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45 ACP Defensive Round

18K views 24 replies 20 participants last post by  Ty 
#1 ·
What is the best over the counter defensive round? What would be the best reload combo? Is liability too much of an issue for using reloads?
 
#3 ·
.45 defensive

I used to be a Federal Hydra Shok guy and had no real reson for switching but I have been using Proload 230 grain for quite a while now and I am very pleased with the performance! Seems like a bit less muzzle flash at night and in low light which I find to be a plus as well! 8)
Publican
 
#4 ·
I like the Golden Sabre 185gr +P's in my Colt Commander,
and the Winchester Ranger 230gr "T"'s in my Sig P220.
I would most definitely avoid handloads in a defensive gun,
unless your practicing....today's factory loads will probably
be as accurate and reliably perform better that most hand-
loads anyway, and if you can show that law enforcement
uses the same load, it's that much more defensible in court.
JMHO of course...
 
#5 ·
When I carry a 45, I have relied on Federal's 230 grain HydrShok load. The Remington 230 grain Golden Saber has also received high acclaim for personal protection in the 45 ACP caliber.
 
#6 ·
I much prefer the 230's without being +p normally, but my
Commander much prefers the 185 grainers, and they sure
expand pretty well when going as fast as they are. I've
tagged coyotes, a mule deer and javelina aplenty, and they
almost all look like they could be in a bullet ad.
 
#9 ·
.45 defensive load

Wap Wap,
I know you say that tongue in cheek, but I had an interesting experience with the now infamous American Ammunition .45 hardball about a year ago! If you look at the American Ammunition thread you will see what I'm talking about!! In general though .45 is the way to go!!
Publican 8)
 
#11 ·
Hyda Shok

I do not trust Hydra Shok at all. My PD used 230 Hydra Shoks for a lot of years and had very poor results. Over penetration and no expansion were the rule. We did some extensive tests and changed to Winchester Ranger SXT in the 230 +P load.

For over the counter, Speer Gold Dot and Standard SXT are almost as good. The new Federal HST round, while not bonded, beat all comers in expansion and looked real good.

Remington bonded Golden Saber expanded about average but we had problems with inconsistant velocity. Some of the rounds ran out of a 5" brl. in the low 700 fps. During one test, the extreme velocity spread was 96 fps. The bullet design is good and I hope that Remington has improved the consistancy.
 
#12 ·
3.5 inch barrel

I am considering defensive loads for a new Colt Officer pistol with 3.5 inch barrel. Any recommendations for the short barrel? Specific ammo recommendations would be appreciated along with your reasons.

I was looking at 185s but thought with the drop in velocity (don't know by how much) that maybe I should bump up the weight and use 230s. Over penetration is a major concern with this.

Thanks,
Frank G
 
#13 ·
Less Penetrative .45 ACP Defensive Loads

If overpenetration is at all a concern, I would only use the Winchester 185 grn Silvertip, regardless of barrel length. The only way to measure velocity loss is to chronograph YOUR pistol using that ammunition, as barrel tolerances and condition will also determine the results.
 
#15 ·
Corbon or Ranger T

I'm going to chime in for Corbon ammo. I've used the 230 and 200 grain +P loads. I carry the 200 gr loads. They also make 165gr and 185gr loads I believe. It's premium, accurate ammo. I've never had any Corbon ammo fail to feed or fire in my Pro Carry.

If you can get your hands on Winchester Ranger T 230gr ammo, it's probably the best out there. It's LEO ammo, but you can get your hands on it from time to time, and it is not illegal for a civilian to carry it or buy it.

Go to www.ammolab.com to see test results on various ammo.
 
