Excellent Self Defense Loads From Major Manufactures

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147 Grain

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For Your Consideration Only:


****** 380 ACP ******

Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian version of bonded Ranger T
95-gr. Bonded PDX1 (S380PDB)

Buffalo Bore:
100-gr. Hardcast Flatnose Standard Pressure (27E) Deep Penetrator.
100-gr. +P Hardcast Flatnose (27A) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.


****** 9X18 Makarov ******

Buffalo Bore: Consider FMJ is you have feeding problems.
115-gr. Hard Cast Flat Nose (Item #34B)


****** 38 Special Snubnose ******

Buffalo Bore Short Barrel:
158-gr. Standard Pressure Lead Semi-Wadcutter HP (20C)
150-gr. Standard Pressure Hardcast Wadcutter (20D) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
110-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper HP (DPX38110-20)

Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot:
135-gr. +P Gold Dot HP (23921)


****** 38 Special ******

Buffalo Bore: Also see other loads with 158-gr. +P LSWCHP (FBI / Chicago Load)
158-gr. +P LSWCHP (20A)
150-gr. Standard Pressure Hardcast Wadcutter (20D) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian version of bonded Ranger T
130-gr. +P Bonded PDX1 (S38PDB)

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
110-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper HP (DPX38110-20)

Speer Gold Dot: Also see other loads with the Gold Dot bullet
125-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot HP (23720)


****** 9mm Luger ******

Federal Tactical: LE Only
135-gr. +P Bonded HP (LE9T5)
124-gr. Bonded HP (LE9T1)

Federal HST: LE Only
147-gr. +P HST HP (P9HST4)
147-gr. HST HP (P9HST2)

Winchester Ranger T: LE Only
147-gr. HP (RA9T)
124-gr. +P Bonded HP (RA9BAB)
147-gr. Bonded HP (RA9B)
124-gr. Bonded HP (RA99124TP)
127-gr. +P+ HP (RA9TA)

Remington Golden Saber: Similar to Ranger T
147-gr. HP (GS9MMC)
124-gr. +P Bonded HP (GSB9MMD)
147-gr. +P Bonded HP (GSB9MMC)

Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian Version of Bonded Ranger T
124-gr. +P Bonded PDX1 HP (S9MMPDB)
147-gr. Bonded PDX1 HP (S9MMPDB1)

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
115-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper HP (DPX09115-20)

Black Hills:
115-gr. +P Barnes Tac-XP

Barnes:
115-gr. +P XPB Copper Jacketed HP

Speer Gold Dot: See also Double Tap & Black Hills
124-gr. +P Bonded HP (23617)
147-gr. Bonded HP (23619)
124-gr. Bonded HP (23618)

Buffalo Bore:
124-gr. +P+ Bonded Gold Dot HP (24B)
147-gr. +P+ Bonded Gold Dot HP (24C)
124-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot HP (24E)
124-gr. +P+ Penetrator FMJ (24F) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Double Tap:
115-gr. +P Barnes Tac-XP Copper Jacketed HP
147-gr. +P Flat Nose FMJ: For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.


****** 357 Sig ******

Double Tap:
147-gr. +P Bonded (1. Gold Dot if Available / 2. Sierra Loading)
125-gr. +P Bonded (1. Gold Dot if Available / 2. Sierra Loading)

Federal LE Tactical: LE Only
125-gr. LE Tactical Bonded HP (LE357ST4)

Buffalo Bore:
125-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot (25A)

Winchester: LE Only
125-gr. Bonded Ranger T (RA357SB)

Remington:
125-gr. +P Bonded Golden Saber HP (GSB357SB)

Federal HST:
125-gr. HST HP (P357SHST1)

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
125-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper Jacketed HP (DPX357SIG125-20)

Speer Gold Dot:
125-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP (23918)


****** 357 Mag ******

Buffalo Bore:
125-gr. Jacketed Montana Gold HP (19D) Use Gold Dot if it’s available
158-gr. Jacketed Montana Gold HP (19C) Use Gold Dot if it’s available
180-gr. Hardcast Lead Flat Nose (19A) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Double Tap:
125-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP (If Available)
125-gr. Semi-Jacketed Nosler HP
158-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP
158-gr. Jacketed Nosler HP
200-gr. WFNGC (Wide Flat Nose Gas Checked) Hard Cast: For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Speer Gold Dot:
125-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP (23920)
158-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP (23960)

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
125-gr. DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper HP (DPX357125-20)
125-gr. Jacketed HP (SD357125-20)

Winchester Supreme:
180-gr. Nosler Partition Gold (S357P) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.


