.45 ACP Standard Velocity - Federal 230gr. HST & Winchester 230gr. Ranger T

[YkcorCal]

For Informational Source only on two of the top rated self defense rounds in .45 ACP fired from a Kahr CW45 (Barrel: 3.64", conventional rifling, 1 - 16.38 right-hand twist) into synthetic ballistic gelatin from 10 feet away through four layers of fabric to simulate clothing.

Situation Source: Defensive 45 ACP Ammo For Sale - 230 gr HST JHP - Federal Premium Defense Ammunition In Stock - 20 Rounds & 45 ACP Ammo - 230 gr JHP - Winchester Ranger T-Series Ammunition - 50 Rounds

45 ACP - 230 gr HST JHP - Federal Premium Personal Defense

Bullet Depth (in.) Median - 13.4
Expanded Diameter (in.) Median - 0.84
5-SHOT AVERAGE VELOCITY - 822 fps

45 ACP - 230 gr Winchester Ranger T-Series

Bullet Depth (in.) Median - 14.2
Expanded Diameter (in.) Median - 1.01
5-SHOT AVERAGE VELOCITY - 900 fps

For Source Situation Go here> https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm to compare these two .45 ACP loads against all the 9MM Luger loads they tested. Note: the results from 9MM 124gr. Federal HST and HST +P as tested by Lucky Gunner and the Winchester's 124gr. Ranger T-Series +P results as tested in comparison. The Ranger T in 147gr. expanded well. I found the results interesting. But then I am a ballistics nut. That way you don't have to take "my word" for the results on the 9MMs tested.

I am still not saying use a .45 ACP over a 9MM just know the facts as you pick your ammo and shoot what you can shoot most accurately.

 

[Ruger Nut]

Winchester Ranger T-Series is my EDC/SD round in ALL calibers.
I call it "The Flower Petal From HELL!"

 

[18DAI]

Ranger T series 230 grain standard velocity is all I use in my 45s. It was our agencies duty round. Kills bugs dead.

On the occasions that I carry a 9mm pistol, RA9T 147 grain is the only round I use. Regards 18DAI

 

[YkcorCal]

You know there could be rounds developed for S&W Revolvers along the lines of the Federal 38 Special (+P) - 130 gr HST JHP - Personal Defense Micro

but more advancement toward modern magnum and large caliber self-defense loadings could give new life to many S&W revolvers in .357 Magnum, .44 Special. .44 Magnum, .45 ACP, .45 Long Colt if the loadings were specifically tailored toward self-defense and control in double action not hunting velocities! By that I mean engineer properly designed bullets similar to the Federal 130gr. Micro but designed to hold up under lower end .357 Magnum velocity for fast double action work. How about such a bullet in .44 caliber or .45 caliber in S&W revolvers; where there are no loading problems. Can you see any uses for such a bullet for self-defense or for carry by law enforcement like in the revolver of the lead shield carrier of the SWAT team going in on a barricaded armed threat saying he is going down shooting?

What could bullets like this but in .44 and .45 caliber do in S&W Revolvers to save the lives of legally armed civilians and law enforcement in dire need of self-defense if they were developed? For now they only exist in .38 Special +P. They would seem perfect for the short barrel .357 Magnum S&W Performance Center 627 2.6" 8-shot and the S&W Performance Center .44 Magnum 2.65". Say at 1000 - 1100+ FPS depending on the caliber, as the Federal .38 Special +P out of a 4"bbl. does an average of 826 FPS. That should make a "serious impression" on any bad guy. Flower Power in Copper and Lead!

 

[ddixie884]

I'm a buyer, but the ammo companies can't keep up with existing orders......

 

[rwsmith]

I like hollow point ammo....

...with really big holes.

The 'flying ashtray' was and is a great idea.

 

[YkcorCal]

I'm a buyer, but the ammo companies can't keep up with existing orders......

That fact does not mean that there is not room for new or improved ammo.

 

[YkcorCal]

...with really big holes.

The 'flying ashtray' was and is a great idea.

Amen, Brother!

And I am still not a caliber snub but say use what you shoot the best. At 71 and having been shooting the .45 ACP since I was around 9 years old that is what I shoot best.

 

[stansdds]

I would not feel under-protected with either the Federal HST or Winchester Ranger-T loads in any caliber. +P? Why bother? These modern bullets expand very well when driven at standard pressure velocity.

 

[YkcorCal]

I would not feel under-protected with either the Federal HST or Winchester Ranger-T loads in any caliber. +P? Why bother? These modern bullets expand very well when driven at standard pressure velocity.

I shoot the Federal HST +P in my S&W 625-8 4" and standard velocity in my Springfield Armory XD .45 auto. Its just a personal thing no real justification.

 

[ddixie884]

That fact does not mean that there is not room for new or improved ammo.

True that, but who is going to do the research?

 

[tom2]

I got boxes of the Winchester 230 gr. HP white box stuff when it was still real cheap in 50 rd. boxes. I figured hey, this does not look like an exotic bullet, it is a big heavy and slow chunk, and I doubted the effectiveness at the MV they give. Assumed it would not expand much but saw some vids of gel tests and the darn things do open up and work pretty well. One box still has the price sticker on, 13$.

 

[YkcorCal]

True that, but who is going to do the research?

That was my point exactly from the very beginning.

I know the ammo companies are up to their eyeballs in production due the GREAT demand for ammo now however does that mean that all research and development has, does or should come to a stop? NO. Just because there is adequate ammo available does not mean there should not be a constant development of better ammo for the future just as the Federal HST ammo's development was a leap forward from the Federal Hydra-Shok ammo. I used to carry .45 ACP 230gr. Hydra-Shoks but the .45 ACP 230gr. HST is superior in performance. Development must proceed and there is a lot of room for advancement of ammo especially in concealed carry ammo for "REVOLVERS" as they are not limited by feed ramps and nose limit configurations as automatics are. The Federal 38 Special +P HST Personal Defense Micro is just the first example of such possible developmental achievement. What is possible for use in .45ACP with use with full moonclips in revolvers, .44 Special +P, .44 Magnum loaded to 1100 FPS+, or .45 Long Colts for civilian canceled carry or even Law Enforcement back-up carry in short-barreled large caliber guns like the 8-shot S&W PC 627 2.6" or S&W PC 629 2.6"? With the possibility of similar revolvers being developed for such use.

There are people like me that "felt" something was coming long before "Covid-19" came and I for one still feel there is more coming before "things" ever get back to what was "normal" when I was a kid. Are "we" prepared? That is why I and some started saving ammo for years for that "rainy day". I see it "pouring rain" now and it is a long way from over.

 

[YkcorCal]

I saw .45 ACP FMJ Ball used in the US Army first hand. I does WORK if properly applied.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I saw .45 ACP FMJ Ball used in the US Army first hand. I does WORK if properly applied.

I don't remember a single customer complaint.

 

[cmj8591]

Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement! It is the alpha and omega of gun fighting.

 

[YkcorCal]

ON .45 ACP +P loads

AMMUNITION FOR THE SELF-DEFENSE FIREARM

Opinion by Anonymous

Preface by Chuck Hawks, Guns and Shooting Online Owner and Managing Editor

There is a LOT of information contained in the article.

Citation: Ammunition For The Self-Defense Firearm

Quote - "If you are sufficiently expert to confidently carry .45 +P loads, you probably don't need my advice. They really sledgehammer the bad guys."