Best self defense ammo for .45 and .40 autos?

Status
Not open for further replies.
3

.357 magnum

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2006
Messages
511
Location
Omaha, NE
I was wondering what everyone uses for self defense ammo in their auto's. For this thread I am interested in .45 and .40 caliber especially-- four inch barrels for now. I am currently using the 230gr Federal hydra-shok for the .45 and the Remington 165gr Golden Saber for the .40

Thank you in advance!
 
Like the concept of 185 gr in .45acp

I think there is a better expansion out of a 4 inch barrel with the 185gr Remington but I am having a bit of a time finding them around town[no luck so far]. Where is everyone purchasing the 185gr Remington? I have also used the 230gr Winchester SXT they have a reputation for expansion and accuracy. Also do you think 185gr would affect accuracy? I practice with 230gr hardball.


Thank-you!
 
Shorter barrel .45s get 185 grain +p. Longer barrels get 230 Grain +P.

As for .40 caliber I prefer 165 grain.

Obviously all choices would be a quality hollowpoint.
 
I use 200gr +P in my 3.25" 45. 45ACP should be kept as heavy as possible IMHO because of its large frontal area. You get more penetration with slow and heavy than fast and light with a fat bullet like the .45, but 230gr is a little too slow out of such a short barrel.
 
Can I ask a question .:confused: Now I am not real smart ;) , but what the hell is the differents if you use a 165 gr TP or a 230 gr PT . Wont they both hurt really bad if you hit someone with ether one .
 
I am partial to the Speer Gold Dots in both my .40 and my .45. I have recently picked up some Ranger SXT for my .40 as well. I also just saw a article on the BONDED golden sabre, and they looked like they performed well.
Lesson? Most of the brands work well. Just make sure you cycle some through the weapon you use to make sure that you are used to them if you ever use them in an emergency, and make sure they feed reliably.
 
RKellogg wrote:
Can I ask a question . Now I am not real smart , but what the hell is the differents if you use a 165 gr TP or a 230 gr PT . Wont they both hurt really bad if you hit someone with ether one.
Click to expand...
I tried to address the weight issue in my post 2 up from yours. As far as TP vs PT, you got me there (never heard of those designations)! Most self defense ammo is HP (Hollow Point), and range or target ammo is FMJ (Full Metal Jacket). There are many other kinds, but these are by far the most common. Hollow points are designed to expand which helps in a defensive shoot two ways. First, they lessen the likelyhood that the bullet will pass through and hurt someone else. Second, they cause more damage which helps to stop your attacker quicker. Taken together these attributes make it possible to shoot a more powerful round that will cause more destruction in the bad guy without endangering someone else. The object of a defensive shooting is to stop the attacker as quickly as possible, not to kill him per se, although sometimes those things seem entertwined.

Stick around, you'll be a genuine internet gun expert in no time! :D
 
I use Winchester SXT 230 gr. for the .45 and Federal Hydrashok for the .40 with a mixture of 165 and 185 gr. bullets.
 
Today?
<drops mag>
Hardball, some old USGI issue as matter of fact. Old USGI/Colt 7 rd mags, with sealed floorplates too.

I dunno, all the 1911s I use, just flat work. Still, I run ammo thru guns and mags for being reliable, then POA/POI , then I might shoot dirt to check penetration...

Prefer 230 gr, or a 200 gr.
I just grab what handy, I don't buy +Ps, never seen much use for them.

Shot placment, hits count, so gun gotta run and kinda nice if it shoots where aimed the way I figure it.

Hang on <reaches for Kimber Series I , drops mag> Duckbutt gun got JHPs, 230 gr Fed HS, bought a long time ago, its spare mag has Fiocchi 230 gr JHPs it seems...

Neither of which are going to do me anygood if I do not do my part...
 
I loaded my own 155 grain hornady XTP's for my 40 today. I'm using 7.5 grains of Unique which should give me 1200 fps out of a 4 inch barrel. I've got 100 of'em loaded.:D
 
Speer Gold Dot 200gr +P .45 ACP in my 4" Kimber Pro Carry.

When I had a .40 cal I carried 165 gr Speer Gold Dot ammo.

I'm partial to the Gold Dot JHP bullet if you couldn't tell.:)
 
I use Remington 230 grain Bonded Golden Sabers in my 5” and 4.25” .45s.

I also reload the same non-bonded bullets (non-bonded=cheaper) for practice and reliability tests.


Chuck
 
Either Winchester Ranger SXT or Remington Golden Saber. Have never used either on a meat target, only paper so I only know about feel and reliability. Any information about SD effectiveness I have is strictly second-hand.
 
.40S&W loads-.45acp loads

For the .40 Smith and Wesson I'd go with a 165gr bonded JHP from Remington Golden Saber or Speer Gold Dot. The 135gr JHP loads from Triton/CorBon/etc may work well too but for general use the 165gr loads work just fine, ;) .

For .45acp I would buy the W-W Ranger SXT 230gr JHP +P or the 200gr JHP from Speer Gold Dot/CCI. The Speer Gold Dot short barrel .45acp load would be a smart choice for compact .45 acp pistols.

Frangible/"exotic" loads like Glaser Silver, Magsafe, ExtremeShock, PowRBall have merit but for most uses stick to standard JHPs from major firms. ;)

RS
 
You Guys have been awesome!

Great info! Moxie I will probably buy some ammo from ammobank looks like a good deal!

Big Thank You to everyone who responded!

The Best to all!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
  • Locked
.40S&W Which Self Defense Round??
2
Replies
47
Views
2K
Sean Smith
S
A
  • Locked
Your MAIN choice for .45 ACP self-defense ammo?
2 3
Replies
65
Views
5K
Oldtrader3
O
W
  • Locked
Federal Hydra-Shok?
Replies
16
Views
2K
glassman
glassman
5
  • Locked
Loose Rounds, First Generation (1988) Federal Hydra-Shok .45 ACP 230gr in Clear Gel
Replies
17
Views
2K
fastbolt
fastbolt
T
  • Locked
My self defence ammo test 9 mm and 380
2
Replies
34
Views
5K
JR47
J
Back
Top