Favorite Self Defense AMMO
- Thread starter Hoskins
- Start date
In terms of energy, the .40 S&W ....
* covers the "mean" range of the .45ACP (remove slowest & fastest rounds)
* covers the lower half of the .357 Magnum range.
* covers the same energy range as the .327 Federal Magnum (.32 cal)
* covers & exceeds the upper 1/3rd of the 9mm spectrum
I'd go with the 165gr .40 S&W as these loads are in the higher energy zone of the cartridge. Speer Gold Dot #53970 or Remington Golden Sabers #GS40SWA are examples (about 485 ft-lbs).
Favorites for me?
The 175gr Winchester Silvertips put out 607 ft-lbs of energy @ 1250 fps or about 450 ft-lbs from the 4" barrel shown here. The 210gr LSWC loads in the speedloaders put out an honest 1060 fps from the 4-inch giving 524 ft-lbs.
Based on shooting ~200-220 lb pigs, an attacker recieiving either should act like he was underneath a dropped anvil.
In my 9mm and .45 pistols, I'm moving to Federal HST for a round that expands better than the Hydra-shoks.
YMMV. Free advice worth payment received. Not valid where prohibited by law.
* covers the "mean" range of the .45ACP (remove slowest & fastest rounds)
* covers the lower half of the .357 Magnum range.
* covers the same energy range as the .327 Federal Magnum (.32 cal)
* covers & exceeds the upper 1/3rd of the 9mm spectrum
I'd go with the 165gr .40 S&W as these loads are in the higher energy zone of the cartridge. Speer Gold Dot #53970 or Remington Golden Sabers #GS40SWA are examples (about 485 ft-lbs).
Favorites for me?
The 175gr Winchester Silvertips put out 607 ft-lbs of energy @ 1250 fps or about 450 ft-lbs from the 4" barrel shown here. The 210gr LSWC loads in the speedloaders put out an honest 1060 fps from the 4-inch giving 524 ft-lbs.
Based on shooting ~200-220 lb pigs, an attacker recieiving either should act like he was underneath a dropped anvil.
In my 9mm and .45 pistols, I'm moving to Federal HST for a round that expands better than the Hydra-shoks.
YMMV. Free advice worth payment received. Not valid where prohibited by law.
Steviewonder1
New member
Cor-Bon DPX across the board.
Six_Rounds
New member
For me its Winchester PDX1 130gr JHP +P in .38spl for my 2" snub. I tested them in calibrated gelatin and they did about 14" of penetration, and opened up perfectly (1.5x expansion as advertised) both through bare gelatin and 4 layers of cotton (shirt materiel).
Too late!
158 grain soft lead HP (Magnus Bullets #515) with Federal SP primer and 4.5 grains of Unique. (I may try 4.0 grains of Bullseye next time I load a batch.)
I also have a 9x18mm CZ-82 that I keep loaded with Silver Bear JHP's.
If my .45 Colt (Ruger Bisley) didn't have a 7.5" barrel, I might keep it loaded too. 250 grain SWC with 7.0 grains of Red Dot. (that'll leave a mark)
Short answer: A known effective hollow point that works reliably in the respective handgun.
Longer answer: I pared down my calibers, and consolidated my factory SD ammo. What is loaded up and ready to go, at this moment, are:
9mm +P 124 gr Georgia Arms Gold Dot.
9mm +P 124 gr hand loaded Golden Saber. In stockpile.
9mm 115 gr Speer Gold Dot.
9mm 115 gr hand loaded Remington JHP. In stockpile.
9mm 115 gr hand loaded Winchester JHP. In stockpile.
.38 Spl +P 125 gr Georgia Arms Gold Dot.
.38 Spl +P 158 gr hand loaded Speer LSWC-HP. In stockpile.
Note that what are actually loaded in the SD/HD handguns happens to be factory ammo that uses Speer Gold Dot bullets but not necessarily that brand. In the hand load SHTF stockpile, however, I've got other bullets.
Longer answer: I pared down my calibers, and consolidated my factory SD ammo. What is loaded up and ready to go, at this moment, are:
9mm +P 124 gr Georgia Arms Gold Dot.
9mm +P 124 gr hand loaded Golden Saber. In stockpile.
9mm 115 gr Speer Gold Dot.
9mm 115 gr hand loaded Remington JHP. In stockpile.
9mm 115 gr hand loaded Winchester JHP. In stockpile.
.38 Spl +P 125 gr Georgia Arms Gold Dot.
.38 Spl +P 158 gr hand loaded Speer LSWC-HP. In stockpile.
Note that what are actually loaded in the SD/HD handguns happens to be factory ammo that uses Speer Gold Dot bullets but not necessarily that brand. In the hand load SHTF stockpile, however, I've got other bullets.
Really? I thought they went to some other caliber. I figure sense somebody was selling "ton's" of GDHP 124g +P at $250 a case/1000 delivered on www.Gunbroker.com from New York they came from the NYPD, and they updated to a new cal. like the .40 S&W.
Also "ton's" of GDHPs 135g .38spl +P were going for $300 a case delivered.
I wonder were they got those. Maybe I'll call Liz and find out.
