Need Recommendations: Favorite .45 Auto Carry Ammo?

Status
Not open for further replies.
WisBorn said:
I use Remington green box (UMC) 230 grain JHP. Cheap enough to shoot often and never had a round not fire. Paul Harrell makes some great points in his videos regarding hyper ammo.

Click to expand...


Easiest way to get around his main argument (price) is to reload practice ammo that closely matches your good "hyper" carry ammo, cheaply.

That's what I do.

Especially with UMC, had some bad experiences with quality on that stuff back in '13 or, wouldn't trust that as carry ammo myself.
 
Speer 200gr jhp, colloquially known as "the flying ashtray." Alas, it is out of production.

I favor 200-215gr hollow points myself. So long as they're controllable and feed reliably.
 
I favor HST 230gr +P. But I make it a point to get some practice in with whatever ammo I carry, so the supply dwindles. I use Golden Saber 230gr more often because it seems to be more readily available.
 
The Evangelist Cowboy said:
Hornady XTP, I carried V Crown for awhile and they were reliable but my own testing they didn't show expansion, I have the newer Colt series 70 that I carry and it has that national match barrel they put in Gold Cups it been reliable to me.View attachment 915394 View attachment 915395
Click to expand...
I've always liked XTPs, and currently carry the VCrown. Curious as to what test you used though...my tests are always inconclusive since whatever's left of the bullet is what I can dig out of the fence post behind the target.
 
Remington golden Saber here also, 230 grain. I have a few for ccw, even with the shorter barrel I think they are fantastic.

I used to do hornady tap in 230 grain, those were my all time favs, but they don't use sealant on the primers so I switched.
 
JR24 said:
HST 230 grain, standard or +P.

Then again, I like HST everything.

Gold dot and Golden Saber bonded 230 grain work well too.
Click to expand...

When I moved to CO, I called my local PD and Sheriff's department to inquire what ammo their LEOs used. Both used Federal HST JHP in authorized calibers. Now, local PD requires Glock 9mms, either mod. 17s or 19s but still use HSTs. I decided that if that was their choice, it would be mine as well. I use it for all my personal defense handguns including my .45 ACPs. The exception is when I put a .357 Sig barrel in one of my .40 S&Ws; then, I use Sig JHP ammo for the convenience of finding it in my local Cabela's.
 
Howland937 said:
I've always liked XTPs, and currently carry the VCrown. Curious as to what test you used though...my tests are always inconclusive since whatever's left of the bullet is what I can dig out of the fence post behind the target.
Click to expand...
I used the typical wetphone book tests, I dont have ballistics gel, I have used them hunting hogs, I think they're better suited for a trail load in the southwest then anything else. Tests on YouTube in a variety of calibers support my own on the V Crown.
 
The Evangelist Cowboy said:
I used the typical wetphone book tests, I dont have ballistics gel, I have used them hunting hogs, I think they're better suited for a trail load in the southwest then anything else. Tests on YouTube in a variety of calibers support my own on the V Crown.
Click to expand...

XTPs don't expand super big, but they do reliably and penetrate pretty deep as a whole.

I also like them for trail/field loads and would hunt with them happily.
 
JR24 said:
XTPs don't expand super big, but they do reliably and penetrate pretty deep as a whole.

I also like them for trail/field loads and would hunt with them happily.
Click to expand...
I was talking about the v crown, the XTP expands to .62-.64 in MY tests, yeah some get alot more expansion but good with this one .

Should also be made known, I dont have any phone books left! They don't seem to be in print anymore.
 
+P golden sabers for my 45 shields, when WM did away with handgun ammo I purchased all the 45 HPs they had in 100 packs but I haven't tested them yet.
 
For carry, my thirty-something year go-to has been win 185gr silvertips. I know exactly where they go. I've tried others, but have always been more comfortable with my STHP. Every time I think I need to move to something new, I seem to find more. Shoot, Winchester's only 185gr offering is the ST.
Not hip, cool, or current, but, then again,neither am I.
Take that as you will; it's my 2¢
 
  • Like
Reactions: JTQ
I have been a fan of light weight 45s for sometime....Star PD, Sig C3 and an S&W Shield. I like the 185 gr Winchester SilverTip. It is not the latest and greatest but it is accurate, reliable and soft shooting out of these guns. In full size and weight guns it is kinda hard to make a bad choice as long as it is a 230 gr HP from on of the reputable brands.
 
I dunno. Browning designed the 230 grain, FMJ, at 850 FPS, 45ACP ball ammo, as we know it, then built the 1911 around it, as a delivery system , for that specific weight, size, and speed of ammo.

Has anybody else, as prominent as JMB, built a firearm around their "improved" 45ACP ammo ?
 
Dibbs said:
I dunno. Browning designed the 230 grain, FMJ, at 850 FPS, 45ACP ball ammo, as we know it, then built the 1911 around it, as a delivery system , for that specific weight, size, and speed of ammo.
Click to expand...
I think it was originally .38 Auto, then a 200 gr .45 Auto. The US Military asked for the 230 gr bullet to get closer to the .45 Colt.
 
The recommendations for HPs from a known manufacturer are good if your primary concern is 2 legged predators.

I went a different direction. My .45 is a woods/hiking companion, and I use Underwood 255gr hardcast.
 
It is my belief that the 45ACP is very effective with 230 hard ball. If you want to hunt with it or use for defense from bears, I like the Critical Duty 220gr +P
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

O
  • Locked
Let's talk double stack .45 Autos- list your favorite ones
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
DAdams
DAdams
R
  • Locked
Need .45 Auto recommendation
2 3 4
Replies
87
Views
5K
Kimber1911_06238
K
C
  • Locked
Favorite .45 ACP Self Defense Ammo?
2 3
Replies
60
Views
4K
farscott
F
Palladan44
  • Locked
Ted Nugent's favorite Gun...
Replies
24
Views
2K
Phidelt208
P
O
  • Locked
Please advise: Holster a UPS.45
Replies
6
Views
717
gggman
G
Back
Top