target load vs carry load-If Worse Comes to Worse

[mlsa]

I know that most of us try to keep a supply of ammo saved. I normally try to keep around 1,000 rounds....if I shoot a box I buy a box.

I was fixing to buy a box of 45's the other day and I had picked up a box of target rounds. Then the thought occurred to me..."most of my ammo is target loads...I normally keep a box of carry ammo (designed for personal defense) and my guns and mags are loaded with carry (personal defense) loads but everything else is target loads."

Knowing where we think our country is headed, do I need to buy more personal defense loads or continue with target loads? If worse comes to worse, how many of you would be satisfied with having the majority of your ammo target loads? Does this question make sense?

Thanks

David

[Cedar Park Dad]

Would you volunteer to stand in front of someone shooting mere "target loads?" If not, then you're probably ok.

[Keith B]

If it gets bad enough that I need more than one box of personal defense loads, I'm switching to shotgun or rifle.

[MoJo]

Until the 1980s "carry ammo" and "target ammo" was, for the most part all the same. A .45 ACP 230 grain full metal jacket round will do an amazing amount of damage. So will the 40 S&W and the 9mm Parabellum. 9mm FMJ has been used by various militaries since before WWI it has ended many conflicts.

Now, down to the brass tacks, will I ditch my hollow points? No. If I run out of hollow points will I fret? No. It's not the bullet that does the job, its where it is placed.

[VMI77]

If the worst does happen I'm not going to be worrying much about over penetration.

[baldeagle]

If the worst does happen I'm not going to be worrying much about over penetration.

[Salty1]

If that scenario becomes reality it is my opinion that it would be rifle ammo that one would need, otherwise you let the danger get too close to you. At that point it will not be about a CHL it will be about survival. I have as much rifle ammo as I do handgun, what I do need to stock up on is 22 as that is what would provide food and great barter ability and used for hunting small game.

As Jeff Cooper once said:"

“The purpose of the pistol is to stop a fight that somebody else has started, almost always at very short range.”

"A handgun is for fighting your way to your rifle which you shouldn't have put down in the first place"

[RetNavy]

If the worst does happen I'm not going to be worrying much about over penetration.

anything i need to shoot is considered a target,

[anygunanywhere]

If the worst does happen I'm not going to be worrying much about over penetration.

In certain instances over penetration is a good thing.

Anygunanywhere

[LeonCarr]

Shoot somebody between the shirt pockets with a FMJ or JHP and the end result will probably be the same. It might take the bad guy a little longer to expire with the FMJ, depending on shot placement.

Now if shooting the shotgun, using a target load/birdshot will not have the same effect as buckshot or a slug. Birdshot is for birds.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[The Annoyed Man]

Now if shooting the shotgun, using a target load/birdshot will not have the same effect as buckshot or a slug. Birdshot is for birds.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

I've seen birdshot out of a 20 gauge nearly amputate someone's foot just above the ankle joint. It was still hanging on by skin tatters. At close range.....say inside of 10-15 feet....birdshot is going to be pretty darn lethal. Is buckshot more lethal? Sure it is, but if birdshot is what you've got, and you're getting close to bad-breath range, don't worry about it. Shoot him, and he'll go down.

[OldCurlyWolf]

Now if shooting the shotgun, using a target load/birdshot will not have the same effect as buckshot or a slug. Birdshot is for birds.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

I've seen birdshot out of a 20 gauge nearly amputate someone's foot just above the ankle joint. It was still hanging on by skin tatters. At close range.....say inside of 10-15 feet....birdshot is going to be pretty darn lethal. Is buckshot more lethal? Sure it is, but if birdshot is what you've got, and you're getting close to bad-breath range, don't worry about it. Shoot him, and he'll go down.

[jmra]

You can buy 2-3 rounds of FMJ for the same price of one self-defense round. My stock ratio is about 10 to 1 the heavy side being FMJ. This is true for both handgun and rifle.

[mamabearCali]

I imagine if we get to that point any round will be of use.