Preferred carry ammo

Your choices are very good. I don’t EDC a 357. But my choice has been the same for a long time. Winchester 230gr PDX1 in my 45. Nosler 180 gr HP’s over BlueDot in my 10mm.

As I have said before, I think this subject is very "overthought". I select whatever HP ammunition from a major American manufacturer (Federal, Remington, Winchester, Speer, Hornady, etc.) that I can find a "deal" on- THAT WORKS RELIABLY IN MY PISTOL- and I load it and move to the next problem. The next priority (for me) is training, which means firing lots of "cheap" practice ammo in drills under realistic scenarios with a pro-timer to help insure I can hit a target at all. In my experience, shot placement is king.

For autoloaders I use HSTs also. Gel and barrier testing indicates good potential performance, and my velocity tests indicate very consistent, honest, and acceptable short barrel velocities. They are also reasonably priced if you know where to look.

close second are Gold Dots, and the 158 gr variety is what I carry in my 357s.

LCR .357 , Hornady,Critical Defense 38 Special +P. I have found all Hornady ammo reliable over the years. They've been around for a long time and looks like they will be around for a long time.

9mm: HST either 124/147 +P
40 S&W: 180 HST/Gold Dot or 165 Ranger Bonded
45 acp: 230 HST or Ranger T
10mm: 180 Gold Dot handload (not reload) @ ~1,225 fps (Yes, I've read that carrying handloads is a super bad idea; yet, that is my chosen for the 10mm)

Been carrying the recently offered Norma MHP (monolithic hollow point) 108gr solid copper ammunition in my 9mm pistols. Their profile is very close to round nose ball so I've had no feed issues even in older guns with humped feed ramps. They're a little light on bullet weight but make up for it in velocity at ~1300 fps.

They didn't cycle reliably in my gf's old Kel-Tech PF9 but that thing has been having issues with standard ball ammo too so I doubt it's the ammo's fault.

I don't carry .357 but in my .45s it's 185 Golden Sabers for my Officer 1911 and 230 Golden Sabers in the Commander. They just flat work and the price is right for a box of fifty...

When I carried my 2.5" Python, it was with Federal 125 HP's. 230 Hydra-Shok's with a Glaser on the bottom for .45 ACP. I have 125 .38+P Golden Sabers in my S&W Bodyguard .38.

I carry Speer 124 gr +P Gold Dot 9mm in my Duty and off duty guns.

For better or worse, I jumped in feet first to Paul Harrell’s “Hyper Ammo” diatribe. As such, I carry and practice with Remington UMC 115 gr JHP 9mm, and Remington UMC 125 gr 38 Spl +P.

Reasonably priced bulk packs make stocking up and practicing with what I carry a breeze. Any perceived disadvantages with this method are null and void by the countless trouble free rounds I have shot of this ammo and the immense confidence I have in it as a result.

My first go-to for any gun, if possible, is HST. Take your pick. In my SR9c, it's 147gr or 124gr.
If not that, then Gold Dot. Then Ranger, and then whatever else.

My LCP has FMJ in it only because that's what was available at the time and known to feed well. If I can find a name-brand JHP and actually get out to test it, I'll switch.
My Taurus .38 has basic SJHP; it's an ultralight frame, and higher-end ammunition has so far alternated between being harsh enough to make followups difficult or not being crimped as well and locking it up.

Gold Dot 124gr +p in 9mm

Gold Dot 135gr in 357 magnum

9mm: 124 grain Federal HST or 124 grain Black Hills

General Geoff said:

They didn't cycle reliably in my gf's old Kel-Tech PF9 but that thing has been having issues with standard ball ammo too so I doubt it's the ammo's fault.

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Confirmed. I called it my two-shot derringer with a handy detachable compartment for extra ammo. Yes, tried many many 9mm brands, returned to the factory, tested by them, no change when I tested it again.

Sold with caveat. New owner: "No problems."

Your GF and I must have the same genes.

No, wait a minute...

Aw, you know what I mean.

Terry

I carry Browning BPX rds in my .45 and Magtech 158 gr SWC in my .38 snub... why? They are reliable and shoot to POA

I use Sig V-Crown 115's because they work in all my guns, they have proven to be effective in tests and they are cheaper than just about anything else, by several dollars a box.


I too think it's an over thought thing. So long as it works in your gun and you like it use it.

None of them are GUARANTEED 100% to do what they say.

FL-NC said:

As I have said before, I think this subject is very "overthought". I select whatever HP ammunition from a major American manufacturer (Federal, Remington, Winchester, Speer, Hornady, etc.) that I can find a "deal" on- THAT WORKS RELIABLY IN MY PISTOL-

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May I add, WAY over-thought. Like wadcutters, myself, when I can get them.

Currently I am shooting 124gr +p Golden Saber in my large 9mm and 147gr HST in my small 9mm. The small one doesn't shoot GS well. Even though it is a +p load it is very mild and accurate in my firearm. To a degree, HP ammo is going to perform about the same in gel. Focus on important, personal factors such as recoil, flash, blast, accuracy, reliability, and cost.

Speer Gold Dot 124 +P

More importantly I practice shot placement at least once per month

I agree that the subject is overthought.

For many years I have carried my own handloads in the .357 Magnum. These are an ancient recipe of Lyman's 358156 hp with an appropriate amount of 2400 behind them.

I am not convinced that handloads are a terrible idea for defensive use, but I also am not convinced that there is no liability in it either. I probably should invest in a box of custom loads along the same lines.

Or I might just be over thinking it.

JTHunter said:

Because of IL-ANNOY's burdensome regulations, I haven't bothered to get my permit here. I also have to take an elderly parent too many places that are posted to be able to carry.
That being said, I am currently reloading my .357 with 158 gr. SJHPs and SJFPs (semi-jacketed flat points - lead exposed) with a near max charge (0.01-0.02 gr. under) of W296 (H110 is the same powder). I don't have a chrono so I have no idea of MV or KE from a 4" GP-100.
Any comments on these loads would be appreciated.
p.s. I also have several types of "factory loads" that I mainly use for practice. I do have some of the "Golden Sabers" and Hornady CDs as well.

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I quit using H100/296 in carry ammo due to concussion and flash. It’s a great powder for full power loads but that’s all it good for. I find 2400 more versatile. Skeeter’s load of 13.5gr over a 158 is easier on the ears and still packs a heck of punch.

My preferred carry matches my preferred target ammuntion. And, of course, it's thoroughly function checked as to reliability in my carry pistols.

For my Colt 1991A1, I shoot WWB, .45 ACP 230 grain ammunition, which has a muzzle velocity of about 850 fps. Therefore my preferred carry is Speer Gold Dot, .45 ACP 230 grain jacketed hollowpoints which also have a muzzle velocity of about 850 fps.

For my Beretta 92FS, I shoot WWB, 9mm 115 grain ammunition with a muzzle velocity of about 1,190 fps. Therefore my preferred carry is Speer Gold Dot, 9mm, 115 grain jacketed hollowpoints which have about the same muzzle velocity.

This means my preferred carry matches my target ammunition in recoil and point of impact to such an extent that I cannot tell the difference.