Ammo dilemma

[S-p-a-r-k-s]

First of all...Hello from Nevada! This is my first time here.

There are some confusing tests and articals about the correct gr. size
in alot of these bullets. Mine is a .45 Auto.
I have a Ruger P345PR which has a 4 1/4" barrel.
The Fackler report says that any barrel above 4" should work well with
230 gr. Gold Dots.
I've also read alot of opinions out there where unless you have a full 5" barrel, that your better off sticking with something like a 200 +p gr. for better velocity and expansion.
Your educated opinion would be greatly appreciated..Thanks!

[M2 Carbine]

Welcome.

I've got all the different barrel lenghts.
No doubt the shorter the barrel length is, the lower the velocity of a given load.
Personally I favor the 3 inch barrel (Kimber) 45s with several different defense loads, mostly in the 200 grain bullet weight.

And my standard practice load is a 200 grain lead SWC.

[tbeb]

I saw some tests at another online gun forum with the 160 gr. Corbon DPX. (Cost per round is approximately $1.20) Test gun was a Glock 30 which has a 3 3/4" barrel. Four rounds were fired into gelatin covered with 4 layers of denim. Velocity was 1051 fps-1093 fps. Penetration was 11.75"-12.25". Expansion was .712"-.752". I would probably consider this round for a barrel less than 5" if I could afford to fire a bunch of rounds to test reliability.