GS>JS> A hot loaded .40S&W can work wonders, as can a hot loaded .45acp.  Two
GS>JS> choices, same general performance.  The USP however was made to easily
GS>JS> take .45acp +p, which will out perform .40S&W in terms of ballistics.
GS>What do you like in a factory load.  I haven't gotten around to loading 
40
GS>yet although I do have a lot of brass.   I load my .44 mag, but that is 
or
GS>hunting loads, and I don't have to load many.  Single stage ya'know 
rin>.
It'll digest just about anything, but I will caution you that I've 
noticed an occasional cratered primer when firing Cor-Bon's 135gr JHP +p 
ammo.  This is usually a sign of overpressure, but the gun seems no less 
the worse for wear because of it.  The USP's barrel diameter is the 
tightest of any .40S&W barrels I've measured, which might explain it.
I've fired Winchester 180gr FMJ (USA brand) and 155gr Silvertips, Federal
155 and 180 gr hydrashoks, Speer 155gr GDHP, and various others through 
it with no problems.  I'd pick a fairly energetic 150-155gr JHP for 
defense purposes and stick with it.
When you do get around to loading for the .40, two very important items:  
Keep your OAL as close to maximum as possible on full power loads, and 
hit those rounds with a heavy taper crimp to finish: the .40S&W's case is 
very small compared to a .44 or .357, and even a very slightly deeper 
seated bullet can raise pressures dramatically.  The taper crimp is to
hold the bullet in place to prevent it from being driven in farther from
recoil, taper being desired over roll crimping in a pistol to aid
feeding.
My favorite loads tend to be the 180gr XTP loaded hot with VV N350, and 
Nosler's 135gr JHP and the 155gr XTP loaded very hot with Blue Dot.  Work
these loads up carefully, and the USP will provide you with excellent 
performance coupled with quite comfortable recoil at these elevated 
energies.
GS>JS> If I ever get a .45acp, unless it's a great deal on a good used gun,
GS>JS> it'll probably be a USP.  :-)
GS>Good choice.!
Either the USP or the limited production run of the Special Ops Command
version...  :-)
þ SLMR 2.0 þ "I told him we already have a Holy Grail..."
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