Not only are these two Q4368 and RA40155 (Ranger 135 gr and 155 gr) not listed in Dr. Robert’s list, but I am not seeing much discussion on them period. Does anyone have penetration/expansion data on these?
I have found both the 135gr and 165gr cheap, which means I can buy more, hence the question. Otherwise, I probably would go with 180gr. Also, this will be fired from an M&P 40 compact if that makes a difference.
After hopping off my the forums I usually check this stuff out and doing more googling, it looks like the 135gr and 155gr rounds DON’T use the standard T (STX I think) bullets. I keep seeing them referred to as a ‘standard’ JHP.
Is this why they aren’t talked about much on the forums?
If they aren’t acceptable for self defense, then one has to ask why Homeland defense would have contracted for the 135 gr load?
I’m going to guess, looking at the exterior ballistics, they wanted a lower recoil, lower intensity .40 round for shooters who are having problems and to stop beating their guns up so much.
It would appear they want a 9mm, but one that fits into a .40 pistol.
I think you’re right…
CBP contracted the 135gr load for their security officers which encompass a wide range of people. None of the CBP officers that are knowledgeable in firearms that I’ve talked to are happy with the loading. BP switched to Federal 180gr loads in December of last year and are very happy with the switch. After talking with a CBP firearms instructor, I learned that many procurement officers are planning on piggybacking onto the BP contracts and using 180gr loads.
I would not use the 135gr load. I have not seen tests on this particular load, but based on past testing of this grain weight it has very poor penetration. The sectional density of the 135gr bullet is very low…think 90gr .380 or 9mm. This means that in a JHP, when the bullet expands there is very little momentum to create adequate penetration. The 135gr .40S&W has an average penetration depth of only 8-9" in bare gel.
Personally, I think that the 180gr .40 is the best overall loading. The recoil is mild, it beats up on pistols less, and it has the best overall performance. 165gr is okay too, but not as optimal as the 180gr. 155gr performs okay, but it is a jumpy round that is really hard on the pistol.
Entropy, I’ve been looking for test data on the 135gr loads could you steer me towards a link to it.
Most of the testing I had seen was from the Border Patrol workshop in the late 1990s. They tested a variety of loads in lighter grain weights trying to achieve maximum expansion and temporary cavity stretch while maintaining a penetration standard of 9". Yeah…they were really screwed up back then with lots of throwbacks to the stopping power era. Most of the 135gr loads were just shy of the 9" penetration minimum, so they went with the 155gr load which averaged about 10" of penetration.
Here’s a couple of tests I’ve seen around the net. 135gr is just too light in my opinion for the .40" bullet diameter.
http://www.brassfetcher.com/40sw%20Federal%20135gr%20Expanding%20Full%20Metal%20Jacket.html
http://www.brassfetcher.com/135%20grain%20+P%20Cor-Bon%20JHP.html
http://www.brassfetcher.com/Various%20.40S&W%20JHPs%20(II).html
Thanks.
There are far better loads available than the RA40155 or Q4368…