Self Defense Load 45 ACP

[jj2am44]

What are you all using in your 45 ACPs for self defense? Looking for a good 230 grain factory load.

 

[OKFC05]

Speer Gold Dot

 

[Dragon88]

Winchester Ranger 230gr +P. This is quite a hard load to find but I was lucky enough to score four boxes last year. If I didn't have this load I would go for 230gr Gold Dots. Big slow moving soft bullet will take care of business for you.

 

[Steve C]

IMO there's lots of good JHP's out there for self defense in the .45 acp and any of the offerings by the major manufacturers will do fine with no real measurable difference. I have Remington Golden Saber 230gr, Mag Tec 230gr and 185gr JHP +P, Win Ranger SXT 230gr, CCI Gold Dots 230gr and 200gr, Federal HST and Hydrashok 230gr and a single box of Starfire 230gr JHP's. Have carried and loaded each at various times and have always felt well armed.

I've picked up this variety as its come on sale or when found for a good price over the years.

 

[ajpelz]

I agree with Steve. Any major brand premium ammo will get the job done. Heck, with 45, Hardball will get the job done. I rotate SXT, HydraShoks, Golden Sabres, Gold Dots and have HST on the way.

 

[Ron H.]

What are you all using in your 45 ACPs for self defense? Looking for a good 230 grain factory load.

Sir, Speer 230-grain Gold Dots run well and are accurate in my 1911. They're also what the local police use, which is nice. FWIW, I don't entirely trust hollowpoints, even the dollar-per-shot ones, so I carry hardball as well.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[RABULL]

I'm using Speer 230 grain Gold Dots. They have feed 100% in my 1911 autos.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, most "name brand" SD ammo out there will do a good job. Pick the one that will reliable cycle and fire from your pistol every time and stick with it. My Springfield 1911A1 seems to like Remington Golden Saber ammo best. My son's 1911 just eats up Federal Hydra-Shok ammo all day long.

 

[Calaveras Slim]

Like Ron H. I don't fully trust the HP bullet, so I stagger mine with ball. I have used the Win STHP as well as the Speer GDHP.

 

[LOBO]

Federal Tactical HST 230gr +P

 

[11B Lifer]

What ever feeds the best.

 

[smith57]

Speer 230 gr GD-JHP .. accurate and reliable function in my 1911 autos.

 

[Moonman]

230 FMJ, will do the job that John Browning intended the 1911 to do.

 

[Spotteddog]

It might still be lurking around here as a sticky, or a FAQ?
But there was a member some time ago now, that summed it up really well. Sorry I can't cite who it was?
#1 The load that runs 100%.
#2 The most accurate of the loads that run 100%.
#3 The best bullet design(s) that are at the top of #1 and #2.
As has already been said, there are far more "good bullets" than "bad one's" anymore! The big 3 all make fine products. My preference is for one in a 230 grain. I might consider a 180-200 out of a compact or light weight gun, as long as it "runs".
JOMO?

 

[John in SE Indiana]

Federal Tactical HST 230gr +P

THIS! Works fine in my two .45ACPs

 

[GLV]

Cor Bon

DPX in my steel guns, and PowerBall in my alloy Commander

 

[Ronald617]

230's

Local ME says 230 Gold Dot is very destructive and effective. I'll take his word.

 

[hogblue]

I'm with Ron H, Win Ranger 230's and hardball.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

The nice thing about the .45 ACP is that any 230gr factory load is good. Hard ball, hollow point doesnt really matter much. With that said, I use in order of preference.
1. Speer 230gr Gold Dot
2. Federal 230gr Hydra-Shock
3. Any U.S made 230gr hardball

In any case as already stated whatever your choice is, it must function 100% of the time in YOUR gun.

 

[MADman23]

Corbon DPX 185-grain +P