Self Defense Ammo

[strickj]

Yeah,the merit to take your dollars

[Guest MrsS]

I bought hydra-shocks for my personal defense and since I am new to guns, daresay I ask...what is wrong with hydra-shoks?

[Guest GLOCKGUY]

what do you guy think about "FEDERAL PREMIUM Tactical HST"

[The Rabbi]

I bought hydra-shocks for my personal defense and since I am new to guns, daresay I ask...what is wrong with hydra-shoks?

I heard they just bounce off the bad guys.

No, I'm kidding. Nothing wrong with them. But bullet technology has come a ways since they were developed, what?, 20 years ago.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=237 Edited March 19, 2008 by Todd@CIS

[Marswolf]

Hydra-Shoks are OK. They sometimes clog when going through denim and don't expand properly.

The best round that has been introduced is the EFMJ , it actually has some merit, not like this other hyped up crap.

I agree, but Federal isn't pushing that ammo. In fact I talked to a field rep about it and he basically acted like he didn't know anything about it.

[molonlabetn]

EFMJ is a band-aid for folks who live in states such as NJ, which restrict the use of hollow-point ammunition.

[shaftbass]

I have carried Hydrashoks and Speer Gold Dots, but I've never had to use either to shoot anything other than a menacing paper target and maybe the cheap can of soda from Kroger.

They both seem to cycle the same in my XD-9, but that's about all the experience I have with them.

[DaveTN]

I bought hydra-shocks for my personal defense and since I am new to guns, daresay I ask...what is wrong with hydra-shoks?

There isn’t anything wrong with them; they have owned the market for over 20 years. That alone seems to bother some “technology for technologies sake†people. The .45ACP has been the undisputed king of the handgun calibers for 100 years, followed closely by the 70 year old .357 magnum. Sometimes it’s hard to improve upon perfection.

[Guest slow ride]

In 9mm I like hydro-shocks, and golden sabers.

[Guest eyebedam]

I have a couple of boxes of black talons from back in the day.

[Magiccarpetrides]

I use Speer Gold Dots in my 9mm and Speer Gold Dot +p 135gr SBR for my J-frame. I havent had to shoot anything but paper, but they are extremely accurate and very clean. At about $1 each though not something I practice with often.

[Guest 2HOW]

EFMJ is a band-aid for folks who live in states such as NJ, which restrict the use of hollow-point ammunition.

Its also very fast and expands in any medium, although it is a light round. Perfect for small caliber wheel guns and pistols such as 9mm

[Sphinx1906]

Best 9mm Self-Defense ammo:

Winchester Ranger T 127+P+

Speer Gold Dot 124+P

Federal HST 124+P

Remington Golden Saber 124+P

[Guest eyebedam]

I just bought some Winchester Supreme Hoolow points for my .40 But am wondering on what to get for my LCP .380.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

For .380ACP, stick with FMJ for practice and defense.

With the POSSIBLE exception of the Hornady XTP, there is not a .380 JHP made that expands AND penetrates deep enough to be recommended for effective self defense.

FWIW, my general rule of thumb:

For calibers that can reliably expand AND penetrate approx 12" of calibrated gel...JHP.

For calibers that can reliably expand OR penetrate approx 12" of calibrated gel...FMJ.

We WANT expansion...we NEED penetration.

[strickj]

For .380ACP, stick with FMJ for practice and defense.

With the POSSIBLE exception of the Hornady XTP, there is not a .380 JHP made that expands AND penetrates deep enough to be recommended for effective self defense.

FWIW, my general rule of thumb:

For calibers that can reliably expand AND penetrate approx 12" of calibrated gel...JHP.

For calibers that can reliably expand OR penetrate approx 12" of calibrated gel...FMJ.

We WANT expansion...we NEED penetration.

Well said,but to add my one cent it also depends on the gun itself.ie;short barrels can have a hard time getting up to speed needed for expansion like in 1911.The 45.acp does great in the Government 5' barrel but anything shorter is struggling

[Guest nraforlife]

EFMJ is a band-aid for folks who live in states such as NJ, which restrict the use of hollow-point ammunition.

Issue with EFMJ, from what I've heard, is that the expansion reliability is not quite there yet. Issues with some rds work as spec'ed and others don't.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

Well said,but to add my one cent it also depends on the gun itself.ie;short barrels can have a hard time getting up to speed needed for expansion like in 1911.The 45.acp does great in the Government 5' barrel but anything shorter is struggling

That used to be more of a factor years ago, but all of the following do pretty well, expansion-wise, from >5" barrels...

Win Ranger-T 230gr

Fed Tactical 230 gr

Fed HST 230gr

Speer Gold Dot 230gr

CorBon DPX

However, I will agree that performance is downgraded with shorter barrels, but todays JHPs have a pretty large operating window.

Regards

Edited April 21, 2008 by Todd@CIS

[Marswolf]

I just bought some Winchester Supreme Hoolow points for my .40 But am wondering on what to get for my LCP .380.

I'd strongly suggest FMJs. You have a relatively slow and ligh bullet mass round. You really need penetration. That's not a slam of the 380 Auto. I carry one myself.