Hornady Custom .40 S&W 155 gr XTP Hollow Point Ammunition: Precision Performance for Self-Defense, Competition, and Small Game Hunting

When the stakes are high, the reliability and performance of your ammunition are paramount. For firearm owners seeking an unparalleled blend of stopping power, accuracy, and consistent terminal performance, the Hornady Custom .40 S&W 155 gr Hornady XTP Hollow Point (XTPHP) stands out as a premier choice. This isn't just ammunition; it's a meticulously crafted solution designed to instill confidence whether you're protecting your home and loved ones, honing your skills on the range, or pursuing small game.

Many responsible firearm owners ask themselves: "What's the best self-defense ammunition for my .40 S&W handgun?" or "How can I ensure my practice rounds translate to real-world reliability?" The answer often leads to Hornady Custom. Built upon Hornady's rich heritage of precision hand-loaded performance, each round is a testament to rigorous quality control and an unwavering commitment to excellence. This ammunition delivers the consistency and ballistic integrity that discerning shooters demand.

Why Choose Hornady Custom 155 gr XTPHP for Your .40 S&W?

For anyone who relies on their .40 S&W caliber firearm, the Hornady Custom series offers a distinct advantage. The choice of ammunition impacts everything from recoil management to terminal effectiveness. Here's why this specific Hornady offering is a top contender:

• Unwavering Reliability: Every component, from the brass casing to the primer and propellant, is specifically chosen and matched for superior handgun performance. This meticulous selection process minimizes misfires and ensures consistent cycling in a wide range of firearms.
• Exceptional Terminal Performance: The heart of this round is the renowned Hornady XTP (eXtreme Terminal Performance) hollow point bullet. Engineered for controlled expansion across a broad spectrum of velocities, it delivers devastating energy transfer while mitigating the risk of over-penetration, which is crucial for self-defense scenarios.
• Superior Accuracy: Hornady's commitment to precision manufacturing means tighter tolerances and greater shot-to-shot consistency. This translates directly to improved accuracy, whether you're aiming for tight groups on paper or demanding precise shot placement in a critical situation.
• Versatile Application: While primarily celebrated for self-defense, its consistent ballistics and reliable expansion make it suitable for competition where accuracy is key, and even for ethical small game hunting where controlled energy delivery is desired.

Delving into the .40 S&W Caliber: A Powerful and Popular Choice

The .40 S&W caliber itself holds a significant place in the firearms world. Developed in the late 1980s, it was designed to offer ballistic performance close to the potent .45 ACP, but in a more compact cartridge size suitable for higher-capacity magazines. Its adoption by numerous law enforcement agencies worldwide speaks volumes about its effectiveness and versatility.

• Balanced Performance: The .40 S&W strikes an excellent balance between the larger .45 ACP and the more common 9mm Parabellum. It provides substantial stopping power without the excessive recoil often associated with magnum cartridges, making it manageable for a wider range of shooters.
• Broad Firearm Compatibility: From full-size duty pistols to compact concealed carry weapons, the .40 S&W is chambered in a vast array of popular handguns, ensuring that many shooters can benefit from ammunition designed for this caliber.
• Self-Defense Efficacy: For personal and home defense, the .40 S&W offers a compelling argument. Its ability to deliver significant energy and create substantial wound channels, especially with an expanding bullet like the XTP, makes it a formidable deterrent.

The Science Behind the XTP® (eXtreme Terminal Performance) Bullet

The Hornady XTP Hollow Point bullet is not just a hollow point; it's a culmination of decades of ballistic research and innovation. Its design is engineered to overcome common challenges associated with expanding bullets, ensuring reliable performance in diverse conditions.

• Controlled Expansion: Unlike some hollow points that can over-expand or fail to expand, the XTP's unique jacket design and core construction are precisely tuned for consistent, controlled expansion. This means it creates a wider wound channel to maximize energy transfer while retaining enough mass for optimal penetration.
• Serrated Jacket: The bullet features a precisely serrated jacket that allows for controlled expansion at various velocities without fragmenting. These serrations create weakening points that guide the jacket's peeling back, ensuring petal formation and consistent diameter increase.
• Cannelure for Crimp and Bullet Retention: A cannelure (a groove around the bullet) is precisely crimped into the bullet, securing the core and jacket, and providing a positive bullet lock with the case. This feature prevents bullet setback under recoil or during feeding in semi-automatic firearms, maintaining consistent overall cartridge length and reliable feeding.
• Solid Core Base: The XTP bullet utilizes a solid lead core base, which contributes to its exceptional accuracy and stability during flight. This also helps ensure consistent weight retention after expansion, enhancing penetration.

When considering "how hollow point ammunition works," the XTP is a prime example of a design that prioritizes both expansion and penetration. It’s not about maximum expansion alone, but rather optimized expansion that ensures effective energy deposition within the target while still reaching vital areas. This balance is critical for effective self-defense.

Performance Metrics That Matter: 155 gr, Muzzle Velocity, and Muzzle Energy

Understanding the ballistic data of your ammunition provides crucial insights into its performance. The Hornady Custom .40 S&W 155 gr XTPHP offers impressive figures that contribute to its efficacy:

• Bullet Weight (155 grains): In the .40 S&W caliber, bullet weights typically range from 135 grains to 180 grains. The 155-grain projectile strikes an excellent balance, offering a higher muzzle velocity than heavier bullets while still delivering significant energy upon impact. This mid-range weight contributes to a flatter trajectory and often more manageable recoil for many shooters.
• Muzzle Velocity (1180 fps): This is the speed at which the bullet leaves the barrel, measured in feet per second. A muzzle velocity of 1180 fps for a 155-grain .40 S&W bullet is indicative of a powerful load. Higher velocity contributes to greater kinetic energy and helps ensure reliable expansion of the XTP hollow point upon impact.
• Muzzle Energy (479 ft lbs): Muzzle energy represents the kinetic energy of the bullet at the moment it exits the barrel, measured in foot-pounds. At 479 ft lbs, this round possesses substantial energy, essential for effective terminal performance and contributing to the "stopping power" of the round. High muzzle energy, combined with the XTP's controlled expansion, ensures that the bullet delivers a significant blow to the target, maximizing its effectiveness.