****** 40 S&W ******

Federal LE: LE Only
165-gr. +P Bonded HP (LE40T3)
180-gr. Bonded HP (LE40T1)

Federal HST: LE Only
180-gr. HST HP (P40HST1)

Winchester Ranger T: LE Only
180-gr. HP (RA40T)
165-gr. Bonded HP (RA40BA)
165-gr. HP (RA40TA)
180-gr. Bonded HP (RA40B)

Remington Golden Saber: Similar to Ranger T
180-gr. HP (GS40SWB)
165-gr. Bonded HP (GSB40SWA)
180-gr. Bonded HP (GSB40SWB)

Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian Version of Bonded Ranger T
165-gr. Bonded PDX1 HP (S40SWPDB)
180-gr. Bonded PDX1 HP (S40SWPDB1)

Black Hills:
155-gr. Barnes Tac-XP

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
140-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper Jacketed HP (DPX40140-20)

Barnes:
155-gr. XPB Copper Jacketed HP
140-gr. XPB Copper Jacketed HP

Speer Gold Dot:
165-gr. Bonded Gold Dot (23970)
155-gr. Bonded Gold Dot (23961)
180-gr. Bonded Gold Dot (23962)

Buffalo Bore:
180-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot (23B)
155-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot (23A)
180-gr. +P Flat Nose FMJ (23C) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Double Tap:
180-gr. Nosler Jacketed HP
180-gr. Controlled Expansion HP
140-gr. Barnes Tac-XP Copper Jacketed HP
200-gr. WFNGC (Wide Flat Nose Gas Checked) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.


****** 10mm (FBI) Auto ******

Double Tap:
155-gr. +P Barnes Tac-XP All Copper Jacketed HP
180-gr. +P Golden Saber HP
180-gr. +P Nosler Jacketed HP
200-gr. +P WFNGC (Wide Flat Nose Gas Checked) Hardcast: Deep Penetrator.
230-gr. +P WFNGC (Wide Flat Nose Gas Checked) Hardcast: For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Buffalo Bore:
180-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot HP (21B)
200-gr. +P Flat Nose FMJ (21A) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
155-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper Jacketed HP (DPX10155-20)


****** 45 ACP ******

Federal LE Tactical: LE Only
230-gr. +P Bonded HP (LE45T1)

Federal HST: LE Only
230-gr. +P HST HP (P45HST1)
230-gr. HST HP (P45HST2)

Winchester Ranger T: LE Only
230-gr. +P HP (RA45TP)
230-gr. HP (RA45T)
230-gr. Bonded HP (RA45B)

Remington Golden Saber: Similar to Ranger T
230-gr. HP (GS45APB)
230-gr. Bonded HP (GSB45APB)

Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian Version of Bonded Ranger T
230-gr. Bonded PDX1 HP (S45PDB)

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
185-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper Jacketed HP (DPX45185-20)
160-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper Jacketed HP (DPX45160-20)

Black Hills:
185-gr. +P Barnes Tac-XP

Barnes:
185-gr. +P XPB Copper Jacketed HP
160-gr. +P XPB Copper Jacketed HP

Speer Gold Dot: See also Double Tap, & Black Hills,
200-gr. +P Only – Bonded Gold Dot HP (23969)
230-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP (23966)

Buffalo Bore:
200-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot (45-200)
230-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot (45-230)
255-gr. +P Hardcast (45-255) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Double Tap:
160-gr. +P Barnes Tac-XP Copper Jacketed HP
230-gr. +P Golden Saber HP
255-gr. +P Hardcast Semi-Wadcutter For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.
 
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List is FYI Only:

Feel free to tactfully discuss various issues about your favorite loads!

Data on the various above average loads came from 6+ years of researching / compiling dozens of various handgun ammo tests through media like Gel, 4-Ply Denin, Heavy Cloth, Wallboard, Metal, and Glass.

