Double Tap .45 ACP ammo

[BobRowe]

I've been carrying CorBon 185 gr. JHP ammo in my M&P 45 Mid-Size. It gives about 1150 fps. Problem is, it costs nearly $40 for a 20-round box.

Since I use Double Tap ammo in my 10mm, I decided to look at what they had in a .45 ACP load. Double TAP has a 185 gr. Nosler JHP .45 ACP load that gives 1225 fps, and it sells for $41 for a box of 50. So, the DT ammo is about 50 ft-lbs hotter and sells for about 40% of what the CorBon ammo does.

Anybody use Double Tap ammo in their M&P 45?

 

[ajpelz]

I don't use either, but if those numbers are from the manufacturer, I would take them with a grain of salt. I know both of those companies have a reputation for hot ammo, but 1225 fps seems really hot for a 45 out of a 4 or 5 inch barrel. Like approaching 45 Super velocity. I am sure that it is high quality stuff, and if you can show me chrono results that back up their claim, I will be placing an order. AHhhhh, life as a pessimist.

 

[BobRowe]

The 1225 fps spec was for a 5" 1911. Since my M&P 45 Mid-Size has a 4" barrel, I'd expect up to 100 fps slower out of it.

I have chrono'd my CorBon .45 ACP ammo out of one of my 1911 pistols, and it averaged about 1140 fps, which is pretty close to what they advertise. The recoil is significant, but manageable if you're an experienced handgunner (I've been shooting handguns since 1955).

I haven't chrono'd any Double Tap .45 ACP ammo. However, a buddy of mine had some Double Tap 150 gr .40 S&W stuff that he was testing out of his Ruger KP94. I tried a few rounds of it in my Glock 23. Double tap lists the specs for that as 1281 fps out of a 3.5" barrel, 1317 fps out of a 4.5" barrel, and 1257 out of a Glock 23. In my Glock 23, it chrono'd at an average of 1235, which was close enough for me.

I have also chrono'd some of Double Tap's 10mm Auto that uses a 165 gr. Rem. Golden Saber bullet. That stuff is the hottest 10mm Auto ammo I have ever shot! Double Tap states that they get 1425 fps out of a Glock 20 with it -- for a healthy 744 ft-lbs. That's about what you expect from a healthy .41 Magnum. I only got 1350 fps out of it, but that was in my 4" barreled S&W 610 revolver, so I suspect their Glock 20 results are pretty close.

So, I don't have any actual chrono data on the Double Tap 185 gr. .45 ACP ammo. But, given my experience with chrono data of their .40 S&W and their 10 mm Auto stuff, I would guess that their .45 ACP ammo is pretty close to their stated specs.

In any event, the Double Tap .45 ACP ammo is certainly going to be hotter than regular 230 gr HB stuff, and I suspect that's it's at least equivalent to the CorBon ammo. It uses a quality 185 gr Nosler bullet, but I've never used Nosler bullets in a .45 ACP. I've used them in other caliber semi-autos, and they fed fine.

My point was that for ammo that is at least equivalent to CorBon ammo, it is about 40% of CorBon's price. I wouldn't carry it until I had shot some of it through my M&P 45, to insure that it fed, extracted, and ejected OK. I was hoping that someone here had some actual experience using it. If it works for me, I could afford to practice with the same stuff I carry -- which I can't do with the CorBon stuff because of their price. But, at $41 for a box of 50 rounds of the CorBon ammo ($395 for 500 rounds), I guess I can afford to do some considerable testing myself.

 

[MotorCityGun]

The 1225 fps spec was for a 5" 1911. Since my M&P 45 Mid-Size has a 4" barrel, I'd expect up to 100 fps slower out of it.

I have chrono'd my CorBon .45 ACP ammo out of one of my 1911 pistols, and it averaged about 1140 fps, which is pretty close to what they advertise. The recoil is significant, but manageable if you're an experienced handgunner (I've been shooting handguns since 1955).

