What type of ammo for .45 ACP?

[Drewsifer]

I'm sorry if this should go in the ammo section.

I've been staggered lately by the selection of self defense loads out there. Corbin Powerball, hornady critical defense, and how many others. I've been carrying Corbin cause it feeds nicely in my 1911. So I was just curious about what other people carried.

[Jim]

I'm in a small town, less than 500. Not much crime here and what there is mostly consists of non violent drug manufacturing and distributing. That being said, I really don't feel a need to carry anything special.
I carry standard ball loads in my 345. I figger if I have to use my sidearm, that oughta' do.
As a side bar, I do carry hand loaded 230 gr. JHPs in my Judge when I'm out on my property or in a rural area. The reason I do is because I might encounter something other than human threat out here in the boonies.

[Chasbo00]

Winchester Ranger and Speer Gold Dot -- mainly because I got some great pricing some time ago. Chasing the latest and greatest in defensive ammo is not my thing. Reliability in my gun is my key criterion.

[Jim]

..... Chasing the latest and greatest in defensive ammo is not my thing. Reliability in my gun is my key criterion.

Exactly !

[Rockzilla]

Federal HST 230gr. factory load and a 200gr. Speer JHP (reload) old style hollow point bullet, has a huge cavity, fired out of S&W 4556 TSW

-Rock

[Drewsifer]

Winchester Ranger and Speer Gold Dot -- mainly because I got some great pricing some time ago. Chasing the latest and greatest in defensive ammo is not my thing. Reliability in my gun is my key criterion.

That's what I'm looking for. A reliable ammo to carry everyday. However getting to the point seems like its going to involve a lot of range time (oh no! )

[Chasbo00]

Winchester Ranger and Speer Gold Dot -- mainly because I got some great pricing some time ago. Chasing the latest and greatest in defensive ammo is not my thing. Reliability in my gun is my key criterion.

That's what I'm looking for. A reliable ammo to carry everyday. However getting to the point seems like its going to involve a lot of range time (oh no! )

Well, I'm fortunate I think as my two 45s, a Glock and a Sig, are not picky eaters. I've been able to feed either of them just about anything. I like to shoot at a least a hundred rounds with flawless operation to feel comfortable with any particular carry ammo -- probably reliability overkill for many.

[M1A4ME]

large caliber (.45) has worked in handguns since before there was a 1911, and they still work.

That's what I've always carried.

[gunderwood]

I prefer Gold Dots and Ranger Ts. Then Golden Saber, HST, and DPX.

230gr if possible.

[Drewsifer]

What about bullet weight? It seems most sources say for .45 230 grain is King. Would going with a lighter round, that had a higher velocity, have any real benefits?

[Chasbo00]

I'm with Gunderwood on bullet weight -- 230 grain is the way to go. The .45 ACP is relatively slow, low-pressure round that works best with a heavy bullet.

[gunderwood]

What about bullet weight? It seems most sources say for .45 230 grain is King. Would going with a lighter round, that had a higher velocity, have any real benefits?

Bullet designers can work with most things. Deliver energy to the target and they can design a bullet that meets your performance spec. If that spec is the FBI test, then they will do that, if you want something different they can do that too. The reason 230gr is king is because that was the traditional .45 bullet, thus it has seen the most development put into that weight. I.e. put your R&D dollars where you are going to sell the most ammo. There are some good lighter options, but nearly everyone makes a decent 230gr .45 bullet. With some of the lighter loads it is hit and miss. E.g. Speer had a 200gr GD that supposedly failed the FBI test...independent testing seemed to back this up too. The 230gr load is great though.

[Jim]

If I'm FORCED to use deadly force, I'd rather hit the assailant with a brick than a rock.

[SgtBill]

Brick or Rock makes no diffrence if you don't hit them right, ( between the eye's) always work's no matter the calibre or weight altho in the .45 I also prefer a 230 grain slug.
Bill

[jrswanson1]

You can get all of the new, whiz-bang ammo you want, but if it doesn't cycle properly with your particular gun, it's going to suck to be you. I've had the good fortune of owning semi-autos that ate every hollow point I put through it. Some were more accurate than others, so I stick with reliability first, then accuracy. And I run at least two mags full through each magazine through that particular gun. If it hiccups (hasn't happened yet) I move to a different load. Revolvers I don't worry about.

Jim

[zephyp]

I'm with Gunderwood on bullet weight -- 230 grain is the way to go. The .45 ACP is relatively slow, low-pressure round that works best with a heavy bullet.

Yup...tried and true...I never could figure out why the military went with 9mm other than NATO standards. 9MM is most definitely an inferior cartridge. Same thing applies for deer hunting where you encounter obstacles like brush, leaves, etc --- the slow moving heavy bullet dominates.

[gunderwood]

I'm with Gunderwood on bullet weight -- 230 grain is the way to go. The .45 ACP is relatively slow, low-pressure round that works best with a heavy bullet.

Until it isn't!!! Then we call it the .460Rowland!

If you are tired of splitting hairs between 9mm and .45 or debating which is the best 40 cal load, have I go the upgrade for you. .44Mag in your 1911? No problem.

http://460rowland.com/about/

How about pushing a 230gr .45cal as fast as .357SIG pushes a 125gr? How about a 185gr .45cal to 357Mag 125gr velocities out of a long hunting barrel?
http://georgia-arms.com/new460rowland23 ... t50pk.aspx
http://georgia-arms.com/new460rowland18 ... t50pk.aspx


230gr@1350fps = 931ft-lbs
185gr@1550fps = 987ft-lbs

[Chasbo00]

You got to be a real 1911 junkie to convert one to .460 Rowland I suspect. It would not be my choice for a bear gun though.

Speaking of bear cartridges, BB claims some impressive numbers for their .460 S&W load -- 360 gr. L.B.T.-L.F.N. (1,900fps/M.E. 2,860 ft. lbs.)

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l= ... tail&p=126

[RocKor]

With .45, I'd go with JHP in 230 gr. Brand doesn't matter terribly as long as you stick with the trusted brands (Remington, Speer, Cor-Bon, Winchester, Hornady,) but the "Law Enforcement" versions of a particular ammo tend to be better than the "civilian" stuff.

People do carry ball in .45 ACP but I wouldn't stake my life on ball ammo, especially that FMJ may penetrate too much and not dispense all its energy on the target before exiting.

Now if your carry gun doesn't feed JHPs or is picky about ammo, it might be time to reexamine your carry piece.

And 9mm is a fine cartridge if you carry a modern JHP, possibly even +P if you and your gun can take it. The NATO and army stuff is ball which is why it "sucks" but if it didn't do the job Law Enforcement would've totally (instead of partially) abandoned it years ago when the .40 S&W came out. Plus it's cheaper and can be argued to be more size-efficient than .45 (I think modern .45s kind of rectify that with hi-caps like the G21 and such.)

[CoopVA]

230 grain Hydra-Shok

A little pricey, but my guns like them... I'll fire a few and then switch to ball at the range, but when in carry mode, it's Hydras...