View Full Version : What do you use for 45 ACP carry ammo?
I am curious to know what people carry in their 45s for defense. I use different types of ammo for different guns. I am a big fan of the Speer Gold Dot 180gr for 40 S&W and Hornady TAP 124gr for 9MM. I currently run Hornady TAP 230gr +p in my Glock21 and M&P 45 but I have noticed that the tips crush when chambering rounds more than once. Please list what guns you use and the type of ammo you carry AND WHY. Thanks!
christcorp
04-01-11, 10:53
I have had my 45acp loaded with Remington Golden Saber 230 grain for as long as I can remember. If it Ain't Broke, don't fix it. When a bullet is traveling that slow, the golden saber has proven itself. I won't even consider another ammo for my 45acp. I don't use golden sabers in all my handguns; but in the 45acp..... Not negotiable. It's ALWAYS 230 grain Golden Sabers for defensive carrying.
In my S&W 1911 I carry Speer Gold Dots in 230 grains. I carry them because they were available in quantity at a local gun shop; enough that I could verify whether they would be reliable or not to my satisfaction and have a few left over for actually carrying. They fed excellently for 300 rounds on top of the 5-600 FMJ ammo I had through the gun, so I'm confident in the setup. Shooting that 300 rounds of .45 ACP gold dots was expensive, but gave me a large amount of peace of mind while carrying my 1911.
230 gr Gold dots... and T-Series.
Tulsa Co. Sheriffs Office issues us 230gr Gold Dot, so that's what I carry! :)
Gold Dots in 230gr for my 21C's and my 30. Both at work and off.
Corbon powerball in my 1911
Corbon HPs in my XD.
I like the Winchester Ranger 230 gr T -Series ( RA45T ) in my M&P 45 and 1911's. I just ordered a case of 500 at a good price a few weeks ago.:D
1911: RA45T
J Frame: 135 gr +P Gold Dot, Short Barrel
Alaskapopo
04-01-11, 13:51
I am curious to know what people carry in their 45s for defense. I use different types of ammo for different guns. I am a big fan of the Speer Gold Dot 180gr for 40 S&W and Hornady TAP 124gr for 9MM. I currently run Hornady TAP 230gr +p in my Glock21 and M&P 45 but I have noticed that the tips crush when chambering rounds more than once. Please list what guns you use and the type of ammo you carry AND WHY. Thanks!
Federal 230 grain HST standard pressure.
Pat
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/355sigfan/bullets/9mm4045HST.jpg
yhmspecter
04-01-11, 18:07
My m&p45 was loaded with Hornady Critical Defense, untill I was able to get some Federal HST 230gr +p..I also carry the HST in 9mm as well, they seem to be one of the most reliable and effective self-defense rounds out, as well as the all mighty Gold dot.
Remington Golden Saber 230gr in my 1911s. They feed as smooth as ball points!
JeepDriver
04-01-11, 18:34
Ranger T series.
Getting low though, might switch to HST since a local place has it on the shelf.
I've used 230gr Golden Sabre's for years without ever having a feeding problem. However, I've begun to look closely at Winchester's PDX round as it is loaded a little hotter yet not fully +P and it is bonded.
Terlingueno
04-01-11, 21:55
Remington Golden Saber 230gr in my 1911s. They feed as smooth as ball points!
DITTO
Winchester Ranger 230 gr T -Series ( RA45T )+P
in my HK USP Compact 45
M&P45
Federal LE45T1- 230 gr +P Tactical Bonded.
Issued ammo. No complaints.
The_War_Wagon
04-02-11, 06:22
Cor-Bon 200gr. 'flying ashtray' JHP's. Stocked up when I heard they were discontinuing them.
I've liked Federal Hydra-Shok for almost 20 years now. I still have some Eldorado Starfires and even Winchester Black Talon floating around in a few of my mags. Remington Golden Sabres work for me, too. ;)
eightmillimeter
04-02-11, 17:43
XD 45 5"
200gr Gold Dot
230gr Gold Dot
230gr Fed HST
Currently 230 GD but I have used all of the above and like them all, that said there have been some testing issues with the 200 before but I had no problems.