#17 ·
Because you do not make millions of $ making and improving ammo. You do not have lawyers that work full time defending you and your brand of ammo for this slap happy SUE me for coughing in public world. Being liable mostly applies to LE but bullets fail to do what they are supposed to do period. There is not one made that is perfect. Civil suits can come in many different forms. Take for instant, you have a bad guy come to you and say shoot me or I will stab you with this here knife. So you shoot him, he dies. He then has family come out of the woodwork that never spoke his name until they thought they could make money on it and sue you into the stone age. Some of the suits will possibly read like this. Me VS Ammo manufacturer, Me VS Firearms Company, Me VS The Guy that Shot my beloved cousin on my mothers brother-N- laws side, and so on. Me being the bad guy’s family so liability for LE is taken up by the company that makes the ammo and does not fall on their heads.
One thing is for sure so think about it VERY carefully, you will be sued if you shoot someone period...... And they will sue you any and every way possible. 8)
 
#18 ·
CallTheBall said:
Why would using your own reloads be a liability?
It wouldn't. The use of handloads does not turn a justified shooting, into a non-justified one. It does not turn an otherwise innocent man into a murderer.

If the shooting is justified, then it does not matter what you shot him with - it is the ACT of the shooting that is under investigation, NOT the tool used to do it. And the use of a specific weapon or ammo (provided they are not illegal for you to own/use/carry in your area) will not affect any decisions. If you have made a choice to pull the trigger on someone and you are found innocent and justified, there is no way in hell that the use of reloads could impact that decision.

Unless you have Bozo the Clown as your attorney, the use of handloads can be easily defended and justified. Remember - it is YOU and your actions that are on trial - not your ammo or firearm.

I am still waiting for someone to point me to a criminal conviction where an otherwise innocent man was found guilty because of reloads.........
 
#19 ·
Shane is right too....... But being in Law Enforcement has taught me that if the judge will allow it, they will sue you for everything possible. But the way Shane is right is they are going to try you for the actual incident and then if you are justified you are good and that is it for that part. Then comes the dreaded civil trials. That is were they sue for anything and everything. But back to Shane’s point and what I will end mine on, It is better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6. Be safe. 8)
 
#20 ·
This is whats stupid with our society. We have intruders, murderers and evry kind of bad guy protected by the law. They break in to your house and you are still succeptible to lawsuits for protecting your personal property. :evil:

I cant understand how, by breaking the law, the badguy, his family and pet can sue me for protecting my family in my home. What happened to no tresspassing?

Anyway I am looking for good home defense ammo for a Kimber .45 SuperMatch II. I do not want to the bullet to penetrate my walls and my neighbors as well. I want it to stop in my walls. Any ideas?
 
#21 ·
Getting a .45 to stop in drywall will be a challenge...I would look at Mag-Safe and Glazer, and
do your own tests. You can also armor areas that are more likely to receive incoming and
outgoing fire with bookcases and the like. You can also buy thin sheets of galvanized steel to
slightly armor under your sheetrock in 'tactical' areas, though it won't stop much, but may
decrease lethality. I don't know if they are still available, but Mag-Safe used to offer a 'Super-
Swat" 46gr .45acp load that allegedly cruised along at 2,400 fps from a 5" gun. I got 2,150
from a HK USP 45c short tube gun-not to bad, but forget about deep penetration....I think
this round was more designed for hi-energy, low penetration features.....hope this helps!
 
#23 ·
Handloader did an article a LONG time ago Neighborly .45

The author went to a super heavy super slow bullet. He remarked that the bullet skidded on the rifling in the throat after the manner of revolvers.

Mixed feelings is a negligent discharge that doesn't penetrate (mine not his).
 
#24 ·
I like Double Tap!

Mike McNett puts out a 230 grain GDHP that consistently clocks from a Colt Government Model @ 1010 fps without ranging into +P pressures!

Works for me!

Scott
 
#25 ·
Best 45

I like the new Federal 230+P Classic Hi Shok and also Speer Gold Dot 200 +p load. Now I found some really good info from a book called "STREET STOPPERS" written by Evan Marshall. He has done so much research that he may have the answers of what you are looking for. he also wrote another book called "STOPPING POWER". I hope that this has helped .
 
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