List is not all inclusive and generally outlines the cream of the crop loadings from major manufactures - many of which government and police agencies around the world use.
 
Golden Sabers (GS):

The same guy who developed the Ranger T line-up also designed the SIMILAR Golden Saber bullet for Remington (after he left Winchester). Ranger T's are typically priced less than GS's.
 
I guess my question is what the desired outcome of this thread is supposed to be.
What are you trying to communicate, OP?
 
Education is the Outcome:

Heavy for caliber bullets typically perform better for self defense than lighter projectiles do because PENETRATION is mandatory and expansion is secondary.

The FBI says that 62% of police shootings, a bullet travels through an arm, hand, or leg before even touching the chest area and PD's frequently state that 50% of time the bullet has to travel at a odd angle before reaching the vitals. This is why PENETRATION is critical due to longer angles or extremities before reaching the vitals!

The average self defense HP loses 4" - 6" of penetrating power in flesh when it goes through a leather glove (both sides). Strong heavy duty bullets (that also expand) are a must if you want to survive!

The above list of suggested loads generally provide good penetration and expansion. A proper balance with penetration leading the way is the criteria I used in gathering data for performance in Gel, 4-Ply Denim, Heavy Cloth, Wallboard, Glass, and Steel.

I am in the process of expanding the recommended list to include other calibers which will be posted soon. Feel free to research for hundreds of hours and protect our country for several decades and publish your own list.
 
Why not just ask people's favorite SD cartridge? (Besides that it's been asked ad nauseum.) This thread seems to lack direction and substance. (No offense.) FWIW those LEO cartridges can be bought by regular people.
 
230-gr. in Remington Golden Saber (GS45APB) performs much better in every category than the lightweight 185-gr. which doesn't hold together nor penetrate as well. Suggest you upgrade to 230-gr. for self defense and use the 185's at the range or for plinking.

With police overruns and occasional surpluses from canceled LE orders, there are plenty of sources who sell "LE Only" ammo to civilians (getting around manufactures' private policies) without breaking the law. "LE Only" designation is FYI only and not to be read into too much.

Please post your ammo questions and leave the inappropriate snide remarks in the Peanut Gallery where they belong. Thank-you!
 
hmmmm. I guess this is all a matter of debate.
135gr corbon in .40 is impressive. 1325 velocity and 526 energy
the PENETRATION is a little less but the expansion is excelent. the round seems to have proven itself on the street.

once again though its all up to debate. you carry your way Ill carry mine.
 
We get it, you like heavy for calibre bullets!

What experience do you have that you should be recommending someone switch to a heavier bullet with out knowing the barrel length of their weapon?

The number one thing that people should be worried abouut is not bullet weight, but making sure the ammo functions reliably!

The fact is, most modern hollow points are more than appropriate for civilian use, and yes even lighter bullets!
 
If I still owned 9x18 and wanted defensive ammo "HARD cast FLAT nose" would be near bottom of my wish list. The most readily available JHP load in this caliber comes from Hornady. Not sure how it would function in PM, but when I tried their 'Critical Defense' ammo (different shape bullet) in my 9x19 Chinese Tokarev I got average of two failures to feed per clip.
 
No mention of Federal's EFMJ loads?

Based on what I've read they expand very uniformly and reliably, and function reliably in semi-autos.

Would be a great winter load. Same idea as Hornady Critical Defense, but for half the price (and still a top quality premium ammo maker).
 
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Still on your crusade to convince people to use heavy bullets I see. I guess everyone needs a passion.
 
gofastman said:
Remington Golden Saber is the same as Winchester Ranger T
Click to expand...

Can you please elaborate? Because I personally think you are wrong. I've shot both and, PHYSICALLY, they're both completely different rounds with VERY DIFFERENT post-penetration results.
 
I'm going to get .45Auto and eliminate HP loads from my inventory.
 
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Remington's above average Golden Saber (GS) was developed by the same guy who helped Winchester design their Ranger T line-up. Both designs feature reverse-tape pedals with very sharp edges / "talon like claws", but with patent's involved, the Golden Saber had to be a little different.

I recommend heavy for caliber Ranger T's over Golden Sabers, but their's nothing wrong with the GS design in bonded or unbonded form.
 
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