.45 ACP Carry load, what do you use?

[insidious_calm]

Now that my feet are wet reloading I think I'll try some .45 also. What suggestions do you all have for a good defensive load? What is a good compromise between bullet weight and speed? Part of me says 230gr HP, but would a lighter/faster HP be better?


Also, FWIW I tested my magna-ported .45 against my non-ported .45 on the chrony today to see how much difference in velocity there was. It was very little. Around 15-20 fps with UMC 230 gr ball. This led me to a question. If that's all the penalty you pay in velocity for that much more control then why don't more people do it? Anyways, what loads for defense? TIA.



I.C.

 

[threefeathers]

I carry the Taurus Hex and have enough for a long time. But I also have a good bunch of Rem Golden Saber.

 

[Snowshoe]

I carry Federal Hydrashocks. I tried the Golden Sabers but thought they had a little too much muzzle flash.

I like the 230gr over the 185gr.

 

[HSMITH]

I cary 230grn Hydrashoks.

As far as that porting goes, shoot that gun some from a close retention position. Then do a mag with no ear plugs and no safety glasses, just as it will be if you ever use it for defense. I like porting and compensated guns for gaming, but no way will I have it on a defensive gun.

 

[HankB]

I use Remington Golden Saber, 230 grain JHP. They're accurate and have been completely reliable out of my Les Baer Premier II, and I figure that if for some reason they don't expand, they're still going to hit like 230 hardball.

And that ain't bad.

 

[Ala Dan]

Another vote for Federal's 230 grain JHP "Hydra-Shok's"!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[kimbernut]

230 Gr. Carry loads?

Rem. Golden Sabers & Speer Gold Dot seem to shoot the same-very well ,very consistent, and very reliably from my Kimber.
I've not yet fired a ported pistol but from what I understand the muzzle flash in low light situations can ruin your night vision for quite some time- not ideal in a defensive situation. For those in the know is this true and is concussion from a ported pistol anywhere near as bad as that from a rifle with a muzzle break?

 

[clown714]

I,only carry factory ammo,

save the reloads for the range.

could get nasty,in a justifiable self-defense trail :banghead:

my personal carry is the 230gr. gold dot

clown

 

[Poodleshooter]

I carry regular 50rd per box Winchester 230gr JHP's. In the past,I've carried Silvertips and PMC Starfires.

 

[Smoke]

could get nasty,in a justifiable self-defense trail

B.S. It could but it hasn't Unless you want to point me to the case where it has.

Build a load you gun likes and stick with it. Less important what you hit them with...than that you hit them.

Smoke

 

[sm]

My priority is Reliabilty .

Minimum of 200 rds of ANY load is shot before being carried in my CCWs.

I also take into account POA/ POI.

After I have done this - I have a variety of choices. If out of town, no big deal to grab a box of whatever handy from those I have tested.

I do similar for shotgun and rifle ammo as well.

I'd have to look , but I think mine has the 230 gr JHP from Black Hills in it. Pretty sure I have some mags with 185g STHP for inside bldgs and such , I know at least a few have nothing but 230 gr FMJ by Fiocchi , and others probably have White Box 230 JHP ...

I know what works, so I grab one. If out of town " Whatcha got - any specials?" - pick one from known testing.

Oh- yeah , if all I had was the classic 200 gr LSWC reloads....I would not worry - about the load or anything else. Same for 230 gr FMJ .

Relibility , if the shoot is good - it's good, and shot placement .

 

[clown714]

smoke,

"could" is just that.
nope can't point you to one case,but to me it's justthat,"it could".

i'm not gonna chance it.

but that's only my opinion and only my$.02

clown

 

[cpileri]

nonconformist...

Buffalo Bore 230gr FMJ Flat Nose.
C-

 

[OF]

The bugaboo over using reloads for SD is silly. There has never been a case of someone getting in trouble for using reloads. It's silly hype.

- Gabe

 

[roo_ster]

Remington Golden Sabre 230gr standard pressure is reliable out of my gun. The fact that it is a well-regarded hollow-point performer is a distant second priority WRT my choosing it as my carry ammo.

 

[moxie]

Depends on environment.

Where there's much danger of wall penetration, ricochet, etc., I like Glaser Blues, for any size gun. They do the job as well as or better than anything else. They are just wicked expensive.

Otherwise, or if you need penetration, for a full size gun I like 230 gr. Hydrashok. For compacts I like 185 +P Remington Golden Saber.

You can keep any gun loaded with Glasers and backup mags loaded with Hydrashoks or Golden Sabers. This way you've made the effort to be as safe as possible, where and when you need to be, and you've got the flexibility of the mags loaded with standard JHPs.

 

[HRT]

230 grain +p (barely) gold dots

 

[nordaim]

I also carry the Taurus Hex rounds. They feed very reliably and are as accurate as I need them to be.

 

[Chuck Perry]

230g Speer Gold Dots here. So far as reloading defensive ammo, I think it comes down to how much you trust your reloads. I've carried reloads, but I am much more comfortable carrying factory ammo. Reloading is a fun hobby, you can save a lot of bucks. I really enjoy hunting with my reloads. No greater satisfaction than getting game with ammo you handloaded. But, when it come to life and death stuff for me and mine, I'd rather stake my butt on factory ammo. A misfire in the field at game is one thing. A misfire fighting for your life is too much a gamble for my tastes.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Two hundred and thirty grain Hydra-shoks. My Kimber loves them.

 

[Desert Dog]

Well, I don't use factory ammo...

230 gr. Sierra Power Jacket JHP's
10.7 grains AA#7
CCI primer
New Starline brass
OAL 1.205"

1015 FPS
SD less than 10
8 out of 8 in a paper plate at 50 yards.

Load will completely annihilate gallon milk jugs full of water. Will go through three in a row lodging in the fourth, expanding to typically about 3/4 of an inch.

Completely and totally reliable in my heavy sprung Ruger P90...

They cost a fraction of what my Hydroshoks used to...

 

[RugerOldArmy]

I don't carry, but...

I did load a box for the gunsafe in case self-defense (single dad here) was an issue. They shoot well in my TRP

.451 Nosler 185 Gr JHP
9.4 Gr Power Pistol
Starline +P case
1.210 OAL
WLP

No chronny, but it seems to be my stiffest reload Speer lists 9.5 Gr with a 185 Gr Gold Dot JHP at 1047 fps (so it is still below a +P load to my understanding)

 

[kimbernut]

Chuck Perry

Hit the nail on the head. "...I think it comes down to how much you trust your reloads." Only my reloads carried here(Gold Dot &Golden Saber). The only misfire I've had was a factory load under damp conditions.
In the words of*Harry Callahan*,"A man's got to know his limitations."

 

[rick_reno]

230 gr. Hydrashoks.

 

[unreal45]

I now carry 230 grain Speer gold dots.
But in the past i have carried Hydrashoks and Golden Sabers always in 230 grains.