Favorite FACTORY Self Defense Ammo

.45 ACP: Federal Tactical Bonded 230-gr +p, Federal HST 230-gr +p, Taurus 185-gr hex (Barnes all copper bullet - also used in CorBon DPX)

The Tactical Bonded give similar performance to the HSTs, but the load is optimized for short barrels. I carry them in my Taurus PT-145 Millennium Pro. The Taurus loads give excellent penetration and expansion out of my Kahr PM-45 and give much less muzzle flip than the 230-gr +p stuff.

I would not feel at all uncomfortable carrying these loads, CorBon DPXs, Gold Dots or Critical Defense loads in any defensive caliber.
 
Like others, it depends on the caliber:

In calibers that I own
.22 Long Rifle- CCI Velocitor 40grn JHP (they don't expand reliably from handguns but they do penetrate well)

.32 ACP- S&B 73grn FMJ

7.62x25 Tokarev- S&B 85grn FMJ

9x19 Parabellum- Winchester Ranger 127grn SXT +P+

.357 Magnum- Remington Express 158grn JHP

10mm Auto- Double Tap 180grn XTP

.44 Magnum- Speer 240grn Gold Dot

.45 ACP- Federal 230grn HST +P

In calibers that I previously owned
.38 Special- Hornady Standard Pressure 110grn Critical Defense (this would've been different if my Colt Cobra had been +P rated) or if that's not available Winchester 148grn HBWC

9x18 Makarov- Wolf 100grn FMJ or Wolf 95grn FMJ depending on availability

.44 Special- Federal Champion 200grn LSWCHP
 
I use Hornady XTP 200 grain in my M&P 45 becuse it is what it likes the best. POA and POI line up well at all distances. I do have some hot loaded 230 grain XTP hollowpoint that seem to perform well too I would not hesitate to use them at all if I had to.
My P64 gets 95 grain Hornady HPs, or Wolf Military classic 95 grain FMJ if I have used up all of my hollowpoints in practice.
 
another vote for hornady CD for .380.
everything else is starfire or ranger sxt. my emp is loaded with 147gr black talons but sxt is the same stuff.
 
For the calibers I currently own and excluding .22lr/.22wmr.

.45ACP = Federal HST (currently using +P variant, but stand pressure is fine as well whenever I can find it)
.357mag = Federal 125gr JHP (outdoor use) and Winchester 110gr JHP (home defense)
.38spl = Corbon +P+ 158gr LHP
9mm = Don't really have a favorite. Currently using Remington +P 124gr Golden Sabers and Winchester 124gr PDX1 bonded primarily due to availability.
10mm = Winchester 175gr Silvertip (outdoor use) and Federal 155gr JHP (home defense).
 
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