Guys and Gals, pick your self defense ammo.

[ghalleen]

Federal Hydra-Shoks and Federal Expanding FMJ

 

[ghalleen]

Having said all that, my "go to" bullet for all handguns is the Gold Dot. It consistently has good penetration and expansion across a variety of calibers and loads in both revolvers and semi-autos.

I got a chuckle a while back when I realized I'd purchased a box of Gold Dot "Personal Protection" ammo for my .454 Casull. Personal Protection against bear, maybe! 300gr GDHP!

 

[Blue Grass]

Win JHP 230gr .45ACP's. It feeds and shoots well. Also WallyWorld had it on clearence a few years ago. Bought 20 boxes for $8.95 a box.

Win 147gr 9mm. Same as above. Wallyworld had it for $5.00 for 50. Bought 18 or 19 boxes.

Those were the days.

 

[sdj]

Federal and Corbon; that's what my local shops stock.

 

[jgcoastie]

Glock 22 (.40) - 165gr Speer GDHP

Glock 20SF (10mm) - Social Use: DoubleTap 165gr Speer GDHP
Field Use: Doubletap 200gr WFNGC Beartooth

S&W 642CT (.38+P) - 135gr Speer Short Barrel GDHP +P

Marlin 917S (.17HMR) - 17gr Hornady V-Max

Remington 7615 Police (5.56/.223) - 55gr Hornady TAP/Various FMJ (TAP ain't cheap!)

Browning BAR MkII Safari (.30/06) - My handloads, 165gr Nosler Ballistic Tip at about 2800fps. Or 180gr Winchester Ballistic Silvertips.

Benelli SuperNova Tactical (12ga) - Winchester HV Turkey Loads 3.5" #4 Shot

Mossberg 930 (12ga) - Federal Bulk #7.5 Shot

Any/all of my guns could (in theory) be used as HD guns, so that's why I listed them all...

 

[skoro]

Depends...

38/357: FBI load or Gold Dot

9mm: Federal HST

380: Hornady Critical Defense/Buffalo Bore Hardcast

 

[bababooey32]

Winchester Supreme Elite Bonded PDX1, 9mm 124g +P JHP in a Springfield XDm for home defense.

 

[BurkGlocker]

In my 9mm its Federal HST 147 grainers.

In my G21SF, anything that feeds... What else can I say, its a .45!!!

But my current carry round is 230 gr+P Rangers.

The bullet expanded in diameter almost to the same length of the cartridge. 1.130" vs 1.210".

 

[overkill556x45]

Hornady 124gr XTP out of an M&P9C. Hopefully an M&P9L before the year is out.

 

[KC9LDB]

never had to even consider using it but Speer 9mm+P 124 gr Gold Dot HP

 

[m&p45acp10+1]

Current load is CorBon Pow'r Ball 165 grain .45 ACP+P. Also have a box of Hornady XTP 220 grain hollow points for just in case.
For good measure as a back up 400 rounds of Blazer Brass and WWB 230 grain ball.

 

[Red Tail]

357 Ruger

For home defense and ranch work, a 12 ga pump loaded with a series of magnum bird shot to 00Buck. Start slow and finish hard. Backed up with a Ruger Security Six 110 gr+P load JHP- currently Hornady FTX Critical Defense ammo, but am looking at Win Bonded PDX1. I have a Glock and a S&W 9mm, but the Ruger has never jammed or misfired and saved my life twice!

 

[Beentown71]

XD9 - Have it on me most of the time... Remington Golden Sabres 124g. The reason why is because it feeds and expands reliably. Also, the fact that I picked up 6 boxes for $50 didn't hurt either

Remington 870 - Federal 00 buck...Patterns great and well it is 00 buck.

Ruger GP 100 - Wouldn't carry this except for the woods and it is not my first choice for home defense but it is usually loaded with GDHP.

Beentown

 

[Red Tail]

Caveat emptor,

I just found out
Hornady overstates the velocity of all of their 38 special loads.
I bought some 38 spcl. 110gr +P FTX Critical Defense Ammunition, item #90311 from Sportsmansguide with a stated velocity of 1270, then I looked on the Hornady web site and it said the velocity of that round is 1090. SOoo, I contacted the techs and this is what they said " Sorry for the confusion, The correct velocity is 1090 fps. thanks". The box says 1270 and that is where Sportmans got it. As I write Hornady does not admit a problem and refuses to resolve the issue. Come on a little bit of honesty at those premium prices!

 

[DOUGHBOY RACING]

S&W 1006 with Winchester 175GR Silvertips

 

[texgunner]

I have Remington Golden Sabers in my autos (9mm and .45acp) and Winchester SXTs in my .38spl.

 

[Tamara]

Let's see...

1911 is loaded with Remington 230gr Golden Saber BJHP's, S&W 296 is loaded with Federal 200gr LSWC-HP's, and S&W 432 is loaded with Georgia Arms 100gr SJHP's.

Why? Because I'm comfortable with their performance in standardized ballistic tests and their function in their respective weapons.

 

[DanThaMan]

Unfortunately I can only judge based on my online and textual research. My understanding is that Speer Gold dot 124 gr. loaded as hot as possible (which can be pretty darn hot in my glock) in my G17 will suffice. Of course I also understand that reliable expansion can't be relied upon . Ergo i value shot placement and training more than bullet choice. Functionality is top of the list there.

On another note I would really like to make some ballistic gellatin and conduct my own tests of expansion, penetration, and feeding reliability. Then make the faaaar more informed decision.

 

[jjyergler]

Both SIGs are loaded with Hornady TAP FPD 155gr. They feed well, and are extremely accurate.

 

[.351winchester]

S&W 296 is loaded with Federal 200gr LSWC-HP's

Awesome snub, 432 also