Just getting into carrying for self defense. I have hand loaded all of my rifle and revolver ammunition for years, but none of that (with the exception of grizzly protection in my .44 Mag) was for self-defense.

Who rolls their own for self defense, and of those what is your favorite component bullet. I just acquired a .40 S&W.

Thanks.

I roll my own for my wifes 380 and my model 60 38 special. Speer gold dots and hornady xtp's for me. I know we are both gonna get blasted for hand loading defensive ammo. The 380 gets loaded warm and my 38 does not.

I don't handload for SD but component bullet choices are limited. Were I to carry my own it'd be either the aforementioned Gold Dots or Barnes TAC-XP's.

300, my most carried self defense weapon is a .357..but I have it loaded with + p .38's..Usually with 140 grain Rem. Hollowpoint I buy in bulk..When I pack my .44's it is usually the 210 grain Rem. Hollowpoint also bought in bulk..for the 45 auto, 230 grain xtps..I don't reload for the 40 S & W..but if I get into that, I would probably go with the xtp ...

if you are a good--and careful--handloader, by all means forge ahead and load your own.

there is so much pure nonsense about this topic--and just like a pest it never goes away.

if a chap is not a good, careful, experienced handloader, he/she should indeed buy/use factory fodder--period.

though i do roll my own self defense ammo, the .380 auto , and .32 are definite exceptions, and the 9mm is a "sometimes" exception...

for factory fodder in 9mm, the 124 gr +p gold dot is nirvana--bc.

if moving a step down the ladder--but mighty fine medicine anyway--is the plain vanilla 115 gr rem. hollowpoint, factory fodder which can oftentimes be found in boxes of 100 at wally world for about 27 bucks.

regarding components--we're are living in the days where things are so good--so many things now are "new and improved" that you just about can't go wrong with a multitude of the offerings.

nevertheless, i prefer speer gold dot above all else in 9mm, .357 mag, and .45 acp

165 gr. Gold Dots over 7.5 grs of Power Pistol is my carry load.

When I carry, it's a P-229 .40 S&W with 180 grain law enforcement ammo.

I'd bet that just about anything from Rem, Win, or Fed will work well.

I prefer heavy bullets. But mileage does vary.

BTW, an old friend of mine who was a CA game warden gave me a box of W-W 165 grain LE ammo. That's what his agency issued. I still have that full box. He retired & passed away shortly thereafter, so I don't plan on using that ammo. When I see it, I think of him. That's how I want it to stay.

I'm hearing some good things about the Hornady critical Defense loads.

For my 40 S&W i use the 140 gr Barnes TAC-HP powered to 1250 fps with Power Pistol powder, have tested it on different penetration media here on the farm, it's a tough little customer and provides plenty of accuracy for SD purposes in my Sig P 226 pistol.

Gunner

I don't load my own self defense ammo for my carry gun. That's because I'm too lazy to seal the primers and cement the bullets in place as is usually done with .45 ACP ammo.
I do handload my "bear defense" loads however.
What bullet you choose would depend on what you want or don't want to do. In your case, the little 135-155 gr. HP bullets have a rep for making nastier wounds on two legged targets but don't shoot through barriers as well as the 180 gr. HP stuff. Your call.
Be sure your ammo is very reliable. I'd use new brass. The 40 S&W has a rep for going critical easily, so stay away from hot loads, and be very careful with seating depths of your bullet choice. E