Ad hoc only - good HPs unavailable

[wha-tah-hey]

I reload, recently bought a G30SF and cannot find any of DocGKRs recommended bullets anywhere, except in unaffordable quantities.

I haven't looked for the lesser quality HPs, but I'm wondering if the 230 gr ball I have wouldn't be about as good for carry 'til good stuff becomes available again.
It's plenty accurate and super reliable.

I'm not suggesting ball as perfectly suitable, but at around maybe 750ish fps to lessen the problem most often voiced, over-penetration (with Doc's view of this in mind), given the propensity for "regular" HPs to clog and perform like ball, it seems a reasonable proposition in the, hopefully temporary, circumstances.

Whaddayathink?

Terry

[gun71530]

I would keep looking for a quality self-defense load. From what I've seen they're slowly hitting the shelves again.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

[RearwardAssist]

Do you have another caliber with quality HP ammo you could carry until it becomes available?

[wha-tah-hey]

Do you have another caliber with quality HP ammo you could carry until it becomes available?

Quick answer - no.
A 1911 w/255 gr SWC loads, a Taurus 450UL, again w/255 gr SWC loads, and Charter Bulldog .44 SPl w/246 gr SWCs, each of which I've carried at one time or another.

Sorta ironic, but I gave my M&P9 for which I have a couple hundred GDs to my youngest son, and my .40 w/Win RA40TAs to my oldest son just before buying the G30.

I bought the Glock as primary CCW, relatively light, decent capacity - and now no premium HPs!

[S. Galbraith]

Is "over-penetration" really that much of a concern to you? In shootings where innocent bystanders get hit, those are almost entirely missed shots.....not through shots.

Shot placement is the only force multiplier with a handgun......not ammo type or caliber selection.

[T2C]

Scour the internet and you should be able to find a vendor with .45 ACP hollow point ammunition. You may not like the price, but it's out there.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/index....p-hollow-point

http://www.ammunitiondepot.com/Feder.../p45hst1-a.htm

[481]

I reload, recently bought a G30SF and cannot find any of DocGKRs recommended bullets anywhere, except in unaffordable quantities.

I haven't looked for the lesser quality HPs, but I'm wondering if the 230 gr ball I have wouldn't be about as good for carry 'til good stuff becomes available again.
It's plenty accurate and super reliable.

I'm not suggesting ball as perfectly suitable, but at around maybe 750ish fps to lessen the problem most often voiced, over-penetration (with Doc's view of this in mind), given the propensity for "regular" HPs to clog and perform like ball, it seems a reasonable proposition in the, hopefully temporary, circumstances.

Whaddayathink?

Terry

Better to have ball than nothing at all.

Even at 750 fps, 230 gr ball is capable of penetrating 23+ inches of soft tissue so excessive penetration will still be an issue where such stuff matters.

[wha-tah-hey]

Is "over-penetration" really that much of a concern to you? In shootings where innocent bystanders get hit, those are almost entirely missed shots.....not through shots.

Shot placement is the only force multiplier with a handgun......not ammo type or caliber selection.

No - especially at the lower velocity; as I indicated, I've read Doc's comments on it.
But if I were absolutely sure of hitting exactly where I intended, I'd just carry a .22 rimfire and save a bunch of $$.

[wha-tah-hey]

Better to have ball than nothing at all.

Even at 750 fps, 230 gr ball is capable of penetrating 23+ inches of soft tissue so excessive penetration will still be an issue where such stuff matters.

I kinda hoped someone might touch on this - I picked 750 'cause that's what a 5 gr Bullseye load gives, with excellent accuracy.
But I can load slower just as easily.
Any thoughts on what might give 16ish" at 25 yds?
Farther away, I think I'd just try to get the hell outta there.

[S. Galbraith]

No - especially at the lower velocity; as I indicated, I've read Doc's comments on it.
But if I were absolutely sure of hitting exactly where I intended, I'd just carry a .22 rimfire and save a bunch of $$.

As Doc has pointed out, once you have achieve the desired terminal effects standards of good penetration, followed by healthy expansion, then the only game changer in a handgun is good shot placement followed by quick additional shots with more good shot placement. You should know, a .22lr does not meet the minimal terminal effects standards. A .22lr will often bounce off the skull, or fail to penetrate the sternum as it is the most widely documented shooting statistics caliber on record.

Basically, you are overthinking the situation. You have an effective caliber, and it is effective because it has the capability to penetate deeply and make a good sized hole. You work with what you've got, and at the end of the day the ammo you select can only give you an incremental shift in advantage either way. If you can aquire proven brands.....good. If you can't, make the best of it and focus on your force multiplier......which is accurate shooting.

As Doc has often said, he'd rather be partnered up with someone who shoots 10k rounds a year with an inferior caliber and round than someone who shoots 1k rounds a year with the best equipment money can buy.