.45ACP FMJ for defense?
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benelli12
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Grizz22,
did you buy the 100 round value pack in winchester white box, that is what I got, and it penetrated alot less in phone books, and pine than the other brands of ammo i have used. Maybe my gun just dosen't like them, I dont know.
did you buy the 100 round value pack in winchester white box, that is what I got, and it penetrated alot less in phone books, and pine than the other brands of ammo i have used. Maybe my gun just dosen't like them, I dont know.
1KPerDay
Member
When I lived in an apartment I kept my .45 loaded with Glaser Blue frangible ammo. Very pricey. 
I only fired a mazazine through quickly to ensure it would cycle properly.
Barring that I'd definitely go hollowpoints over FMJ if your gun likes them.
I only fired a mazazine through quickly to ensure it would cycle properly.Barring that I'd definitely go hollowpoints over FMJ if your gun likes them.
.357 magnum
Member
How long is your barrel?
If your barrel is 5 inches [no less then that] Then your best SD load is the 230gr Federal Hydra-shok or the 230 gr Winchester SXT and you cannot leave out the Remington 185gr Golden Saber. If you have a 4 inch barrel personally I still go with the 230gr Federal Hydrashok or The Winchester 230gr SXT but in all honesty the 185gr Golden Saber is awesome for anything under 5 inches. [do not use 230gr loads for barrels under 4 inches, they may not expand] Then its 185 gr Remington Golden saber all the way!]
Have a good one!
If your barrel is 5 inches [no less then that] Then your best SD load is the 230gr Federal Hydra-shok or the 230 gr Winchester SXT and you cannot leave out the Remington 185gr Golden Saber. If you have a 4 inch barrel personally I still go with the 230gr Federal Hydrashok or The Winchester 230gr SXT but in all honesty the 185gr Golden Saber is awesome for anything under 5 inches. [do not use 230gr loads for barrels under 4 inches, they may not expand] Then its 185 gr Remington Golden saber all the way!]
Have a good one!
Chuck R.
Member
Guys,
I wouldn’t worry too much on the velocity difference between a 5” and 4.25” barreled .45ACP. I’ve chronographed my guns/loads and the difference is at best negligible.
Some other sources are:
The Remington Catalog 2003 included a "Centerfire Rifle Velocity Vs. Barrel Length" table that showed the following velocity changes for barrels shorter or longer than the test barrel length:
MV 2000-2500 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 10 fps.
MV 2500-3000 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 20 fps.
MV 3000-3500 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 30 fps.
MV 3500-4000 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 40 fps.
Those are way faster than .45ACP MV ranges, and the difference is greater.
Also, the 45th Edition of the Lyman Reloading Handbook also has a table showing Center Fire Rifle Velocity Vs. Barrel Length. Their figures apply to barrels between 20 and 26 inches in length and agree with the Remington figures. The Lyman table shows the following approximate velocity changes:
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 1000-2000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 5 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 2001-2500 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 10 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 2501-3000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 20 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 3001-3500 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 30 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 3501-4000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 40 fps.
So as you can see, at .45ACP velocities, there’s not a lot of difference. In addition, each barrel is an individual and it’s possible for a 4.25” barrel to shot “faster” than a 5”.
Chuck
I wouldn’t worry too much on the velocity difference between a 5” and 4.25” barreled .45ACP. I’ve chronographed my guns/loads and the difference is at best negligible.
Some other sources are:
The Remington Catalog 2003 included a "Centerfire Rifle Velocity Vs. Barrel Length" table that showed the following velocity changes for barrels shorter or longer than the test barrel length:
MV 2000-2500 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 10 fps.
MV 2500-3000 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 20 fps.
MV 3000-3500 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 30 fps.
MV 3500-4000 fps, the approximate change in MV per 1" change in barrel length is 40 fps.
Those are way faster than .45ACP MV ranges, and the difference is greater.
