Best bullet weight in 45 ACP for SD?

Best 45 ACP bullet weight for SD

  • 165 gr

    Votes: 3 1.6%

  • 185 gr

    Votes: 21 11.3%

  • 200 gr

    Votes: 20 10.8%

  • 230 gr

    Votes: 142 76.3%
  • Total voters
    186
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I have a buddy that carries a Sig 220 .45 as a duty weapon. He was asked by one of his co-workers why he carried a .45 over the .40 that most officers carry.

He said because you can't shoot 45 caliber 230 grain bullets in a .40 :).

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
Although I'm shooting a lot more .40S&W lately because of all the free brass I can pick up at the range and reload, I really only like the .40S&W in sub-compacts where the velocity loss in sub 4" barrels with .45ACP could lead to inadequate penetration.

The 180gr .40 has the same sectional density as the 230gr .45.

--wally.
 
I just posted somewhere else about this and I can't remember where. At any rate I took a 6-point whitetail with a Springfield loaded model and 200gr Hornady TAP +P and overall I'd rate it very effective as the pistol took the little buck down within just a few yards of where he got hit. The thing is we recovered the bullet in his opposite shoulder after having passed through his lungs and there was no deformation at all, none! I'm curious if anybody else has seen this type of performance out of this load. Regardless it worked very well and I wouldent think it would work any less on a BG.......
 
Depends on the gun and the bullet design/velocity when fired in that gun.

I'd specify a bullet design with the weight for a particular gun. I'm not gonna vote b/c each of my .45s likes a different load.
 
Given the .45's somewhat pedestrian velocity, I don't trust JHP to always work as planned.

So, I use 230 JHP or hardball.

Regardless of whether the HP opens or not, it's hard to argue with a big heavy bullet!

If it does open, great!
But if it doesn't, you still hit'em with a big chunk of Heavy Metal.

1224.jpg
rcmodel
 
It's why I love a .45ACP in FMJ. HP's of all calibers may or may not open up, but a .45 WILL NOT SHRINK.:neener:
 
Here's what I like about the .45 acp 230 gr. fmj: It makes a very big hole. It packs a lot of energy. It is subsonic and a suppressor's dream. The bore diameter is very impressive when one is pointed at you. I still have a magazine of Black Talons thinking that if I ever need them, they'll make a bigger hole. But since 999 of 1,000 rounds of .45acp I've shot has been .230 gr. FMJ, my line of expertise would be crossed if I speculated or commented further :uhoh:
 
i like 230gr. maybe it just makes me feel more of a man thee bigger the bullets i shoot! no reallt though it is important to get what works best, accurate, reliable and controlable to the end user when it comes to ammo, just like guns. try out a few loads and see what you like best andhe weapon performs best with and then you will have your answer. any route that you go you are gonna hev great performance and massive wound channels.
 
Would a 200 gr JHP 'open up' easier than a 230 gr if all other parameters are equal?
Click to expand...

No if all other parameters like velocity are equal. They will open up easier or more reliably in general because you get a higher velocity with the lighter bullet, but the starting sectional density is lower and gets much lower with expansion, so it could be recipe for inadequate penetration despite the pretty mushrooms you see in photos.

All things being equal, penetration is proportional to sectional density times velocity. Nothing remains equal at impact, the velocity slows and the sectional density decreases if you get expansion. I rule out any round that doesn't get at least 12" penetration in standard gel test in guns with the same barrel length as mine. I prefer 14-16" penetration because of the variations in velocities within the same gun and especially between different guns.

--wally.
 
I like 200gr and up. I did keep my Kimber loaded with 165gr Hydra shoks when I lived in an apartment to reduce penetration.
 
I use a Lee mould to cast a 230g TC which I feel is the best shape and weight overall.

Truncated cone is fantastic for feeding, but the large metplat is efficient for transmitting shock and 230g helps to penetrate. You could probably hunt wild boar and deer quite well with this bullet.
 
It's why I love a .45ACP in FMJ. HP's of all calibers may or may not open up, but a .45 WILL NOT SHRINK.
Click to expand...

Nor will a .45ACP in JHP shrink. =/






No vote for 230GR +P?
 
thorazine wrote:
Nor will a .45ACP in JHP shrink. =/
Click to expand...

I shouldn't have added the FMJ part, JHP's won't shrink either.:banghead:

As far as +P goes, I'm about to order some Buffalo Bore in 230gr.:evil:
 
Last edited:
I like 200gr +P

Seem to have impressive numbers.......
Having said that, I'd hate to get hit with ANYTHING .45!

JP
 
The consensus seems to be anything greater or equal to 200 is the way to go. How much extra uumph do you get going from 230 to 230 +P? How noticeable is the increase in recoil?
 
I vote for 230 JHP. These were Win Per Def 230 grain, JHPs recovered from a nice boar. I would post the 3rd bullet fired, but it completely penetrated the boar. Weapon used: Colt WWI Reproduction. Also, it was by error that I used Per Def ammo. I misread the box and thought them for hunting. However, given that one exited, and the performance of the other two, I feel it safe to assume that they would stop an attack:

View attachment 331934

View attachment 331935

View attachment 331936

View attachment 331937
 
Didn't vote:

Agree 100% with esq_stu. I like 185 gr. bullets for lighter guns with short barrels. Out of a Star PD or Officers model, for example, I like Rem. Golden Saber 185 +P. Out of a 5" 1911 or a 625 I prefer any of the newer 230 JHPs, such as Hydra-Shok or Golden Saber.
 
bullet weight

A heavy bullet is not always better.I't is slower and will expand less.I want a bullet to expand a lot and not just pass thru,that way your target will absorb all the energy whitch will result in better stoping power.
 
I like the 45 230" ,yes it's slow ,no its not the best for personal protection ,but all in all anyone that takes one of them to the chest or any where else on the body for that matter most likely will not want to argue about it.
 
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