Speer Gold Dot 180-grain is the fastest standard-pressure 180 hollow point in this set: 1,025 fps and 420 ft-lbs at the muzzle. Gold Dot is a bonded jacketed hollow point, meaning the jacket is bonded to the lead core so the two stay together as the bullet opens. Power factor is 184, almost 20 over the 165 USPSA major floor. From a 25-yard zero it drops 1.7 inches at 50 yards and 12.5 inches at 100, still carrying 956 fps at 50 and 902 fps at 100.

It also produces the most recoil energy of the six .40 S&W 180-grain hollow points compared here. Remington Golden Saber and Blazer Brass both run 1,015 fps and 412 ft-lbs, 10 fps and 8 ft-lbs behind, with about 2 percent less recoil energy in the same pistol. Magtech at 990 fps gives up 35 fps and 28 ft-lbs and recoils about 6 percent less. Sellier & Bellot at 974 fps is 51 fps and 41 ft-lbs behind with about 8 percent less recoil, and Hornady American Gunner at 950 fps is 75 fps and 59 ft-lbs behind with about 12 percent less. Downrange the picture flattens: Blazer Brass matches the Gold Dot's 12.5 inches of drop at 100 yards and arrives there at 907 fps against 902, and Magtech is only 7 fps behind at 100. American Gunner drops 1.8 inches more at 100 yards and arrives 41 fps slower.

This is the load for a shooter who wants the most energy a standard-pressure 180 gives and a bonded bullet to go with it, and who is fine with the top recoil in the group. For practice that feels the same, Blazer Brass 180 is the near-twin in recoil and drop. If you shoot better with less recoil, American Gunner is the mildest 180 here at 950 fps. If you only want ball for volume work, Ammo Inc Signature 180-grain TMJ runs 958 fps with about 12 percent less recoil energy than this load, so it will feel softer than the Gold Dot rather than like it.