I don't think I've ever said that, but I'm guessing some people do say that based on ballistic gel testing conducted by the FBI and/or other professionals/experts. Until someone does actually shoot another person, that's pretty much all any of us have to go by.
Ammo while carrying for self defense
- Thread starter Haverly38
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I don't think I've ever said that, but I'm guessing some people do say that based on ballistic gel testing conducted by the FBI and/or other professionals/experts. Until someone does actually shoot another person, that's pretty much all any of us have to go by.
Even then, no two people who are shot are going to act the same, even IF they are shot in the exact same place with the exact same caliber and bullet. All you can really go by is to use a load that been tested by the 'experts' and is consistently the best performer in penetration/expansion and permanent wound cavity.
This ^ in my M&P 9C.
OS-Wiz
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A lawyer, writing about this subject, said to use the same ammo that your local police use. Seems good advice should legal issues arise. I prefer Hornady 9mm Critical Duty 135g +P in my Shield and still don't know what the police in my community use!
Rastoff
US Veteran
This is the point of my question. Since we can't decide what to carry by just shooting people, we have to have some other criteria.
For me it boils down to reliability.
I don't consider a gun "reliable" until it cycles and shoots at least 500 rounds without a failure. How many are willing to put that many rounds of the expensive hollow point, explosive tip, super zombie killer rounds through their gun?
This is why I shoot the same thing for everything. Sure, a different round might be a little more effective, but I'm sure the rounds I'm carrying will work. If the gun malfunctions it doesn't matter what kind of round you have.
forrestinmathews
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These bullets are terrible SD rounds. They clog on fur and fat as well as skid around skulls at point blank range. Lived it first hand, didn't read about it. Also had a lengthy conversation with a gentleman who had been shot a few times with them.
Thank goodness you have never had to use them in anger. Be prepared to do a lot of shooting. FMJ at least has the advantage of feeding reliability over the Hydrashok. They have identical expansion through heavy clothing. Seriously NOT a good choice for winter carry.
Why take my word for it...this guy's test is far more demonstrative of the facts:
Forum member sharing the wealth of knowledge...
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patsfan1281
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Remington Golden Saber
32_d3gr33s
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Depends what magazine i have with me. Have a couple mags loaded with Hornady Critical Defense (usually whats chambered in my 9c) and also have a couple mags loaded with Remington Golden Sabers. My .357 LCR is always loaded with Hornady's as well
forrestinmathews
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Or you could go and shoot a deer or turkey with it. While not anatomically similar to humans, they possess an inspirational and astounding will to live. How about a buck soaking up five 230gr. .45 ACP Hydrashoks to the chest at 10-15 yards and keeping on running? Or a doe falling dead to one 147gr. 9mm Golden Saber at sixty yards?
All recovered Hydrashoks failed to expand and were found plugged with fur and fat. The Golden Saber was not recovered, but the exit hole was twice the size of the entry hole. Who can say if it expanded, but the heart was obliterated.
LimaCharlie
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Winchester PDX1 230 grain .45 ACP in one of my government size 1911s.
The Viking
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135 grain +P Hornady critical defense 9mm.
I usually carry 125 grain Winchester Silver Tips +P in 38 special in both SW 442 or 60 3" (357 variant). In my 2.5" model 66 just plain old Remington 38's +P. I really did not care what I carried for a long time--because my thought was to merely slow down an attacker (even carrying a NAA .22 Mag during the summer) relying on my 4th degree black belt in tae kwon do skills to subdue an attacker. However, the landscape has begun to change radically where I live with more frequent night time and day time shootings issued by multiple shooters. With recent mall shootings I'm thinking of switching into my CZ 75 with Remington 115gr JHP. I really like the revolver [which I do not want to give up], but with female company I'm leaning to change over to the semi-auto with JHP (I've also thought about carrying an extra clip for the auto or a speed loader for the revolver.
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shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
The question was raised, "How do you know it's good for SD?"
My EDC J-frame .38 Special and my home-defense Model 10 are loaded with Remington +P 158 grain LSWCHP, the old FBI load. For forty years it has proven effective from both 2" and 4" barrels. At least one man who has posted on this thread has personal LE experience with its capability to do what is needed.
That's good enough for me.
My EDC J-frame .38 Special and my home-defense Model 10 are loaded with Remington +P 158 grain LSWCHP, the old FBI load. For forty years it has proven effective from both 2" and 4" barrels. At least one man who has posted on this thread has personal LE experience with its capability to do what is needed.
That's good enough for me.
The Viking
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I have heard that same advice applied to the gun you carry and shoot. Not bad advice, since it supposedly puts in with the good guys; and it does not allow an opposing attorney to question either why you used what you did; or paint you as a wild eyed wannabe murderer because of your equipment.
However, the flip side of that advice is that, if you shot someone you should not have, you will not be able to say to the judge that you should be let off because you used the same ammo the police did.
Rpg
Member
I've used hand loaded 200 gr SWC 45 acp at about 1000 fps since 1974. I cast these with H&G # 6&.
I use this load for everything. Target practice, hunting, competition and sd.
When I use a S&W j frame (model 38, 40 or 42) I use hand loaded 158 gr SWC or 148 gr w At about 900 fps.
I don't imagine that pistol rounds will expand reliably. I assume that the size of the hole produced by the load is what l'll get.
I've shot deer with thee 45 loads and 38 loads.
I have every reason to think they'll work for sd.
I think it's silly to think that the 'gee whiz ' commercial stuff works very well.
You should use the ammo you shoot the most and best.
Don't get sucked into ballistic tables and pictures of ballistic gel. Read it on the throne for fun but don't get sucked in to that stuff.
What's important is what you shoot most and most frequently.
Hitting is your objective.
Don't worry about the thee whiz gnu her you know wha you can hit with.: use that.
I use this load for everything. Target practice, hunting, competition and sd.
When I use a S&W j frame (model 38, 40 or 42) I use hand loaded 158 gr SWC or 148 gr w At about 900 fps.
I don't imagine that pistol rounds will expand reliably. I assume that the size of the hole produced by the load is what l'll get.
I've shot deer with thee 45 loads and 38 loads.
I have every reason to think they'll work for sd.
I think it's silly to think that the 'gee whiz ' commercial stuff works very well.
You should use the ammo you shoot the most and best.
Don't get sucked into ballistic tables and pictures of ballistic gel. Read it on the throne for fun but don't get sucked in to that stuff.
What's important is what you shoot most and most frequently.
Hitting is your objective.
Don't worry about the thee whiz gnu her you know wha you can hit with.: use that.
There are numerous law enforcement agencies that use Federal HST. Stating the HST is a terrible SD round is just plain ludicrous.