I haven't chrono'd any Double Tap .45 ACP ammo. However, a buddy of mine had some Double Tap 150 gr .40 S&W stuff that he was testing out of his Ruger KP94. I tried a few rounds of it in my Glock 23. Double tap lists the specs for that as 1281 fps out of a 3.5" barrel, 1317 fps out of a 4.5" barrel, and 1257 out of a Glock 23. In my Glock 23, it chrono'd at an average of 1235, which was close enough for me.

I have also chrono'd some of Double Tap's 10mm Auto that uses a 165 gr. Rem. Golden Saber bullet. That stuff is the hottest 10mm Auto ammo I have ever shot! Double Tap states that they get 1425 fps out of a Glock 20 with it -- for a healthy 744 ft-lbs. That's about what you expect from a healthy .41 Magnum. I only got 1350 fps out of it, but that was in my 4" barreled S&W 610 revolver, so I suspect their Glock 20 results are pretty close.

So, I don't have any actual chrono data on the Double Tap 185 gr. .45 ACP ammo. But, given my experience with chrono data of their .40 S&W and their 10 mm Auto stuff, I would guess that their .45 ACP ammo is pretty close to their stated specs.

In any event, the Double Tap .45 ACP ammo is certainly going to be hotter than regular 230 gr HB stuff, and I suspect that's it's at least equivalent to the CorBon ammo. It uses a quality 185 gr Nosler bullet, but I've never used Nosler bullets in a .45 ACP. I've used them in other caliber semi-autos, and they fed fine.

My point was that for ammo that is at least equivalent to CorBon ammo, it is about 40% of CorBon's price. I wouldn't carry it until I had shot some of it through my M&P 45, to insure that it fed, extracted, and ejected OK. I was hoping that someone here had some actual experience using it. If it works for me, I could afford to practice with the same stuff I carry -- which I can't do with the CorBon stuff because of their price. But, at $41 for a box of 50 rounds of the CorBon ammo ($395 for 500 rounds), I guess I can afford to do some considerable testing myself.

Bob, thank you for the excellent post. Now that's what I'm talking about with regard to a quantifiable/data based response. And since you've been shooting handguns since '55, I guess we can consider you (one of) the resident "expert(s)" on the subject. Which range were you able to chrono your weapon/ammo, Firing Line or Firearm X-chg?

 

[MotorCityGun]

I don't use either, but if those numbers are from the manufacturer, I would take them with a grain of salt. I know both of those companies have a reputation for hot ammo, but 1225 fps seems really hot for a 45 out of a 4 or 5 inch barrel. Like approaching 45 Super velocity. I am sure that it is high quality stuff, and if you can show me chrono results that back up their claim, I will be placing an order. AHhhhh, life as a pessimist.

I believe you meant that you consider yourself to be a "skeptic" or "realist", right?

 

[ajpelz]

I believe you meant that you consider yourself to be a "skeptic" or "realist", right?

Yes, those are synonymous to me.

BTW, If you are interested Bob, I found some CorBon for cheaper than you indicated, but it is still hardly a bargain.
Ammunition To Go : 20rds - 45 ACP Corbon 185gr. +P HP Ammo [SD45185/20] - $22.95

ATG is a great place to buy from. I stocked up a time ago on some Speer GoldDot 45ACP+P 200 grain for about 60cents/round. They seem to get good deals on the 50 round LE packs of primo stuff.

Let me know if you get a chance to chrono the double tap, I am sure others would be as interested as I am.

Thanks for your contributions of info.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I'll stick with Corbon.

Talk to Mike Shovel about Corbon's T&E.

Nothing wrong with Double Tap. But Corbon has already shown what it can do on the street. Price doesn't matter to me. If I trust it, I use it.

Winchester Ranger T is also a good load which can be found in fifty round boxes. Under $40 around here.