Winchester RA45T for my 1911.
Speers GDHP's in 230gr. because I know that round.
NavyDavy55
04-02-11, 20:07
Speer Gold Dot 230gr.
Robb Jensen
04-02-11, 20:09
Currently = 230gr Federal HST.
Pumpkinheaver
04-05-11, 20:41
I use 200gr Hornadys.
Speer Glod Dot 230grn in my 4"XD
Federal HST, SPEER GD and Ranger are all excellent choices.
C4
Winchester .45T for duty 21SF and off duty 220
Dirtyboy333
04-07-11, 20:54
Winchester Ranger 230 gr T -Series ( RA45T )+P
in my HK USP Compact 45
I carry the exact same thing in my USP compact.... (RA45TP) Ive never tried the regular pressure loads but i know these Talons are bad ass.
If i knew how to attach a pic i would show a couple that i have recovered from water jugs that are perfect mushrooms with 6 (or 5 IIRC) "fangs" on the outer diameter.
If i couldn't get the Talons i would for sure get HST.....they seem to have similar results with thicker pedals instead of fangs.
I also recovered a few Talons that i shot into some pretty compacted dirt which clogged the nose and didn't expand at all but thats probably normal.
All the Golden Sabre lovers; fire it at night. It has the stupidest amount of flash I've ever seen in a handgun.
I buy either P45HST1 or P45HST2 (Federal HST) whenever I can and prefer to keep the +P variant in my gun.
All the Golden Sabre lovers; fire it at night. It has the stupidest amount of flash I've ever seen in a handgun.
Thanks for the heads up. I will try it out and see...
HAVOC 5150
04-08-11, 17:36
I used .45 Golden Sabre's as a kill shot on a buck I shot last summer. The buck was in the rut so his neck was pretty thick, the round penetrated all the way through the buck's neck and came to rest inside the skin on the opposite side. The GS performed flawlessly. Here are a couple pictures that I took of the GS compared to a quarter.
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/3862/45goldensabre230gr010.jpg (http://img713.imageshack.us/i/45goldensabre230gr010.jpg/)
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/9615/45goldensabre230gr011.jpg (http://img14.imageshack.us/i/45goldensabre230gr011.jpg/)
Winchester PDX 1 230 grain, in my 1911.
I used .45 Golden Sabre's as a kill shot on a buck I shot last summer. The buck was in the rut so his neck was pretty thick, the round penetrated all the way through the buck's neck and came to rest inside the skin on the opposite side. The GS performed flawlessly. Here are a couple pictures that I took of the GS compared to a quarter.
http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/3862/45goldensabre230gr010.jpg (http://img713.imageshack.us/i/45goldensabre230gr010.jpg/)
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/9615/45goldensabre230gr011.jpg (http://img14.imageshack.us/i/45goldensabre230gr011.jpg/)
Nice pics! Love the Malli in your avitar.
Pistol Shooter
04-09-11, 11:58
230 gr. Gold Dot, 230 gr. Golden Saber, 230 gr. HST.
operator81
04-09-11, 16:20
Any 230 grain (+p if avail) from any of the big 3 (Ranger T, Gold Dot and HST).
I use 185gr Gold Dots..............
Pathfinder Ops
04-10-11, 05:58
Remington Golden Saber 230gr in my 1911s. They feed as smooth as ball points!
These.
They run through my 1911 like a match made in heaven.
Amp Mangum
04-10-11, 07:44
Either 230gr Gold Dots or 230 Ranger T series standard pressure.
ColdDeadHands
04-10-11, 08:44
Hornady TAP 230Gr +P
Maryland_Shooter
04-12-11, 06:44
RA45T in my 1911.
H
Same here . . . although it seems to be a lot harder to get now that some have restricted sales to LE only. Must be a Winchester policy. I know OMBExpress won't sell to the general public.
RA45B when I can find them in stock, otherwise PDX-1. I have some of the ASYM Barnes on order. If they shoot well, I will most likely be changing.
I'll carry whatever there is if I have to [the joy of .45acp, anything works] but right now Im loaded with hornady 200gr +p's in my FNP45.
curmudgeon9
04-19-11, 23:15
230gr. Golden Sabers in my 1911 ....... nice big fat rounded nose for consistently smooth feeding. Average 800fps out of my three-incher.
