Do you really need the most expensive ammo for carry

It's All Subjective but...

form a pure technological perspective the advancements in ammunition performance has been remarkable. Just look at the gelatin tests widely available on the net and they illustrate how far we have come in ballistic advancements. So yes I think from an empirical scintific angle the numbers don't lie and the ammunition specifically designed for PD is head and shoulders above what the previous generation had access to.

That being said, how many stories have you read (just recently I saw one in American Rifleman) whereby someone will take out a 1911 WWII era gun (with the same/original FMJ ammo and magazine to boot) fire and kill the perp dead in his tracks?

Moral of the story for me is that if a projectile fired at the proper velocity strikes its target in a vulnerable area (CNS), the exact and empirical specs of the load can almost become secondary (perhaps moot) in importance to the shooter's compatency.

-Cheers
 
To expand on what Mike irwin said:

I think the vehicle analogy is oddly appropriate.

Many of us got around in old cars without seat belts, air bags or ABS, and lived to tell the tale. How many of us still choose to drive those 63 Impalas, 65 Mustangs or 67 Camaros every day?

I own more motorycles that were made in the 70s than I do those made in all the decades since...put together. But I ride a new(er--2008) bike every day. There are a lot of reasons for that. :)

In either case, if the worst happens...will you be around to tell the tale tomorrow?

I don't necessarily think you need "the most expensive" ammo available, but I choose to carry a modern design of high quality--what does your local PD carry? (think Gold Dot, HST, etc.)
 
The modern hollow points are clearly the way to go. I know they are expensive, but how much do you love your family? They are too expensive to practice with but the guy in the magazine said they are they best so the best choice is clear.
 
I'm a bit of a cheapskate so buying the SD ammo that costs a buck or more a round is something I'm catious about, but I lack faith in UMC or WWB for SD so that leaves Remington Express and Golden Saber. If I'm spending big it's BB for my .380acp ;)
 
Yep, shot placement rules. But my shot placement isn't going to be any different whether I'm using Federal American Eagle FMJ or Speer Gold Dots.

So shot placement being equal, I'll take the Speer Gold Dots -- the better bullet.
 
For double/triple the price its worth it. Life depends on this stuff. Why do you think cops use the best stuff, they don't buy WWB ammo lol....
 
What will the “Jones” think of you for shooting a cheaper bullet? Sounds like a ticket to a very hot place to me. Just think of how you’ll be helping the economy if you just injure your assailant. The doctors will get to practice some ground breaking plastic surgery. You assailant will need counseling and be angry with you for life because he wasn’t worth the price of a good bullet. Please spend more money and kill your assailant.

Can you see the doctors now? They just get your bullet out and it’s a lead cast semi wad cutter. Can you hear the banter in the OR? “Gasp what a cheap sob we won’t even spring for copper plated!” “Well I certainly hope I never get shot by this cheapskate, he’d want me to die of lead poisoning.” :eek:
 
I carry Gold Dot because a whole lot of police and armed citizens have put down a whole lot of bad guys with it.

Reliability in my gun is #1

Track record and performance using the properly calibrated FBI test and IWBA standard is #2.

Cost is not an especially relevant consideration for me.

For plinking ammo? Absolutely. For SD/carry ammo I replace ever 2 years or so? Nah.
 
I own a 1911a1 in .45acp format. Now Winchester makes PDX1 JHP and Federal makes Hydrashok JHP. But when it comes down to it a simple Winchester 230 grain FMJ will stop an intruder if shot placement is good. Is it as effective as a JHP? No not usually. But i dont know anybody who wants to get hit with a center of mass shot from any calibur. Or would have a chance of survival if it penetrated the heart. the military has to use FMJ's and i think if they werent that effective then the body counts would be greatly lowered and just plain injuries would be sky high.
 
My truck doesn't have a built-in navigation system, but I still find my way around. I think the ammo scene is just better and better, not to say the old way won't still work. New technology is great, but I think there is something to be said for proven technology that you are confident and capable with.
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Unfortunately, how the ammo performs has nothing to do with my confidence about it.

--what does your local PD carry? (think Gold Dot, HST, etc.)
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Last I checked, none carry what I think is the best choice. The town I am in allows for the use of a variety of guns and ammo choices if the officers want to pay for their own, but otherwise provides a round that is good, but not necessarily the best. They, like several others, have made the choice based on a set of performance criteria and vendor pricing. Another two departments use specific models of bullets, but the ammo is loaded to their specifications and so no a loading I can get.
 
