Your Favorite Self-Defense Load in .45 ACP

[LiveLife]

I fell for the Internet Legend, that may or may not be true, that using handloads would potentially put me in legal jeopardy of using 'especially deadly handloads' in the event of a justified shoot.

There have been numerous threads in different THR categories where the "myth" of using handloads/reloads in justified shootings were busted.

For me I simply prefer to hand police the box of ammunition the rounds used for justified shooting came from instead police take my entire reloading equipment setup and supplies for the duration of the trial as evidence.

So while many of us are more than capable of handloading/reloading defensive loads that will perform well, I think using factory ammunition is more "feasible/prudent" choice. It's similar in thinking to using cheaper pistols like Glocks you could readily part with for the duration of the trial instead of more expensive pistols.

 

[brewer12345]

I have come to the conclusion that I don't want to bother coming up with self defense loads. The reality is that we generally shoot very few rounds of this stuff and it is truly specialty in nature. So I buy a few boxes of appropriate shells and get on with coming up with and loading the most accurate target ammo I can make. Legal considerations are a distant second thought.

The only reason I can see using solids for defense is against 4 legged threats. Otherwise modern hollow points seem like a good choice in this caliber.

 

[RugerOldArmy]

For me I simply prefer to hand police the box of ammunition the rounds used for justified shooting came from instead police take my entire reloading equipment setup and supplies for the duration of the trial as evidence.

Box?

Tupperware has many uses

• RugerOldArmy
• Aug 21, 2018

 

[FM12]

185 zero bullets
And a bunch of Unique.

 

[SamT1]

If you shoot someone, in defense or not, worrying about getting your stuff back will be the least of your worries if your in a county not supportive of your right to defend yourself.
Barring you inscribe someone’s name on the base of a bullet your probably good. You’ll be drug through the mud regardless.

I’ve never bought a single 45 acp factory round and don’t plan on doing so because a Keith style cast bullet works best in all situations. Paper, steel, game animals, self defense.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I use 200gr XTP's and W231 or Unique. If I wanted a 185gr-ish bullet I'd pick a different catridge, .40S&W or 10mm.

 

[zeke]

Looking back at old records, 5 grains of unique and 255 lrnfp averaged bout 750 fps from 5 in 45 acp. Very accurate load. If the 255 Lee cast lrnfp is available, loading it up to 800 fps might make an alternative 45 acp woods walker. Especially with a slightly heavier recoil spring. Just saying.

While the op was asking for 185 gn loads, would advise 230 jhp's for vermin loads. Outside of the perceived effectiveness of the 230 grainer, loading 185 grainers to top velocities may not be less perceived recoil than a 230 grainer and harder to handload without bullet setback. Have preference for the 230 grain xtp, Speer 230 gdhp or Speer 230 short barrel gdhp over V V N-350. Commonly available unique works as well for standard velocities.

Missouri offers a 220 grain coated flatpoint as another viable alternative that doesn't depend on velocity, if your particular handgun feeds them.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Wilson ammo, or Hornady Critical Defense.

 

[buck460XVR]

My 1911 shoots to POA best with 230 grainers.......thus that is what I use. Nosler 230 JHPs and Bullseye.

 

[1MoreFord]

My favorite self defense rounds are factory. I don't like 230gr bullets but am happy with 185-200gr Gold Dots, HST's, Silver Tips, and even Hydra-Shoks. I'm too lazy to change my practice load setup to load the few self defense rounds I need. YMMV!

 

[JeffG]

230 gr. factory ball.

 

[Steve C]

A good load for 185gr JHP .45 acp defense carry is 7.7grs of Unique. Using a Fiocchi large pistol primer it delivers an average velocity range of 1,060 fps from a Sig 220 and 1,093 fps from a 1911 Gov model that reliably exceeds the 1K fps threshold to ensure expansion needed in the old style JHP's. I have used Remington JHP bullets, both the old standard bullet or the Golden Saber.

As I got older and made more money I quite carrying hand loads for self defense and and switched to factory loads and have a couple boxes of the old hand loads for practice and backup.

 

[Texas10mm]

I've got a NOE mold that drops a 238 gr hollow point.

I load that with 5.7 gr CFE Pistol.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It's sad the marketing teams have convinced many in the shooting community that bullet speed should be their primary concern. Accuracy and bullet mass does count.

It's the same with the +P designation. It's confusing to some new shooters. In at least two threads a new shooter asked if it was safe to shoot .38 Special +P ammo in their .357 Magnum revolver! They were so worried the +P ammo was going to harm their Magnum revolver.

The "best" ammo for your gun is the one which is most accurate and in the case of semi-autos the ones that is also 100% reliable. A few extra fps is inconsequential. The fastest ammo in the world will do you no good unless you hit the target and the gun functions correctly every time you pull the trigger.

 

[farm23]

My 1911’s and my Glock’s all do great with 230gr but then they have never seen anything else.