 

[BobRowe]

Bob, thank you for the excellent post. Now that's what I'm talking about with regard to a quantifiable/data based response. And since you've been shooting handguns since '55, I guess we can consider you (one of) the resident "expert(s)" on the subject. Which range were you able to chrono your weapon/ammo, Firing Line or Firearm X-chg?

Well, regarding your first point, I was given my first .22LR rifle at age 9 (1950). I started shooting my Dad's 1911A1 at age 14 (1955), then got a used Iver Johnson .22 revolver the same year. When I was 16 (1957), my uncle gave me my first deer rifle -- a well-used Winchester 92 in 25-35, and I bought my first rifle myself in 1958 - a Winchester 94 in .30-30. Several years later, my Dad finally gave me a "family heirloom" rifle I had drooled over since I was a kid -- a Winchester 1895 w/28" barrel in .30 US (.30-40 Krag) that had been in the family since 1897.

I joined the Navy in 1959, and retired in 1979 as a Master Chief Master-At-Arms (E-9) crinimal investigator. During that time, I carried a number of handguns, primarily a 1911A1, but also a Browning HiPower and a Colt Dectective Special. During the latter part of that time, I was also a reserve sergeant with the Coronado Police Department (CA), where I carried a 4" Colt Python in uniform and the Detective Special in plain clothes.

Since then, I did competitive shooting at PPC and IDPA matches. Can't do much of that anymore due to physical limitations. I was a member of Michigan Police Combat Pistol Association for several years.

Regarding your second point, I did most of my chronographing at the indoor range at Linwood Bay Sportsmen Club, where I was a member for several years. I also did a little at Fenton Lakes Sportsmen Club where I was also a member for a few years.

I've never tried to set up a chronograph at a commercial indoor range like The Firing Line, where my wife and I do most of our shooting nowadays. I imagine the liability issue would be too much for them. I don't shoot near as much as I used to. I used to shoot at least 1000 rounds a month, but now my wife and I just shoot enough to stay reasonably current for our CPLs.

 

[MotorCityGun]

Well, regarding your first point, I was given my first .22LR rifle at age 9 (1950). I started shooting my Dad's 1911A1 at age 14 (1955), then got a used Iver Johnson .22 revolver the same year. When I was 16 (1957), my uncle gave me my first deer rifle -- a well-used Winchester 92 in 25-35, and I bought my first rifle myself in 1958 - a Winchester 94 in .30-30. Several years later, my Dad finally gave me a "family heirloom" rifle I had drooled over since I was a kid -- a Winchester 1895 w/28" barrel in .30 US (.30-40 Krag) that had been in the family since 1897.

I joined the Navy in 1959, and retired in 1979 as a Master Chief Master-At-Arms (E-9) crinimal investigator. During that time, I carried a number of handguns, primarily a 1911A1, but also a Browning HiPower and a Colt Dectective Special. During the latter part of that time, I was also a reserve sergeant with the Coronado Police Department (CA), where I carried a 4" Colt Python in uniform and the Detective Special in plain clothes.

Since then, I did competitive shooting at PPC and IDPA matches. Can't do much of that anymore due to physical limitations. I was a member of Michigan Police Combat Pistol Association for several years.

Regarding your second point, I did most of my chronographing at the indoor range at Linwood Bay Sportsmen Club, where I was a member for several years. I also did a little at Fenton Lakes Sportsmen Club where I was also a member for a few years.

I've never tried to set up a chronograph at a commercial indoor range like The Firing Line, where my wife and I do most of our shooting nowadays. I imagine the liability issue would be too much for them. I don't shoot near as much as I used to. I used to shoot at least 1000 rounds a month, but now my wife and I just shoot enough to stay reasonably current for our CPLs.

Bob...you da' man. As far as I'm concerned, your experience, credibility and ability to write makes you a leading authority on the subject of personal weaponry. If/When you respond to a topic, I will be reading it with special interest.

Thank you for your service and for the excellent info.