Best Ammo for Short Barreled 45?

[147 Grain]

What ammo is the best for self defense in short barreled 45 autos, such as Taurus' Millenium Pro with a 3.2" barrel (that's I'm considering)?

Am considering Ranger T 230-gr. +P that's rated at 990 fps in a 4" barrel or Double Tap's 230-gr. +P Gold Dot at 1,010 fps from 4" pipe.

Will these +P rounds be a lot harder to control than standard HP's going 100+ fps slower?

What other ammo should I consider for self defense with the 45 auto?

Thanks again in advance of your assistance! Any other suggestions for a compact 45 auto are needed as well.

Steve

 

[W Turner]

I like McNett's Double Tap loadings.

Now that that is out of the way, I don't know how controllable some of those loads would be out of a short barreled, lightweight pistol.

Whenever I have owned/carried short barreled (under 4") .45's I have always dropped down to the 200gr. loadings. .45 does not lose as much from a short barrel as higher pressure rounds.

Here is what I would look at...

Speer 200gr. Gold Dot (they are making loads specifically tuned for short barrels now too)

Cor-bon 185gr. and 200 gr. Loads

Remington Golden Saber 185gr. +p

W

 

[PCRit]

Check out this thread.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152529&highlight=WInchester+Ranger+short

Ranger works fine in a short barrel, as does Federal Hydrashok and of course 200gr Corbon.

 

[shield20]

Ya might want to give Hornady TAP 200gr a try. After a few different 185/230s (GDot/Double Tap/CorBon/Fed HST) from my Ltwwt Commander, the TAP felt the best handling-wise: recoil, flash, etc., they are accurate, and it functions perfectly. FPS is at 1010 from 5", so should be fine in your short bbl.

The DTs were a bear to shoot, as were the CorBons; GD functioning was a bit off (a couple jams) - but could have been the Colt magazine. The new HSTs were fine (230@950), would be my next choice - but I think they still are a bit much for this AL frame piece.

The XTP bullet has been around a while, and could probably stand some updating, but I am gonna stick with them for now.

 

[147 Grain]

Thank-you!

Any idea of velocity loss in 45 auto from a 1" shorter barrel (3.2" versus 4.2")?

 

[kbr80]

From what I have heard, no acutal experience in testing, is that for every 1 inch down you go you lose 50 fps.

 

[147 Grain]

Now I'm a little undecided between the 24/7's 4" barrel and the PT-145 Millenium Pro's 3.27".

Already have a nice Ruger KP-345PR for range work and am looking for another 45 for CCW.


Taurus PT-145 Millenium Pro

Price at Davidsons is $302 for a stainless PT-145.

Taurus 24/7

Price at Davidsons is $442 for a stainless 24/7.

 

[ABBOBERG]

I would go with the longer barrel. You will lose 100 fps+ when you go to +p loads.

 

[MICHAEL T]

CorBon has a new 160grDPX non+P for short barrel 45 does around 1080fps from Colt Defender according to S. Camp tests or they have a excellant 185 DPX in +P if you want a little more speed, or weight.

 

[147 Grain]

Thanks for the suggestion on the 4" barreled 24/7! BTW - Do you think the width is about the same for for the PT-145 and 24/7?

What about controling recoil?