Advice on .45acp carry load?

[jeff1981]

As I posted in another thread, I've acquired a nice German made Sigp220 and am looking for thoughts on what to carry in it. I have not generally carried a .45 before. This one seems VERY accurate with 230 grain FMJ and feeds HST well. I haven't tried any other HP loads in it yet, but thought I'd see what the forum thought before stocking up.

I did shoot some lighter fmj, and it seems much less accurate, at least in my hands, so I think I'll probably want to stick with 230grn loads. Thanks in advance for any advice you'd care to offer up- Jeff

 

[Bozz10mm]

Federal HST 230 gr, standard pressure. Stock up. You can find 50 round boxes much cheaper per round than the 20 round boxes most LGS sell. Target Sports USA, SGammo, and Bone Frog Club, are good.

45 ACP 230GR Federal Premium Tactical HST JHP (P45HST2) - Bone Frog Gun Club

 

[Andy Lowry]

Another vote for HST. Lucky Gunner's tests make it look pretty darned good.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I don't carry a .45, but if I did the 230gr HST would be at the top of my list, presuming it was reliable and shot well in my gun.

 

[Tam 3]

Remington Golden Sabre 185 gr.

Regards,

Tam 3

 

[LPD256]

Speer Gold Dot is a law enforcement favorite in 230 grain. Wilson Combat makes ammo they claim is optimized for less than 5” barrels, and Hornady Critical Defense is pretty hot. Certainly nothing wrong with HST. There are lots of choices. I practice with Speer Lawman. It is closer to a carry load and only costs a fraction more than the sale priced stuff.

 

[mg440rt]

Remington Golden Sabre 185 gr.
Regards,
Tam 3

+P... might as well go all the way...but , these DO carry a kick...

 

[CapnB]

Plus one for the Federal HST, and Targetsports USA. If you join their ammo club you get a substantial discount (they claim it’s wholesale) and all orders ship for free. Depending on how much you shoot, it’s well worth the annual cost. So, to recap: Wholesale, no sales tax (unless you live in CT) and free shipping directly to your door. And no, I don’t work for them.

 

[Doug M.]

Go find the ammo testing and recommendations from Doc Roberts for duty/carry ammo and pick from those with confidence. Buy a little of what you select to see how you like it, then a case (1000 rounds) to do adequate reliability testing (500 rounds). If you get through 500 rounds without a malf, load up and save the rest of the case for replacing carry ammo every year or two.

 

[hammer 1]

My Les Baer UTC, is very partial to the 230 HST, and have gone to the 124 HST, in my hi power. Have not had any concerns, my hi power actually has a coyote to its credit, with the HST

 

[crazyphil]

I don't believe they have ever invented anything better
for self defense in a .45 ACP than 230-gr. Hydra-Shok
from Federal. If they have I want some.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...I load my Colt M1991A1 with Remington 185 grain +P...

...I read that they have the wound ballistics of a 41 Magnum...

...that is probably a stretch...

 

[Doogie85]

230 grain HST or Speer Gold Dot is my preference. Never had a problem with either.

 

[Pisgah]

I have shot deer and hogs with 230 gr. JHPs from Winchester, Federal and Hornady, plus Speer Gold Dot-based loads from Georgia Arms and can report that all three are accurate and quite effective. Based on that, I'd bet that almost any 230 gr. jhp that works in your gun will do the job.

 

[federali]

With the .45 ACP, many users are even comfortable carrying 230 grain FMJs. I'm a little hesitant in using a hollow point with a gaping maw (the old flying ashtray comes to mind) for concerns regarding feeding issues. I mostly carry 9mm and in those guns I prefer Critical Defense as they feed with 100% reliability.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I don't believe they have ever invented anything better
for self defense in a .45 ACP than 230-gr. Hydra-Shok
from Federal. If they have I want some.

That would be HST and Gold Dot.

You're welcome.

 

[nachogrande]

I USED TO...

I carried whatever the local Leos did. Now I use the 200gr cast I make & practice with BUT I don't CC/EDC a 45. I kinda doubt anyone shot center mass with any of the above mentioned are gonna say "thank you sir, may I have another". Try several & see what blows your skirt up. The only recovered one was a Fed hydrashok 230 gr from a 100 lb hogs head, it entered top side from behind, between the ears & lodged against the skin under the throat. Mushroomed nicely & retained most of it's wt.

 

[Rpg]

I use handloaded 200 gr hard cast swc at about 1,000 fps for everything.

I’ve killed deer with it, practice with it and carry it edc.

It works fine.

 

[Valmet]

I haven’t ccw’d a .45 many years but when I did I liked 230-gr Remington Golden Saber (in a Colt LW Commander). Most modern SD loads will do just fine if you do your part and put them on target. I’d feel fully confident with Remington GS, Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, Winchester Ranger or PDX1, even the older PMC Starfire.

 

[one eye joe]

As I posted in another thread, I've acquired a nice German made Sigp220 and am looking for thoughts on what to carry in it. I have not generally carried a .45 before. This one seems VERY accurate with 230 grain FMJ and feeds HST well. I haven't tried any other HP loads in it yet, but thought I'd see what the forum thought before stocking up.

I did shoot some lighter fmj, and it seems much less accurate, at least in my hands, so I think I'll probably want to stick with 230grn loads. Thanks in advance for any advice you'd care to offer up- Jeff

IMHO, THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR THAT YOU MUST CONSIDER, IN SELECTING AMMO FOR SELF DEFENSE, IN A SEMIAUTO, IS RELIABLE FEEDING. YOUR FEED RAMP MUST READILY ACCEPT THE OGIVE OF THE BULLET. IF YOUR SIG RELIABLY FEEDS FED'S 230 GR, JHP, HST, THERE IS NO NEED TO SEARCH ANY FURTHER.......

DEFINITELY PURCHASE IT IN 50 ROUND BOXES--NOT 20s. THERE ARE SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS AS TO VENDORS, IN THIS THREAD. SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST DEAL, AND STOCK UP......