What brand is the best self defence ammo?

[wizard_of_ahs]

Personal preference. I have been carrying Critical Duty 135gr +p in 9mm.

My choice also

 

[shawnba67]

As off june of last year Ayoob's recomend at least in 9mm was ranger t 127 +p+, heard him say 155gr or 165 was best in 40 but no specific. Lots of police carry fed tactical 165

 

[Synonymous]

I carry Federal HST 230g in my XDm 45...but really most modern self defense ammo will do the job. Just run whatever you buy through your gun to make sure it will feed well and you should be good.

I use HST exclusively in all my carry guns, 9mm (147g), 40 (180g) and 45 (230g). It's inexpensive compared to ammo that performs much less.

Ranger SXT is an equal alternative.

JMHO. It's what I like based on the research I've done, FWIW. I'm not an expert but I think to add to the good advice above about testing it in your weapon, use what YOU can put your faith in by doing research. Gathering opinions is a start but you may want to seek data too.

 

[Hwseeker]

I like Federal Hyra-Shoks

 

[Bunnykid68]

00 buckshot

oops, you said brand

 

[DMND1]

BLACK TALONS..... THEY STOP ANYTHING !!!!

 

[croy]

I've had a few misfires with critical defense. I am currently running federal hst 230 grain in my m&p, Winchester pdx1 in my 1911 and hornaday tap 124 grain in my xd 9mm. I also own hydrashoks in both calibers and also Corbon in 45

 

[SmartAsh25]

I use Hornady Zombie Max 9mm. Its the same as Hornady critical defense just with a green tip lol

 

[HavokCycle]

Personal opinion - I like critical duty and critical defense. Visually looks to be the same. Real effectiveness... No idear but it makes a mess of one gallon water jugs

 

[cedartop]

Go Here: Thoughts on Service Pistols, along with Duty and Self-Defense Ammo Recommendations - M4Carbine.net Forums

Read it. Written by Dr. Roberts, a well known ballistician (I guess that's what you call them??) and surgeon. Look at all of his stickies at M4C and you will learn quite a bit.

Not that it matters because I think his stuff is good, but IIRC he is a dentist. (guess he could be an oral surgeon.)

 

[Walken]

I've read great things about the Winchester Ranger-T series, but is that really LEO only? Winchester has it on the LE side of their website, but this can't be illegal for regular folk to obtain, can it?

Maybe it's the forbidden fruit syndrome. Their are other great 9mm JHPs to choose from. Do any non-LEOs here buy this ammo?

EDIT: looks like it's available on some ammo sites for everone to purchase.

 

[THard6]

BLACK TALONS..... THEY STOP ANYTHING !!!!

zombies included?

 

[aaron580]

I like hornaday critical defense.

 

[Lodogg2221]

Im a big Speer Gold Dot fan. Very reliable in everything Ive tried it in...
165 grain in my .40s and 185 in the .45.

Need to get some 124gr 9mm, but it can wait until things are less crazy.


The best thing to do, and most expensive, is to try a few out in your gun to make sure they will function properly.
You could also go look at ballistic info, pick a few you like and then look for gel tests on those, or any other specific info you might want to know, like how they work through barriers.

 

[Cemetery-man]

This is like asking what is the best handgun? There is no answer.

This. ^^^^^^^

I use both Critical Defense and Hydra Shoks and am pleased with both.

 

[cosermann]

I've read great things about the Winchester Ranger-T series, but is that really LEO only? Winchester has it on the LE side of their website, but this can't be illegal for regular folk to obtain, can it?

...

EDIT: looks like it's available on some ammo sites for everone to purchase.

Right, that's just Winchester policy not a legal prohibition. Look around (as you have) and you'll find it available from some suppliers.

 

[thatgtrguy]

This is like asking what is the best handgun? There is no answer.

+1 whatever bullet you can put on target over and over is the best one. I would rather hit the bad guy six times with 22LR than miss six times with a .357

 

[ShovelGuy79]

Hornady Critical Defense .357 in a rossi 971

 

[hillbilly undertaker]

I've been wondering this same thing. I plan to try out the Hornady Critical Duty first as i have read a lot of great things about it. I'm still not sure what the main difference is between Critical Defense and Duty?

The difference between the duty and defense is the defense is made to expand at 400 fps amd under. It was designed with our smaller pocket pistols in mind. The 2 1/2 inch barrels don't give you enough muzzle velocity to expand your normal Hp. The duty rounf is made to FBI standards. Able to penetrate glass and hold its shape until it enters the body . It was made to be used in a duty sized weapon. Hope this clears up the difference.

 

[model67a]

Corbon DPX