Good self defense ammo?

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  • Scott357

    Plinker
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    Nov 15, 2011
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    I recently purchased a Springfield Armory XDS in 45 caliber. This will now be my everyday carry pistol. The barrel is 3.3" long. Any recommendations on good factory ammo for self defense? Thanks you in advance!
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    Goodcat

    From a place you cannot see…
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    Jan 13, 2009
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    The debates will rage on, but the general opinion is that any modern, name brand works well. There are debates as to style, weight, +p or not, over penetration, under penetration, but everything aside, modern SD ammo technology is light years ahead of where it was. Find a round your gun likes, buy a case and don't look back. Reliability in YOUR gun is key. Personally, I carry Speer Gold Dot 124gr 9mm because it's a proven design with a medium bullet weight and all my 9mm's love them.

    I would stay away from cutting edge technologies such as "RIP" ammo. They are answering a question that was never asked by experienced shooters and haven't had the best track record beyond advertising.
     

    1mil-high

    Sharpshooter
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    Oct 30, 2013
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    Indianapolis
    Federal HSTs
    Remington Golden Sabers
    Barnes TACs
    Speer Gold Dots
    Winchester PDX1s

    ^any of these plus others will do just fine so long as you take the time and a little extra $ to make sure that they run reliably in your gun. Self defense loads have gotten pretty good over the past 15 or so years.

    FWIW I carry the Federal HST 147 grain 9mm
     

    Woobie

    Grandmaster
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    Dec 19, 2014
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    I've been carrying Hornady Critical Duty for a couple of years. They are reliable, but thankfully I don't know how they do on people, at least from personal experience. But I don't think there are too many here who can give first hand testimony on effectiveness.
     

    worddoer

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    Jul 25, 2011
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    Wells County
    Federal HSTs
    Remington Golden Sabers
    Barnes TACs
    Speer Gold Dots
    Winchester PDX1s

    ^any of these plus others will do just fine so long as you take the time and a little extra $ to make sure that they run reliably in your gun. Self defense loads have gotten pretty good over the past 15 or so years.

    FWIW I carry the Federal HST 147 grain 9mm

    This ^^^^^^^^^^

    I would add Winchester Ranger T as an option.

    Also, if you get the Golden Sabre (what I carry...9mm 147gr) make sure to get the bonded version.

    But ultimately, make sure to test your gun with that ammo. If this gun is intended to protect your life, you want to make sure it will run reliability with your chosen ammo. Each gun is an individual and you want to confirm it will work when you need it to.
     

    hog slayer

    Expert
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    Dec 10, 2015
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    You've received some really good resources in the way of recommendations and websites. You know you can youtube almost anything in ballistic gel. The one piece of advice I didn't see listed is to ensure that not only does it function in your gun, but that it shoots to point of aim.

    Don't forget the FIBS factor. Fudge! I've Been Shot!
     
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    sparky32

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    Feb 5, 2013
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    Federal HST
    Speer Gold Dots
    Hornady XTPs

    These are the ones I have used and highly recommend the Federal and Speer being they are nearly perfect in most testing and data I have read at least in 9mm.The others I'm not sold on as much. I threw xtp's in because they have been a decent choice for a long time but I believe now are surpassed by better choices. I tend to shy away from the ammo manufacturers that advertise a do all perfect bullet but fail every test I see with over penitration and no expansion....
     

    poppy

    Grandmaster
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    May 4, 2012
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    South of Indy
    Consult the ballistics work of Dr. Gary Roberts. He is a ballistics wound specialist and has done extensive research for the military, law enforcement and for privately funded independent work in ballistic testing and analysis. He does list his recommendations for SD ammunition.
     

    Sling10mm

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    Mar 12, 2012
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    I carry Winchester Silvertips in my Glock 29. Pretty old technology relative to what is out there today for other calibers. I have considered Hornady Critical Duty. It is fairly anemic for 10mm, but I don't really care to use nuclear loads for carry either.
     

    BehindBlueI's

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    I'd probably steer clear of +P ammo in a gun that light/small. Otherwise, take a look at DocGKR's list, find one your gun likes and you are good with the recoil of, and call it a day.

    Note not every gun will like every bullet. My P245 hates Critical Duty for some reason, it patterns more than groups, but will shoot the lights out with Gold Dot or HST.

    DocGKR's current list for .45:

    .45 ACP:
    Barnes XPB 185 gr JHP (copper bullet)
    Hornady Critical Duty 220 gr +P JHP
    Federal HST 230 gr JHP (P45HST2)
    Federal HST 230 gr +P JHP (P45HST1)
    Federal Tactical 230 gr JHP (LE45T1)
    Speer Gold Dot 230 gr JHP
    Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr JHP (RA45T)
    Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr +P JHP (RA45TP)


     

    Dean C.

    Master
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    Aug 25, 2013
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    Westfield
    Personally I only carry Federal HST in all of my carry guns, the 45 does great work on groundhogs (this was from my 3.5 inch barrel Dan Wesson ECO) so I am not worried about expansion at all.
     
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