New to handguns, which ammo should I use?

[suthdj]

Well seeing how hard it is to find ammo I would say shoot what you can afford to buy. I currently have a mag and a half of JHP the other half of FMJ, only because that was what I had left after the qualifying at class and some practise at a friends land and those were at $50 a box. I believe I have 2 boxes of FMJ in the closet and again only because I was lucky to find some rounds, If I had an easy choice JHP or pre-fragmented rounds for SD.

What do you shoot and where do you live? Folks here on the forum can probably help you find a few more boxes of ammo at a decent price. If you're in Austin area, GT Distributors will sell you 100 rounds of particular "civilian authorized" ammo, including some good JHP rounds. 50-round boxes of Federal Tactical or Speer Gold Dot for less than $25 each box in 9mm (that's less than 50 cents per round for quality ammo that cops have been using for years). Federal American Eagle FMJ target ammo for $11 per 50-round box.

North Ft Worth and I have a .45ACP.

[markthenewf]

I know I'm really late on this one, but here goes:

a- Hollow points for self-defense round. A FMJ round can go through 'stuff' at close range and cause damage to other things you were never aiming at!
b- 1911's prefer more 'rounded' or chamfered-edged hollow points. The pistols were designed for ball rounds, so whichever one you pick, make sure you run at least 2 mags worth through to ensure they feed properly.
c- Shoot the same grain that you practice with if you can. I do winchester white box or remington green box 230 grain FMJ for target, so I have 3 mags worth of Federal Hydra-shok 230 grain loaded up: 1 in the gun, 2 in a holder.
c- I don't see any purpose behind +P ammo when it comes to th .45 round. Just adds more noise and recoil to an already big and nasty round that isn't necessary at self-defense range. If that's what you want, go for it, but don't think you need it.

[karl]

Since you opened it back up...

I just bought a box of Hornady 185 grain JHP because of a recommendation from a Shooter's Station clerk. Why are there different loads for self defense? Is a bigger load always better?

[Carrots]

Why are there different loads for self defense?

Branding, marketing, corporate competition & consumer "choice".

[markthenewf]

If I could, I'd go with the heaviest hollow point I could find for the pistol. Big, heavy, and slow for close range (i.e. self-defense range) is probably better from what I've read. A light load zips along faster, takes less of an arc over distanc, and probably gets more penetration. None of that matters in self-defense distances of no more than 15 yards or less for a 45... or at least I wouldn't think it would. If I could figure out how to carry a 20 pound (140,000 gr. !!) cannon ball, I'd use that. Like Carrots said, a lot of the fancy stuff is marketing. I think any standard brand, like your Hornady loads, will be fine. Hopefully you'll never have to find out!

[Keith]

Good points here. Just wanted to add a different view. The 45 does have one weakness and that is its slow. So by using hollow points in a 230 grain weight that helps stop the over penetration. By using a plus round you get the velocity back that you lose by using a heavy load and short barrel CCW gun. I look at it like this. If a Mack Truck was going to hit something it would do more damage at 65mph then it would at 45mph. Being that the 45/230 grain bullet is a hollow point and even in a plus round is just barely hitting 950 to 1000 ft per second would eliminate any over penetration problem. I carry Corbon 230 grain hp plus p.

[markthenewf]

I carry Corbon 230 grain hp plus p.

Betcha those suckers give a good kick! Is there much muzzle flash? I've actually never shot in low light conditions as that's not an option (nor is drawing from a holster).

[Keith]

They kick yes but not like a magnum round does. I would tell ya try it you would probably like them. Take care and be safe out there.

[marksiwel]

Set aside some CASH, grab your practice ammo (Winchester White Box for me) and the JHP or HP you want. Clean your gun and then go to the range.
Load the gun with the HP or JHP, and fire a magazine worth, if there are no stovepipes, or problems, so far so good.
Then fire the entire box of Practice FMJ, get the gun nice and dirty.
Then load another magazine worth of the HP or JHP you want, fire it.
No Stove Pipes, or Jams? There you go.

Also things to look for.

Does the HP ammo shoot the same as the FMJ? As in do the bullets go the same place as the FMJ?
Is the recoil about the same?


Some people would say for you to buy 100-1000 rounds of the Defensive ammo, and go to town. That will cost you Hundreds of dollars, too much for me.