These specifications are not just numbers; they are indicators of how the ammunition will perform in real-world scenarios, offering assurance to the user regarding its capability.

Applications: Where Does the Hornady Custom 155 gr XTPHP Excel?

This versatile ammunition is designed to meet the demands of several critical applications:

1. Personal and Home Defense:
   • The Primary Role: For individuals with a concealed carry permit or those seeking reliable ammunition for their home defense firearm, the Hornady Custom 155 gr XTPHP is an outstanding choice. Its consistent expansion helps minimize the risk of over-penetration, reducing potential harm to bystanders or objects beyond the intended target within a home environment.
   • Trust and Confidence: Knowing your ammunition is engineered for optimal performance in a crisis provides immense peace of mind. The Hornady XTP's proven track record in self-defense scenarios makes it a trusted option for personal protection.
   • Reliable Cycling: In high-stress situations, ammunition must feed, fire, and extract flawlessly. Hornady Custom rounds are manufactured to tight tolerances, ensuring smooth operation in semi-automatic pistols.
2. Target Shooting and Training:
   • Consistency Breeds Skill: While often seen as a self-defense round, the consistent ballistics of Hornady Custom make it an excellent choice for serious training. Practicing with ammunition that mirrors your defensive load's point of impact and recoil characteristics can significantly improve your real-world proficiency.
   • Accuracy for Competition: For those participating in action pistol or defensive pistol competitions, the inherent accuracy of the XTP bullet design contributes to tighter groups and higher scores.
   • Reliable Function for Practice: Spending valuable range time clearing malfunctions is counterproductive. The robust quality control of Hornady Custom reduces the likelihood of ammunition-related stoppages, allowing for more productive training sessions.
3. Small Game Hunting:
   • Ethical Harvesting: While the .40 S&W is not a traditional big-game cartridge, the 155-grain XTPHP can be an effective choice for small game where allowed by local regulations. Its controlled expansion ensures humane, one-shot kills on appropriately sized animals, making it an ethical choice for responsible hunters.
   • Penetration and Energy: The 479 ft lbs of muzzle energy coupled with the XTP's ability to penetrate vital organs efficiently makes it suitable for animals like coyotes, wild pigs (smaller varieties), or large varmints.

Hornady's Legacy of Quality and Innovation

Hornady has been a leading name in the ammunition industry for decades, synonymous with innovation, precision, and quality. Their philosophy, "Ten bullets through one hole," encapsulates their relentless pursuit of accuracy. This ethos is evident in every box of Custom ammunition.

• Premium Components: Hornady doesn't cut corners. They select only the finest brass casings, reliable primers, and carefully formulated propellants. This ensures consistent pressures, clean burning, and optimal ballistic performance.
• Rigorous Inspection: Each round of Hornady Custom ammunition undergoes meticulous inspection. This multi-stage quality control process guarantees that every cartridge meets Hornady's exacting standards for safety, reliability, and performance. This commitment means you receive ammunition that functions flawlessly, shot after shot.
• Commitment to the Shooter: From design to manufacturing, Hornady focuses on the end-user's needs. Whether it's the hunter needing consistent knockdown power, the competitor demanding pinpoint accuracy, or the individual relying on their firearm for personal protection, Hornady engineers their products to exceed expectations.

Making an Informed Decision: Is Hornady Custom Right for You?

When evaluating ammunition, consider your primary use case, your firearm, and your personal skill level. For those who prioritize reliable feeding, predictable expansion, and consistent accuracy in their .40 S&W handgun, the Hornady Custom 155 gr XTPHP is an outstanding investment. It addresses common concerns about ammunition reliability and terminal performance, providing a high-quality solution from a reputable manufacturer.

Many search for "premium .40 S&W self-defense rounds" or "high-performance hunting ammunition for handguns." The Hornady Custom 9132, with its proven XTP bullet and Hornady's manufacturing excellence, consistently appears as a top recommendation because it genuinely delivers on its promises.

This ammunition is designed for shooters who understand that quality ammunition is a critical component of responsible firearm ownership and effective performance. It provides the confidence that comes from using a product engineered for consistency and designed to perform when it matters most.

Where to Acquire Your Hornady Custom .40 S&W Ammunition

For reliable access to this premium ammunition, look no further than DEGuns.com. As a trusted retailer of firearms and ammunition, DEGuns.com offers a seamless shopping experience and ensures you receive genuine Hornady products. You can find this specific product by searching for its UPC 090255391329 or SKU 9132 on the DEGuns.com website, guaranteeing you are getting the authentic Hornady Custom .40 S&W 155 gr XTPHP.

Invest in your peace of mind and performance today with Hornady Custom ammunition.

Product Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	Custom
Caliber	.40 S&W
Bullet Type	Hornady XTP Hollow Point (XTPHP)
Bullet Weight	155 gr
Rounds Per Box	20
Casing Material	Brass
Muzzle Velocity	1180 fps
Muzzle Energy	479 ft lbs
Game Type	Small Game
Application	Self-Defense, Hunting, Competition
Boxes Per Case	10
SKU	9132
UPC	090255391329