which round???

[dannysdaddy]

looking into a round for my xd40.  i carry it all the time but i dont feel comfortable in the woods with self defense rounds.  what round would offer a lot of penetration before expansion??? 

[chrisb]

IMO if your looking to use a 40 in the woods for self protection it's not gonna matter. I'm not a ballistics expert or anything but i think it's just too smal of a round for anythign that woudl cause you danger besides tweakers. if you are concerned about something like a bear though you shoudl probably go FMJ for the penetration factor. you won't get any expansion out of it but i guess it's better than throwing rocks. I personally carry a 357 mag as a side arm in the woods when i'm not carrying my rifle. Even when i have carried my 45 i did it with the understanding that it was not ideal for dangerous critters with more than 2 legs.

[satchel3006]

id try one of these from buffalo bore
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=25

[MikeWalking]

 

Holy  I just went there for a look see.  My favorite 45-70 ammo went from $39 to $61?!?

[shaneman153D]

Try semi wad cutters if you can find them.  Better penetration than HPs with better expansion than FMJs.

IMO if your looking to use a 40 in the woods for self protection it's not gonna matter. I'm not a ballistics expert or anything but i think it's just too smal of a round for anythign that woudl cause you danger besides tweakers. if you are concerned about something like a bear though you shoudl probably go FMJ for the penetration factor. you won't get any expansion out of it but i guess it's better than throwing rocks. I personally carry a 357 mag as a side arm in the woods when i'm not carrying my rifle. Even when i have carried my 45 i did it with the understanding that it was not ideal for dangerous critters with more than 2 legs.

.40 is a fine round against a bear, you just have to modify it slightly.   On a XD, file off the front sight so it won't hurt as much when the bear shoves that gun up your arse!!   

[carpsniperg2]

i carry a xdm anomg many others in the woods the shell i use for personal protection is the new winchester pdx in 180grain very very good solid bullet great penitration and opens up enough to really do some work on anything that it is put up against.