What's in your 45?

[RightCoastBiased]

I just picked up an M&P 45 4.5" last night and I am trying to decide what JHP to carry in it. This gun will currently serve as a range toy and a nightstand/house gun. But I will also be, hopefully, carrying it while doing armed security.

I was thinking of carrying Speer Gold Dots, but I hadn't decided on 180, 200 or 235 grain. I've heard (internet hearsay) that 45 JHPs have issues expanding due to the lower velocity of the round. So that plays on my mind as to if I should carry a 185gr JHP for more velocity, or a 230gr for a heavier round.

Decisions decisions!

I'd really like to hear what you all are carrying in your 45s, especially those carrying an M&P. Also hearing from LEOs or armed guards would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!


As a side note, I carry 115gr Speer Gold Dots in my LC9. Though I have not been able to find, locally, the 124gr gold dots I want to carry.

 

[Dr.Rob]

230gr HydraShoks have always been my favorite. You really don't lose much velocity comparing a full 5 inch 1911 to a 4.5 or 4.25 barrel. I've clocked them out of a Commander, a Government Model and a 1917 revolver all at over the factory rated 830 fps.

 

[wow6599]

WM has Winchester PDX1 for around $20, so $1 a piece. It feeds well in my .45s, so that's what I've been using of late. I'm not sure if the ballistics on the box are true or not, but they look impressive -

230 gr JHP
Muzzle Velocity: 920 fps
Muzzle Energy: 432 ft. lbs

 

[Smaug]

When I had 45 as my HD gun, I went with Federal 185 gr. Hydra-Shok. 100% reliable.

 

[Sean Smith]

I've heard (internet hearsay) that 45 JHPs have issues expanding due to the lower velocity of the round.

Yeah, that was probably true 30 years ago. Now they actually design the bullets to expand at the velocities the bullet will actually be traveling at so this isn't an issue.

 

[RightCoastBiased]

I've seen good ballistics and seemingly good expansion results with the hornday 230gr +p.

I also like the idea of heavy, fast moving bullet.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

HST, of course

 

[Skylerbone]

A single stack of 230 gr. Hornady XTPs with 4.9 gr. of TiteGroup and a second mag. filled with 200 gr. LRNFP and a tad more powder. Never hurts to be prepared.

My 3 M&Ps (9mm/40S&W) are all loaded with XTPs as well.

 

[klash545]

PDX1 or TAP +P 230gr on both of course i'd prefer ranger T or SGDs but i don't have any right now

 

[Vern Humphrey]

230gr HydraShoks have always been my favorite.

+1.

 

[rcmodel]

All my .45's are loaded with GI hardball 230's, or Hornady XTP 230's.

Big heavy slow bullets is what the .45 is all about.

If you want 180 grain bullets, get a .40 Short & Weak.

rc

 

[mrbro]

230g LRN over 5g of 700X.

 

[NMBrian]

230g Remington Golden Saber

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

230gr HydraShoks have always been my favorite.

hydrashocks are an antiquated jhp design that aren't even considered acceptable for duty by ballistics experts when compared to the plethora of more modern designs that perform better.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

+2 for 230gr HydraShoks

 

[kragluver]

I personally use 230 gr Golden Sabers for self defense loads - mainly because that's all I could find for a while. For plinking I shoot my handloads using 230 gr RN cast bullets.

I've come to the conclusion that just about any American made JHP will perform very well in a self-defense scenario. I personally see no need to use +P in the .45. Modern bullet designs (dating from the mid '90s and on) expand well at standard velocities. The Remington, Hornady, Winchester, Speer and Cor-Bon bullets all seem to have an excellent reputation.

 

[EmbarkChief]

230g Speer Gold Dots in the pistol and one spare mag. Last magazine is all hardball.

 

[BADUNAME37]

230 grain FMJ hardball.

 

[thunder173]

Federal 230 Grain Hydra Shoks

 

[wlewisiii]

Winchester Whitebox 230 gr. JHP in my P97.

 

[357 Terms]

Rem 230gr hp. Not Golden Sabre. Loaded with Power Pistol to bout 850fps. I had a few reliability issues with my Kimber early on and found these at a good price. I tested a few hundred with no problems, they expand well in wet newsprint and shoot accurately. Saw no reason to change.

 

[Effigy]

I'm using Magtech Golden Guardian 230gr +P right now, mostly just due to availability/price at the LGS. I'm planning to order some Ranger-T 230gr online if I can find it in stock, otherwise HST 230gr.

 

[481]

Nice to see folks carrying the Hornady 230 gr. XTP +P JHP. It is definitely a well designed JHP and the accuracy produced by the XTP is "icing on the cake".

In my HK USP45, it is what I load and carry all year long.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

230gr HST +p

 

[Blue .45]

Usually, 230gr. JHPs of some sort. Golden Sabers, HST, or Gold Dots. I'm sure there are a few others, as well.