There's a lot of good ammo types on the market these days: Golden Sabers, Gold Dots, Critical Defense, Winchester PDX, Federal HST, and others. I think all will perform well, so it doesn't much matter which one you use, they're all about equal in terms of terminal ballistics.
But I do like some "specialty" rounds from a couple of boutique ammo makers, namely Buffalo Bore and Double Tap.
But I do like some "specialty" rounds from a couple of boutique ammo makers, namely Buffalo Bore and Double Tap.
I havevn't heard anything about that. It would be amazing if they did. The way the budgets are right now, I can't imagine buying 40,000 new guns + ammo plus training. From what I understand, NYPD is pretty happy with the 9mm....
Wish I had seen some of that cheap ammo. Might have had to buy some. I wonder if it was a rejected lot or something?
Hmm. I hate to bring this up, but im surprised no one has done it yet. I am surprised at the number of people using Handloads for personal defence. I understand that you can custum tailor your loads to your guns and power levels and accuracy requirements, but all that does not out weigh the legal consequences of using it in self defence.
Mas Ayoob did a artice about this a while ago, and featured a husband who handloaded wad cutter mouse farts for his wifes pistol, he came home and found her with it to her head and she pulled the trigger. He was using federal +p cases, and that is exactly what they tested for GSR. Seeing as he was using mouse fart loads, the gsr was very little, compared to the +p federal rounds they used for comparison. They refused to use his load notes, and convicted him saying he shot her from across the room.
I under stand all the advantages of making handloads, but none of those advantages out weigh the legal ramifications of using handloads. Which saddens me, becuase i have several different loads in.38spc that would be nice to use.
Mas Ayoob did a artice about this a while ago, and featured a husband who handloaded wad cutter mouse farts for his wifes pistol, he came home and found her with it to her head and she pulled the trigger. He was using federal +p cases, and that is exactly what they tested for GSR. Seeing as he was using mouse fart loads, the gsr was very little, compared to the +p federal rounds they used for comparison. They refused to use his load notes, and convicted him saying he shot her from across the room.
I under stand all the advantages of making handloads, but none of those advantages out weigh the legal ramifications of using handloads. Which saddens me, becuase i have several different loads in.38spc that would be nice to use.
With all the choices for factory-manufactured SD ammo out there, it's hard to understand how someone could improve on the brands, types of bullet, and powder loads available. However, I understand the feeling of wanting the ultimate.
As for the legal ramifications, it could get you in trouble, or it could not. Handloaded SD ammo is no different than changing sights, doing a" trigger job", or any other gun modification. What was the intent? Did you change the sights to enable you to kill people more easily, or to enable your weak eyes to see the sights in dim light - so as to not miss your target and hit an "innocent bystander". Did you polish your trigger to a "hair" to make it easier to "crank one off" or to improve maintaining your aiming point. Did you load your ammo with mercury-filled bullets or factory brands. Did you load it really hot or to SAAMI specs. Here's where a good lawyer and expert testimony comes in.
aarondhgraham
New member
I prefer an old standard,,,
I carry a S&W Model 36,,,
I use 158 semi-wadcutter flat nose bullets.
It's really a matter of practicality more than anything else,,,
These are my standard range loads so they are what I always have on hand.
I read about wound channels and expansion rates and such stuff,,,
It's not that I don't put credence to the performance reports,,,
I just don't see enough difference to warrant exotic ammo.
Call me lackadaisical if you want to,,,
It's just not a huge factor to me.
.
I carry a S&W Model 36,,,
I use 158 semi-wadcutter flat nose bullets.
It's really a matter of practicality more than anything else,,,
These are my standard range loads so they are what I always have on hand.
I read about wound channels and expansion rates and such stuff,,,
It's not that I don't put credence to the performance reports,,,
I just don't see enough difference to warrant exotic ammo.
Call me lackadaisical if you want to,,,
It's just not a huge factor to me.
.
10mm Auto
DoubleTap 135gr Nosler JHP for controlled penetration
DoubleTap 200gr FMJ-FP for deep penetration
.45 ACP
DoubleTap 230gr FMJ Match Grade
Federal 230gr +P HST
Winchester 'Whitebox' 230gr hardball
aaron; I agree 100%. The 'exotics' are no more effective than the 'classics' when it comes to incapacitating a threat. Shot placement and minimum eight inches depth of penetration, with as large a primary hole as possible. End of story.
DoubleTap 135gr Nosler JHP for controlled penetration
DoubleTap 200gr FMJ-FP for deep penetration
.45 ACP
DoubleTap 230gr FMJ Match Grade
Federal 230gr +P HST
Winchester 'Whitebox' 230gr hardball
aaron; I agree 100%. The 'exotics' are no more effective than the 'classics' when it comes to incapacitating a threat. Shot placement and minimum eight inches depth of penetration, with as large a primary hole as possible. End of story.
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midlandwalther
New member
This. I've got some Golden Sabres as well but as much as the others.
drewsdiablo
Inactive
Hornady TAP 45 ACP+P 230 Grain. I like this because their fast and proform the way their should every single time. I've shot around 200 and not a single FTF. Great stuff.