with a 45, always go with a hollow point... of course it will expand enough.
Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Handgun :: Choose by Caliber :: 45 Auto :: 45 Auto 185 gr FTX® Critical Defense®

 

I've read that 3" barrels in .45 may reduce velocity enough to impact expansion. No idea whether it's true, but even if it is, I personally would still go with JHP - even if it doesn't expand, it should still be just as good as flat-nose FMJ.

Since feeding problems aren't a concern for you, I'd see no reason to prefer FMJ.

 

Speer Gold Dot 230 gr JHP

 

Lots of good choices. This is one of the best, and what I use when I can find them

 

Barrel length will not affect bullet diameter.

So it really doesn't matter. You are good no matter " style " bullet you choose.

 

The round that feeds best into the gun itself. Your handgun may react differently to mine, so I guess you've gotta try several out for yourself and stick with the best one that feeds 100% of the time HP or FMJ..

 

This one................

 

You only mentioned you have a 3" Bond Arms not the model, nor 45acp or 45lc, none the less as suggested above in either of those calibers I would also suggest a JHP bullet over a FMJ.

 

15 feet with a weapon like that. What would it really madder.

 

185 gr. Gold Dot expanded to .68 out of my 3 1/2'' barrel Glock 39 (45 GAP)

 

^this, in the shorter barrels, keeping the velocity up is important to any expansion of the round.

 

Any 230 grain bullet. Hit them hard with something big and heavy.

 

230 gr JHP.... I carry winchester PDX1 in my 1911 but any quality ammo will be sufficient

 

Anything that's 230 grains and .452" diameter will work pretty well.

Personally, I favor HST's, Ranger T's, or Gold Dots.

 

Is this 45LC or 45 ACP I know most Bonds come 45lc/410 but can be changed to 45acp...

If 45lc I would go with the CD combo packs the bonded HP in one tube and a 3plated buck and ball 410 bellow ...

if 45acp then about any round be good gold dots /golden saber /Ranger I like Hornday stuff

 

I've became a big fan of Golden Sabers in the 230grn flavor.

 

Whatever feeds reliably. That said, whichever one you choose, it's still a big ole, slow-movin', chunk of lead!

 

search on google you tube etc... Look for ballistic gel testing with barrel lengths the same size as yours. The FBI recommends 12 inches penetration minimum with four layers of denim over the test gel. For my defensive rounds I like 12-17 inches and look for maximum expansion within that range.

 

I carry CorBon 165 grain +P in my SA XDs-45 with the 3.3" barrel.

 

I'm carrying the Guard Dog .45 in my 3" 1911

 

The best self defense round is "practice, practice, practice."
I always practice "double taps" to center core and then a head shot ( if you were shooting a regular pistol) just to make sure.
It really doesn't matter what type of round you're shooting, if it misses, you might as well throw rocks.
It's very easy to get all caught up with loads ballistic stats. and forget that you have to hit something for those stats. to mean something.

 

While it is realized that this is a gross over-simplification it must be said that...

it's .45 caliber. It's all good!

 

Hi, I would go with a HP round.

Mike

 

I'd go with a 230 gr HST or Gold Dot JHP. If it doesn't expand (very much) from a 3" barrel, at the very least, it'll act like a 230 gr FMJ.

 

230 grain +P HST. Federal tested them I believe down to 650 FPS. +P and non +P uses the same bullet.

 

I would NEVER use an FMJ as a defensive round. Even if the JHP doesn't expand entirely, it'll still be loads better than an FMJ, which will punch straight through and deliver much less energy to the target.

 

This weekend Im going to test out some USM prefragmented rounds like the ones I carry in my G27 but in .45 . They are super light and am curious how much the magazine weights will compare to my golden sabres

 

The one you have in the gun when you need it?