lonegunman
New member
HARDBALL.
and yep, i really believe it.
and yep, i really believe it.
Best .45 ACP Defense Ammo?
- Thread starter jrslate
- Start date
Hmmm....I have the March issue, & although I haven't read it cover to cover I don't remember seeing any .45ACP ammo test?
Anyway, I think that statement would need qualified: how were "The Best" chosen? Was it accuracy, or reliable function, or expansion, etc.? What gun was used, & what barrel length? How many round were fired, & what were the other loads tested?
I'm not picking on you - I wouldn't be surprised to find the G&A decided on "The Best Load"! But ammunition performance is so dependant on the individual gun & shooter in all areas, I don't know how a judgement like that can be made.
Denny Hansen
Staff Emeritus
Black Talons/SXT's (Same eXact Thing) have worked well for me.
Taurus, in conjunction with PMC and Hornady, will soon be introducing a solid copper HP that expands to almost an inch and forms five almost perfect petals. Looks promising, but obvioulsy not proven in any shootings as yet.
Taurus, in conjunction with PMC and Hornady, will soon be introducing a solid copper HP that expands to almost an inch and forms five almost perfect petals. Looks promising, but obvioulsy not proven in any shootings as yet.
CastleBravo
New member
Toss up between 230gr Gold Dot, Golden Saber, SXT or Hydra-Shok. SXT has a very "hardball-like" profile and was very feed reliable in my old Kimber.
Double Naught Spy
New member
Depending on barrel length, such as if you don't have a full-size 5" barrel, you may really want to consider a lighter bullet but more power such as in the Hyrdrashok 185 gr +P ammo. If it is a full-sized gun, the 230 gr bullets will do you best and you have many good types to choose from and test as noted above.
A heavier bullet (200 gr+) is your best bet in a short barreled gun. A heavier bullet has more momentum and retains velocity much better. It also tends to kick less and will penetrate deeper. Forget expansion, you may or may not get it, but it isn't very important anyway. Reliability is number one. Second to that is penetration. Velocity and expansion matter less. Penetration coupled with good shot placement is what will DO THE JOB in ANY caliber. It is far far better to overpenetrate than underpenetrate.
. It is far far better to overpenetrate than underpenetrate.
Yes and no. Most all rounds in 9mm and up will penetrate the minimum required most of the time. Which is about 9 inches. Now is that 1% of the time when you need more important vs the risk of poor stopping power of overpenerative bullets that don't transfer their energy to the target and that also kill people behind your intended target. The choice is yours just make a informed decision don't buy all the IWBA and Facklerite line at face value. That being said I like my bullets to go about 12 inches. I like at least 10 inches and no more than 14. Much like the INS standard and not the outdated FBI standard.
PAT
Yes and no. Most all rounds in 9mm and up will penetrate the minimum required most of the time. Which is about 9 inches. Now is that 1% of the time when you need more important vs the risk of poor stopping power of overpenerative bullets that don't transfer their energy to the target and that also kill people behind your intended target. The choice is yours just make a informed decision don't buy all the IWBA and Facklerite line at face value. That being said I like my bullets to go about 12 inches. I like at least 10 inches and no more than 14. Much like the INS standard and not the outdated FBI standard.
PAT
Dain Bramage
New member
Not to start an energy vs. penetration flame...
...but, the bullet expended its startup energy into my shooting hand.
Maybe I'm dead.
...but, the bullet expended its startup energy into my shooting hand.
Maybe I'm dead.
lonegunman
New member
The chances of injurying a bystander with a round that over-penetrates its primary target is much less than the chances of injurying a bystander with a round that misses its primary target.
If 2 shots are fired at a bad guy and only one hits him, which bullet poses the biggest threat to bystanders?
Death can occur without expansion; it cannot occur without penetration.
If 2 shots are fired at a bad guy and only one hits him, which bullet poses the biggest threat to bystanders?
Death can occur without expansion; it cannot occur without penetration.
My Glock 21 functions perfectly with Georgia Arms loading of Speer's 230-gr. Gold Dot. They also offer 185-gr. and 200-gr. loadings of the same bullet. And at about $14 per 50, it's only slightly more expensive than range ammo, so it becomes very economical to shoot with your carry ammo.
My other choice is Federal's 230-gr. Hydrashok.
My other choice is Federal's 230-gr. Hydrashok.
If 2 shots are fired at a bad guy and only one hits him, which bullet poses the biggest threat to bystanders?
Death can occur without expansion; it cannot occur without penetration.
END
Of coarse the shot that misses is more dangerious. The point is don't miss. ALso don't carry ammunition that over penetrates. New York had lots of people injuried from bullets that passed through a badguy and into good people in several shootings.
Also Death is not the goal stopping power is. If he dies 2 hours later from a 22 shot to the liver but kills you 10 seconds after you shoot him it is all for naught. Personally I don't care about the bad guy living or dying it has nothing to do with stopping power unless he dies instantly and as a result stops.
PAT
Death can occur without expansion; it cannot occur without penetration.
END
Of coarse the shot that misses is more dangerious. The point is don't miss. ALso don't carry ammunition that over penetrates. New York had lots of people injuried from bullets that passed through a badguy and into good people in several shootings.
Also Death is not the goal stopping power is. If he dies 2 hours later from a 22 shot to the liver but kills you 10 seconds after you shoot him it is all for naught. Personally I don't care about the bad guy living or dying it has nothing to do with stopping power unless he dies instantly and as a result stops.
PAT
lonegunman
New member
Yes, I agree the point should be not to miss. But I dont think it is practical to think you will hit your target everytime, so stray shots are a big issue.
Fairly often you hear stories along the lines of "Police fire 15 shots, bad guy struck twice).
Statistically speaking, in that kind of situation, a bystander is many times more likely to be struck by a stray bullet than an overpenetrated one.
I also agree death is not the primary goal of an armed confrontation, but it is surely my secondary goal. Obviously, the first matter of business is to stop the attacker. If the attacker dies, though, everyone is really better off.
Fairly often you hear stories along the lines of "Police fire 15 shots, bad guy struck twice).
Statistically speaking, in that kind of situation, a bystander is many times more likely to be struck by a stray bullet than an overpenetrated one.
I also agree death is not the primary goal of an armed confrontation, but it is surely my secondary goal. Obviously, the first matter of business is to stop the attacker. If the attacker dies, though, everyone is really better off.