Best ammo for .45 ACP Personal Protection

[Rrash]

I use Gold Dot 230 gr or Ranger T +P 230 gr. the Ranger T's expand more, but the Gold Dots are more uniform in their expansion, regardless of what it hits.

[mewalke]

+...5? for the 230 gr HST

Here is a cool resource for comparing performance of different bullet types and loads:

TNOutdoors9 on YouTube

That link is to his .45 ACP test playlist, but he tests LOTS of different calibers. I enjoy his test videos.

[Pawpaw]

Thanks for all the input and shot placement and practice not an issue. I actually use PDX-1's in my .40's, but hadn't seen it is .45. And good point on High Capacity magazines. Barrel length isn't an issue as the FNX Tactical is 5.3" and hold 15 in each magazine so buying some quantity is key. Once I find the one I like I usually keep plenty on hand.

I have an unopened case (200 rounds) of PDX1 in .45ACP.

[bdickens]

Don't overthink it. Pretty much any modern hollowpoint at a reasonable velocity is going to expand reliably.

The one-shot stop is a myth, you're very likely going to have to put multiple rounds on target anyway.

Just choose a round that law enforcement agencies have had good results with and that feeds reliably in your pistol. Better yet, find a handful of different ones in case your preferred choice is not available.

[CWOOD]

Comments about shot placement being a higher priority than any particular type of ammunition is important to remember.

230 gr. ball ammunition has certainly been recognized as an effective defensive round for a long time before the modern variations appeared.

I spoke to a technical rep at Corbon HQ and was told that to get reliable expansion from a hollowpoint one must have a velocity of 1000 fps or better. Below that velocity, one MAY get expansion but not necessarily regularly.

I was also told that given the same ammunition, one might expect to lose 50-100 fps for every inch that the barrel length is reduced from the test length.

Most .45ACP ammo is tested using a 5" barrel. If you are shooting a full size 1911 or a Glock 21, you should not experience a lost of velocity, but if you are shooting a micro 1911 or a Glock 30 (as am I) you might expect a reduction of 100-150 fps in muzzle velocity.

To guarantee an adequate velocity to take full advantage of the modern hollow point technology, you can go with a +P round and/or a lighter bullet.

I have chosen to do both. I carry either a Corbon 185gr +P hollow point or a Corbon 185 gr +P DPX hollow point. The DPX is an all copper bullet which experiences no bullet breakup or jacket separation (no jacket) and adds 3-4 inches of penetration in its specs. The +P rounds in a short barrel do give more muzzle blast but I have not found it to be objectionable. I get velocities at or near 1100 fps from their traditional hollow point and just over 1000 fps with the all copper DPX bullet. Apparently, the lighter copper takes up more space that lead based bullets so even with a +P rating, there is a bit less powder in the copper bullet round.

In a worst case situation, using the slower, standard pressure hollow point like Federal Hydroshock even if you get NO expansion from the hollow point, you still have a 230grain round in the bad guy...and that ain't all bad.

So in the end I guess it gets back to what feeds reliably in your pistol and which you can shoot accurately....then take your favorite guess on what the end result will be.

[LeonCarr]

Federal 230 Grain +P HST

Accurate (Three shots touching at 25 yards), great expansion, high velocity (I chrono'ed some issued by my agency and they averaged 967 fps from a G21SF)

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[Beiruty]

+...5? for the 230 gr HST

Here is a cool resource for comparing performance of different bullet types and loads:

TNOutdoors9 on YouTube

That link is to his .45 ACP test playlist, but he tests LOTS of different calibers. I enjoy his test videos.

That gold dot in .45 is GOLDEN!