Dirtyboy333
04-22-11, 02:00
(RA45TP) Ranger talon +P , HK USP 45 Compact
Left to Right: Big pumpkin, Thru denim into water jugs, I forget:p http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee498/Dirtyboy333/DSC02009.jpg http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee498/Dirtyboy333/DSC02010.jpg http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee498/Dirtyboy333/DSC02012.jpg
I realize this is not how to measure expansion i'm just showing the distance between the 2 outermost edges.
Dirtyboy333
04-22-11, 02:03
Sorry
Dirtyboy333
04-22-11, 02:14
Sorry, first time posting pics and i screwed it up
Ranger-T series 230gr +p.
(RA45TP) Ranger talon +P , HK USP 45 Compact
Left to Right: Big pumpkin, Thru denim into water jugs, I forget:p
I realize this is not how to measure expansion i'm just showing the distance between the 2 outermost edges.
Thank You! This is just what I am looking for.
Dirtyboy333
04-22-11, 21:01
Thank You! This is just what I am looking for.
Yeah no problem....Ammotogo.com has them in stock IIRC and their prices are GTG......i just saw that they had 40S&W Ranger Talons too so im gonna place an order now to replace my 165gr. Gold Dots in my carry G23. I really like the Gold Dots but im convinced that Talons are the way to go if possible. Not sure how they perform through auto glass but im not overly concerned about it.
8starsofgold
05-04-11, 17:30
230gr Speer GDHP
I just purchased a couple of boxes of Hornady TAP FPD 230gr +P. That's what I'll be carrying as soon as I test them out in my M&P 45 @ the range sometime this week. Until then I'm carrying with Federal 165 gr Hydrashok JHP.
Currently using Winchester Bonded PDX1 230gr HP. It works well in all my 1911s.
Alternately, I'll use any of the big ammo makers premium SD ammo.
I too have recently become a fan of the PDX round, howevet, I have heard that it is the exact same thing as the Ranger just in a smaller box and available to civilians. Does anyone know if this is true?
Yes, it is the same as Ranger Bonded, RA45B.
Hornady, Critical Defense.
Dirtyboy333
05-06-11, 16:44
Yes, it is the same as Ranger Bonded, RA45B.
Bonded is the stuff they sell at CDNN and it's not the same as Ranger Talon right? Ranger T seems a little bit harder to find.
Bonded is the stuff they sell at CDNN and it's not the same as Ranger Talon right? Ranger T seems a little bit harder to find.
Yes AFAIK. RA45T is the standard pressure and RA45TP is the +p varient and neither use the PDX-1 bonded bullet.
Dirtyboy333
05-06-11, 17:16
Yes AFAIK. RA45T is the standard pressure and RA45TP is the +p varient and neither use the PDX-1 bonded bullet.
Ok thanks.
I'm still a little confused of what "bonded" means. From what I understand it has something to do with attaching or "bonding" the jacket to the core but I'm just not sure how it differs from non bonded. I read that Gold Dots are somehow chemically (I think) bonded 1 molecule at a time.
If you google bonded vs regular talon you can see how the jacket begins to separate from the talon upon expansion while the bonded does not.
RA45TP in 1911 here, until i find some Tap and/or HST +P
Im not so sure Bonded and Rangers bullets are even the same. I Could be completely wrong though, dont quote me! I do remember reading that authentic Talon Rangers have 6 humps, while the Commercial version has 6 or 8,but no Talon Fingers (what i call em), and isnt the Talon in Generation 5 or 6 now? and real Talons are only sold in 50rnd boxes (not sure if this is still true or not in our economic state)
Dirtyboy333
05-11-11, 01:35
RA45TP in 1911 here, until i find some Tap and/or HST +P
Im not so sure Bonded and Rangers bullets are even the same. I Could be completely wrong though, dont quote me! I do remember reading that authentic Talon Rangers have 6 humps, while the Commercial version has 6 or 8,but no Talon Fingers (what i call em), and isnt the Talon in Generation 5 or 6 now? and real Talons are only sold in 50rnd boxes (not sure if this is still true or not in our economic state)
Yeah I beleive your right. My Rangers Talons came in a 50rd box. No, Im almost positive you right bc the Rangers are different from the Ranger Talons and the Rangers are bonded but the Ranger Talons aren't. I've seen some pics of the Rangers expanded in CDNN's catalog and they don't look quite as "aggressive" as the Ranger Talons. I don't have the pics handy so I can't give specific details but IIRC they didn't have the super sharp "talon fingers" on the outside.
