Best hollowpoint?

[Guest jrhbb]

What is considered the best hollow point(most effective) for a .45 acp? I'm sure this has been covered before,but was just wandering.

[gnmwilliams]

As we all know, any .45 round is a one shot kill However, I hear that the Gold Dot or DPX rounds are pretty good.

[Guest Looney102]

I have been wondering the same thing timme to play google search

[Erik88]

[Smith]

Winchester Ranger-T, Federal HST, and then just about any current JHP design.

[Guest Looney102]

Selection of best ammunition for a defensive handgun

This is a Very good write up.

[Guest Billetproof]

I like these from Bass Pro, Winchester makes them for them;

Winchester SXZ Personal Protection and Training System Ammo

[guyandarifle]

First and foremost it's one that functions 100% in YOUR weapon...all else be damned.

The Gold Dot has been around a long time and clearly is a solid choice. The buzz on the newer Barnes bullets as well as the Rangers & HST's has been good.

I don't use the .45 for SD much (I'm packing .40 or 10mm) but my ammo for that purpose is Winchester's PDX1.

[Guest Looney102]

From Link good info on rounds...

.45 ACP Caliber:

One Shot Stopping Success: 63-94% (Actual)

Self Defense Rating: Best

Recommended Cartridges:

Federal "Hydra-Shok" JHP 230 grains 94% Remington "Gold Sabre" JHPP 230 grains 93% Cor-Bon JHP 185 grains 92% Remington +P JHPP 185 grains 91% CCI/Speer "Lawman" JHP 200 grains 88% Federal JHP 185 grains 87%

Penetration of .45 ACP is 10 to 12 inches.

The Federal "Hydra-Shok", JHP, 230 grains, gives the most stopping power in the potent .45 ACP caliber. Another excellent load from Federal is the JHP, 185 grains. This round is well suited to a compact, short-barreled .45 pistol like the Colt Officer's ACP or the S & W 4516. It has lighter recoil than the Federal "Hydra-Shok", 230 grain, or CCI/Speer "Lawman", 200 grain bullets. Because of its higher velocity, the Federal JHP, 185 grains, is more likely to expand out of a short 3.5-inch barrel.

The CCI/Speer "Lawman", also known as the "Inspector" or "Flying Ashtray", is a wide-mouth JHP bullet that may jam in some guns. This round is totally reliable in newer pistols like the current production "enhanced" Colt 1911A1; the SIG/Sauer P220; Star M45, Firestar, and Megastar; Smith & Wesson .45 pistols (all); Para-Ordnance .45 pistols (all); Ruger .45 pistols (all); and the Smith & Wesson Model 625 revolver.

The Remington JHP, 185 grains, with a one shot stopping success of 81%, is the best choice for older pistols that may jam with other JHP ammunition. This load is adapted to the Heckler and Koch P9S; Browning BDA; Springfield Armory M1911A1; AMT M1911A1; Thompson M1911A1; Llama; and Star PD.

The Cor-Bon and Remington +P, JHP, 185 grains, are very powerful, hard kicking rounds best left to the experienced shooter. They are second only to the famed Federal "Hydra-Shok", 230 grains, for stopping power. These two cartridges are also hard on a pistol, especially an aluminum framed pistol like the SIG/Sauer P220 or Colt Lightweight Commander.

The .45 ACP "hardball' load, FMJ, 230 grains, is the only ball ammunition in any caliber that should be considered for self defense. Remington, Federal, and Winchester all manufacture this round. One shot stopping success is 65%. Don't compromise on reliability. If your pistol can accommodate only ball ammunition, then load it only with ball. The Llama, Federal Ordinance, AMT, and Auto-Ordnance M1911A1 copies often jam with anything but FMJ ammunition. As previously suggested, try the Remington JHP, 185 grains. If reliability is a problem, stick with FMJ.

Edited June 3, 2010 by Looney102

[Guest jrhbb]

Wow!!! Thanks for the info. I recently bought a box of Winchester Supreme Elites PDX1 230 gr JHP bonded rounds. From what I understand they are the "renamed" Rangers. Is there any truth to this? I hope so. Maybe should have went with Hydrashoks. Dang the bad luck. Anyways, any thoughts on the Supreme Elites?

Edited June 3, 2010 by jrhbb

[Smith]

You don't want Hydrashoks. They were great 20 years ago, but have since been surpassed. They tend to clog on material.

[GLOCKMEISTER]

the original Ranger

[guyandarifle]

Wow!!! Thanks for the info. I recently bought a box of Winchester Supreme Elites PDX1 230 gr JHP bonded rounds. From what I understand they are the "renamed" Rangers. Is there any truth to this? I hope so. Maybe should have went with Hydrashoks. Dang the bad luck. Anyways, any thoughts on the Supreme Elites?

It is my understanding that the PDX1 and Ranger are indeed the same.

The information touting the hydrashocks was probably viable at the time it was printed but that is quite dated now. The fact that the article didn't even mention any number of newer loads now on the market demonstrates this.

[eapking]

I like these from Bass Pro, Winchester makes them for them;

Winchester SXZ Personal Protection and Training System Ammo

No thanks...my 1911 did not like these at all. I still have a box of 50. If you're ever this way holller at me...they're yours. You can buy me a beer. Also have a box of .45 GAP if you're interested?

[luvmyberetta]

PMC Gold Starfires should be considered. They are higher grain (what you want for protection) very consistent and keep nearly 100% their weight after impact. A little pricey for the shooting range, but a good defense round.

[DavidD]

I always carry Golden Sabre however will try out the new Hornady Critical Defense once I run across some.

Edited June 4, 2010 by DavidD

[tntnixon]

You don't want Hydrashoks. They were great 20 years ago, but have since been surpassed. They tend to clog on material.

Yeah, they could only stop BG's at a 94% rate 20 years ago. Now they just leave a nasty cut that might get infected.

The new stuff stops BG's at a 400% rate:D!!! It'll kills not only them but their 3 brothers with one shot.

Quit drinking the !!! There is absolutely no statistcal evidence to support the "have since been surpassed" theory.

[Kenstaroni]

+1 for Hornady Critical Defense. The way their round is designed to fragment the same every time makes me feel good. I would say do some research, but I have yet to see Hornady sell a product that wasn't top notch.

[willis68]

I like 230 Grain Remington Golden Saber, it functions flawlessly in all of my .45's and the FBI HRT team uses them so they should serve my self defense requirments just fine

[tnhawk]

Golden Saber feeds well in all my 1911s.

Edited June 4, 2010 by tnhawk
typing error

[luvmyberetta]

I haven't tried the Golden Sabers in my.45 yet. GS feed fine in my 9mm, so I'll have to check them out. They're hard to find in my area though.

[DaveTN]

What is considered the best hollow point(most effective) for a .45 acp?

That title has been held by the Federal hydra-Shok for over 20 years….. and it still is.

[Smith]

That title has been held by the Federal hydra-Shok for over 20 years….. and it still is.

Actually it hasn't for some time now.

[DaveTN]

Actually it hasn't for some time now.

Sure it is.

They just aren’t on the clearance self. He wants to know what’s the best round; he didn’t ask what’s the best round for the money.

[dwcz]

The one you hit your target with...