Also, the 45th Edition of the Lyman Reloading Handbook also has a table showing Center Fire Rifle Velocity Vs. Barrel Length. Their figures apply to barrels between 20 and 26 inches in length and agree with the Remington figures. The Lyman table shows the following approximate velocity changes:
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 1000-2000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 5 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 2001-2500 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 10 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 2501-3000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 20 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 3001-3500 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 30 fps.
For rifles with muzzle velocities in the 3501-4000 fps range, the change in velocity for each 1" change in barrel length is 40 fps.
So as you can see, at .45ACP velocities, there’s not a lot of difference. In addition, each barrel is an individual and it’s possible for a 4.25” barrel to shot “faster” than a 5”.
Chuck
brownie0486
Member
FMJ's don't expand and are unreliable as fight stoppers
Don't believe everything you read and hear.
There might be better loads, but 230 ball works just fine most of the time to stop aggressors post haste
Brownie
Don't believe everything you read and hear.
There might be better loads, but 230 ball works just fine most of the time to stop aggressors post haste
Brownie
FMJ in both .45 and 9mm are in the ~60-70% one shot stop range while the top JHP's are in the 93-95% range. I wouldn't shoot FMJ unless it was the only thing the gun cycled (and even then there are still better options with EFMJ and corbon's pow'rball).
Chupacabra
Member
Penetration through interior walls is going to be an issue no matter what kind of ammunition you use. HPs, FMJ, it doesn't matter. All of it is going through a couple walls, at least.
If I absolutely had to use FMJ for some reason, I would use DoubleTap 230grain FMJ Match. I'm sure they would perform okay, but I would rather use a quality hollowpoint.
If I absolutely had to use FMJ for some reason, I would use DoubleTap 230grain FMJ Match. I'm sure they would perform okay, but I would rather use a quality hollowpoint.
TheHardcase
Member
Sunray quote:
I'm curious. Did the WWII Soldiers and Marines carry JHP in their .45s or FMJ ball ammo? I don't recall any reports of major failures as fight stoppers back then.
I'm curious. Did the WWII Soldiers and Marines carry JHP in their .45s or FMJ ball ammo? I don't recall any reports of major failures as fight stoppers back then.
FMJ will work. A HP is better, but ball ammo will work. Of all the handgun rounds out there, the .45 ACP is one of the better ones for use with ball ammo. Its penetration is less excessive and it already is nice and fat.
Still, if you can at all swing it, you're better off with a well-made hollow point.
Mike
Still, if you can at all swing it, you're better off with a well-made hollow point.
Mike
Mad Magyar
Member
Personally, not being in law enforcement, I'm not a keen fan of any ammo other than FMJ in a .45. Skeeter Skelton brought this up on many occasions with his .45's. I say this only because of the reliability issue. On lesser calibers, I can see a need and use hollow points for my carry.
Clint Smith, the Thunder Ranch guru, uses only 230-gr ball ammo in his personal defense guns. "When you're shooting big .45 slugs, you don't really need them to expand. And I prefer the reliable feeding you get with ball ammunition."
Clint Smith, the Thunder Ranch guru, uses only 230-gr ball ammo in his personal defense guns. "When you're shooting big .45 slugs, you don't really need them to expand. And I prefer the reliable feeding you get with ball ammunition."
.357 magnum
Member
FMJ for self Defense-No!
No modern .45 auto should have a feed issue. If it does, I would get a new gun. If you really have a feed issue, go with the 165gr pow-r-ball by corbon. Very powerful round though, you will need to practice a lot. This is a +P round, again that would be very hard on older guns if you shot a lot of practice rounds. I can tell you this, it would most likely be a stopper close to some of the better quality HP. As for you gentlemen that are stuck on ball ammo, this is not 1945 it's almost 2007 and we have extremely high quality ammo available now. Military requires ball. I am 50 years old and ex-LE. I never heard of anyone using ball ammo even back when I was in LE for self defense. If some drugged up home invader comes visiting with his freinds, then you will want the best available. This thread is about FMJ and should they be used for self-defense. The real answer is NO. We have so much better available to use now because of technological advances. This is a great bunch of people on THR, but if a person needs to defend themselves from harm-- do not advise them to use FMJ--their life could depend on it! There is so much better available. The .45 and .40 are my favorite caliber's for a couple of good reasons. One of them is the fact they are great self-defense rounds. You can see my earlier post on this thread for what are some proven self-defense rounds in a .45
The Best to all on THR!
