Had a Doctor friend call today asking what is the best defensive .45LC ammo for a Taurus Judge. I am not familure with this revolver other than knowing it is a revolver. It is not something I personally would own but I am sure some here may do so. Any help appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your time and information.
Regards
Well...you can use .410 in it as well so It could depend on where he intends to use it. Is he using it as a carry gun or for home, vehicle defense? It can really depend on the situation. I use less powerful ammo in the house because I have kids and there's no telling where theyll be, but out and about i grab the best load i can afford.
BTW, theres also a long gun version of the judge available. My wallyworld has them for sale.
I would go with a lead SWC myself.
Michael
.410 long guns are universaly scorned by hunters as not having enough payload to deliver a clean kill on small game birds. The advertised velocity for the larger 3" shell is 1135 fps.
O.K. so some engineer figured out how to stretch a revolver frame to accommodate 5 .410 shells. I don't really get it. With a short revolver barrel 2.5 to 6 inches there is going to be a lot of velocity loss. The common defence load is 3 to 5 00 buck pellets moving 700 to maybe 900 fps. Impact of that load at very close range would most likley be effective but penatration would be limited. So a good load maybe from arcoss a average room,& wouldent penatrate very far through wallboard.
So with a .410 "buckshot" loaded revolver it would seem to me to be a very mission specific weapon. Hopefully the BG wouldent be wearing a heavy leather jacket.
If it were me I would use the Taurus Judge loaded with .410 shells only if I was in snake country. It would be perfect in that applacation, loaded of course with #71/2 bird shot.
The .45 Colt round has been "saving bacon" for 139 years & the defence loads for the grand old round have only gotten better over time.
PS Re-read your question sorry about the .410 rant. Looks like the Dr. knows all that stuff.
Now my short answer, I always liked the Federal 225 grain LSWCHP.
I was just saying that if he was going to put it in his car, then .410 would be alright for a would be carjacker since they generally reach in through the window...
OK, let me go furthere. He is a She and she already has .410 cartridges. She is wanting to add .45 long colt in addition to that. Michael, the SWC was my first thought but I really have no experence with this firearem and barrel configuration. I entertained the .45 Long Colt Hornady Critical Defense FTX JHP 185 Grain 20 Round Box 920 fps Personal Defense Ammunition. Slow traveling at about 900+ FPS but I also thought of the 45 Long Colt Hornady Flat Point Cowboy Load Pistol 255 Grain 725 fps which is a SWC configuration. Would a Federal - .45 Long Colt SWC 225 gr be a better choice? Frankly folks this Lady is not afraid of recoil and definately not afraid of pulling the triger on the range or when SHTF. She has has ask me for information and since I can't really offer anything solid, I turn to you all. I suspect there is several hundred years of combined experence here. Help me help her.
Regards,
Diddle
While it may not be the best, CCI Blazer 200JHP chronographs at around 950fps out of 4 5/8" barrel and comes in 50rd boxes.
I suggest Hornady Critical Defense. It's no bear load, but I think it's very appropriate for 2 legged critters.
I think Hornady knew what they were doing with the CD for .45 Colt because of the popularity of the Judge, and it's probably well suited for it.