Self Defense Handload Bullets

[Durango_Dave]

I tried testing my hollow point hand loads for expansion.

For a target I soaked phone books in water. I then sandwiched the waterlogged books in between plastic 1 gallon jugs of water. The bullet would then go through a water jug, a phone book, another water jug and then into another phone book. All the bullets stopped here although I had more water jugs behind this last phone book.

The bullets I'm handloading with are Hornady XTP. Here's the results.
This first picture is 9mm and 44 Mag XTP bullets.


Here's another picture of the 9 mm.


Here's 357 Magnum and 45 ACP

I also tried factory ammo: Federal Hydra-Shok and Speer Gold Dot. Both of these are in 45 ACP.

This next 2 pictures are 230 grain Federal Hydra-Shok

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And these are 200 grain Speer Gold Dot. These things really expand!

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Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Speer sells the Gold Dot bullets for reloading.

Here's the speed and expansion of these bullets:

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I did this just out of curiosity. If I was only concerned about self defense and performance I'd just buy Speer Gold Dot factory ammo. But I enjoy handloading and testing the results.

 

[Durango_Dave]

MPR Bullets has what looks like some good 9mm bullets. I'll have to give them a try.
https://www.rmrbullets.com/shop/bullets/pistol/9mm-355/9mm-124-gr-rmr-jhp-mpr-nuke/

 

[fxvr5]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Speer sells the Gold Dot bullets for reloading.

You're wrong, so I'll correct you. They do.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You're wrong, so I'll correct you. They do.

The Speer GDHP bullets are available as components. Unfortunately they have been very rare the past few years like everything else.

I have personally loaded then in the 38/357, 9mm and 45 ACP.

 

[LiveLife]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Speer sells the Gold Dot bullets for reloading

They sure do (Check the "Hollow Point" box on the left and click "More Results") - https://www.speer.com/bullets/handgun_bullets/

And Graf & Sons - https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/search?keywords=Speer+Gold+Dot

But as @ArchAngelCD posted, they have been out of stock in recent years.

 

[dredd]

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

 

[NMexJim]

Just as a matter of conversation, and certainly no shade thrown at GD or in your direction, I wonder if your methodology - water jug, wet phone book, water jug, etc - isn’t causing the XTPs to actually over-expand? Maybe beyond the bullet design?

 

[Charlie98]

The Speer GDHP bullets are available as components. Unfortunately they have been very rare the past few years like everything else.

I have personally loaded then in the 38/357, 9mm and 45 ACP.

I'm a big fan of the GoldDots, but... yes... they have been, largely, Unobtanium the past few years. I think I picked up some 115grn 9mm GoldDots last year, and I'm sure I've seen others at the LGS, but it's not what I would call 'plentiful.' Sadly, my favorite bullet... the 230grn .45ACP 'Short Barrel' bullet, has been completely MIA.

 

[lordpaxman]

I’m wondering where you found a phone book these days???
Seriously, thanks for taking the time to post those results.

Here's the speed and expansion of these bullets:

Did you chrono the factory loads or just repot what the box said?
Here’s a group that does some extensive testing:
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/

 

[Durango_Dave]

Just as a matter of conversation, and certainly no shade thrown at GD or in your direction, I wonder if your methodology - water jug, wet phone book, water jug, etc - isn’t causing the XTPs to actually over-expand? Maybe beyond the bullet design?

I don't know. Gel would be best. If I could get the same penetration as gel I would think my setup would have the same average density. I think I got less penetration than other sources that used gel. That makes me think you are right. Maybe I have more expansion and less penetration.
On the other hand I did not get as much expansion with those XTP bullets as I was expecting. I will now look for other self defense bullets.

 

[Durango_Dave]

Did you chrono the factory loads or just repot what the box said?

I used a chronograph to measure the speed I was getting with my 1911 in 45 ACP. Apples to apples. My speeds were slightly slower than the manufacturer's advertised.

As for the phone book - I laugh every year when I get one. The publishing company probably brags how many thousands of homes they get distributed to for the sake of their advertisers. But I think the majority of them go strait from the mailbox to the trash.

 

[Charlie98]

On the other hand I did not get as much expansion with those XTP bullets as I was expecting. I will now look for other self defense bullets.

