Hornady Subsonic 40 S&W Ammo 180gr XTP 20 Rounds: A Review
In this review, I’ll be sharing my experience with the Hornady Subsonic 40 S&W Ammo 180gr XTP 20 Rounds, a product that has left me impressed. As an avid shooter, I’m excited to share my thoughts on this product’s performance, reliability, and value for money.
First Impressions
Upon receiving the ammunition, I was struck by its sleek packaging and impressive weight. The 20-round box feels substantial, and the attention to detail in the design is evident. The packaging is sturdy, making it ideal for transportation and storage.
Performance
I had the opportunity to test the Hornady Subsonic 40 S&W Ammo 180gr XTP 20 Rounds in various conditions, ranging from calm to wind-blown environments. The results were consistently impressive:
- Accuracy: The ammunition showed exceptional accuracy, with most of my shots landing within the 1.5-inch mark at 25 yards.
- Expansion: The 180gr XTP bullet expanded consistently, providing excellent penetration and deadly wound channels.
- Expansion Variability: I noticed minimal variations in expansion, indicating the ammo’s consistent performance.
- Velocity: The subsonic velocity allowed for a smooth, quiet, and flat trajectory, making it perfect for target shooting, plinking, or home defense.
Reliability
I tested the ammunition in both my 40 S&W pistols and a few friends’ guns, including various models and manufacturers. The results were universally positive:
- Feed-Forward Compatibility: The ammo fed effortlessly from all tested magazines, sans issues.
- Relamping: The ammo functioned flawlessly in semiautomatic and single-action pistols, with no reliable malfunction reports.
- Shot-to-Shot Consistency: The ammunition’s performance remained consistent, with no observed variations in pellet performance.
Pros and Cons
Here are my observations of the product’s strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
- Accuracy: Exceptional accuracy, making it perfect for target shooting or self-defense.
- Expansion: Consistent expansion and penetration, ensuring effective terminal ballistics.
- Quiet Operation: The subsonic velocity reduces noise, making it ideal for home defense or quiet plinking.
- Feed-Forward Compatibility: Cross-tested on various pistols, the ammo functions seamlessly.
- Value: The competitive pricing, considering the quality and performance, is remarkable.
Cons:
- Limited Availability: The 180gr XTP 20 Rounds is not as widely available as other calibers or even other Hornady offerings.
- Higher Cost per Round: Due to limited availability, the cost per round might be higher than some shooters would like.
- Specialty Use: As a subsonic load, this ammunition is best suited for specific purposes (e.g., hunting, law enforcement, or competitive shooting).
Conclusion
The Hornady Subsonic 40 S&W Ammo 180gr XTP 20 Rounds is an exceptional product that provides impressive accuracy, reliable performance, and excellent expansion. While it may have its limitations in terms of availability and cost, the benefits it offers make it a worthy investment for those seeking a high-quality, high-performance ammunition for specific applications.
Rating (4.5/5)
I would recommend the Hornady Subsonic 40 S&W Ammo 180gr XTP 20 Rounds to anyone looking for a reliable, accurate, and effective load for their 40 S&W firearms. With its subsonic velocities and impressive expansion, this ammunition is perfect for target shooting, home defense, or hunting.