I would like to get some of the Rangers and give them a try also. I'll do some backwoods ballistic tests. Although I haven't had any signs of jacket separation with the test I've done with the Talons the Rangers should hold up a lil better if I shoot through glass etc. Don't get me wrong, I'm completely satisfied with the Talons and I don't think I'll ever switch to something else (unless their not available) but I enjoy experimenting.
Terlingueno
05-11-11, 07:31
Remington Golden Saber 230 grain.
Same as my duty ammo: RA45TP
first off, am not le, nor ex military, but do carry on limited occasion and do have tx chl. i do shoot and practice frequently for idpa and run the same load in same gun, all of the time. and yes, it's a reload. i fully appreciate and understand keeping a high quality jacketed round as your carry gear, but as i shoot only lead, only handloads and only infrequently need actual carry, though a gun is always at hand at home or in car, i carry what i know and am most familiar with. so it's a 200gr swc with 4.8 wst, taper crimp for absolutely reliable feeding. my baer mono rolls with 4.2 clays and same bullet. i use these guns for every purpose you'd own a gun for and are not dedicated carry guns, though they're set up to work in that capacity, if req'd. point is, if all of the other 70 posters always keep and shoot their carry round, all of the time, excellent. i wouldn't want my familiarity with poi/poa to be compromised by introducing a round that i don't shoot 1000's of rounds with and have full confidence in. i realize i'm completely in the minority here, and again, not le or ex-mil, straight up civvy, and not issued ammo, but do care that if necessary, i can bring the weight of accurate fire on someone/thing, as required. am i all wet here?
Dirtyboy333
05-11-11, 21:56
I understand your point but unless your shooting your defensive pistol at 40+ yards or at a bad guy that has a hostage I don't think your poa/poi is gonna be that different between quality defensive ammo.
But confidence in your load to run reliably is definitely something to consider depending on the pistol your using. I don't have to worry much about what my CCW guns like/dislike bc both my G23c and USP45c have never had an issue devouring anything I put through them. Now when I rarely carry my Sig P238 I am concerned with what ammo I'm using bc it hasn't been all that reliable. I just keep it loaded with the FMJ's I practice with.
Remington Golden Sabers in 185gr in my 3" 1911.
Corbons in 230gr my 5" 1911
230gr. HST+P or Ranger-T +P
I carry a Smith&Wesson Performance Center CQB in .45 ACP.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i106/pdogkilr/Firearms/IMG_0990CQBand6PDefender.jpg
I carry Remington Golden Sabre 230 Grain HP's in the pistol, and two magazines of Hornady Hydra-Shocks for "spares". The Golden Sabres because it's summer time and the living is easy - not a lot of heavy clothing worn in Atlanta this time of year. Great expansion, good penetration. Easy to swap to the Hornady's if more penetration is required. But I figure if I really NEED to change magazines more than once, I am probably on the wrong side of the room and survival chances will be getting pretty slim.
tracker722
05-12-11, 20:32
**************************
Nephrology
05-12-11, 21:46
Back when I carried a .45, 160 or 185gr Cor-Bon DPX +Ps
I currently carry a similar load in a G19, 9mm 115gr +P Cor-Bon DPX
FromMyColdDeadHand
05-12-11, 22:06
My STI Tactical feeds FMJ 185gr well, but struggles with 230gr FMJ ammo. It looks like it is a length issue with 185gr running 1.21-1.22 and 230gr running 1.27 or so. Not my main defensive gun, but it is my main 45ACP gun. What defensive loads, worth a crap, run in the 1.22 AOL range?
