.45 guys, what do you feel is the best defense ammo

[DSmith78]

Getting ready to fill my ammo inventory back up and am going to order some more defense ammo. I have been using Hornady critical defense in my xds and never had a hiccup with it. Just curious what others feel is the best ammo to get.

 

[Sniper 79]

For me its my own hand loads in the 230grn ball. Second choice would be a good 200grn wad cutter if your rig will eat them and you dig the different recoil impulse.

I carry what I shoot and those are the ones for the 45acp.

 

[BogWalker]

I really like the critical defense myself.

 

[SSGSAD]

JMHO, I NEVER use reloads, for self defense ..... Mas Ayoob, says it, and I BELIEVE it .....

Right now, I have Fed. Hydra Shok ..... yeah, I know it's old, but so am I .....

 

[Hoosier45]

Lots of good choices. Federal hydrashocks, Speer gold dots, Winchester bonded, critical duty/defense...

 

[HKUSP]

I prefer Winchester Ranger SXT's or Hornady XTP's. I've read too much about the Critical defense loads under-preforming in the real world. I bought a bunch of Cor-Bon Powerballs a few years ago and then shot them up for practice after more data came in on how they were doing.

 

[RustyHornet]

Just made the switch to 230gr Federal HST's. I was impressed with the reviews I saw of the expansion so that's what I went with.

 

[DSmith78]

I prefer Winchester Ranger SXT's or Hornady XTP's. I've read too much about the Critical defense loads under-preforming in the real world. I bought a bunch of Cor-Bon Powerballs a few years ago and then shot them up for practice after more data came in on how they were doing.

where are you finding the ranger sxt's?

 

[Dean C.]

Standard pressure Federal HST, its basically just Hydra Shok on steroids. Itw what I carry in all my defensive guns regardless of caliber.

[video=youtube;iWW2Y-IZpyE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWW2Y-IZpyE[/video]

 

[joe138]

when I carried a .45 for duty it was loaded with 230 gr Federal HST's. It fed reliably and the point of impact was close to 230 fmj.

 

[ScouT6a]

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I like these 260 grain Keith style SWCs. You just said, ".45 guys"

 

[HKUSP]

where are you finding the ranger sxt's?

When I lived in Ohio I bought a few boxes at a store that did not adhere to Winchester's LEO only policy. I don't shoot them up very often.

 

[IndyGlockMan]

185gr Golden Sabres are surprisingly good.
230gr Speer Gold Dots are very good too.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I use Speers. Nice expansion and, more importantly, very low flash signature.

 

[sparky32]

I like Federal HST in both .45 and 9mm. I also like the old High Shok from federal.

Practice with what you carry every so often for function and accuracy that means all the difference.

 

[OutdoorDad]

Just loaded two magazines with Federal .45 165gr hydra shock - low recoil.

I have no idea what the "low recoil" is about. The box has no fps data on it. But I've shot it POA previously.

On a full size 1911, I didn't notice any high or low recoil.

 

[SteveM4A1]

HST

 

[308jake]

PDX1

 

[Super Trucker]

I have used Winchester Ranger RA45T for about a decade now but it is near impossible to buy anymore so I will have to change when I run out. From my research I am thinking HST will be the replacement.

 

[GlockRock]

My Dept duty ammo is 230 grain HST.