Best ammo? - The Firearms Forum

wvugunnut · 04-05-2011, 01:29 PM

Just got my concealed carry permit and bought a S&W M&P.45. Haven't shot any .45s other than a 1911 and that was with FMJ's so what is the best self-defense ammo? I am also a reloader so if there are any HP bullets let me know.

Country101 · 04-05-2011, 01:56 PM

You'll find plenty of opinions on that here. My personal one is either 230gr Hydrashoks or some bonded Ranger ammo. From what I have experienced, the heavier loads kill better than the lighter +P rounds. Granted, there was no clothing or other material for the rounds to go through. I have shot MANY hogs with my 1911 and I have had to use more of the +P rounds to kill pigs than the 230 gr rounds.

A lot of the defense loads these days will do a good job though, but the Hydrashoks and Ranger ammo are my picks. They will all be expensive, but dont let that bother you. You are only going to have to use a few of them once you get some fed through to make sure they function.

American Leader · 04-05-2011, 04:55 PM

My choice is Hydrashoks or Golden Saber, welcome aboard!

wvugunnut · 04-05-2011, 07:38 PM

Thank you, it has been a long 21 years. Never felt happier and/or safer.

Regular Joe · 04-11-2011, 04:53 AM

No-one has mentioned reloading yet. There are a huge number of JHP bullets available for .45 ACP. Have a look around the reloading section at
http://www.midwayusa.com/
I would suggest either the Remingtom Golden Sabers, or Hornady XTP's. For general practice fodder, check the Rainier plated bullets. I've fired thousands of them from my Glocks, and they are fine bullets that don't foul the bore.
I suggest that you keep plenty of your defense rounds loaded up and stored, but also keep a lot more of your "general use" loads. They may not be as potent as your defense rounds, but in a worst case scenario, any ammo is better than a sharp stick!

jbmid1 · 04-12-2011, 08:29 AM

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/cat...roducts_id=428

These might be worth a try. 255gr hardcast.

04-05-2011, 01:29 PM	#1
wvugunnut Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Mountain State Posts: 17	Best ammo? Just got my concealed carry permit and bought a S&W M&P.45. Haven't shot any .45s other than a 1911 and that was with FMJ's so what is the best self-defense ammo? I am also a reloader so if there are any HP bullets let me know. __________________ "The law? The law is a human institution." Oh Brother where art thou? -->

04-05-2011, 01:56 PM	#2
Country101 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dardanelle, AR Contributor Posts: 2,028	Re: Best ammo? You'll find plenty of opinions on that here. My personal one is either 230gr Hydrashoks or some bonded Ranger ammo. From what I have experienced, the heavier loads kill better than the lighter +P rounds. Granted, there was no clothing or other material for the rounds to go through. I have shot MANY hogs with my 1911 and I have had to use more of the +P rounds to kill pigs than the 230 gr rounds. A lot of the defense loads these days will do a good job though, but the Hydrashoks and Ranger ammo are my picks. They will all be expensive, but dont let that bother you. You are only going to have to use a few of them once you get some fed through to make sure they function. __________________ Gainfully employed= shooting somebody elses bullets and getting paid for it Country101

04-05-2011, 04:55 PM	#3
American Leader Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,630	Re: Best ammo? My choice is Hydrashoks or Golden Saber, welcome aboard!

04-05-2011, 07:38 PM	#4
wvugunnut Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Mountain State Posts: 17	Re: Best ammo? Thank you, it has been a long 21 years. Never felt happier and/or safer. __________________ "The law? The law is a human institution." Oh Brother where art thou?

04-11-2011, 04:53 AM	#5
Regular Joe V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 269	Re: Best ammo? No-one has mentioned reloading yet. There are a huge number of JHP bullets available for .45 ACP. Have a look around the reloading section at http://www.midwayusa.com/ I would suggest either the Remingtom Golden Sabers, or Hornady XTP's. For general practice fodder, check the Rainier plated bullets. I've fired thousands of them from my Glocks, and they are fine bullets that don't foul the bore. I suggest that you keep plenty of your defense rounds loaded up and stored, but also keep a lot more of your "general use" loads. They may not be as potent as your defense rounds, but in a worst case scenario, any ammo is better than a sharp stick! __________________ Around here, we don't say "Oh shucks", or "oh man". We say Oh BAMA!!

04-12-2011, 08:29 AM	#6
jbmid1 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,075	Re: Best ammo? http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/cat...roducts_id=428 These might be worth a try. 255gr hardcast. __________________ You can't be too rich, too thin, or have too much firepower.