Dirtyboy333
05-14-11, 05:44
My STI Tactical feeds FMJ 185gr well, but struggles with 230gr FMJ ammo. It looks like it is a length issue with 185gr running 1.21-1.22 and 230gr running 1.27 or so. Not my main defensive gun, but it is my main 45ACP gun. What defensive loads, worth a crap, run in the 1.22 AOL range?
I just measured all my Ranger Talons 230gr +P and they were all right at 1.21". If you want to see expansion of them there's a couple pics earlier in this thread. Got mine at ATG.
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee498/Dirtyboy333/cc1015b5.jpg
RA45T in my 1911. Have a good supply of it so will be using it for the foreseeable future.
I never expected this thread to go to 5 pages! I just wanted an opinion on ammo use for a pistol I wanted to carry. I was a big fan of the Talons when they were black and I carried them in all of my defense guns. I was happy to see that I made a good choice years ago and that that ammo is good today. I ended up going with the Winchester Ranger 230gr +P talon.
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af269/CoryCop25/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20MP%2045/P1010089.jpg
230 grain standard pressure Gold Dots and Ranger bonded.
Dirtyboy333
06-21-11, 18:38
You made a great choice Corycop. Love that stippling on the M&P. In fact, I was so impressed with my 45 +P's that I ordered and now carry Talons in all my carry weapons (even though the G23c gets carried 99% of the time).
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee498/Dirtyboy333/a8e56f95.jpg
USP 45c. No, I wasn't looking down the barrel. :rolleyes:
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee498/Dirtyboy333/3a5422e7.jpg
brzusa.1911
06-21-11, 18:40
GoldenSaber 185gr. Great on commander as well as government sizes.
Golden Saber 185 standard pressure in Colt Commander.
I am going with the Federal Tactical HST out of a 5" Nighthawk. Though I cannot decide between +p or non. There seem to be advantages and disadvantages of both. Dr. Roberts suggest both the +p and non. I am not particularly recoil sensitive if that matters. What are your take on +p 45 vs. standard? I am in a rut. I don't notice much difference while shooting either. Please give me some input.
Thanks, Dirty!
To the last poster, I also find no noticeable difference between the 45 standard and the 45 +p.
Alaskapopo
06-22-11, 23:51
I am going with the Federal Tactical HST out of a 5" Nighthawk. Though I cannot decide between +p or non. There seem to be advantages and disadvantages of both. Dr. Roberts suggest both the +p and non. I am not particularly recoil sensitive if that matters. What are your take on +p 45 vs. standard? I am in a rut. I don't notice much difference while shooting either. Please give me some input.
One warning the +p version may not function in your 1911. It did not in my Wilson CQB I had I have not tried it in my Kimber. 1911's are more picky about having ammo that conforms to a certain slide velocity.
Pat
One warning the +p version may not function in your 1911. It did not in my Wilson CQB I had I have not tried it in my Kimber. 1911's are more picky about having ammo that conforms to a certain slide velocity.
Pat
Thanks Pat. I should probably put more rounds of both through the Nighthawks. Though Nighthawk puts a hundred rounds or so of ball, various hollow points and SWC loads before they ship. I don't know about Wilson. Though they probably do something similar. I am also a big Wilson fan. Had a Protector I wished I never sold. Loved that gun.
Hello,
For me, the Winchester USA Personal Protection 230-gr. JHP in the white 50-Rd. box is just fine. It's quality is consistent and it has a very feed friendly ogive (bullet shape).
On the other hand, I also don't feel handicapped with good ole 230-gr. Ball, and mainly use a JHP Bullet simply to minimize over penetration (even though I much prefer an exit hole).
countryrebel
07-03-11, 11:38
Speer 230 GD's and 230 HST's when I can find them.
Fire_Medic
07-03-11, 17:43
Winchester RA45T & Federal 230gr HST when available. This based off of feedback from various local agencies and some un scientific tests I have been a part of in the past.
The Winchester Ammo really is great across the board and I like the 124gr 9mm and the 230gr 45 already mentioned.
I was exposed to a lot I normally would not have in the year I worked part time at a local GS/Range that had a heavy LEO client base.
Just my $0.02
I use 230gr gold dots as well.
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