thoughts on 45 ammo

[dben002]

Thoughts needed on 45 ammo as what do you prefer lighter or heaver round and if you don't mind saying......why....

Thanks

 

[Arik]

I'm not sure you're going to see much of a difference in such a short barrel. However, try some out, which ever is most accurate for you

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[armorer951]

Many choices out there. I use Federal HST 230 grain Jacketed Hollow Point ammo for self defense. I have seen it in action first hand and it's the best IMHO.

For practice, I shoot whatever brass cased FMJ ammo is available and on sale.

The bottom line is....use what you shoot the best.

 

[bigwheelzip]

For what pupose, Plinking, Self-defense, Bears?

I like Federal HST's for self-defense in all calibers.

 

[dben002]

Good to know...I always used HST in my shield 9 and really thought the same thing..45 is new for me but HST is know and trusted for sure...thanks for the shout.

 

[dben002]

Self defense...

 

[Comrad]

This close to a bear thread.

 

[Brasky]

This close to a bear thread.

Which 45 Ammo works best for bears?

 

[BUFF]

Another vote for Federal Tactical Bonded 230 grain JHP. Their catalog number is LE45T1. Federal loads it in standard velocity and +P, same stock number, sometimes the end label designates it as +P, sometimes they just put a white +P sticker on the bottom of the box. My department issued it and it worked in everybody's guns. I found out that it expands and penetrates very well even out of a shorter barrel (4-1/4 inch Commander).

I couldn't feel any difference in recoil between the +P and their standard velocity 230 grain FMJ American Eagle red box we shot for training and qualification, even when I mixed both in the same magazine, but I would want whatever extra velocity the +P offers, especially in a shorter barrel.

I know it is expensive, but I would recommend you buy a box of each if you can find them and shoot half a box of each at the same time to see if there is enough extra recoil to bother you. You really need to test out your new gun and magazines with whatever round you plan to carry anyways.

 

[fyimo]

I like heavier bullets in pistols because the range that they are normally used is short and I prefer greater penetration. I shoot mostly 230 grain HP in my 45 ACP pistols.

 

[ckcrranch]

which weight bullet

Since I have 230 grain ball, that's what I shoot. It's easy to get and relatively inexpensive.

 

[MichiganScott]

I shoot 230gr ball because it hits close to point of aim. If I choose to carry for self defense, I carry WW 230gr JHP in their self defense line. It's cheap, hits to point of aim, and still leaves .45 caliber hole if it doesn't expand.

 

[Warren Sear]

Which 45 Ammo works best for bears?

It's like a sneeze that just couldn't get out. There, I'm fine now!

 

[federali]

Critical Defense

I'm using Hornady Critical Defense, 230 grainers, in my .45s and 124 grain bullets in my 9mm. In my opinion, the current crop of defensive offerings is so good that it probably doesn't matter what you use.

 

[johnnyflake]

For .45acp, I use Speer Gold Dot .45 ACP 230 Grain HP - Period! My carry gun is a Springfield 1911 Champion Operator Commander 4" Barrel.

 

[Gamer]

I'm a big fan of Federal HST round in most calibers and the +p load for short barrel 45 ACP guns. I did some research, not an in depth end all be all type of thing and found some interesting testing done with ballistic gel on youtube and also liked the lucky gunner balistic tests. Lucky gunner primarily because they used real world barrel lengths and have a wad of data in one place with photos of expansion and penetration depths. I'll post a link.

@buff, learned some new info. The round you mentioned was added to the chart below and a couple of others.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#45ACP

 

[Longhorn1986]

I carry Barnes TAC-XTP 185gr +P in all three of my 45s. Good penetration and performance. YMMV

 

[Mulebuk Sam]

Thoughts needed on 45 ammo as what do you prefer lighter or heaver round and if you don't mind saying......why....

Thanks

Strictly 230g because that's what it was design around. Back in the day the Army lowered it, but that was for their use. At it's conceptions it's 230 grain round.

With my .45 LC I shoot 250g, what it was design around.
And I make no compromises with either.

Lot of bad information floating around out there and Wikipedia is a mess of horse tales.

 

[KSDeputy]

I like Federal 165 gr. Hydra Shok for self defense, that is what I carry.

 

[Biggfoot44]

( The OP didn't mention extremely short bbls, or a need for minimal recoil, so I will discount those considerations.)

Back in the day, I used 185 +P , and Flying Ashtrays. Because back then they were best.

In recent decades, there are more excellent 230 jhps than you can shake a stick towrds. Commonality of poi with 230fmj tips the scales for one of them, unless you have a specific reason for somthing else.

If I'm not concerned with shooting thru car windshields, I'd probably use accuracy in my gun as deciding factor thru the top 10 or so premium 230jhp, instead of the slight differences in their terminal performance.

For that matter, I tested WWB 230 from 4.25 bbl using one of Jim Higginbotham's test protocols. It met his penetration goals ( deeper than I consider mandatory) , and expanded to .75 .

ps - Never say never, but I have yet to see a 230 jhp .45acp that was UNacceptable from a 4.25in or longer bbl.


( I think the bear load for .45acp comment was tongue in cheek, so I'll refrain.)