.45 FMJ or JHP? WHAT TO CARRY?

19785 Views 145 Replies 56 Participants Last post by OD*, Feb 2, 2010

justherenow

Discussion Starter · Jan 4, 2010

I will be the first to admit, if it is not a 9mm, I am not familiar with the ballistics, I have never owned anything larger than the 9, unless you count the 12gauge.

Now to the question. I have read, in more than one place that in .45, FMJ was fine for SD, that you did not need to use JHP. I have also read to the contrary. As I am getting my first .45, I would like to get some opinions from those that carry them.

For me, I will carry it, during work it will be locked in the car, at home it will be on me or a bedside gun, I live in a city neighborhood with houses on 3 of my four sides, and the house I am in is less than 1100sqft (its small, but its paid for and suits the purpose), and a child sleeping right across the hall at night.

What do you carry? What grain should I look at, and should I use FMJ or JHP? For those that reply, forgive me if I do not check back right away, I have to work overtime some this week, plus I am start back to college tomorrow, so I will be somewhat busy, but I WILL CHECK AND GET BACK TO ANYONE WITH QUESTIONS.

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bruce272

· #2 · Jan 4, 2010

Don't even mess with anything smaller than 230gr bullets. This is assuming that you're comfortable with them, I'm not a big guy and I don't find the recoil objectionable.

I tend to stay away from FMJ (except for range ammo) and like Remington 230 JHP Golden Sabers.
Although, if you ask 50 different guys, you'll get 50 different answers

Bruce

Rugergirl

· #3 · Jan 4, 2010

Cor-bon Pow-r-ball for me. With the balistics of a .45 I want expansion, they penetrate well enough to begin with.
.45 recoil seems pretty tame to me, but I am a fan of the .357 magnum round. Out of my snubbie it packs a good punch, way more than a .45 out of my 1911.
Either one seems rather tame compared to my .44 Magnum.
Although I am a revolver fan the 1911 is a great carry gun, hides well when the big wheelies won't hide and it delivers.
.45 FMJ rounds may penetrate more than you would want, I like the expansion of a hollowpoint and the Powerball is designed not to clog from heavy winter clothing, like we see this time of year in MI.
Remember you own every round you fire, even after you fire it, I'll take a hollowpoint over a FMJ round out of a .45.

varob

· #4 · Jan 4, 2010

I like 230 gr. HST's. The feed really well and have a solid reputation for getting the job done.

Having said that, I think any 230 gr .45 caliber round will do the job.

Stevew

· #5 · Jan 4, 2010

If 230g JHP feed reliably then thats what I would go with. If the FMJ feeds better thats what I would go with.

gasmitty

· #6 · Jan 4, 2010

Stick with JHPs from a known brand, such as Federal, Speer, Remington or Winchester (plus a few others). Get a box of each and make sure they function well in your gun. 230 grain is the proven effective loading.

FMJs have their place, and the good news is that of all the serious defensive calibers, .45 FMJ is least likely to overpenetrate a human body. But unless you live in the People's Republic of New Jersey, or other jurisdiction that prohibits anyone but police from carrying hollowpoints, load up with JHPs.

Inside my home, my .45s are loaded with 185 gr Silvertip for reduced penetration. It's still plenty powerful, but it loses energy faster than the 230 gr loadings when going through walls and doors and such... just a consideration if you have people around you in your home.

BukWild

· #7 · Jan 4, 2010

Federal Hydrashok JHP Low Recoil

LethalStang

· #8 · Jan 4, 2010

BukWild said:
Federal Hydrashok JHP Low Recoil

This is pretty much an oxymoron, I have the same ammo and there is nothing low recoil about it. What some people do is load up the first 3-5 rounds of JHP and follow it with FMJ with the idea that after shots are fired the perp will be at a farther distance, allowing FMJ to be a better possibility of penetration. I have mixed feelings about this and for now still run JHP all the way through.

Steve O

· #9 · Jan 4, 2010

justherenow said:
I will be the first to admit, if it is not a 9mm, I am not familiar with the ballistics, I have never owned anything larger than the 9, unless you count the 12gauge.

Now to the question. I have read, in more than one place that in .45, FMJ was fine for SD, that you did not need to use JHP. I have also read to the contrary. As I am getting my first .45, I would like to get some opinions from those that carry them.

For me, I will carry it, during work it will be locked in the car, at home it will be on me or a bedside gun, I live in a city neighborhood with houses on 3 of my four sides, and the house I am in is less than 1100sqft (its small, but its paid for and suits the purpose), and a child sleeping right across the hall at night.

What do you carry? What grain should I look at, and should I use FMJ or JHP? For those that reply, forgive me if I do not check back right away, I have to work overtime some this week, plus I am start back to college tomorrow, so I will be somewhat busy, but I WILL CHECK AND GET BACK TO ANYONE WITH QUESTIONS.

