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  #1  
Old 03-20-2017, 04:13 PM
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Default 45acp ballastics question?

Looking at the chart and the name of the ammo not withstanding would the 185gr 45acp be a better defensive load than the 200 or 230 based on the velocity????

Specs
Name
45ACP, 230GR, Elite V-Crown, JHP

45ACP, 200GR, Elite V-Crown, JHP

45ACP, 185GR, Elite V-Crown, JHP
Price

$24.95


$24.95


$24.95
UPC
798681501687

798681458189

798681501663
Ammo Type
JHP

JHP

JHP
Caliber
45 Auto

45 Auto

45 Auto
Grain Weight
230 gr

200 gr

185 gr
Qty Per Package
20

20

20
Muzzle Velocity
830 fps

918 fps

995 fps
Muzzle Energy
352 ft-lb

374 ft-lb

407 ft-lb
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  #2  
Old 03-20-2017, 04:28 PM
Ivan the Butcher Ivan the Butcher is offline
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Good and interesting question! 3 identical bullets in different weights, at their corresponding velocities. The truth about the best of these three is whichever shoots best and to the sights in your gun. I at one time had 17 handguns in 45 ACP, all but 2 liked 230 grain (of any quality brand!) but the 2 liked 185 grain and then only one brand (Winchester STHP). All this proves is you have to do some field testing, and when you find what works, stock up on it.

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Old 03-20-2017, 04:35 PM
ImprovedModel56Fan ImprovedModel56Fan is offline
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After reliability and perhaps accuracy, my main concern would be penetration, as in "enough penetration." I have my suspicions, but they don't count. Believable test results do, sort of.
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Old 03-20-2017, 04:36 PM
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Depends where you hit the target. I'd rather have a center of mass hit with a 230 grain FMJ than a miss with a 185 grain JHP.
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Old 03-20-2017, 08:00 PM
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In real life defensive uses.. Speer Gold Dots work...........no waffling.. no excuses...if you do your part.. that ammo will perform. Find what grain weight works best in your handgun, functioning perfect first in an autoloader, with accuracy a close second.
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Old 03-20-2017, 08:52 PM
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One reason I like .45 and .40 over 9m/m is I never really worry about what kind of ammo for defense. With a 9m/m I am fairly confident with it when top of the line Plus P hollow points are used, with the other two I am fairly confident even with cheap range ammo.

Last edited by Farmer17; 03-20-2017 at 08:54 PM.
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Old 03-20-2017, 09:20 PM
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Bigger is better in my experience with live targets. I vote for reliability and accuracy.
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Old 03-20-2017, 09:33 PM
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Check the link below. This group did extensive research using FBI testing on lots of ammo and calibers. The 200 grain Sig ammo looks like it performed horribly. Way over penetrated and didn't expand.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self...llistic-tests/

Last edited by Irn-Bru; 03-20-2017 at 09:35 PM.
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Old 03-20-2017, 10:51 PM
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All combat handguns are under powered, don't create hydrostatic shock, and are better off with heavy for weight bullets that push a big expanded bullet face deeper rather then waste its energy creating minor and unhelpful shock like a lighter for caliber, higher velocity bullet will. The whole high velocity handgun thing was a big psuedo science thing of the late 1970's and the entire idea of the 185 grain hollow point in 45 ACP came from wanting reliable expansion with the poorer bullets of back then, and also bad science about what made handgun rounds effective. So, in 45 ACP, terminal ballistics wise, 230 grain is where theoretical peak performance lies. Check out gel tests, and this conclusion is observable.
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Old 03-23-2017, 10:51 AM
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My MAIN concern with .45acp ammo is RELIABILITY! I rarely carry a 1911 any longer (just too heavy, bulky and sharp for me to deal with) but when I do I use American Eagle 230 grain ball (fmj) ammo which in 35 years has NEVER failed me in any of my 1911's. The AE brand is the only major manufacturer that has a MV of 890 fps (std. is 830-850 from Win & Rem). It is accurate, reliable and affordable.

Let me also state that when it comes to my EDC .38 SPL. I ALWAYS choose a SWCHP over FMJ but not so with a 1911. Even though I know a Ball Round from a 1911 will not expand, it really makes a devastating sized hole right out of the barrel - almost a half inch - therefore I will sacrifice expansion for the power, accuracy and reliability out of an autoloader that was never designed to feed hollow point, flat point or other shape ammo.

Just my old fashioned opinion and yours might vary.
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Old 03-23-2017, 11:08 AM
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Federal hst 230gr is all you need
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Old 03-23-2017, 12:53 PM
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Choose the one that shoots best in your gun. They are all sufficiently heavy, all .45 caliber, and the energy spread from highest to lowest is only 55 ft-lbs. They'll all do what they are designed to do.
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Old 03-24-2017, 06:44 PM
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For defensive "kill" I use Underwood +P 120gr Extreme Defender in my 45 Shield and their 90gr +P Extreme Penetrator in my 380 MP Bodyguard. The Extreme Defender has massive tissue damage without over penetration and can retain its effect through glass such as a windshield. Even though many consider the 380 a subpar defensive weapon, using the above mentioned ammo does make it a viable kill weapon.
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