25 acp Ammo

^^^ What Wil said. With this cartridge, you need every little bit of penetration you can get. Most of the gel tests I've seen indicate that the common commercial .25ACP expanding loads (Winchester Super-X 45gr, Hornady Critical Defense 35gr XTP, and Fiocchi 35gr XTP) only penetrate around 7", which just doesn't cut it IMHO. :(

Furthermore, the case is semi-rimmed, and the XTP loads are a good deal shorter than standard 50gr FMJ, so there's a risk of double-feed jams in certain guns. If the gun is a tip-up- which is common in this caliber- a double-feed is very difficult to clear quickly, particularly under stress. In some cases, it's basically impossible without a spare mag, and this assumes the pistol will readily feed the top round by hand-cycling the slide, which is hard to do with some tip-ups.

That said, my Beretta 950BS Jetfire has cycled two boxes of Hornady CD's flawlessly, but I still won't carry them due to the penetration issue.
 
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That is a very irresponsible statement. People have been getting killed with .25 autos for over a hundred years. Reading stupid statements p**ses me off!
 
We reload with of 50 gr of fmj. Although a small caliber, it's is easy to carry and two magazines of six will not fail to make a loud and violent impression on an evil doer.

In my way of thinking, be it from a fencing foil, which is about the same diameter of a .25 or a .22, any puncture wound to the chest area will be a terror to the victim, and considered as a likely mortal wound and would set said person to thinking about their quickly approaching afterlife and where the nearest doctor may be located.
 
I'm with Bill on that. ANY gun, even an airgun, can kill under the right conditions and anyone shot with a .25 ACP will be killed or seriously wounded, not just ticked off!

Jim
 
Its not the most powerful caliber out there but its the best if thats all you have when you need it. Still much better than throwing rocks or talking harshly. Also, I have NEVER seen anyone step up to take 7" of .25 caliber lead to show it would "only" tick them off.:eek:

Agree that hard ball seems to be best penetration from tests I seen. Use only good quality hard ball...not cheap low velocity.
 
What ever functions 100% in your 25. The #1 concern being that it works every time, all the time! Leaning toward fmj for penetration, and it would most likely be the most reliable feeding ammo as well.
 
FMJ, the .25acp will penetrate deep enough to hit the vitals. while quick incapacitation is not likely, the cessation of the assault will most likely ensue.
 
The .25 is just like any other pistol, know it's capabilities and limitations, use it appropriately and you should be fine. As far as bullet, first find one that feeds reliably.
 
FMJ for certain,,,

FMJ for certain,,,
After that it's what feed well.

My little Taurus 25-PLY likes Aguilla and Sellier & Bellot,,,
Penetration in a 2 by 4 seems about the same.

Aarond

.
 
I'd use fmj. But I don't carry my little Beretta 25. It's more of a range toy than anything for me. Nice little pocket pistol, though. Not a good choice for SD in my view. But don't kid yourselves, that little slug can be lethal. Don't believe the internet bull stories about 25acp rounds bouncing off paper plates or lodging in a peanut butter sandwich. ;)
 
FMJ/Hardball

The expansion of a HP will do nothing, IMO, with the anemic muzzle energy. IMO better off turning that limited energy into penetration to ensure the bullets go deep enough to get a kill with good placement.
 
Well Bill, Ive seen two people shot with 25's while working in the hood and it didnt even go through there winter coat. I dont even trust a 9mm when my lifes involved. I will stick to my 40 or 45 so there's no doubt .
 
Well Bill, Ive seen two people shot with 25's while working in the hood and it didnt even go through there winter coat. I dont even trust a 9mm when my lifes involved. I will stick to my 40 or 45 so there's no doubt .
Click to expand...

ive heard some of these stories over the years and I have to wonder, in what condition was the ammo? ive taken quite a few guns off of bad guys and only a few times was there what I would call fresh ammo. usually the ammo has some brass discoloration due to age or humidity or who knows what.... ive found boxes of ammo in car trunks that had some kind of oil or grease leaked on them... based on the box.

I cant imagine good condition .25acp fmj ammo punching through leather wrapped 2x4s but then not penetrating a leather coat alone.

check this out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raJM8b4KXg0
 
Yes but its like hunting white tail deer with a 22 hornet, it will kill it but not right away unless you get a well placed shot. In some cases I carry a 25 but it just to keep them off me till I can get to the truck and get something bigger.
 
I used to carry a Beretta 950 .25 with FMJ. It's hardly the ideal but, at the time, it filled a need. I still own it but usually opt for a .380 or SW J-frame .38 if I have to go small.

Lots of people have been killed with a .25 or .22. Lots more have been deterred from doing something bad by the presence of a gun, any gun. See #1 in my sig line.
 
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