I am in the hitting the target with any load is better than missing camp.
Is the hottest ammo the best ammo?
- Thread starter Dave Lively
- Start date
Only the Sith deal in absolutes.
Seriously, though. Anytime always or never are applied to a question the answer is most likely going to be no. As others have mentioned, the answer depends on the application. Even then, most would take a slightly hotter round that is more reliable and accurate than the hottest round possible if it is wildly inaccurate and unreliable. If you could find the hottest round that is also accurate and reliable, then sure (again given the application).
For example, in my bear defense rounds, I want those suckers to be as hot as possible while retaining the qualities I value (namely accuracy and reliability). While for personal defense in my EDC, I carry rounds that would not even approach the hottest possible due to my desire to have faster follow-up shots.
In short, no. The hottest rounds are not always the best.
Seriously, though. Anytime always or never are applied to a question the answer is most likely going to be no. As others have mentioned, the answer depends on the application. Even then, most would take a slightly hotter round that is more reliable and accurate than the hottest round possible if it is wildly inaccurate and unreliable. If you could find the hottest round that is also accurate and reliable, then sure (again given the application).
For example, in my bear defense rounds, I want those suckers to be as hot as possible while retaining the qualities I value (namely accuracy and reliability). While for personal defense in my EDC, I carry rounds that would not even approach the hottest possible due to my desire to have faster follow-up shots.
In short, no. The hottest rounds are not always the best.
44wheelman
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Define "Hot"…. Max saami psi? +p, +p+…
I want my loads to be hot enough for the bullet to perform as designed, wether it be expansion or penetration.
Bullet weight would also enter this equation, light for caliber bullets would need higher pressures (hotter) to be as effective as heavier…but that's just simple math.
I want my loads to be hot enough for the bullet to perform as designed, wether it be expansion or penetration.
Bullet weight would also enter this equation, light for caliber bullets would need higher pressures (hotter) to be as effective as heavier…but that's just simple math.
I'm no expert & can only go w/my LE experience w/my issued thirty-eight. OIS #1: Standard pressure 158 grain lead round nose dropped the bad guy; OIS #2: High velocity 158 grain lead round nose took four center mass hits (three went through) to bring down the bad guy; OIS #3: 158 grain +P lead hollow point one round dropped the bad guy. In retirement the EDC is a 340PD, but mode of dress sometimes necessitates my LCP.
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LVSteve
Member
Get what you are saying, but my home defense guns all have barrels 4.5" and up. I'm a big believer in a 5" barrel for 9mm. Some of the recent Winchester 124 gr +P JHP offerings motor downrange at 1250+ fps from a M&P with a 5" barrel. That should be sufficient for most social work.
With a small 380 (LCP or similar) for deep concealment, European loaded FMJ is probably the best you can get. Yes, it is hardly pleasant to shoot a lot of rounds from a LCP, but they are "bad breath" distance weapons, so how much practice do you need?
I have a healthy skepticism about 380 hollow points unless fired from a larger 380 like a 380EZ or Sig P250 fullsize.
Hair Trigger
US Veteran
I've never tried any of the factory "hot" loads for any of my firearms, and in the last 15 years I might have purchased 5 boxes of any type factory ammo, not counting rimfire stuff.
Loading your own gives you the luxury of making it as hot or as mild as you want. My experience is, the really hot stuff is hard on the equipment and any improvement in performance over "standard" loads is incremental and not worth it. The human factor aside, I find that accuracy suffers when you get in the upper ranges of hot loads. Adding in the human factor, accuracy gets worse. My theory is, if you want more power, move up in caliber, and even then be moderate in how you load.
I've always liked having many different calibers to shoot, and I load for ten different handgun and three rifle calibers. I tend to keep all my loads in the mid-range of available load data. I did work on my two long range rifle loads to find the sweet spot in velocity and accuracy.
Loading your own gives you the luxury of making it as hot or as mild as you want. My experience is, the really hot stuff is hard on the equipment and any improvement in performance over "standard" loads is incremental and not worth it. The human factor aside, I find that accuracy suffers when you get in the upper ranges of hot loads. Adding in the human factor, accuracy gets worse. My theory is, if you want more power, move up in caliber, and even then be moderate in how you load.
I've always liked having many different calibers to shoot, and I load for ten different handgun and three rifle calibers. I tend to keep all my loads in the mid-range of available load data. I did work on my two long range rifle loads to find the sweet spot in velocity and accuracy.
NewLiberty
Member
For defensive ammo what you really want is a round that shoots accurately and feeds reliably from your handgun. Ideally the bullet is constructed in a way that it will reach adequate penetration depths, while also dumping all of it's energy into the target.
Unless it is a backwoods defensive gun to defend against bears and mountain lions, you probably don't need hot ammo for that. Some of that hot ammo will also create results that run counter to the above.
It is also worth noting that +P ammo does have relevant SAAMI specs. +P+ does not, so +P+ ammo is not necessarily going to be hotter than +P. +P+ ammo is usually just made to the spec requested by some large purchaser.
Unless it is a backwoods defensive gun to defend against bears and mountain lions, you probably don't need hot ammo for that. Some of that hot ammo will also create results that run counter to the above.
It is also worth noting that +P ammo does have relevant SAAMI specs. +P+ does not, so +P+ ammo is not necessarily going to be hotter than +P. +P+ ammo is usually just made to the spec requested by some large purchaser.
Doug M.
Member
For duty/defense, I look at the test results from Doc Roberts, figure out which load I can buy in bulk (most of time I buy in lots of 500-2000 when availability and cash overlap), and make sure it functions well in my pistols. Pure "power" does not matter much for my use, although I do have small amounts of really obnoxious loads intended for bears due to a possible trip a few years back.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
As a retired policeman I get asked frequently about Self Defense calibers and or bullets.
First I would recommend Thunder Ranch or similar quality training.
45 ACP or 357 Magnum if you practice regularly. 38 Special or 9mm are better choices if you cannot shoot more than once or twice a year.
First I would recommend Thunder Ranch or similar quality training.
45 ACP or 357 Magnum if you practice regularly. 38 Special or 9mm are better choices if you cannot shoot more than once or twice a year.
scoobysnacker
Member
The thread title is simply "best ammo" and the poll is "defensive ammo"...
My take is I want consistency, enough power to do the job, and a reliable projectile.
I have a case of Gold Dot regular (not +P) 9mm. I am not shooting from a microcompact, it should perform as expected.
It's not significantly different in recoil or point of aim/impact from my practice rounds. I don't want something that will beat the hell out of my gun unnecessarily.
My take is I want consistency, enough power to do the job, and a reliable projectile.
I have a case of Gold Dot regular (not +P) 9mm. I am not shooting from a microcompact, it should perform as expected.
It's not significantly different in recoil or point of aim/impact from my practice rounds. I don't want something that will beat the hell out of my gun unnecessarily.
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