Best .45 acp ammo

[Joshboyfutre]

So I have noticed that with todays technology, ammo choice is just as important as the weapon u shoot it out of. My question would be this. What is the best defensive .45 ammo for my new 1911 that is in layaway? Have always liked federal hst & even hydra-shok for .380, but I'm unfamiliar with .45 ammo. All opinions would be welcome and reshearched.

 

[JTQ]

I don't chase the latest and greatest in .45 ACP ammo. I shoot more 230 gr. ball out of my 1911 than anything else.

From a common sense perspective, any .45ACP ammo you shoot out of your 1911 is going to perform better than even the best .380 ammo you've been relying on in the past, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

If you've got to have the top shelf stuff, Federal HST is usually one of the top performers, and anything using the Barnes all copper bullet is usually pretty good. Speer Gold Dot, Remington Golden Saber, Winchester Ranger are all good.

 

[imashooter]

There is no best; only preferred based on who knows what.

 

[justin22885]

i like federal HST first, gold dot second and thats for any caliber, as i move from 45acp to 9mm, that doesnt change, but if im handloading then its hornady XTP

 

[ROAshooter]

it is a FACT....230gr ball...has done very well for over a 100 years...

 

[TruthTellers]

With a 5" barrel, pretty much any major brand .45 hollow point ammo will work. Even the cheap PMC and Magtech JHP will be effective.

 

[pblanc]

Federal HST 230gr or Speer Gold Dot 230gr.

 

[MICHAEL T]

the Barnes all copper bullet is usually pretty good. . Corbon stated they have had good reports from actual shootings .

 

[Zerodefect]

Can't really go too wrong with a .45.

HST is my general 1st choice. Barnes, Corbon powerball, and Rem Goldensaber are all great choices as well.

 

[justin22885]

Can't really go too wrong with a .45.

you can if your handgun is a 9mm ;-)

 

[JamieC]

There are more than a few good JHPs that will work in 45acp. Even if they don't expand, they are at least as good as FMJ and there are many who carry FMJ for self defense.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Im a little surprised no one has said this yet, but the best ammo for your new gun is what ever brand cycles properly and hits reasonably accurately.

I recommend testing several brands including Hornady, Speer, Winchester, Remington, Federal, and several other premium brands. Pick the one that functions properly in YOUR gun.

 

[1911 guy]

I shoot two kinds of ammo. Hardball and Federal Hydra-Shok. Both of the 230 grain persuasion.

 

[bgw45]

My reloads.

 

[rcmodel]

Find one that works 100% in your gun.

After that, it makes little difference once the BG has a 1/2" hole through his chest.

I have one 1911 loaded with Hornady 230 grain XTP.
Another one loaded with GI issue 230 grain RN-FMJ.
And a S&W revolver loaded with the same thing.

No matter which one you got shot with through the chest?

You aren't going to shake it off and get back in the game anytime soon.

rc

 

[JDR]

I like the Hornady American Gunner (aka "Custom") 230 grain JHP, that XTP bullet is extremely accurate in an inherently accurate caliber.

 

[Joshboyfutre]

Lol it always amazes me how many people try thier best to make a simple question sound stupid. All ammo is not the same, some ammo over penetrates, some expands early and under penetrates, and some of it goes where it wants. Of course I'm going to make sure whatever ammo I use runs well im my pistol, and Its for defensive purposes... I think most everyone uses fmj to target practice that don't have a money tree. I use hydra-shok in .380 because it works, and hst in most other calibers because it always seems to test well and I've never had feed issues with it. I'm very aware of the capabilities of the .45 caliber round, but I don't want to just trust any old ammo out there with my life. I appreciate the genuine responses and recognize the condescending and belittling remarks for what they are. I'm probably gonna get some hornaday and federal hst and compare the two. Thanks fellas.
P.s. not trying to b a jerk just get aggravated with some of the remarks acting like I'm an idiot for asking, just looking fo advice & conversation.

 

[maxxhavoc]

Start here, if you want to get a good side by side comparison.
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/

I used Hydra-Shok since the early 90's, but saw too many tests where the some of the rounds did not expand. Newer stuff is out there, and performs more consistently. I am looking at moving to Speer Gold Dots if they function and feed as well as Hydra-Shoks.

