XDS what self defense ammo?

[Cottong2001]

XDS owners: what self defense ammo do you carry?

With such a short barrel, I'm wondering what kind of velocity I'm getting with 230 gr bullets. Or any ammo for that matter.

I'm going to try Federal 230 HST +P, Hornady Crit Def 185 gr, and Hornady Crit Def 200 gr +P. I'm thinking the +P is going to hurt, but again with the short barrel, maybe not. Target rounds 230gr are very manageable.

Open to suggestions/experience.

 

[Skywired]

I'm not an expert, but I'm thinking that with such a short barrel, any upscale/hollow point cartridge won't have a chance to expand. Might as well stay with 230 ball....which, at XDs distance oughta be more than enough.

 

[aaron580]

Use an underwood 45 HP. The recoil will be incredible but it will expand and is some of the best SD ammo there is

 

[BehindBlueI's]

I don't have an XDS, but Speer makes Gold Dots tailored for shorter barrels.

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Ammo 45 ACP 230 Grain Jacketed Hollow

 

[Bigtanker]

This might help.

[ame]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4lV8wwCzsso[/ame]

[ame]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iWW2Y-IZpyE&feature=relmfu[/ame]

This Youtube channel is great. Has a lot of tests in it.

 

[nipprdog]

Look for some 165-185gr +Ps to get enough speed to expand. Corbon, Remington, Underwood.

 

[firecadet613]

I'm going with Federal HST 230gr +P. Need to get to the range to test it out.

 

[nipprdog]

I'm going with Federal HST 230gr +P. Need to get to the range to test it out.

Especially considering his final statement about short barrel performance versus the 5" barrel. Let us know your results.

 

[firecadet613]

Standard pressure was sold out, or I'd have bought that.

Wouldn't the standard pressure have the same, if not worse effect?

 

[cosermann]

...With such a short barrel, I'm wondering what kind of velocity I'm getting with 230 gr bullets. Or any ammo for that matter. ...

As you should be. See the "barrel length implications" note on this page ==>> Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo .

If you don't want to buy/borrow a chrono, you could just test candidates for carry ammo. As long as the bullets perform as desired (in terms of expansion and penetration) you're not all that concerned about the velocity anyway.

Water and paper milk/juice cartons work well. From firearmstactical.com: "

"A Simple Method for Testing Bullets with Your Guns
​

A quick and easy method to determine bullet or shotshell performance out of any handgun or shotgun is to gather several (and we mean several -- about 30) cardboard half-gallon milk cartons (plastic won't do).
Fill them full of water, line them up side-by-side three abreast, in three rows of 10 (each carton should be in contact with its neighbor). Back-up several feet and shoot a bullet from your handgun into the center row of cartons.
Count the number of water filled cartons the bullet penetrated, including the carton where the bullet came to rest. Multiply the number of cartons times 2.5 to determine penetration depth in inches. This will give you a SWAG (scientific wild-ass gauge) of how your gun/cartridge combination will perform in soft tissue (both bullet expansion and penetration).
The data obtained and averaged from three test shots should give you a fairly accurate SWAG. Remember to observe all safety rules when handling your firearm."​

 

[nipprdog]

The January edition of American Rifleman has a test on the XDS. They showed results from 3 different rounds;

1. Hornady 230gr HAP #90985--694fps

2. Remington 230gr MC #LN45AP4-- 698fps

3. Buffalo Bore 185gr +P Barnes TAC-XP-- 1107fps