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Old October 16, 1998, 05:10 PM   #1
Bottom Gun
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What is the best .45 ACP load for personal defense?
For target shooting?
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Old October 16, 1998, 07:17 PM   #2
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Depends on how the gun is set up, and it's inherent predilections for fodder.
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Old October 16, 1998, 10:48 PM   #3
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My favorite defence load is the 230gr Hydra Shock, and for just plinking, I hand-load 230 gr Hornady XTP's.
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Old October 17, 1998, 10:12 AM   #4
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I am really partial to Federal's 230 gr. Hydrashock as a round that can double for an accurate off the shelf target round and a very capable self-defense round... Although I really like Proloads 185 gr. Gold Dot loading for self-defense alone... I think that it has a great combination of sheer energy, controlled penetration and reliable expansion...

But the best advice is to try out a variety of loads in your gun to see which one it functions the best with, and to see which one matches with you the best (i.e. controllable recoil, price, availability, etc.) You really can't go wrong with any of the top bullet designs now days. So hit the firing range and see what works out best! Have fun...
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Old August 24, 2004, 03:49 PM   #5
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I agree with the hydra shok, also like the cor'bon powerball 200 gr
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Old August 24, 2004, 04:42 PM   #6
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As utterly pedestrian as it may be I like my old standby loading: A 230grn. FMJ bullet over 5.0grns. of Alliant, 'Red Dot' canister powder. I know it ain't sexy; but it sure does hurt, and your sight picture stays right there!
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Old August 25, 2004, 10:47 AM   #7
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I use a 230 Grn Gold Dot for defense (very accurate)

I have a springfield I use for target and it like 200 Grn SWC, but I hear most use the 185 Grn SWC as pretty much a standard
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Old August 25, 2004, 01:57 PM   #8
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I like the +P 230gr. Winchester Ranger.
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Old August 25, 2004, 02:08 PM   #9
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Generalized answer: Whichever feeds 100% reliably in your pistol.

Personalized answer: Eldorado Starfire230gr. JHP from PMC works 100% in my Taurus.
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Old August 25, 2004, 07:46 PM   #10
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For practice I use wally world 100rnd value packs and for personale protection I use either corbon or hydra shock.
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Old August 25, 2004, 08:29 PM   #11
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Hansen 230gr "match".

I don't even know if that's around anymore!
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Old August 25, 2004, 08:53 PM   #12
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I use Winchester White Box at the range and 230 grain Hydra Shoks for social purposes
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Old August 25, 2004, 09:30 PM   #13
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Best 45 ACP Loads

For more serious target work I use 200 gr lead SWC bullets pushed by 5.3 grs of Win 231. For carry purposes I use a 230gr FMJ RN bullet propelled by 5.1 Win 231. [SPECIAL NOTE NOT ALL 45s WILL FEED THE SWCs ]
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Old August 25, 2004, 10:05 PM   #14
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I shoot Winchester Whitebox for range practice and 230gr CorBon HP's (I'm seeing upwards of 900fps) for defense.

This is in a Glock 21 I carry most days.
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Old August 27, 2004, 12:53 AM   #15
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RBCD Tactical at over 2300 fps.
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Old August 28, 2004, 02:22 PM   #16
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I use 165 grain Fedral Hydra Shocks for defence. As a traget round i just get the cheapest 45 round that is usually FMJ.
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Old August 29, 2004, 10:04 AM   #17
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I like the Hydrashocks,followed by Goolden Sabre,Gold Dot,Ranger T, and plain old hardball for pracrtice. All standard pressure from Glock 30.All 230gr.
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Old August 29, 2004, 12:43 PM   #18
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Defense: Most of my 1911's are loaded with 230gr Golden Saber.
Plinkin'/target shooting: I like Georgia Arms 200gr plated SWC's; cheap, and accurate enough on my 15yd backyard range.
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Old August 29, 2004, 04:48 PM   #19
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Hornady 200 grain "Flying Ashtray" Hollow points. And the Blazer practice round.

Geoff
Who is old fashioned.
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Old August 29, 2004, 06:28 PM   #20
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Defense: Remington Golden Sabres

Target: Master Match 230 GR. JHP / 5.9 Gr. Unique / Federal primer
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Old September 6, 2004, 01:20 PM   #21
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Current carry load in my Kimber Pro Carry is Speer Gold Dot 200gr +P.
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Old September 7, 2004, 07:50 AM   #22
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Winchester RA45T and RA45TP are the best performing .45ACP defense rounds available, this is the 'Ranger-T' line, which Winchester only sells to law enforcement, but is legal to own and use regardless.

- Gabe
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Old September 7, 2004, 10:18 AM   #23
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I won't say it's the best, but this load has served me well in IPSC and 3Gun for the last almost two years. I've probably loaded about 10k of it.

200gr West Coast plated round nose, 1.260", 5.1gr Titegroup. Any LP primer.

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Old September 7, 2004, 10:30 AM   #24
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What works for me & my .45ACP's...
Defense Load is the 230-Gr Remington Golden Sabre.
Practice load Winny White Box 230-Gr ball.

(Also, a commercial reloader near me makes a pretty good 230-Gr ball load)
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Old September 7, 2004, 12:36 PM   #25
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230-grain Winchester Ranger Talons (RA45T) in my Springfield 1911 for defense, WWB 230-grain ball for practice.
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