Choice of new .45acp duty/carry ammunition.....

[RustyShackelford]

True....

That's true.
I look for bright nickel cases, a round that performs well in the FBI protocols(clothing, wood, auto glass, drywall, etc).

Price is a factor too but for LE grade rounds, I can't be too choosey.
The 50rd box of Winchester Ranger T/T Series 230gr +P .45acp JHP will cost me approx $54.00 USD.
I need to pay the sales tax & ground S/H.

Hornady's Critical Duty 220gr +P is a good value & well made. It's also available in more areas/online retail sources than other brands.
I think Corbon's DPX is more expensive than what's needed. I got my friend some DPX .38spl +P for his new home defense LCR revolver in 2013. He still uses it.
The Thunder Ranch Corbon loads I would say are more packaging & flash than any real benefit.
Like a Cadilac vs a GMC.

I'm still not a fan of Golden Saber due to the - box I got in 11/2013. The cases were a weird red-brown color and the bullets looked really bad.

I haven't purchased any Gold Dots since the mid 2000s when I used my Ruger GPNY revolver on security details & loaded it with the top rated 135gr JHP +P .38spl. I would feel well armed with Speer Gold Dot but it's not my first pick.

 

[Skylerbone]

Maybe I'm in the minority by loading my own and I understand the hesitancy on the part of some to do so but...XTPs and GDs (loose bullets) and others are available so that practicing with your carry load doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I'm not an advocate of +P ammo and the like feeling it's simply not advisable.

The .45 ACP was meant to shoot a heavy, slow projectile so that's what I stick to. As mentioned, pick a round that is reliable in your pistol before buying by the case.

 

[mdauben]

I like to use Federal HST, Federal Hydra-Shok, or Speer Gold Dot standard pressure 230 gr in my .45's. These are all good performers (yes, even the Hydra-Shok does well in gel tests in .45 caliber) and are all available in 50 round "LE" packaging for less than $40 per box.

 

[19-3Ben]

and are all available in 50 round "LE" packaging for less than $40 per box.

Yup. The LE boxes of HST are fantastic like that. Same with Hornady Critical Duty. One of the reasons I picked both of those for my carry loads for my .45acp pistols is the simple economics. They met the threshold for consideration by being high quality defensive loads that are seemingly very reliable.
Then they met the second criterion by being priced such that it is economically feasible for me to practice with them, and test for reliability in my firearms. Some other high quality defensive stuff at over $1.00/round just got too pricey.

 

[TomJ]

Have you looked at Buffalo Bore? Their .45 185 grain +P is rated at 1,150 fps/M.E. 543 ft. lbs.

 

[moxie]

bds,

You will note I used the word "assumption."

TomJ,

Keep in mind that followup shots are an important factor, and hot +P loads can be a problem. We need to factor in all of these issues when selecting a good ammo for carry or other self defense purpose. I was a fan of the 185+P out of short barrel pistols for a very long time, but finally became persuaded that the non+P 230 round was the best in short and standard barrel lengths. It offers the best compromise between energy on target and ability to hit accurately and quickly with followup shots. If all you're interested in is raw energy on the first shot, carry a .454 Casull or .460 Rowland. The fact we're talking a .45 or other auto like a 9mm indicates that there might be a need for followup shots. Food for thought.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Don't worry... be happy...

.45 ACP is not a marginal self-defense round, any modern bullet in any common weight in any common loading will likely perform well (and if it doesn't, there's no way to tell if there was another bullet would have done better in the same situation, and no way to guarantee that even if there was such a bullet, that you would ever be in the same situation again).

I think being picky about more marginal caliber choices like .380 ACP, .38 Special, or 9mm is a little more worthwhile, but for .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .357 magnum, etc., it would be harder to find a common and reputable load that won't work well.

 

[LiveLife]

The fact we're talking a .45 or other auto like a 9mm indicates that there might be a need for followup shots. Food for thought.

Very good point.

Based on the recent police involved shooting, 6 bullets hit the threat at close range with the shot to the head likely stopping the threat. Had the shot to the head not occurred, I have a feeling the threat would have advanced towards the shooter. I think this incident illustrates well that in real life shooting situations where the threat moves fast and deliberately with agility and physical confidence, mere display of firearm or single shot to the body may not stop the attack on the shooter and multiple follow up shots could be crucial to the survival of the shooter. Had the 6 bullets missed their intended POA, we might have had a different outcome to the shooting.

IMO, there's merit to the notion of training and practice but having a pistol and ammunition that allow faster and accurate follow up shots is very significant.

So it may be best to try different bullet weights in standard pressure and +P ammunition to see which allows you to shoot fastest and most accurate and carry that ammunition despite our opinions on this board. Ultimately, it's your life on the line and what works best in your pistol/hands should be the judge.

Holes on target speak volumes.

 

[burk]

The reason I have gravitated to HST's and Gold Dots has been my bad experience with Bullet set back in Hornady XTP's (my old SD round of choice). I carried them in my Kimber 1911's for years but noticed more and more that the bullets were setting back into the cartridge, I have a dozen at home that are significantly shorter than when they came out of the factory. All of this merely from being chambered in my 1911's. I don't know if this QC situation has improved with Critical Duty's or not. I now carry Glocks (30SF) and also shoot a 21G4 but I've had no issues with HST's.

 

[moxie]

I will hasten to add that in 9mm, my favorite round is the 124+P HST, GD, or GS. I find that even with the S&W M&P 9C, fast followup shots are as easy as with the non +P versions. Since the +P rounds pack a bit more punch, I carry them. Each person should test a variety of ammo in their guns of choice and determine what works best, for them.

 

[TomJ]

bds,

You will note I used the word "assumption."

TomJ,

Keep in mind that followup shots are an important factor, and hot +P loads can be a problem. We need to factor in all of these issues when selecting a good ammo for carry or other self defense purpose. I was a fan of the 185+P out of short barrel pistols for a very long time, but finally became persuaded that the non+P 230 round was the best in short and standard barrel lengths. It offers the best compromise between energy on target and ability to hit accurately and quickly with followup shots. If all you're interested in is raw energy on the first shot, carry a .454 Casull or .460 Rowland. The fact we're talking a .45 or other auto like a 9mm indicates that there might be a need for followup shots. Food for thought.

moxie,

I agree. I'm a believer in using the largest caliber you can shoot effectively. It obviously does you no good to shoot a caliber or round that you can not control and therefore not shoot accurately. I use Buffalo Bore ammunition, but but switched to it only after shooting it in my carry gun to make sure it works for me.