Barnes VOR-TX runs the lightest bullet in this group, a 140-grain TAC-XP, at 1,120 fps for 390 ft-lbs. TAC-XP is Barnes's solid copper hollow point, a defensive bullet with no lead core. Power factor is 157, 8 short of the 165 USPSA major floor; it is the only load here that does not make major. From a 25-yard zero it sits 1.4 inches low at 50 yards and 10.8 low at 100. In the same compact pistol it produces about 29 percent less recoil energy than Federal HST 165 and 31 percent less than Speer Gold Dot 165.

Every comparison load is heavier and hits harder. Federal HST 165 leaves at 1,130 fps and, with 25 more grains, delivers 468 ft-lbs, 78 more than the Barnes. Speer Gold Dot 165 carries 484, 94 more. The 155s are the fast end: Hornady Custom 155 XTP at 1,180 fps and 479 ft-lbs and Remington HTP 155 at 1,205 fps and 500 ft-lbs, 89 and 110 ft-lbs ahead, with about 34 and 39 percent more recoil energy. PMC Bronze 165 is the only one slower than the Barnes, at 1,040 fps, yet lands at 396 ft-lbs and recoils about 23 percent harder, making major at 172.

This is the .40 for a shooter who wants a defensive hollow point with the least recoil in the caliber and accepts giving up 78 to 110 ft-lbs to the 155 and 165-grain loads. If you want the heavy end of the caliber instead, Blazer Brass 180-grain JHP leaves at 1,015 fps with 412 ft-lbs, 22 more than the Barnes from 105 fps less speed, for about 40 percent more recoil energy in the same pistol. No ball load here feels like this one: Federal American Eagle 155-grain FMJ at 1,160 fps recoils about 30 percent harder.