Need good SD loads for 5.56, 9mm and .40

General Firearms Reloading & Ammunition
1

I’m looking at supplementing my FMJ stocks I keep for range use with some other loads intended for SD/SHTF only.

In 5.56 I’m looking for something in 55gr. I want a good performing load that still allows me to keep zero for range use and pick up and shoot speed for SD and SHTF. I can’t see anything worth using, with 55gr being mostly FMJ and Vmax rounds. Perhaps my best bet will be some quality, hot, XM193???

In 9mm and .40 I want the best JHP I can get. Grainage here isn’t a big deal, as my pistol is a close range weapon. I’m looking at getting a large permanent cavity, but maintaining 12-18" of penetration. I normally shoot 115gr and 180, 165gr. WWB in the handguns. Should I consider+p loads in the 9mm rounds, or should I keep with loads that recoil similar to my range loads?

2

Search is your friend. You can start here for the rifle stuff.

I didn’t find a thread here at M4C on DocGKR’s pistol ammo recommendations, but I know it’s a pinned thread over at mp-pistol.com.

3

Sorry to link to TOS, but: http://ammo.ar15.com/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm

Probably the best information on that whole site. As far as “Best” 55gr .223 it lists the Federal Trophy Bonded Bear Claw with the caveat “these also penetrate deeply, even through barriers so be careful where you employ these rounds”. Still though the heavier 77gr SMKs and 75gr TAP T2s are vastly superior, so perhaps you should zero with both from mechanical zero and take note of the difference in zero? Then just dial in that difference when you want to switch from one to the other. I did this with my M4 in the sandbox going from M855 to Mk. 262. No it’s not going to be as accurate as dialing it in on the range, but it will be pretty damn close. Recently in fact I was firing some BH Blue Box 77gr SMKs with my 16" LMT then switched to PRVI M193s expecting a huge difference in zero, and it was less than 1 MOA. Probably a fluke, but the difference was nill.

The 9mm and .40 lists are as follows:

9mm

Barnes XPB 115gr HP (35515) loaded by:
Cor-Bon (DPX09115)

Winchester Partition Gold 124gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Ranger-T 127gr JHP +P+ (RA9TA)
Winchester Ranger-T 147gr JHP (RA9T)

Speer Gold Dot 124gr JHP +P (53617)
Speer Gold Dot 147gr JHP (53619)

Remington Golden Saber 147gr JHP (GS9MMC)

Federal Tactical 124gr JHP (LE9T1)
Federal Tactical 135gr JHP +P (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147gr JHP (P9HST2)

.40 S&W

Barnes all-copper bullets (140 & 155gr) loaded by:
Cor-Bon (DPX40140)

Winchester Ranger 180gr JHP (RA40T)
Winchester Ranger 165gr JHP (RA40TA)
Winchester Partition Gold 165gr JHP (RA401P)

Speer Gold Dot 155gr JHP (53961)
Speer Gold Dot 180gr JHP (53962)

Federal Tactical 165gr JHP (LE40T3)
Federal Tactical 180gr JHP (LE40T1)
Federal HST 180gr JHP (P40HST1)

Remington Golden Saber 180 gr JHP (GS40SWB)

4

I was thinking of setting my witness marks with two colors, one for 55gr. practice and the other for my GO-TO ammo? Would this work?

5

Sounds like a great idea! Yes I believe it will work very well. I really couldn’t go about marking up my issued weapon with such witness marks, but for your own personally owned weapon that is a great idea. As I said, I am sure there will be some variation as opposed to benching and zeroing when switching ammo types. I am sure the difference will be so nil it will not effect nominal shooting with an Aimpoint, EOTech, irons, probably even an ACOG. I would also annotate the difference on a piece of paper and keep it somewhere on/in the weapon.