Best S&W Governor 45 acp loads

[defjon]

Hello,

I know this gun has its detractors. I am a fan of federal 410 buck at 7 yards and under (10 yards still groups and penetrates well, but confidence is higher at 21 feet). The four 36 caliber round balls group well and penetrate to FBI standards in ballistics gel tests.

45 colt rounds are great. My governor prefers a 200 grain flat point semi wadcutter loaded to cowboy speeds. Hornady jhp rounds easily go 18+ inches with impressive temporary cavities but don't expand.

With the long cylinder and short barrel, the gun is more accurate than it should be or is often reported to be, but are there any 45 acp jhp rounds that one could reasonably expect to expand?

Velocity loss is significant. The webley proved you don't need to move a big bullet all that fast to have good "stopping power" or street record success. I know, I hate that term and use it loosely in regards to ANY round from a handgun.

Are there 45 jhp rounds today that would expand or 6 or 700 fps?

I'm just guessing, but maybe federal hst or the arx type ammo might be the best bet with the short barrel /loss of velocity.

Is finding a good 45 acp load that will penetrate AND expand impossible for the governor?

I've posted before, but mine is overall much more accurate with 45acp Vs 45 colt (apart from the lead cowboy loads).

Reloads are quick with moon clips. 180 grain stuff might move quicker. I can't find much information or testing when it comes to the gov and 45 acp hollow point loads.

I guess a flat point fmj or wadcutter would still be. 45 and have plenty of penetration, but if anyone is aware of a good expanding load that does so under 800 fps, I'd be interested!

Hopefully this can be helpful for folks who own this gun and want to shoot at longer ranges. Not long ago 45 acp ball was about 14/50 rounds for brass fmj ammo.

I have a lot of moon clips loaded up with that, but I've always been curious about jhp loads with the lower velocity.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Given how hard it is to get ammo now, and the ask you're looking to find a .45 to expand AND penetrate at that velocity. I think I would fall back and stick with something like a lead SWC. Cuts a large hole while penetrating. I think that is the way I would go if I could find some of that rather than buying a lot of $$ HP ammo which may not work as you want it to.

 

[defjon]

I appreciate the response.

Assuming ammunition becomes available again and one has a options , anyone have any ideas for a 45 acp jhp with expansion at lower velocity?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would look for "short barrel" stuff as it might expand going slower than normal;
Premium 45 ACP Defense Ammo In Stock - 230 gr JHP - 45 ACP Ammunition by Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel For Sale - 20 Rounds (luckygunner.com)

Lucky Gunner does a lot of testing, look around their site, they may have done the short barrel ammo options tests.

 

[defjon]

Forgot about lucky gunner! Might be able to make some assumptions if they did shorter barrel tests. Thanks!

 

[TTv2]

I've been trying to find a load with the Public Defender to see what would would get me close to 800 fps and there's nothing you can do with the .410 chambered revolvers to get a high enough velocity, there so much gas blowing buy as the bullet reaches the forcing cone. I was planning to try the Inceptor ammo with the polymer bullets and the fluted nose, but they went out of business recently and I doubt they'll be back.

So, your next best option is the Lehigh Defense ammo at $2 a shot.

 

[defjon]

I'd like to make some ballistic gel and test a bunch of loads for folks, see if there are any 45 acp jhp rounds that will open up and penetrate at such low speeds.

When i traded into the governor I also ended up with an assortment of 45 jhp loads