110gr. In .45ACP I prefer 230 or 185gr over some of the lightweight bullets out there. In .40S&W I prefer 180 or 165 gr. In all those cases, with some specialized exceptions (185gr .45 for shorter barrelled guns), I prefer the heavier bullet, with the medium being my 2nd choice. 9mm is my only exception with the medium grain bullet being my preference and typically the 115gr has been my 2nd choice (though I'm thinking about switching to the 147 over 115, probably keeping the medium weight bullet as my 1st choice).
 
Kvon2 said:
I bought a box of 180g HP and 165g HP to test out and see what I like better. I expected the 165 to recoil less but I felt no major difference. I put more holes in the little red dot in the center of the target with the 180g so that's what I now keep for HD.
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If you reload or look at load data you understand why. As you go lighter in bullet weight, you go up in powder charge. This is done to ensure reliable cycle of of the firearm. Since autoloading pistols are recoil operated, you need to meet a given psi. A lighter bullet moves with less force, so more powder is used to maintain that pressure.


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My good friend is a Houston police officer. He says that their dept has people that test & decide on ammo. They shoot Speer 180gr gold dot in their 40's.

FWIW
 
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