Hornady Critical Defense amunition

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beretta-neo
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Re: Hornady Critical Defense amunition

#16

Post by beretta-neo »

I tried the 115 gr 9mm in my Beretta 92FS - the POA/POI was not where I wanted it to be - I'm still using 124 gr hydrashoks, as the gun seems to shoot it more accurately. And, I plan to try out some 124 gr golddots soon. I wanted to like the Critical Defense round - but apparently my main carry gun (the Beretta) just doesn't shoot as well with it (although the gun did function 100%)
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A-R
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Re: Hornady Critical Defense amunition

#17

Post by A-R »

beretta-neo wrote:I tried the 115 gr 9mm in my Beretta 92FS - the POA/POI was not where I wanted it to be - I'm still using 124 gr hydrashoks, as the gun seems to shoot it more accurately. And, I plan to try out some 124 gr golddots soon. I wanted to like the Critical Defense round - but apparently my main carry gun (the Beretta) just doesn't shoot as well with it (although the gun did function 100%)
That actually seems logical because I believe Critical Defense was designed as a short-barrel round. It shoots very accurately in my Walther PPS (3-inch barrel), Ruger LCP (sub 2-inch barrel), and J-frame S&W (1 7/8-inch barrel).

124-grain Gold Dots also shoot well in my PPS. I'm wondering if 147-grain might be better out of a Beretta? Just a guess. Seems like some police agencies were using 147-grain Gold Dots in Berettas for a while, but I may be confusing it with something else.

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Re: Hornady Critical Defense amunition

#18

Post by RPB »

austinrealtor wrote:
beretta-neo wrote:I tried the 115 gr 9mm in my Beretta 92FS - the POA/POI was not where I wanted it to be - I'm still using 124 gr hydrashoks, as the gun seems to shoot it more accurately. And, I plan to try out some 124 gr golddots soon. I wanted to like the Critical Defense round - but apparently my main carry gun (the Beretta) just doesn't shoot as well with it (although the gun did function 100%)
That actually seems logical because I believe Critical Defense was designed as a short-barrel round. It shoots very accurately in my Walther PPS (3-inch barrel), Ruger LCP (sub 2-inch barrel), and J-frame S&W (1 7/8-inch barrel).

124-grain Gold Dots also shoot well in my PPS. I'm wondering if 147-grain might be better out of a Beretta? Just a guess. Seems like some police agencies were using 147-grain Gold Dots in Berettas for a while, but I may be confusing it with something else.
Right.

My PT-92 does well with 115 to 135 grain Federal as it is a hotter round; my shorter barreled 9mms Glock 26, PT-709, PF9 etc do better with the Critical Defense round

All seem to work ok with the light load Gold Dots, but the +P/LE Gold dots are snappy in my lightweight pistols.
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beretta-neo
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Re: Hornady Critical Defense amunition

#19

Post by beretta-neo »

Well, 115 FMJ works fine - Law enforcement routinely goes with the 147 gr rounds for better penetration. But, I do have some 147 grain WWB JHP - and they do work perfectly aim wise too.

Now, I had some 115 gr gold dots - and those too shot at a different point of aim. Strainge how 115 FMJ works fine, but two brands of 115gr JHP doesn't hit exactly where I aim on my Beretta 92FS. Oh well...

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Re: Hornady Critical Defense amunition

#20

Post by 7075-T7 »

personally, it jams my Kimber CDP II, only round to do that... very odd.
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SecedeTX
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Re: Hornady Critical Defense amunition

#21

Post by SecedeTX »

I just put 5o rounds through my Kahr MK9 Elite last night. No problems at all. It shot just like the FMJ that I normally shoot at the range. The recoil felt the same (same grain as FMJ rounds)

The Kahr MK has one of the shortest barrels of most 9mm's. Accuracy was a little tighter than normal, but that could just be a mental thing. More expensive ammo/aim better/better shot???
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Re: Hornady Critical Defense amunition

#22

Post by Mastodon »

I carry its 9mm in my primary CW, which is a CZ RAMI which has a 3-inch barrel.

I'm obviously not carrying it to penetrate metal, glass, wood and drywall, etc..
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drjoker
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Re: Hornady Critical Defense amunition

#23

Post by drjoker »

Percent one shot stop tables:
http://www.handloads.com/misc/stoppingp ... ?Caliber=0

Basically, the short version is this:
If your gun is rated for +P ammo, use any +P 124 grain JHP ammo made in the USA.
If your gun is not rated for +P ammo, use any 115 grain JHP ammo made in the USA.

The one shot stopping power difference between different brands of USA made ammo is insignificant. It is just a couple of percent, NOT 10 percent or more. In other words, there is no significant differrence between Hornady, Remington, and Winchester. As long as it is made in the USA, I suggest that you just buy whatever's on sale.
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