Your not leaving that gun out where a child can get hold of it are you?

Blue Thunder

· #10 · Jan 4, 2010

45 What to Carry?

I have been in the Federal Hydro club for years, but now carry Cor-Bon 185GR All Copper DPX's in .45ACP, and other Cor-Bon DPX's in 40S&W and 9MM . They function, are accurate, and have great stats out on the web. Do a google search for these bullets. :smile:

sniper58

· #11 · Jan 4, 2010

Rugergirl said:
Cor-bon Pow-r-ball for me. With the balistics of a .45 I want expansion, they penetrate well enough to begin with.

+1 on the JHP. My 4" 1911 doesn't feed HST, Golden Sabers or Mag Tech's very well so I've got a JHP in the pipe and FMJ in the magazine. I need to get a box of the Pow-r-ball and try them. As stated, over penetration can be a concern, but the bottom line is how does a given bullet perform from your pistol? Top of the line JHP's are worthless (actually dangerous to your defense) if they don't feed smoothly and consistently.

BukWild

· #12 · Jan 4, 2010

LethalStang said:
This is pretty much an oxymoron, I have the same ammo and there is nothing low recoil about it. What some people do is load up the first 3-5 rounds of JHP and follow it with FMJ with the idea that after shots are fired the perp will be at a farther distance, allowing FMJ to be a better possibility of penetration. I have mixed feelings about this and for now still run JHP all the way through.

Really? I carry it in an AMT .45 BackUp everyday, it is very easy on the hands for me, now the Powrball, that stuff hurt!

Blue Thunder

· #13 · Jan 4, 2010

.45 FMJ or JHP??

My Springfield Armory 45 (and Glock G21) will feed anything on the market and my own reloads. Sniper58 may want to get his ramp, mags and chamber checked if it is that picky. I have more than 12,000 rounds thru my 1911 and 15,000 rounds thru the G21 and most are reloads 200Gr SWC which is harder to feed than RNL or FMJ. Both are kept with Cor-Bon 185GR DPX rounds that function flawlessly in it, plus several spare mags for each. They do not upchuck.

Both have shot IPSC in GA State and Area 6 matches over the last 18 years.

Bart

· #14 · Jan 4, 2010

Anything 230gr. It's a .45, FMJ is fine, it doesn't need to expand to get the job done. It's a slow bullet, your chances of winning the lotto are better than the chance of over-penetration, even with FMJ. HP will penetrate much less if they expand, (many fail to expand due to low velocity) if they do fail to expand, no problem, you still end up with a 230gr. slug.

TheShadow

· #15 · Jan 4, 2010

sniper58 said:
I need to get a box of the Pow-r-ball and try them.

Yeah give them a try...

I just started carrying the Pow R' Ball myself. They feed very smoothly just by slowly riding the slide on my 1911 so you know they will feed well under normal operation.

I did a expansion test on some water jugs and as expected they expanded well but they did shed there jackets which doesn't give me much concern. The polymer ball helps the expansion on impact dishing out the bullet. I payed around $32 for 20rds which yeah there kinda pricey compared to the Hydra Shoks I usually carry.

165gr Pow R' Ball

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mcp1810

· #16 · Jan 4, 2010

Personally I use 230 grain Winchester Ranger. If it expands, great. If it doesn't, it performs like FMJ. Whatever you choose make sure if functions reliably in your weapon.

TX-JB

· #17 · Jan 4, 2010

I prefer the 230 gr. loads... I've used many different brands and they all work well in most .45's... If you feel more comfortable using .45 FMJ, it's a good load, too... It's was used in the military for years with good results... As a matter of fact, it was the only FMJ load approved for carry by my former agency... I will typically carry at least one spare mag with FMJ loads...

justherenow

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 4, 2010

Steve O said:
Your not leaving that gun out where a child can get hold of it are you?

I take all safeguards. Keep it locked in a safe with the ammo in the nightstand. I can be in the safe in less than 2 seconds flat.

frankmako

· #19 · Jan 4, 2010

no matter what you pick for your gun make sure they function well in your gun.

MattInFla

· #20 · Jan 4, 2010

Bart said:
Anything 230gr. It's a .45, FMJ is fine, it doesn't need to expand to get the job done. It's a slow bullet, your chances of winning the lotto are better than the chance of over-penetration, even with FMJ. HP will penetrate much less if they expand, (many fail to expand due to low velocity) if they do fail to expand, no problem, you still end up with a 230gr. slug.

I am not sure where you got the idea that "It's a slow bullet, your chances of winning the lotto are better than the chance of over-penetration, even with FMJ", but this is patently false.

.45 ACP FMJ rounds penetrate ~ 26" in ballistic gel. This is more than sufficient to over penetrate a human target and post a threat to whatever is on the other side.

Matt

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