Old School Ammo vs Latest Greatest?
- Thread starter SFsc616171
- Start date
Gary L. Griffiths
New member
You don't see law enforcement agencies using last century ammo.
You won't see me using last century ammo.
Modern JHPs are vast improvements over their predecessors. I'll go with modern technology.
You won't see me using last century ammo.
Modern JHPs are vast improvements over their predecessors. I'll go with modern technology.
There are also a lot of handgun cartridges that are not commonly used by law enforcement and thus haven't received the "vast improvements" that cartridges like 9mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP have. For these cartridges, "last century ammo" is oftentimes still the best available.
YARDDOG(1)
New member
"[There are also a lot of handgun cartridges that are not commonly used by law enforcement and thus haven't received the "vast improvements" that cartridges like 9mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP have. For these cartridges, "last century ammo" is oftentimes still the best available.]"
The 158gr SWC Dos'nt need any improvements & the 125 SJHP in Rem. or Fed
Dos'nt need any either JMO & Been great loads when applied correctly
Y/D
The 158gr SWC Dos'nt need any improvements & the 125 SJHP in Rem. or Fed
Dos'nt need any either JMO & Been great loads when applied correctly
Y/D
I don't willy nilly switch ammo to the flavor of the month but I do believe some of today's offerings beat most of those from yesteryear. Who wouldn't want a .45 acp caliber bullet expanding to .75 inches and above while penetrating adequately, even through denim and auto window glass? Federal HSTs and Speer Gold Dots can do this. Just because a lead ball can kill you from a black powder gun doesn't mean it's the best choice available.
There is one older load, however, that I think meets or exceeds most of today's. That's the Remington 158 gr. LSWCHP +P. It performs well in both four inch and two inch revolvers. The Remington uses a soft lead and seems to expand better than other manufacturer's similar loads. http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38 Special Expansion Tests.htm
There is one older load, however, that I think meets or exceeds most of today's. That's the Remington 158 gr. LSWCHP +P. It performs well in both four inch and two inch revolvers. The Remington uses a soft lead and seems to expand better than other manufacturer's similar loads. http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/38 Special Expansion Tests.htm
marine6680
New member
In an old revolver caliber not widely used, the older stuff might be all you have.
Flat nosed bullets moving fast can create a large wound channel.
A SWCHP can expand, and if not, its still a SWC.
Now if we are talking say... 9mm... 40... 45...
And the choice was between some Federal Hydra-Shok and Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, or Winchester PDX1...
I would go with the newer designs.
Its all about consistent performance over wider ranges of conditions.... and the modern hollow points have more consistent performance over wider performance envelopes and scenarios/situations outside of the norm or ideal.
Flat nosed bullets moving fast can create a large wound channel.
A SWCHP can expand, and if not, its still a SWC.
Now if we are talking say... 9mm... 40... 45...
And the choice was between some Federal Hydra-Shok and Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, or Winchester PDX1...
I would go with the newer designs.
Its all about consistent performance over wider ranges of conditions.... and the modern hollow points have more consistent performance over wider performance envelopes and scenarios/situations outside of the norm or ideal.
Spats McGee
Administrator
Old School Ammo vs. Latest & Greatest?
Yes. Each has its place. I tend towards old school, with .45 acp being my round of choice (for those times when I can carry a full-sized pistol), but I sure do like the looks of some of the modern rounds (Speer Gold Dot, Corbon Powerball, etc).
Yes. Each has its place. I tend towards old school, with .45 acp being my round of choice (for those times when I can carry a full-sized pistol), but I sure do like the looks of some of the modern rounds (Speer Gold Dot, Corbon Powerball, etc).
True. Since revolvers don't have to feed ammo, they can have a good old fashioned soft lead semi wadcutter with a huge hollowpoint and work just fine, a design that won't reliably work in many autos which generally have to employ newer technology to work comparatively as well.
For self defense there is no valid reason to use anything but the best available.
That being said, some of the "Old School" rounds are still in that category. 9bple, 125 Grain 357 magnum, 180 Grain Remington JHP 44 Magnum.
I prefer the Gold Dot loadings and someone mentioned "Boutique" and Underwood being expensive. I order my 357 Sig ammo from them and it is less expensive than anywhere else I have found.
That being said, some of the "Old School" rounds are still in that category. 9bple, 125 Grain 357 magnum, 180 Grain Remington JHP 44 Magnum.
I prefer the Gold Dot loadings and someone mentioned "Boutique" and Underwood being expensive. I order my 357 Sig ammo from them and it is less expensive than anywhere else I have found.
spanishjames
New member
Cheaper Than Dirt is still selling Federal Hi-Shock 9pm, which some consider old school. I wouldn't feel undergunned using this.
As for modern ammo, I like the Hornady XTP line.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/AMM-4061
As for modern ammo, I like the Hornady XTP line.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/AMM-4061