The XTP is a hunting bullet, designed to expand, yes, but also retain it's weight. A SD bullet is designed to expand on a relatively soft target. This is why Hornady markets the XTP's... and their Critical Defense/Critical Duty ammunition. They are 2 different bullets for 2 different purposes.

 

[Durango_Dave]

The XTP is a hunting bullet

This is news to me.

 

[Charlie98]

This is news to me.

eXtreme Terminal Performance
Designed for hunting, self-defense and law enforcement applications, the XTP® bullet demonstrates the kind of accuracy that led many competitive shooters to adopt it. Reliable performance makes the XTP® the most popular handgun bullet for both target shooters and hunters. But it's the stopping power of the XTP® bullet that has truly built its world-class reputation. From the onset, XTP® bullets were specifically designed to expand reliably at a wide range of handgun velocities to deliver deep penetration with every shot.

While the XTP can double as a SD bullet, I think it's primary purpose is hunting... hence the refined product they use for their SD line....

The best ammunition for personal defense just got better with the addition of Critical Defense® Rifle. Critical Defense® is engineered to deliver the pinnacle of threat-stopping power.

The FTX® — at the forefront of Critical Defense® — maximizes the potential of a hollow point bullet. Its patented Flex Tip® aids expansion and eliminates clogging when passing through clothing. Nickel-plated cases increase visibility in low light situations. Low-flash propellants won’t disrupt night vision and deliver consistent performance, every time.

 

[NMexJim]

I’m wondering where you found a phone book these days???
Seriously, thanks for taking the time to post those results.

Did you chrono the factory loads or just repot what the box said?
Here’s a group that does some extensive testing:
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/

The Durango phone book is thin, very thin. Would be about like toilet paper. Same, same the phone books in Farmington, NM a few miles south. Maybe Cortez to the west is bigger, I dunno know. They are certainly not like books from Pheonix or such. Not much happening around these parts, Thank God! If we can just keep the Texans and Californians out..... Hi Durango

 

[Bottom Gun]

There are plenty of Gold Dot bullets and ammo available on Gunbroker.

 

[Thomasss]

You might want to check out Midwayusa for Speer bullets. Speer makes a variety of lead cast bullets for .357 and lots of jacketed hollow points also for .357 .40, .45 and 9mm. They do have specific defensive bullet call a "Deep Cut." A Deep Cut shown has copper jacketed slits extending 2/3 down the length of the projectile.

 

[Shivahasagun]

You didn't see the ad on the back of your phone book?

XTP's have always been marketed for hunting. Even in .25 acp. (Rabbits?)

Consider lead SWC and lead hollow point bullets if you're loading your own and want expansion.

 

[eddiememphis]

What weight bullets are you loading?

 

[daverich4]

 

[Durango_Dave]

What weight bullets are you loading?

9 mm - 115 grain
357 Magnum - 158 grain
45 ACP - 230 grain
44 Mag - 240 grain

 

[fxvr5]

XTPs are also marketed for personal defense. There's nothing wrong with the OP's (or anyone else's) selection of the XTP for that purpose.

 

[fxvr5]

You might want to check out Midwayusa for Speer bullets. Speer makes a variety of lead cast bullets for .357 and lots of jacketed hollow points also for .357 .40, .45 and 9mm. They do have specific defensive bullet call a "Deep Cut." A Deep Cut shown has copper jacketed slits extending 2/3 down the length of the projectile.

Can't find anything on Speer deep cut bullets. I can find Deepcurl. Can you please point me to their deep cut bullets/information? Thanks.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

Phone books? Where do you find phone books these days?

 

[WVRJ]

I shoot XTP's in the 4 calibers I carry for personal defense/farm carry,etc.I load them in 9,40,10 and 45.In the 9 and the 40/10MM,I also load the cheaper HAP's for practice/target shooting.The two bullet types shoot exactly the same as far as POI.From the research I've done with the XTP,I think they're very good for hunting or defense.I load all of my pistol ammo,including what goes in my carry guns,and the XTP fills the bill for me.It may be a bit dated when compared to some of the very pricey defense ammo out there,but I have confidence in them.