FloridaS&W
Member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2015
- Messages
- 307
- Reaction score
- 353
Just curious as to what different folks here are running for practice and self defense
Favorite Ammo for the 45 Shield
- Thread starter FloridaS&W
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
gunny4053
US Veteran
Practice, 230gr ball anything. Carry, 200gr +P Gold Dots or 230gr Gold Dots.
Funflyer
Member
Any practice ammo as long as it's brass case. For defense, Hornady Custom 200gr +P.
ScaryWoody
Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2012
- Messages
- 605
- Reaction score
- 400
I've been using Magtech 230gr for practice. Got it on sale. For defense same as Funflyer, Hornady 200.
I like American Eagle 230g FMJ or Winchester Service Grade FMJ 230g for practice. They are both accurate and reliable. For self-defense rounds, I've found Federal Tactical Bonded 230g to be the most accurate, but not by much. Federal HST 230g was a close second.
mustangman
Member
My Shield likes everything I've put in it so far, WWB, Magtech, Federal aluminum, all 230gr.
My carry ammo is Magtech 230gr Bonded.
Lucky Gunner testing has it performing at the upper end in expansion at a .73 avg, and right in the middle of the FBI's 12-18 inches of penetration at a 15.3 avg.
Its accurate, reliable and wont break the budget at around $20 for 50.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#45ACP
My carry ammo is Magtech 230gr Bonded.
Lucky Gunner testing has it performing at the upper end in expansion at a .73 avg, and right in the middle of the FBI's 12-18 inches of penetration at a 15.3 avg.
Its accurate, reliable and wont break the budget at around $20 for 50.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#45ACP
rbh350
Member
So, to summarize, virtually any FMJ/ball ammo is fine, as is virtually any of the popular, big-name hollow points. Shoot whichever is cheapest and most readily available.
That's pretty much it. My personal choice for SD carry is the Federal HST 230 gr.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
FMJ/ball for practice and carry. If it was good enough back then, it's good enough now. I get expansion to .45 of an inch which is pretty good-it's cheap and if questioned by the police after a shooting, I can always say, hey if I wanted to kill him, I'd a used a super duper defense load-as it is now I was just using cheap practice ammo-I really didn't think he would actually die.
bluelund79
Member
230gr HST for carry. I do buy a box of it to shoot every month for practice. For range fodder, I use my reloads, either 230gr lead round nose or plated, or my 200gr plated SWC. I like this gun a lot, it's fed everything I've put in the mags.
ultratec00
Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2011
- Messages
- 764
- Reaction score
- 348
PMC Bronze 185 JHP. Very accurate/reliable in my Shield 45 and inexpensive enough to run a couple mags through every time I go to the range w/o breaking the wallet. All else are handloads. Zero 185 JHPs @ ~900 fps.
OP
FloridaS&W
Member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2015
- Messages
- 307
- Reaction score
- 353
That's an interesting perspective, lol
OP
FloridaS&W
Member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2015
- Messages
- 307
- Reaction score
- 353
Very nice charts there.
I use Federal or Winchester 230gr FMJ at the range. Tried several and now carry Federal HST 230 gr. Never had a misfeed and consistent POA with everything I have shot through it. HST is available locally and performs well in testing for penetration and expansion.
martybee
Member
Magtech FMJ 230 gr., S&B FMJ 230 gr., Blazer Brass BB230, for range and target shooting. I also use FMJ 230 gr. for SD. I, like CAJUNLAWYER, am from the old school; If it was good to use for so many years, It is still good to Go!
Last edited:
Not Getting Any Younger
Member
- Joined
- May 18, 2017
- Messages
- 211
- Reaction score
- 245
Remington U.M.C. 230 gr FMJ (bulk) for the range, and for home defense Ruger ARX or Hornady Critical Defense 185 gr Flex Tip (NJ laws don't like hollow points for us law abiding civilians).
huskybiker
Member
230 grain HSTs...
dualsportdaddy
US Veteran
For practice I use the cheaper ball, brass ammo whatever weight. For self defense I use whatever I can get that's FBI approved. That cuts the chase for me.
OP
FloridaS&W
Member
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2015
- Messages
- 307
- Reaction score
- 353
I usually use 230 GR Federal Value Pack for practice. We stopped into Walmart yesterday before our last range practice of 2017, to pick up ammo for pistols and sporting clays, and the only Federal they had was aluminum.
I had never seen this before. The box looks almost identical to the brass, and I almost didn't even notice the difference when the guy put it on the counter. It was about $3 or $4 cheaper than my usual brass, so I figured I would try it.
I already had about 80 rounds of Federal brass left over from last time, and when we arrived at the range, I ran that through my Shield as usual, with no issues.
Then I loaded up both mags with the new Aluminum, and immediately started having FTF's, starting with the first round. Happened about 3 or 4 times as I shot through the hundred round box.
In every case, the round never left the mag. Easy to overcome, just slingshot into the chamber and all rounds fired and ejected normally. I liked the price, but I won't be buying the aluminum again.
I had never seen this before. The box looks almost identical to the brass, and I almost didn't even notice the difference when the guy put it on the counter. It was about $3 or $4 cheaper than my usual brass, so I figured I would try it.
I already had about 80 rounds of Federal brass left over from last time, and when we arrived at the range, I ran that through my Shield as usual, with no issues.
Then I loaded up both mags with the new Aluminum, and immediately started having FTF's, starting with the first round. Happened about 3 or 4 times as I shot through the hundred round box.
In every case, the round never left the mag. Easy to overcome, just slingshot into the chamber and all rounds fired and ejected normally. I liked the price, but I won't be buying the aluminum again.
Last edited:
I use 230 grain FMJ for carry. I don't understand the near universal desire for hollow point ammo in a .45 ACP. Penetration is its only weak point, so I do not understand why anyone would want to further lessen 45 ACP penetration by using hollow points. What am i missing here?
About 35 years ago I bought my first 45; a Colt Series 70. I loaded it with FMJ ammo and took it out to my uncle's woods behind the barn, where he had a bunch of old cars. I saw an early 50's Pontiac there and decided to let 'er rip on one of the doors. After emptying a magazine, I walked up the the car and was stunned to see that some of the bullets did not penetrate the door! From then on I have been very aware that the 45 needs all the penetration it can get.
About 35 years ago I bought my first 45; a Colt Series 70. I loaded it with FMJ ammo and took it out to my uncle's woods behind the barn, where he had a bunch of old cars. I saw an early 50's Pontiac there and decided to let 'er rip on one of the doors. After emptying a magazine, I walked up the the car and was stunned to see that some of the bullets did not penetrate the door! From then on I have been very aware that the 45 needs all the penetration it can get.
Rastoff
US Veteran
I always use .45ACP ammo in my .45Auto guns.
martybee
Member
Likewise! And, I like the fact that I don't need moon clips to use .45 ACP ammo in my Auto-Loaders!
