Recommended self defense load for .45?

[Brutus57]

Hi folks,

I got my cpl recently and have started carrying recently. I have a Ruger P345 and am looking to find a good round for self defense.
Thoughts?

Brutus out

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[XManSV]

Speer Gold Dots +P

 

[mrblond]

+1 on the gold dots.. One thing though is that i bet more baddies have been put down by ball then anything else.

 

[JGRuby]

Make sure your pistol likes them.

James Ruby

 

[dmv9]

Gold dots 3966
GSB45APB
P45HST1
P45HST2

 

[Brutus57]

+1 on the gold dots.. One thing though is that i bet more baddies have been put down by ball then anything else.

yeah, 230 grains is gonna hurt no matter how yah slice it.



Brutus Out

Brutus out

 

[glockman99]

I have the Speer 230 grain Gold Dot in my Glock 21...There is really no need to look any further than this load.

 

[JGRuby]

I personally chose 230gr Hornady XTP's.
If one of my 1911's dont shoot this load it gets fixed or it leaves.

James Ruby

 

[Brutus57]

Hi guys, thanks much for all your input. Much appreciated.

Brutus Out.

 

[hillbilli]

gold dots are good, as are hydrashoks, personally for the price I was very impressed with the win white box 230gr hp, rem makes a plain 230gr hp as well.. look on the internet for gelatin tests for .45 acp, you'll find plenty, including websites like brassfetcher..

 

[RBid]

Hydra Shoks are an old design, which has failed to expand is some testing. It has not been among the best options for some time.

Speer Gold Dots
Winchester PDX1 or Ranger T
Federal HST (not the same as Hydra Shok)

Those would be my preferred product lines. Each of them has repeatedly performed well in both gel and "street performance", and have had extensive real world use through department and agency contracts.

Personal bias:
I favor heavy per caliber rounds. They tend to penetrate better (though expand marginally less) than light + fast loads. They also tend to have a little less felt recoil, which can aid in follow up shots with speed.

 

[Jaybo666]

+1 on the Federal HST +P, and the Ranger T. Been hard to find lately, but if you search the net hard, you will find it for about $40 a box(50 rounds)