CCI Blazer .40 S&W 165gr TMJ is a budget-friendly training round loaded in an aluminum case. It pushes the 165-grain Total Metal Jacket bullet at 1,050 fps for 404 ft-lbs of energy. That velocity falls between the PMC Bronze 165gr (989 fps) and the Federal American Eagle 165gr (1,130 fps), placing it squarely in the middle of the 165-grain .40 S&W lineup. The TMJ design fully encloses the lead core, which reduces lead vapor at the muzzle compared to standard FMJ bullets.

The aluminum case is the defining feature of the Blazer line. It shaves weight and manufacturing cost, which usually translates to a lower price per round than brass-cased alternatives. The trade-off is simple: you cannot reload aluminum. If you shoot and discard your brass anyway, that trade-off costs you nothing. CCI's primers are consistently reliable, and the clean-burning powder helps keep your gun running through several hundred rounds without a cleaning break.

This load is a solid pick for high-volume range days where you want to train with a 165-grain bullet without spending premium ammo money. It feeds well in modern striker-fired pistols and performs reliably in Glock 22/23, M&P 40, and similar platforms. The TMJ bullet also makes it acceptable at indoor ranges that restrict exposed-lead projectiles. For shooters who train weekly and go through cases of ammo, the per-round savings add up fast.