Best SD ammo? - Page 7

BikerRN · September 26th, 2007, 05:50 AM

I don't shoot 40, if given a choice, so I have no input regarding that caliber. In 40 I will shoot whatever my Agency gives me.

For 38 Special I have a variety of rounds I select from. The most common is the old "classic" 158 grain +P LHP. I also have Corbon 110 grain +P JHP's and 125 grain +P JHP's. The final selection choice is Remington 125 grain +P SJHP. I really like the last load.

I don't get too "hung up" on ammo. It's more about the shooter than what "superhitechdeathrayoneshotstoppercyanidetippedhyd rochloroform" bullet is in the gun. In short, it's the "software" not the "hardware" that wins gunfights. I just select a "decent" carry load and go forth with it.

Biker

Travis Morgan · September 27th, 2007, 03:08 AM

Biker,

+1. ?I'd carry a .22 I can hit with before I'd carry a .44 mag I can't. Fortunately, I hit real nice, and real fast with my .45's. I shoot bullseye AND IDPA kinda shooting with mine.

rmhz1979 · September 27th, 2007, 03:29 AM

I personally feel as said earlier it is going to depend on the gun and the shooter. You can show me statistics as to what bullet has the highest velocity, which one penetrate further ect. When it comes down to it its all about which bullet is going to preform the best for you. It won't do you much good to have 15+ inches of penetration and 1000+ fps velocity if you can't hit the broad side of a barn door with the bullet. So in short its what works the best for each individual.

DRT · September 30th, 2007, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whyveear

That's because the original post asks for our opinion. It's amazing what reasons people will give for carrying a certain JHP. They'll say things like, I just like it, it feeds well, my gun loves it, it is high velocity, my brother/neighbor LEO/gun store clerk said it was good, Guns & Ammo recommended it, I did my own water jug tests, etc.

Rarely it seems do people carry a certain load based on results of reliable tests. HST is one of the best, but it is not as popular as some of the other loads that have been around longer and/or have a lot of hype surrounding them.

Caliber and bullet weight is also a factor to consider. Some Gold Dots are better left on the shelf as are some Ranger T-Series, etc. The same bullet design does not always perform well across the board.

But it is a very good tissue simulant

165gr .40 gold dot is one example of a load that should stay on the shelf. doe not expand well after heavy clothing. other GDs work ok.

suprmatch · October 4th, 2007, 09:10 PM

What about Hornady TAP?

retsupt99 · October 4th, 2007, 11:13 PM

I have some of each...for various sidearms, but for my .45 EDC I use the Winchester Ranger SXT 230gr...not sure how SXT and T compare...others probably know!

LongRider · October 13th, 2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whyveear

Some Gold Dots are better left on the shelf as are some Ranger T-Series, etc.

Regarding the Ranger -T does that apply to .45 coming out of a 4 inch barrel in your opinion? If so could you please let me know why you believe that. If not any grain suggestions? Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whyveear

Here is the original Ranger-T:

See how the petals fold straight back with just the "talons" pointing out? Well, the new "enhanced" Ranger-T is supposed to spread further out to the sides like a starfish increasing its size and the wound channel it creates. The .45 rounds are supposed to spread out over an inch from tip to tip.

Winchester wants us to call them petals because the T word has makes you think of that other round that got such bad press and LEO hostility. It look horrifically painful. Have any ideas what grain would be most effective coming out of a 4 inch barrel?

Quote:

Originally Posted by retsupt99

I use the Winchester Ranger SXT 230gr

Why 230 gr?

Whyveear · October 14th, 2007, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LongRider

Regarding the Ranger -T does that apply to .45 coming out of a 4 inch barrel in your opinion? If so could you please let me know why you believe that. If not any grain suggestions? Thanks

.45 ACP ammo is optimized for 5" barrels, as you probably know, so I would just use 230gr +P to make up for the one inch loss in barrel length.

LongRider · October 14th, 2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whyveear

.45 ACP ammo is optimized for 5" barrels, as you probably know, so I would just use 230gr +P to make up for the one inch loss in barrel length.

Right is why I asked. But now I am confused, I thought lighter grains 185 gr. or even 165 gr. would increase velocity penetration and expansion, making up for what you lose a four inch. The +P of course adding to that with the extra boom factor, thats technical term there

Don't know how any of that affects recoil and getting back on target. Smaller bullet weight decreases recoil? +P increases recoil so I get? So I end up with standard 230 gr. handling? Also can you get back to me on if you have a thought about the Ranger T's in .45 Thanks

Whyveear · October 15th, 2007, 12:57 AM

My preferred JHP is Ranger-T. Both the 230gr versions perform well so using the +p version is all that is needed to make up for the shorter barrel. Any other steps to make up for the shorter barrel, like using a lighter projectile, are unnecessary IMO.

With all due respect this forum and its members, this is not the place to find expert advice on ballistics. If you really want to pursue this, go to:http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bi...;start_point=0 ...or check out this particular thread:http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bi...;f=78;t=000964

View Poll Results: Wich would you consider the best SD ammo based on performance and reliability?
Federal HST	79	25.82%
Speer Gold Dot	105	34.31%
Winchester Ranger-T	58	18.95%
Cor-Bon DPX	64	20.92%
Voters: 306. You may not vote on this poll

September 26th, 2007, 05:50 AM	#61
BikerRN Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: State of Discombobulation Posts: 1,927	I don't shoot 40, if given a choice, so I have no input regarding that caliber. In 40 I will shoot whatever my Agency gives me. For 38 Special I have a variety of rounds I select from. The most common is the old "classic" 158 grain +P LHP. I also have Corbon 110 grain +P JHP's and 125 grain +P JHP's. The final selection choice is Remington 125 grain +P SJHP. I really like the last load. I don't get too "hung up" on ammo. It's more about the shooter than what "superhitechdeathrayoneshotstoppercyanidetippedhyd rochloroform" bullet is in the gun. In short, it's the "software" not the "hardware" that wins gunfights. I just select a "decent" carry load and go forth with it. Biker __________________ "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

October 4th, 2007, 11:13 PM	#66
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 14,902	I have some of each...for various sidearms, but for my .45 EDC I use the Winchester Ranger SXT 230gr...not sure how SXT and T compare...others probably know! __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

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September 27th, 2007, 03:08 AM	#62
Travis Morgan Ex Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wichita, Ks. Posts: 95	Biker, +1. ?I'd carry a .22 I can hit with before I'd carry a .44 mag I can't. Fortunately, I hit real nice, and real fast with my .45's. I shoot bullseye AND IDPA kinda shooting with mine.

September 27th, 2007, 03:29 AM	#63
rmhz1979 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 95	I personally feel as said earlier it is going to depend on the gun and the shooter. You can show me statistics as to what bullet has the highest velocity, which one penetrate further ect. When it comes down to it its all about which bullet is going to preform the best for you. It won't do you much good to have 15+ inches of penetration and 1000+ fps velocity if you can't hit the broad side of a barn door with the bullet. So in short its what works the best for each individual.

October 4th, 2007, 09:10 PM	#65
suprmatch New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: S.E. PA Posts: 14	What about Hornady TAP?

October 15th, 2007, 12:57 AM	#70
Whyveear Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Over here Posts: 246	My preferred JHP is Ranger-T. Both the 230gr versions perform well so using the +p version is all that is needed to make up for the shorter barrel. Any other steps to make up for the shorter barrel, like using a lighter projectile, are unnecessary IMO. With all due respect this forum and its members, this is not the place to find expert advice on ballistics. If you really want to pursue this, go to:http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bi...;start_point=0 ...or check out this particular thread:http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bi...;f=78;t=000964