whats a good self defence load for a cs45?

[dpod]

Hello, I'm new 2 the site. Had a question concerning the cs45. What is a couple of good self defense factory loads? Haven't had the pistol that long & only been using fmj for target practice. Thx 4 any info

 

[Ranger98]

Gold Dot 230Gr Short Barrel Hollow Points work for me ...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Gold Dot 230Gr Short Barrel Hollow Points work for me ...

I agree. The bullet Speer is using is designed to reliable expand at the lower velocities usually associated with short barrel SD handguns.

I also like Remington Golder Saber and Winchester SilverTip ammo. (the old standbys before all the "new and better" ammo was developed!)

 

[LOBO]

I carry Federal HST 230 gr +P in my 4516. In water tests using one gallon water jugs the HST expanded to .830".

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/141613-tested-federal-hst-45acp-230-gr-p.html

Winchester white box 230 gr JHP did good too from the 4516.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/137342-water-test-45acp-winchester-230-gr-jhp.html

 

[CT Smith Fan]

LOBO, great test, thanks for posting the photos.

 

[LOBO]

LOBO, great test, thanks for posting the photos.

You're welcome

 

[sheriffoconee]

RELIABLE is much, much, much more important than bullet design. If your gun no work, no good.
ACCURATE is another consideration. If you can't hit with it, Ammo no good
THEN worry about the bullet

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I carry Federal HST 230 gr +P in my 4516. In water tests using one gallon water jugs the HST expanded to .830".

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/141613-tested-federal-hst-45acp-230-gr-p.html

Winchester white box 230 gr JHP did good too from the 4516.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/137342-water-test-45acp-winchester-230-gr-jhp.html

That Federal bullet looks really NASTY without a doubt. It looks so uniform like it was made like that. Federal did a good job with that bullet I see.

 

[SMSgt]

RELIABLE is much, much, much more important than bullet design. If your gun no work, no good.
ACCURATE is another consideration. If you can't hit with it, Ammo no good
THEN worry about the bullet

Amen to that!

You put a 230 grain FMJ in the boilermaker and it's effective. So much of this "effectiveness" argument is marketing and ego driven. 100% reliable feeding is top priority--period. Accuracy falls right after that. The super-duper, elephant-stopping, thermo-nuclear man-killer round isn't worth beans if it doesn't feed or you miss.

Having said that, I have 230 grn Gold Dots and Win PDX1s on hand for SD. But I wouldn't hesitate a second to use my 230 grn LRNs if it came down to it. It's more where you out them than what you use.

 

[Ranger98]

very true..

 

[147_Grain]

As for 45 ACP, it's hard to find a bad load for self-defense purposes. In a short barrel, stick with 230-gr. because the larger bullet loses less velocity than a middle-weight projectile would and provides better penetration. Suggest you stay with standard pressure over +P with short barrel loads due to a more complete powder burn and better controllability.

Federal HST: LE Only
230-gr. HST HP (P45HST2): http://le.atk.com/general/federalpro...cticalhst.aspx

LE - Wound Ballistics
LE - Wound Ballistic Videos


Winchester Ranger T: LE Only
230-gr. HP (RA45T) @ 905 fps.


Remington Golden Saber: Similar to Ranger T
230-gr. HP (GS45APB) @ 875 fps. Double Tap’s version is better.