Hornaday Critical Defense

[off road]

Now I definitely need to find the information again. I don't even think damage to the gun was an issue discussed but instead they talked about recoil and accuracy issues using the +p in the air weights. I believe the feeling was the increased accuracy out weighed the slight increase in stopping power. I need to see if I can find the info again in a way I can post it.

Don't bother digging anything up.....I wrongly assumed that because 44MagGuy had posted about damage...you were addressing a similar issue.

As far as accuracy goes, at any practical combat distance (usually a matter of only a few feet!), I will take the extra little bit of power over any theoretical small increase in accuracy. Same goes for recoil. If my life is in danger, I can nut-up for a few shots and take the recoil....in order to help save my life. Seems like that's the wise way to go!

 

[russp1]

Don't bother digging anything up.....I wrongly assumed that because 44MagGuy had posted about damage...you were addressing a similar issue.

As far as accuracy goes, at any practical combat distance (usually a matter of only a few feet!), I will take the extra little bit of power over any "theoretical" small increase in accuracy. Same goes for recoil. If my life is in danger, I can nut-up for a few shots and take the recoil....in order to help save my life. Seems like the wise way to go.

I want to find the info again to make sure I'm interpreting it correctly. Memory is that they were saying the extra recoil from the +p made landing an accurate second and third shot much slower because of having to regain the target yet you didn't gain very much stopping power with the slight velocity increase. I know at the range, I'll put 50 rounds though my 442 before my hand says enough and I'm more accurate with the standard loads than the +p.

 

[russp1]

Here's the main article I read online and can link. It covers just about every gun and caliber.

Ammunition For The Self-Defense Firearm

The other articles were from a couple of books, I'm trying to find online copies of them.

 

[off road]

Here's the main article I read online and can link. It covers just about every gun and caliber.

The trouble with articles like this, is that they live on and on thanks to the internet....long after the info is dated. Seems like lots of the loads are what my dad was shooting when I was a kid. A 158 gr LSWC might have been all the rage back then, but there is a whole lot more to choose from these days. Loads that are designed for short barrels and use bullets that actually expand.

 

[photoman]

I've tried a lot of the .38 standard pressure Critical Defense in my Airweights and found it to be very dirty and not that accurate. YMMV.

 

[russp1]

Other than the different books and articles I'm finding, is there a good source that really explains ammo; velocity, bullet weight, powder charge, etc? It would be nice to have the knowledge and then add it to what I'm reading and what I experience first hand at the range.

As far +p or not in my 442, I found I shoot consistently a little low and right with the standard load and was able to compensate. With the +p, I tend to be all over the place unless I slow way down between shots (which won't happen in a self defense situation). That's why I felt the standard load advice from this article and others was valid.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As far +p or not in my 442, I found I shoot consistently a little low and right with the standard load and was able to compensate. With the +p, I tend to be all over the place unless I slow way down between shots (which won't happen in a self defense situation). That's why I felt the standard load advice from this article and others was valid.

That's not the ammo's fault, it's the shooter who can't handle the handgun well. With enough practice I'm sure that will change. Practice, practice and then practice some more. I think you will surprise yourself. Trigger control and staging the trigger is the key when firing slightly hotter ammo IMO.

 

[Chris.356TSW]

.357 Critical Defense

I've used the basics9,38,357,45. in Gelatin with three layers of clothing and had excellent performance as far as penetration and expansion. For outside carry I might try the .357 but at the range I use plugs & muffs and can assure you that if you let the .357 go pop inside your house you best pray you hit center mass with the first shot because your likely to loose an ear drum from the concussion. The last great article I read in o of Petersons Magazines (G&A or Handguns) After testing the basic self defense ammo in actual shootings, from the autopsy(s), wounds, knock down, doctor interview,ECT. From 9mm,.38,.40S&W,.357,.44 spc to 45ACP there was no one clear winner. Of course there were slight differences in the wounds pending on placement but that was the main point all managed to do thier job if the bullet was placed where it needed to be. So no matter what caliber is used Bullet placement wins out over size when we are looking to protect ourself, If I had my choice I would rather go the other direction anyway, I already have two extra holes and thank God the bad guys didn't know how to shoot.
May God bless us all so we don't have to make the choice of putting our finger on the trigger except at the range.
I've taken a course in Target first responce and have been able to save ever piece of paper or steel I have hit.

 

[off road]

Inside the house, I load Glasers! They create a devastating shotgun style wound, and will break up on wallboard and not kill your kids sleeping in the next room. Even on the street, they make sense in some situations.

Glaser Safety Slug at Dakota Ammo - COR®BON/Glaser Self Defense and Tactical Gear

 

[LOBO]

I have tried them in my 640-1, and they were the least accurate of any load that I have put through the gun to date. You may see the complete opposite results in your gun.

 

[DeadWhiteGoose]

I haven't shot the Hornady CD in .357, but I have shot the Hornady CD 00 buckshot shotshells in 2 3/4" and they are now my home defense shotgun loads. Excellent shells if anyone was interested. Now I have 2 boxes of the Hornady XTP 357 rounds that I'm going to test next week. They're 125 grain and I got them on sale at my local range. I'll pick up a box of the CD ammo and I'll let you all know which tests better. I'll be shooting my 686.