[AQUAJOE]

Ok,
now as some of you know I just bought a new EAA Witness .45 today. I will be heading to the firing range once the gun arrives. (sometime late next week)
I have no idea about ammo. What to buy? What not buy? or if I should order the ammo off the internet or buy locally. I live in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Again I am new to handguns.
My farther in law is giving me all of his dies, formula's and equipment for reloading. I will start out buying though. So this is what I'm looking for:
Top 5 shells "quality for the price"
What shells to stay away from?

Now I know this is all going to be mostly opinion based so I would just like to see what people think and not see a bunch of people arguing about what is what.

[Tango Sierra]

For practice .45 ammo:
Best bang for the buck, S&B from natchezss.com for 8.40 (plus freight makes it about 9.50 delivered).
In pinch, CCI/Blazer from Wal-Mart for $9.86 plus tax per box of 50. Blazer has aluminum cases which you can't reload.
Federal's American Eagle brand (much better than Blazer) from natchezss.com is about 12.00 including freight, and about 15.00 plus tax at my gun range.

[stans]

Bullet type is important in a semi-automatic pistol. I recommend at least 200 rounds of round nosed full metal jacket ammo for breaking in a new pistol. Once it is broken in, you can try semi-wadcutter and hollow point ammo. Sometimes a pistol needs a little work to make it reliable with ammo other than round nosed FMJ. Enjoy your new pistol and we look forward to hearing your range report.

[Sven]

Minnetonka, Minnesota, eh? I hail from Edina (no 'cakeeater' comments, please, 'skipper' ;) )

For practice: S&B from http://www.NatchezSS.com

For self-defense: 230 gr. +P GoldDots from http://www.ProLoad.com

Next time I'm back visiting the folks in MN, maybe we can visit a range together.

Best Regards,

-sven

[AQUAJOE]

Hey Sven, have you ever shot at Armored Fire in Circle Pines?
That is where I will be shooting at.

Stans, thanks for the info on the breakin. I didn't know that.

:D

[Bacchus]

I second the recommendation for S&B. One problem is that it's probably not available at your local stores. You might be more likely to find MagTech. It usually runs about $10 per box and it's good stuff.

[Dain Bramage]

You can get good internet deals on S&B and Blazer, and I've had no problems with either in my G30. I also like Fiocchi, and can get it locally for under $10 a box when buying in bulk. It is good, hot FMJ practice fodder, with reloadable brass cases.

There are only a few brands to stay away from. I only like Wolf in my Eastern European guns, designed for the rigors of steel cases and laquer. Also American Ammo (not American Eagle by Federal), the stuff sold in blister packs, is utter garbage.

For defensive loads, I like 230g Hornady +P XTP's. Any of the majors, Gold Dots, Hydro-shoks, etc. should be great, but practice with your carry load too. Make sure your gun will work, and that you have the utmost confidence in it.

[foghornl]

From my experiences:

The Good Stuff

Sellier & Bellot
Federal "American Eagle" brand
USA (Also known as Winchester White Box)
PMC brand (Precision Made Cartridges)


Junk to avoid [My humble opinion only]

Remingtons UMC brand
American Ammo (from Miami, I think)
Wolf (Russian made steel-case heavily lacquered stuff)
Blazer (functions OK, just not a fan of Blazer)

[Smoke]

I just have to contradict foghornl:

I agree with most of his choices; however, I have put 1000's of rounds of Remington UMC through several different paltforms and never had a cartridge fail in any way.

Also check CheaperThan Dirt (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com) for internet deals. They can often ship ammo cheaper than my local dealer will sell volume purchases.

[cratz2]

I've put more S&B ammo through my 1911s than any other ammo. Winchester White Box is a close second. When I started shooting 100 yard, the Winchester 170 (maybe 175?) Gr ammo was pretty much flat out to 100 yards. And though I didn't shoot a whole lot of it, I never had a problem with Blazers either.

Don't recall ever shooting UMC in 45ACP but never liked their 38 special or 44 magnum too much.

[coonan357]

good stuff : pmc, winchester whitebox , american eagle( federal generic) s&b , any usgi surplus W-W, blazer (cheap)

stuff to stay away from : Wolf (steel cased can cause chamber scufing and that laquer is a pain , American (not to be confused with american eagle which is federal , the american we refer to is made in Miami Fla , and is known for problems and is sold in cans and boxes if you find it get rid of it or don't buy it !and the cases A-amerc do not reload these ! ,they are thin and buckle .


reloading advice : when you reload S&B you are going to find the primer cups are a little tight and you might want to ream them with a pocket reamer first to make it easier to reinsert the primer . other than that S&b brass is good brass .

[mini14jac]

www.georgia-arms.com
Excellent ammo.
I've used several different calibers.
Should run about $200/1000 delivered.

[ocabj]

When I go to a show, Winchester White Box. In between shows, Speer Lawman. I like the brass from these manufacturers for reloading. Federal is cool, too.