Best types of .45 AUTO (230 gr. FMJ) ammo?

[Vegetaman]

Basically, most of the .45 AUTO ammo around here is about... $23 a box (of 50 rounds), finally settling down again, with a little bit of variation depending on the brand. So, if you could do me a favor, please rate the following ammo types:

-Aguila
-Remington
-Federal
-Blazer
-Winchester (white box)

I've been using Aguila, since during the "ammo shortage" that was about all I could find... And I think I have a box of Federal sitting around I haven't tried yet.

Are any of these more or less reliable or dirty than the others? Just trying to get a good feel for what the best ammo to buy is (I'm putting it through an RIA 1911-A1 at the target range).

 

[amazingflapjack]

I can't say, as I have never purchased a sigle 45 ACP bullet, they're just too easy to load myself, and a lot less than 23 bucks a box. Flapjack.

 

[m1gunner]

If you aren't going to reload, just buy what's cheap at walmart.

I have a couple of boxes of Remington, but several cans of cast 230 gr LRN loaded on top of 5 grains of bullseye.

 

[Vegetaman]

Well, as long as none of it is horrible, I guess I'll go with the cheap stuff.

 

[Swabby]

Actually, my local walmart has 100 round boxes of Winchester White Box for $32. That would seem to be the ticket, when they are in stock. I also remember being in a place recently that had 230gr TMJ Speer Lawman for $18. I remember thinking "thats a pretty good deal". As for promo ammo, I like Federal American Eagle and CCI Blazer Brass, although I shoot a lot of Winchester White Box and never had any problems. The Remington UMC shoots well, but seems to be a little dirtier. Just my opinion. I have no experience with the foreign made stuff.

 

[moxie]

I can't see much difference between them, and the brass is equally good for reloading. So, buy whatever happens to cost less at the time.

 

[geneboy]

Tula ammo 14.99 a 50 rnd box, that includes shipping from Target sports USA. I have been using this ammo for a while. I like it. I also have put 6 or 7 thousand round of wolf ammo threw my guns, And Tula is the company that makes the Wolf brand ammo. Tula or wolf what ever is the cheapest THATS 299.00 FOR A 1000rnds. FREE SHIPPING

 

[M29since14]

Unfortunately, some of the less expensive offerings from the major U.S. brands are now no longer manufactured here. Look carefully at what you are buying. I used to feel I could safely recommend any of the U.S. brands, but some of the .40 SW ammunition I purchased recently from what was my favored manufacturer was just miserable. Accuracy was substandard, and the bullet would push back into the case in routine feeding in several of my pistols, which would tie up the gun. It made me wonder where the bullet was in those rounds that succeeded in making it into the chamber. The rounds also seemed rather mild, compared to what I am used to buying. All in all, a rude surprise to order 1000 rounds of ammunition "manufactured" and sold by a U.S. company that, based on many years of experience, you thought you could trust to supply a quality product, and then get this stuff.

As for CCI Blazer, if you are not a handloader, it would probably be at the top of my list. Just watch the description of the bullet. I think sometimes it is possible to think we are buying a true, jacketed bullet (FMJ) when in fact we are only getting a swaged, plated bullet.

 

[bennettfam]

Win white box shoots ok but seems to dirty up my guns quicker. I found a deal at Cabela's a while back on Fed Champion for about $16/box that I think I'll be happier with.

 

[Black Dog]

I don`t reload so I`m a big fan of the CCI/Blazer aluminum case ammo in .45ACP FMJ because of a 10 year record of uniform quality and reliability in 3 different makes of my 1911`s.

It is somewhat dirty, but cleaning guns is no big deal to me.

Sometimes Cabela`s has sales with mail order prices of $15.99 ( sometimes less) less per box of 50, often with free or $5 shipping for a $150 or higher order, it`s hard to beat 500 rds @ $165 dropped at the front door.

 

[mkk41]

Normally I use my 200gr SWC handloads , but since ya gotta use 230gr FMJ for service pistol matches , I find S&B and Fiocchi more accurate than the Win white box or REM-UMC.

I still occasionally find recent production USGI ball and match ammo at gunshows and buy every box I find.

 

[M29since14]

Magtech also seems to enjoy a good reputation at the local indoor range.

 

[steveno]

S & B 45 acp hardball is pretty good stuff

 

[Warren Sear]

Winchester and S&B are my favorites.

I have one old box of Smith & Wesson .45 ACP!

 

[zspacez]

Try some of this 45 Auto 230 gr. FMJ

 

[BUFF]

My department uses Federal ammo most of the time, for .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 357 Sig, 9mm and .223/5.56. We shoot a lot of Federal red box American Eagle for training and practice. I shot about 1,000 round the last month or so, probably 200 the Tactical Bonded Plus-P load and 800 of standard velocity 230 grain ball.

I have seen very few stoppages on our ranges using Federal red box American Eagle. If the prices of the available choices are within 2 bucks/50 rounds, I would buy Federal first and Winchester second. I haven't shot any Fiocchi, S&B or Priv Part .45 in years so can't grade that.

My shooting buddy found a great price on aluminum case Blazer 230 grain FMJ and bought a bunch of it. Last time we went out he shot a box through his old Sig P-220 and another through his Springfield Armory Loaded model. Another box split between one of my S&W 1911's and an early 945. Ran great.