Full disclosure...I’m just a guy who has zero engineering or biological training, and don’t work in any firearms industry...I don’t reload (because it is the one of the few things my bride of 29 Years insists I avoid). I do my own research and draw conclusions as I see them based on sources I consider valid...so take what I say with a grain of salt:
I believe there is lots of hype regarding self defense ammo and the need for ‘new technology’ in Bullet design. I believe the absolute most dangerous/effective bullet design is the flat nose hard cast bullet that will travel in a predominantly straight line through clothing, skin, flesh, and bone. I believe in them because it is largely what is used to defend against and hunt the most dangerous game on the planet. Problem with that bullet is it is in an urban environment, it goes too far in penetrating stuff, like bodies, walls, and second bodies.
So the quest has become to build a hollow point projectile that both holds together and penetrates deep enough, while not over penetrating the bad guy. And we expect it to go through clothing, bones, flesh, etc. We went the one design to do it all...a tough thing. And we judge the bullet by a protocol that has the bullet going through denim and into a gel substance. This test is much more about a consistent medium versus a real life target. It is an accepted method of controlling the results in a standard test medium, but I much prefer seeing how bullets really act as demonstrated by the “meat target” in a Paul Harrell you tube video:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6QH13V2o68zynSa0hZy9uQ/playlists
My preferred “carry and home defense” ammo are rounds I believe and have shot enough to consider reliable. That means (to me) they go bang, they cycle in my guns, and they are generally available for purchase on line.
I prefer the heavier bullets per caliber...135 grain or higher for 9MM, 165 or higher for .40, 200 or higher for .45
I have bought a good bit of and currently carry some combination of Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, Remington Golden Saber, and Hornady Critical Duty. I don’t shoot +P rounds in hollow points because they generally do not penetrate as deep because they open faster. I’ve had most of my SD ammo for at least 4 years.
I do carry and shoot +P flat nose FMJ and hard cast ammo when in the boonies.
If I lost all my carry JHP ammo in a fire, I would probably replace it with some quality brand and HST projectiles. I’ll give up some expansion for deeper penetration. But for now, what I have will work if I hit the target properly (accurately and enough to get desired results....stop the threat).
I do not see anything wrong with loading your own carry ammo as long as you are absolutely confident in your ability to produce reliable ammo and keep it within acceptable industry specifications.
All IMO...YMMV...