Best Carry Ammo for 3" .45's

P

Paul A

Inactive
What about us guys with little guns?

I used to own an Officers Model. My carry ammo was Fed Hydra Shock 165's. I just picked up a new Kimber Ultra Carry .45. It is an outstanding carry weapon, but the bbl length is 3". That's shorter than my old officer's barrel.

I know that, when it comes to choice of bullets (ballistics), .45's are very unforgiving. The 230 JHP that worked great and opened up like a beach umbrella in that 5" long slide, may just as well be hardball when you pump it through a short barreled gun.

I have searched the net high and low for honest .45 ballistics, but all the manufactures quote chapter and verse for that 5" Colt grandpa carried (5" test barrel). A few pages give vague info on 4" barrels as well, but it's like talking to Uncle Sam about Roswell.

Some folks have told me that the Gold Dot, or Golden Saber 200 +p JHP is better than the Fed Hydro Shock 185 +p JHP, others say just the opposite.

230, 200 JHP +P (or standard), 185 JHP+P (or standard), 165 Self Defense loads?

Does anyone out there have some good data on .45 cal ballistics for 3" barrels?



[This message has been edited by Paul A (edited May 18, 2000).]
 
I carry a Colt Officers Model with CorBon 165gr. +P.

Once, I had to shoot a rottweiler using Federal HydraShok 165s. It didn't expand, but punched on through. The Rot stopped his anti-social activity, but walked away.

I switched to the CorBons, but, have not had to "test" them.


Yr. Obt. Svnt.

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Fred J. Drumheller
NRA Life
NRA Golden Eagle
 
With that short of acbarrel, I would go with the lightest and fastest bullet you can get.
I also have the 165 gr Cor-Bons in my Para Ordnance P-12, but shoot Cor-Bon 200gr in my Govt Model.

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Knee deep in brass, still shootin fast!
 
I too just got a baby Kimber. My crude ballistic test on water filled milk jugs looks like the 230 gr. Golddot to be pretty good. It penetrated 4.5 jugs and opened up as pretty as you please. Not a very scientific test but it made the water fly! :)
Haven't run it across a crony yet but it also functions perfectly.

Carry on :D

Rick

Edited due to inept fingers.

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I prefer armed combat to unarmed combat. It's easier on the knuckles.

[This message has been edited by Speedy (edited May 18, 2000).]
 
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