 

[huntsman]

Don't know about a 1911 but my criteria for .45acp carry ammo is the cheapest American made JHP I can find, since I got a deal on some Golden Saber 185gr that's what I use.

 

[JTQ]

Joshboyfutre wrote,
Lol it always amazes me how many people try thier best to make a simple question sound stupid. All ammo is not the same, some ammo over penetrates, some expands early and under penetrates, and some of it goes where it wants.

I get the feeling you don't believe us when we say...

I don't chase the latest and greatest in .45 ACP ammo. I shoot more 230 gr. ball out of my 1911 than anything else.

I have one 1911 loaded with Hornady 230 grain XTP.
Another one loaded with GI issue 230 grain RN-FMJ.
And a S&W revolver loaded with the same thing.

I shoot two kinds of ammo. Hardball and Federal Hydra-Shok. Both of the 230 grain persuasion.

My reloads.

You asked the question and we responded with what we, those of us that shoot 1911's and .45ACP guns, actually use. Do you think we're holding back on some kind of magic bullet that we actually use, but just won't tell you about? No, we use what we said, and we feel our choices work just fine.

 

[Joshboyfutre]

I dont think that. I was just aggravated by some of the people that are jerks about anything a person says or asks and acts like its completely ignorant. Far as I'm concerned what I'm hearing is fairly accurate. Federal and hornady make some great ammo and the advice recieved here confirms that. I appreciate any responses that are genuinely trying to help. I've learned alot reading these responses. Thank you.

 

[BlindJustice]

Whatever you choose, #1 feeds/ejects reliably
#2 can you hit the target accurately

So, +1 460 Kodiak for shooting a variety of ammo
to check for #1 & #2

I have three 1911 variants, Full SIze, Commander, &
SA Range Offficer Compact. Break In with the latter
two was shoot several boxes of 230 gr. FMJ & also
shoot 10 rds each of 4-5 types of JHP & 10 rds of
200 gr. SWC. They both have yet to have a FTF/FTE
except the Commander had a bobble with a woman
friend who limp wristed the grip. operator error.

My carry ammo is Federal HST 230 gr. & I also keep
some Hornady or Prograde 230 gr. XTP 230 gr. in 'stock.
because HST is not plentiful in local SGs.

I also have a S&W 625 .45 ACP/.45 Auto RIm and it
definitely shoots/runs better with Federal ( softer
primers ). So, for range ammo I usually buy Federal
American Eagle 230 gr. FMJ.

So, O.P. start buying a box or two of ammo/month
& be eready when you get the 1911 out of lay away.

R-

 

[Drail]

Worry about making good hits and stop worrying about ammo. With a .45 bullet design really doesn't matter if you place properly. It seems like far too many people today overthink their ammo.

 

[Warp]

Federal HST
Speer Gold Dot

Worry about making good hits and stop worrying about ammo. With a .45 bullet design really doesn't matter if you place properly. It seems like far too many people today overthink their ammo.

All handguns are weak and ineffective, and shot placement is always king. Followed by penetration.

 

[BSA1]

What is the best defensive .45 ammo for my new 1911 that is in layaway?

I was just aggravated by some of the people that are jerks about anything a person says or asks and acts like its completely ignorant.

Actually your question reflects a lack of understanding on how many variables the human body has. Stopping power is a complex subject for which there is no one easy answer.

A persons physical size, weight, body mass, drugs/alcohol in the body, bullet track into the body, which organs and bones are hit by the bullet, the persons emotional state, the persons belief on what will happen to them when they are shot are just some of the variable factors. There is no mathematical formula for the variables that can predict stopping power.

The best advice is to choose ammunition that functions perfectly in your gun everytime all the time. The best type of ammunition for this type of performance is FMJ. If your gun will not perform 100% with FMJ get rid of the gun or get it fixed until it does function 100% of the time. Once you have chose a brand you are happy with then begin to experiment with different bullet styles, bullet weight, velocities and manufacturers. There is no one round that fits all situations or all guns. For me accuracy and comfort with follow-up shots are the next criteria.

Likewise now is good time to forget about "one round stopping power." It is a very bad myth that can get you killed. Shoot until the attacker stops his actions and doesn't want to play anymore. Maybe it's old guy attitude creeping up but I find myself in agreement with RC Modeler about it doesn't matter if one is loaded with Hornady 230 gr. XTP and another one loaded with 230 gr. RN-FMJ. My objective is the same.