TexasCHLforum.com

As I've been going through different loads for my EDC I had a conversation with an LEO friend. His EDC ammo is of course dictated by what is department issued (he could carry something else, but we both follow the rule of "Accept anything that's free and not contagious"), but I don't happen to have that luxury. That brought me to the question of what others are carrying on a daily basis.

I have put 100rds of 9mm Federal HST 124gr through at the range in my S&W Shield. I opted for a lighter load due to speed improving expansion. I also went with them because financially they allow for going through a magazine at the end of my range time without breaking the bank (I like the thought of NEXT thing I fire being the LAST thing I fired if stuff hits the fan).

So my questions are a- what do you carry (sidearm and load) b- what lead you to this load (why you chose the sidearm is another discussion for another thread) and c- how much have you practiced with it?

Carry ammo - PDX1

Seems to be pretty good stuff and similar to the Ranger SXT, which is also similar and very close to the Winchester Black Talon stuff and can be easily found in Walmart.

I've shot it enough to be confident in it's reliability to function in my handguns. I don't practice with it because of the expense. I mainly practice with WWB and Federal and haven't noticed any difference in shooting it versus the PDX1 stuff, but I'm only shooting at paper or cardboard at the range.

Federal Premium HST 115gr in both Shield and FS M&P.

When I refresh my carry ammo I will be changing to the 124gr HST for both, as well as for my KelTec Sub2000.
Currently in the Sub2000 I carry Hornady American Gunner XTP 115gr.

9mm 124gr Speer Gold dot - full size M&P is my EDC

Speer Gold Dots in my 9mm's, either 124 gr. or 147 gr. 230 gr. Federal HST in my .45. There is great info on carry ammo here: http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-de ... tic-tests/

9mm +P Speer Gold Dot 124 Grain LE Hollow Point Ammo in my Glock 19.

albums/vv317/beiruty/20170222_203617_zps2rv0vdj9.jpg[/img][/url]

I use Gold Dot 124gr P+
Last night this showed up at the door

Beiruty wrote:I use Gold Dot 124gr P+
Last night this showed up at the door

if it needs a new home I'll accept it!

Currently both have 9mm 147gr HST. In the past I did have Hornady 135gr Critical Duty in my CW9.

Use the best ammo (determined by your criteria) that feeds 100% in your gun. Cross reference that list with ammo available in bulk so you can practice and prove your gun with it. I wouldn't buy any SD ammo that wasn't available in 50 rd boxes (buy 1 of each for prelim testing) and available in case lots.(buy a case of the best shooting box you just tested) When you buy it like that, you can afford to shoot it enough to prove the gun and to train/practice with it on a semi regular basis.

I run through the above process for any gun that I will carry.

Now days.
357 SIG Ranger T or Gold Dot either one and is easy for me to get, I know these will work just fine.
Really I don't think very much about the ammo, just being able to hit what I aim at.

For the best part of 6 years I carried 45acp 230 ball and never gave it a thought either. Especially after witnessing the after effects of it, saw 15 rounds of carbine ammo .30 cal center chest FA burst hit a makeshift bamboo vest interwoven with parachute strips barely penetrate skin but the 5 45 ball rounds just went through it fine and the machete wielding individual ceased to be a problem.

While not a definitive scientific study Lucky Gunner did a lot of good testing. It is a great place to start and then it is up to you to proof it to your satisfaction.

Lucky Gunner Ballistic Test

Winchester white box 9mm 115g jacketed hollow point. No issues in my BTA90. Has the muzzle velocity and energy that I want. It is readily available in my area at a good price.

troglodyte wrote:While not a definitive scientific study Lucky Gunner did a lot of good testing. It is a great place to start and then it is up to you to proof it to your satisfaction.

Lucky Gunner Ballistic Test

That site was actually what convinced me to stick with 124gr over 147gr with HST's. Deeper penetration with a more consistent expansion pattern (more "bloomed flower" than "starburst")