.40 S&W Training Ammo?

[revchuck38]

I have a class coming up at the end of June and am thinking of running my M&P40. I'm looking for training ammo. It needs to be 180-grain, reliable, relatively cheap and brass-cased. I was thinking of this stuff (https://www.sgammo.com/product/40-cal-ammo/500-round-case-40-cal-sw-winchester-ranger-180-grain-fmj-ammo-zq4360), but I'm open to suggestions. Recommendations?

[vcdgrips]

I saw it used at an agency qual a few years back with no issues.
Speer Lawman in 180 is also GTG.

[BobM]

We've used a lot of 180 grain Winchester ball. That seems like a good price too. We used to use Speer Lawman until we had to change vendors.

[SiriusBlunder]

I usually use Speer Lawman 180, I prefer the TMJ design, but got a couple of cases of Blazer Brass 180 on a closeout sale. No issues with the Blazer Brass.

ETA: I've used both in my M&P40 FS v1.0 with no issues.

[entropy]

RevChuck,

That’s the exact stuff I used this past week from SGAmmo.

It seemed to work fine. I flung enough of it downrange in 4 hours to give it a good workout!

[willie]

I've shot this before as plinker ammo and had no problems. Despite the nice box, the Z in the number indicates less than first quality. My batch showed variation in primer appearance. I forgot the full explanation for the Z. Perhaps another can educate us. It matters not unless the uninformed were to buy Z numbered ammo as first quality defense ammo.

[jetfire]

I'm sure it's probably fine, the only .40 I buy these days is 180 grain American Eagle FMJ from Lucky Gunner (https://www.luckygunner.com/40-s-and-w-180-grain-fmj-federal-american-eagle-200-rounds#rid=gunnuts). I get the 200 round packs because I don't shoot a whole lot of .40, and a pair of those seems to last me for a hot second.

[LtDave]

In Glocks and Sigs, the Speer TMJ 53652 has given excellent results accuracy wise. My HK pistols seem to prefer Sellier & Bellot SB40B 180 FMJ. American Eagle AE40R100 was runner up in my HKs.

[JonInWA]

In Glocks and Sigs, the Speer TMJ 53652 has given excellent results accuracy wise. My HK pistols seem to prefer Sellier & Bellot SB40B 180 FMJ. American Eagle AE40R100 was runner up in my HKs.

Concur with the Sellier & Bellot 180gr performing very nicely in .40 HKs (specifically, in my case, VP40 and P30L). Accurate, clean and not downloaded is my experience. My choice for IDPA and practice.

It's also done very nicely in my Gen4 Glock G22 and FN Mk III .40 High Power.

Best, Jon

[Johnny Walker]

In Glocks and Sigs, the Speer TMJ 53652 has given excellent results accuracy wise. My HK pistols seem to prefer Sellier & Bellot SB40B 180 FMJ. American Eagle AE40R100 was runner up in my HKs.

Concur with the S&B in my G35 and HK USP40.


Concur with the Sellier & Bellot 180gr performing very nicely in .40 HKs (specifically, in my case, VP40 and P30L). Accurate, clean and not downloaded is my experience. My choice for IDPA and practice.

It's also done very nicely in my Gen4 Glock G22 and FN Mk III .40 High Power.

Best, Jon

Jon, you just HAD TO throw that MKIII HP 40 S&W in there didn't ya!!?!?!?

[JonInWA]

Concur with the S&B in my G35 and HK USP40.



Jon, you just HAD TO throw that MKIII HP 40 S&W in there didn't ya!!?!?!?

Just had to be me....

Haven't you gotten yours yet?

Best, Jon

[Johnny Walker]

Just had to be me....

Haven't you gotten yours yet?

Best, Jon

No sir... I have two 9mm BHPs and one has been to Novaks for their work... its a prize to be certain.

I do enjoy shooting 40 in a CHP S&W 4006 TSW, HK USP and G35 .... Never have shot a 40 BHP... I must admit though I am intrigued by the thought of a 40 S&W HP.

[Hi-Point Aficionado]

I picked up a couple boxes of Prime Ammo 180 grain FMJ to try out. Made in Hungary with Prime headstamp. Bullets, cases, and primers look clean. Especially for one of the cheapest brass cased loads at Target Sports USA.

Tried a whopping twelve through my heavy LEM USP compact, today. AIWB draws to single hit on a 6" plate at seven yards. No pressure signs, ejection much the same as other loads, and recoil didn't catch my attention so probably middling to full power. Obviously early to comment on quality but, if the rest of the first box continues to run and POI is reasonably on at 25 yards, will start ordering more. Be curious to hear if anyone else has tried it or knows the manufacturer because it strikes me as a rebrand.

[GyroF-16]

I saw it used at an agency qual a few years back with no issues.
Speer Lawman in 180 is also GTG.

I’ll second this.

I went through probably 5k each of both Win Ranger and Speer Lawman (then used the brass for reloading) a year or two ago. No issues with either. I’d say order whichever you can get at the best price on a given day.

[OlongJohnson]

I'm sure it's probably fine, the only .40 I buy these days is 180 grain American Eagle FMJ from Lucky Gunner (https://www.luckygunner.com/40-s-and-w-180-grain-fmj-federal-american-eagle-200-rounds#rid=gunnuts). I get the 200 round packs because I don't shoot a whole lot of .40, and a pair of those seems to last me for a hot second.

I've seen some really ugly stuff from AE in .40 cal. Made me swear off the brand until I shot up the 9mm I'd already bought and gotten reasonable results. But the variation I saw in the .40 was so great I couldn't really be sure it wasn't reloads. I've also seen really horrible accuracy from AE in .45 cal in a couple different pistols.