.45 acp. defensive load...
- Thread starter TonyB
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AK-47Ghost
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- Apr 11, 2008
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Federal Hydra-Shok 185 gr + P!!!
Be Practical
TonyB
My suggestion is to start with an inexpensive, but reliable round and then try others till you find the best combination of reliability and accuracy you can afford to shoot at least once a month.
Even the inexpensive stuff will work better than FMJ which has a risk of overpenetration.
I would start with the WINCHESTER "white box" 230 grain JHP that is sold in 50 round boxes at WALMART. I prefer the WINCHESTER brand because their economy ammo has always been cleaner shooting and usually more accurate in my guns.
The REMINGTON hollowpoints may be more reliable feeders in older (pre hollowpoint ammo) guns due to the shape of their bullets.
My suggestion, try 100 rounds of the WINCHESTER, if it works 100%, then shoot 200 more to prove it reliable for carry and get used to the way it shoots.
Once you have an inexpensive, but usable carry ammo, TAKE A COMBAT SHOOTING COURSE. You will be amazed at how badly many people shoot when it comes to a quick reload, multiple targets and clearing a jam.
A good course will also add an element of stress, something a gunfight has a lot of.
Only then, would I worry about which is the best hollowpoint for your gun.
One last thing, NEVER, NEVER USE CAST BULLETS FOR CARRY AMMO. If a cast bullet works great on a deer, so what!
Most hunting writers I have read recommend cast bullets as they WILL OVERPENETRATE and leave an exit wound with double the blood trail.
If you use a gun in self defense and the bad guy runs off bleeding, GREAT! SECURE YOUR LOCATION AND CALL THE POLICE. They have the manpower, firepower and resources to catch the bad guy without anyone else (like you) getting hurt.
TonyB
My suggestion is to start with an inexpensive, but reliable round and then try others till you find the best combination of reliability and accuracy you can afford to shoot at least once a month.
Even the inexpensive stuff will work better than FMJ which has a risk of overpenetration.
I would start with the WINCHESTER "white box" 230 grain JHP that is sold in 50 round boxes at WALMART. I prefer the WINCHESTER brand because their economy ammo has always been cleaner shooting and usually more accurate in my guns.
The REMINGTON hollowpoints may be more reliable feeders in older (pre hollowpoint ammo) guns due to the shape of their bullets.
My suggestion, try 100 rounds of the WINCHESTER, if it works 100%, then shoot 200 more to prove it reliable for carry and get used to the way it shoots.
Once you have an inexpensive, but usable carry ammo, TAKE A COMBAT SHOOTING COURSE. You will be amazed at how badly many people shoot when it comes to a quick reload, multiple targets and clearing a jam.
A good course will also add an element of stress, something a gunfight has a lot of.
Only then, would I worry about which is the best hollowpoint for your gun.
One last thing, NEVER, NEVER USE CAST BULLETS FOR CARRY AMMO. If a cast bullet works great on a deer, so what!
Most hunting writers I have read recommend cast bullets as they WILL OVERPENETRATE and leave an exit wound with double the blood trail.
If you use a gun in self defense and the bad guy runs off bleeding, GREAT! SECURE YOUR LOCATION AND CALL THE POLICE. They have the manpower, firepower and resources to catch the bad guy without anyone else (like you) getting hurt.
Looks like I came late to this thread! And, Mr. VHINCH---you're dead on (that's not a joke, son!) I want to (afford) practice with what I carry. And I want to shoot enough of what I carry to know it is reliable. I carry 45acp, "Geneva Convention" ball ammo (FMJ to you civilians.) It took us through four major wars---it's good enough for me---it starts out as big (or bigger) than most smaller JHP's end up after expanding (if they do.) And, that's standard stuff, not +P. Just killing the threat is not good enough---it has to STOP him before he kills you. 45acp fmj will do that.
MAGNUM44
Member
winchester ranger ammo
who carries the winchester ranger ammo in 45 acp 230 gr +p ammo this 45acp ammo in the ranger is hard to find if anyone has an on line store that carry's it it will be appreciated. i already checked at ammunition to go and they do not carry the 45 acp in the ranger brand
who carries the winchester ranger ammo in 45 acp 230 gr +p ammo this 45acp ammo in the ranger is hard to find if anyone has an on line store that carry's it it will be appreciated. i already checked at ammunition to go and they do not carry the 45 acp in the ranger brand
Zhivago
Member
I thought Ranger SXT was only for sale to LEO. How do you obtain it?
Nevermind, a little research yielded the fact that it is Winchester policy to only sell it to LEO, not law. Still looks to be tricky to find though. I dont have a .45acp yet but for my M&P9 I'll have to look at the the 127 +P and the 147 of this stuff. Gets excellent reviews all around.
Nevermind, a little research yielded the fact that it is Winchester policy to only sell it to LEO, not law. Still looks to be tricky to find though. I dont have a .45acp yet but for my M&P9 I'll have to look at the the 127 +P and the 147 of this stuff. Gets excellent reviews all around.
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jpwilly
Member
There is no magic bullet but there are a lot of good ones mentioned already. I use the CHEAP Remington JHP from Wal-Mart. I'm tired of paying over $1 a round when the odds of me having to shot it out are slim to none. 100rnds for $40! I can even practice with it!
Nimble1
Member
CHEAP Remington JHP from WW
Went to a range 2 weeks ago with a friend to try out my new Taurus PT145. I was shooting WWB as I just wanted to check functioning on this first trip. He took his old 1911 Colt which is a nice old gun that is box stock. He was shooting the Remington JHP from WW and I was sure he would have feed problems but the ammo worked just fine. I ran about 20 rnds through my Taurus also with no problems. I may buy a box for my SD round.
Went to a range 2 weeks ago with a friend to try out my new Taurus PT145. I was shooting WWB as I just wanted to check functioning on this first trip. He took his old 1911 Colt which is a nice old gun that is box stock. He was shooting the Remington JHP from WW and I was sure he would have feed problems but the ammo worked just fine. I ran about 20 rnds through my Taurus also with no problems. I may buy a box for my SD round.
mnw42
Member
The best load is the one that feeds reliably in your pistol and is readily available. If the greatest wonder bullet doesn't feed reliably your gun becomes a club. If it is hard to get you can't practice with it.
The Gold Dot, Golden Saber, HST, SXT, all work about the same if you do your part. Even 230gr ball is reasonably effective in a .45
The Gold Dot, Golden Saber, HST, SXT, all work about the same if you do your part. Even 230gr ball is reasonably effective in a .45
WVMountainBoy
Member
I use Hornady XTP 230 gr +P in both of my 1911's In my PT1911 its the most accurate hollow point I've found. The Springfield likes FMJ's the best it seems, but I don't care to keep two different makes of ammo around.
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