In general, I prefer Ranger T; it's not the most expensive because it comes in 50 round boxes. The 20 round boxes of _______ tend to be the most expensive.

I would still feel well protected using a good bullet from 20 years ago, examples being 45 acp 230 gr HydraShok, 9mm +P+ 115 gr. Federal HP, and the 10mm Winchester Silvertip.

To directly answer the question, I would rather load with 45 acp 230 gr Ranger T than "white box" 230 gr and I would take the "white box" over basic 230 gr. FMJ. I think my preferences would be in descending order of recovered diameter.
 
Bottom line is modern hollow point ammunition feeds and expands better and more reliably than it ever did in the past. If I have to pay a premium for performance than so be it.
 
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Something that has not been mentioned is caliber. I would be more likely to buy what I consider to be the best or near the best HP ammo for a 380 or 25 ACP as compared to a 357 mag. I would also tend to buy better 9mm ammunition as compared to 45ACP to increase the potential performance of the lower powered ammunition should you have to defend yourself.

I do consider my bad guy encounter odds. If the odds are higher, I tend to choose premium ammunition and if the odds are remote, I just use good ammunition that is reliable and hits generally where I point it. Some would say... well it's your life and you should take every possible step to improve your odds as loosing your life or being seriously injured impacts more people than just YOU. But again, it is your choice. I have made mine.
 
@22 why wouldnt you use premium ammo for a bigger caliber?? just because its a bigger caliber doesnt mean it will perform well....just a thought:)
 
Do you really nead the most expensive ammo for carry
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Do you really NEED ammo that gives you the best chance of hanging onto your life? The best ammo and high cost is closely related, although there are exceptions.

Not so much a question to ask us, as it is to ask yourself.:)
 
It is amusing, in a sad sort of way, to have someone say they bought the best gun they could afford because so much depends on it, then say they use the cheapest ammo on the market even though it gives failures and misfires. No accounting for folks, I guess.

Jim
 
Do you really nead the most expensive ammo for carry


I know the real expensive ammo made today is better by what standard ? So the old ammo made years ago won't do the task if necessary. Is it hype or reality ?
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Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha,,

If you have to ask? Get extra life insurance.

I carry a buck a round, but my $00.25 loads will do.
 
Glockstar 40, I was trying to make a point about the lethality of typical smaller guns (like 380's and 25's) versus the known preformers such as the 357 mag. I do buy good ammo. There is no "white box" in my war chest used for carry. But I may not buy the best ammo for say a 357 mag because it is not that important to me. I figure a middlin 357 mag HP will do a heck of a lot of damage to the human body with an upper torso hit. I actually carry either 40 S&W or 38spl +P, but usually 38spl from a small revolver.

I asked a tactical instructor why he used 9mm versus 40 S&W and his reply was that it was cheaper to shoot and if the 9mm was not enough, he'd just send another bullet their way if needed. This kind of relates to folks that say to empty the gun if you are forced to defend yourself with a 22 pistol.
 
As James K pointed out, I, too, find it curious that people spend lots of money on what they personally consider to be their perfect defensive handgun, yet still use ammo with questionable attributes/terminal performance. It makes no sense to me when better performing ammunition is readily available, yet people still choose to use the cheapest and/or outdated bullet designs. Bullet R&D has evolved in the thirty or so years since 'premium' bullet designs became available; if there are better choices available that will expand after encountering a wider variety of obstacles wouldn't you rather use that?

Nothing is a sure thing. Prepare for the worst-case scenario, not ideal conditions. Have a back-up plan in order. You may only get one shot off; make it count. This isn't a fairytale or after-school special that always has a happy ending. There are no magic bullets, but modern bullet designs will increase the odds in your favor. It's your life, do as you choose. I want the best available ammo money can buy for my defensive needs, and that doesn't necessarily mean "most expensive"..

Regarding the shot placement statements, please watch the video below about the sheriff shot in the head with .45 FMJ:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArDRg5SkuT0&feature=player_embedded
 
Yep, shot placement rules. But my shot placement isn't going to be any different whether I'm using Federal American Eagle FMJ or Speer Gold Dots.

So shot placement being equal, I'll take the Speer Gold Dots -- the better bullet.
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^
This.

Read my rules of carry in my sig line. #4 -- A bigger hole is a better hole.
 
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