In short, nothing is "best". Some loads/calibers are better than others under certain circumstances. Many people simply buy whatever their local Police use because it's most defensible in court. And you will go to court if you have to shoot someone. Hopefully not criminal court, but to civil court for the wrongful death suit the decedents family almost always seem to bring.
Self Defense Ammo? What's the best?
- Thread starter moe l.
- Start date
all357mag
Member
Buckshot in my 20ga. A close second, old Remington 158gr SJHP in my 357 mag. A distant third, 230gr PMC Starfire HP in my 45acp!
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357-RevolverGuy
Member
I've never shot anyone so I base my choices on what I've personally seen when shooting into a target and looking at expansion. I also prefer to carry something where recoil and flash are not too much of a problem. For me the best results I've seen are listed below in the calibers I carry for self defense.
.38 Spl in 4" barrel (Remington Golden Saber 125 gr +P)
.38 Spl in 2" j-frame (Hornady Critical Defense 110gr +P)
.357 in 6" barrel (Magtech Gaurdian Gold 125 gr)
.357 in 4" barrel (Hornady 158 gr HP)
9mm in 4" barrel (Federal Hydra Shock JHP)
.38 Spl in 4" barrel (Remington Golden Saber 125 gr +P)
.38 Spl in 2" j-frame (Hornady Critical Defense 110gr +P)
.357 in 6" barrel (Magtech Gaurdian Gold 125 gr)
.357 in 4" barrel (Hornady 158 gr HP)
9mm in 4" barrel (Federal Hydra Shock JHP)
Best? I cannot say what is best for SD ammo. I can only give my opinion. It is my opinion that a good 1911 loaded with 230 gr. FMJ's will be very effective at across the room/down the hall distances for SD/HD. Such a round eliminates any concern about expansion. There will be none. Such a round eliminates any concern about lack of penetration. There will be plenty. Properly directed to the center of mass the result should be that the subject will immediately calm down and cease to be a threat. If this is not the immediate result, one can always fire another shot.
As to the potential of over-penetration, just about any SD/HD round will completely penetrate a subject. There might be some individuals who will be so large that this would not be a problem. But typical men are not NFL linebackers. And on typical men, just about any decent SD/HD round will almost certainly exit unless it hits a obstruction of bone, etc.
My own thought is that should it ever be necessary to protect myself or my family in a SD/HD incident, I want the round I employ to give sufficient penetration that vital organs, etc. will be reached regardless of the angle at which engagement occurs... or what barriers might be interposed.
As to the potential of over-penetration, just about any SD/HD round will completely penetrate a subject. There might be some individuals who will be so large that this would not be a problem. But typical men are not NFL linebackers. And on typical men, just about any decent SD/HD round will almost certainly exit unless it hits a obstruction of bone, etc.
My own thought is that should it ever be necessary to protect myself or my family in a SD/HD incident, I want the round I employ to give sufficient penetration that vital organs, etc. will be reached regardless of the angle at which engagement occurs... or what barriers might be interposed.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
First we do have options;
1. The dogs will sound the alarm first. I'm a light sleeper and if my 5 cats are making noise the dogs won't sound off but if its not the cats the dogs will sound off.
2. Using a Mickey Mantle home run slugger (baseball bat) is very stealthy if you have the room to swing it. But there's a sack shot too right?
3. Turn the misses loose on him (just kidding)
4. Shotgun 12ga with "00" buck.
5. A 9mm luger, 38special, 357mag or 44 mag with frag bullets. Remember standard bullets will go though the invader, your house and may end up in your neighbors house too.
I like the 12ga "00" buck for first line defence. But i been thinking of looking into the new frag bullets for upclose and personal work too.
Remember with an intruder in the house we must teach our wives were only going to say this once, "cover your ears"...... Plus the first ratchet of the 12ga should end a confrontation. On my 12ga i have the sling full of "00" buck and the stock shell holder full of the 400gr slugs incase its a bear comming for din-din. I sleep with my 9mm/41mag anyway incase.
1. The dogs will sound the alarm first. I'm a light sleeper and if my 5 cats are making noise the dogs won't sound off but if its not the cats the dogs will sound off.
2. Using a Mickey Mantle home run slugger (baseball bat) is very stealthy if you have the room to swing it. But there's a sack shot too right?
3. Turn the misses loose on him (just kidding)
4. Shotgun 12ga with "00" buck.
5. A 9mm luger, 38special, 357mag or 44 mag with frag bullets. Remember standard bullets will go though the invader, your house and may end up in your neighbors house too.
I like the 12ga "00" buck for first line defence. But i been thinking of looking into the new frag bullets for upclose and personal work too.
Remember with an intruder in the house we must teach our wives were only going to say this once, "cover your ears"...... Plus the first ratchet of the 12ga should end a confrontation. On my 12ga i have the sling full of "00" buck and the stock shell holder full of the 400gr slugs incase its a bear comming for din-din. I sleep with my 9mm/41mag anyway incase.
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- Joined
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Depends on caliber. If you believe the studies (and some don't), these seem to work:
9mm: Winchester 127 grain JHP +P+ and Federal 9BPLE (115 grain JHP +P+)
.40: Federal 155 grain Hydra-Shok, Winchester 180 grain Bonded JHP
.45 ACP: Federal 230 grain Hydra-Shok
38 Special: 135 grain Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel, Winchester 158 grain Lead Hollow Point +P.
.357 Magnum: 125 grain JHP (there are issues with this round and flame cutting, so do your research), Winchester 145 grain Silver Tip.
That said, placement of the shot is the first issue.
Rockyriver
Member
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Federal HST
Jaytbuzzard
Member
By the recommendation of my sales guy, who is a retired medical examiner, I have my .38 2" snubnose loaded with Federal Nyclad and my M&P 9C loaded with Federal Tactical HST. He has seen the effects first hand and thats good enough for me. Besides, the HST loads and shoots well for me.