No modern .45 auto should have a feed issue. If it does, I would get a new gun. If you really have a feed issue, go with the 165gr pow-r-ball by corbon. Very powerful round though, you will need to practice a lot. This is a +P round, again that would be very hard on older guns if you shot a lot of practice rounds. I can tell you this, it would most likely be a stopper close to some of the better quality HP. As for you gentlemen that are stuck on ball ammo, this is not 1945 it's almost 2007 and we have extremely high quality ammo available now. Military requires ball. I am 50 years old and ex-LE. I never heard of anyone using ball ammo even back when I was in LE for self defense. If some drugged up home invader comes visiting with his freinds, then you will want the best available. This thread is about FMJ and should they be used for self-defense. The real answer is NO. We have so much better available to use now because of technological advances. This is a great bunch of people on THR, but if a person needs to defend themselves from harm-- do not advise them to use FMJ--their life could depend on it! There is so much better available. The .45 and .40 are my favorite caliber's for a couple of good reasons. One of them is the fact they are great self-defense rounds. You can see my earlier post on this thread for what are some proven self-defense rounds in a .45
The Best to all on THR!
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velojym
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I've tested my XD45 with a fairly wide variety of JHP ammo, and have had zero
failures, so now I just need to work out what it likes best. I keep it loaded with 230gr JHPs (though I'm ashamed to say I don't know which batch right at the moment).
My CCW is a Springfield Micro Compact 1911, which is stoked with ball until I can get more ammo/range time together. Since I travel for a living, apartment life isn't an issue, but it's always important to know what's downrange of your target.
I'll have to look into the expanding FMJ, but I still plan to wring out the Micro with a few different loads, and hopefully will be able to settle on something both pistols like.
failures, so now I just need to work out what it likes best. I keep it loaded with 230gr JHPs (though I'm ashamed to say I don't know which batch right at the moment).
My CCW is a Springfield Micro Compact 1911, which is stoked with ball until I can get more ammo/range time together. Since I travel for a living, apartment life isn't an issue, but it's always important to know what's downrange of your target.
I'll have to look into the expanding FMJ, but I still plan to wring out the Micro with a few different loads, and hopefully will be able to settle on something both pistols like.
.38 Special
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I know there are a lot of folks who take issue with Evan Marshall's "one shot stop" research, but I have yet to see anything more reliable.
According to actual street usage, .45 ball is reliable about 60% of the time. That, to me, is much more meaningful than second-hand anecdotes about dead Japanese soldiers.
If I was worried about overpenetration and was satisfied with 60% effectiveness, I would use a .32 ACP with Silvertips.
According to actual street usage, .45 ball is reliable about 60% of the time. That, to me, is much more meaningful than second-hand anecdotes about dead Japanese soldiers.
If I was worried about overpenetration and was satisfied with 60% effectiveness, I would use a .32 ACP with Silvertips.
If you are worried about overpenetration and need the reliability of a roundnose bullet, why not Glaser Safety Slugs? They are somewhat expensive - so practicing with them is out - but they break apart on contact which reduces the risk of overpenetration. Stopping power is supposed to be increased over conventional HP rounds. I keep a speed loader full of .357 mag GSS rounds near my GP-100 for home protection.
velojym
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I'm buying a GP100 for my wife, as she doesn't much care for the P95, and I'll probably buy a couple packs of Glasers for her. We don't live in an apartment, but I'd still rather not shoot through any walls, as we'd be pretty upset if one of the dogs got hurt. I did think about loading a couple Glasers up front, then four JHPs, in case Mr Bad Guy takes cover after the first couple shots. I still have to think about it though.
As far as combat is concerned pistol rounds probably accounted for mabe 1 in a 1000 kills (didn't win any wars). Any weapon that won't feed HP reliablely will fail on JHP sooner or later. Anything I own that won't shoot Gold Dots stays in the safe.
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