CCW .45 Colt ammo? Please read first though...

[Tallbald]

OK. I'm a known member here and my love of most things Ruger should be evident. But of late, because of spinal surgery, have had to switch my carry gun from my SP101 pocket carry to (please no debate here, I know what is best for myself at this particular time) my very nice Bond .45 Colt/.410 3 inch Derringer, in a custom pocket holster of my own design and creation. I cannot carry my SBH, .357 BH, Bearcat, or Single Six Talo Birds -head. All I have on hand is 250 gr and 200 gr cowboy action loads for the Bond. Quoting somebody else, "my gun is simply a starter pistol for the fat man's mad dash tactical retreat", but is there a CCW load commercially available you .45 Colt carriers prefer? Thanks all for responses this kind of off -topic question. Don

 

[Terry T]

I would think any of the good JHP loads would be just fine. I like Silvertips. The special defense 410 loads are good too. (I've not had to shoot anyone, and I hope I never do, so my advice is 'arm chair' advice).
I'd also recomend carrying extra rounds.
Just my $0.02 worth,
Terry T

 

[Tellico]

This is a good---No---Great one!
http://www.hornady.com/store/45-Colt-185-GR-FTX-Critical-Defense

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

This is what I use........
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/655926/winchester-supreme-elite-self-defense-ammunition-45-colt-long-colt-225-grain-bonded-pdx1-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-20

Are the ones you have on hand reloads or factory? If they're mousefart CAS loads, well then I'd look at the Winchesters. I still have an old box of CorBon 200gr HP's and a couple of old boxes of WinSilvertips. Not sure if they make these anymore.

The old 45 Colt has put a hurt on quite a few folks back in the day and I wouldn't feel all that undergunned with factory lead 200-250's.

 

[clayflingythingy]

In your case, I would carry a 410 buckshot load in preference to 45 Colt.

 

[Tellico]

In your case, I would carry a 410 buckshot load in preference to 45 Colt.

Or-- This has some good reviews--
http://www.winchester.com/Products/New-Products/Pages/pdx1-410.aspx

 

[freakindawgen]

This works too
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2900393924/winchester-supreme-elite-self-defense-ammunition-410-bore-2-1-2-3-disks-over-1-4-oz-bb-bonded-pdx1?cm_vc=S015

 

[DPris]

Gold Dot & Silvertips are both good choices, both generally decently accurate (more so than your gun will be), and mid-velocity recoil.
I would MOST emphatically stay away from a shot load.
Denis

 

[tacklebury]

+1 on the Winchester loads. Look much better and out of a derringer you will do better getting on target IMO. Centurion and some other manufacturers make a 2-1/2" 3 ball 410 000 load if you don't like the kick of the 3".

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/250-rds-410-ga-2-1-2-buckshot-rounds.aspx?a=616411

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/15-rds-remington-hd-ultimate-home-defense-410-gauge-2-1-2-4-lead-000-shot-shells.aspx?a=767939

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/winchester-pdx1-410-defense-ammo-10-rds-2-1-2.aspx?a=862809

 

[Tommy F]

I like the 3 00 buck 410 loads in my Bond. This is a close range weapon and the shot loads spread fast and 45 Colt loads shots very high. Also, the Bond fits all small revolver nylon holsters when carried with trigger guard installed.

 

[Tallbald]

Thanks again all. At a show today, the mentioned rounds were over $1.10 a round, and I didn't have it left on me. Guess it's time to check MidwayUSA. Don

 

[Don Lovel]

225gr Winchester Silvertips. Easy recoil, low flash, serious energy dump on target

 

[DPris]

Re the .410, always mystifies me when few people consider it a practical stopper in a shotgun, but many think it's instant death in a handgun that reduces its velocity & energy while severely limiting its range because of the spreads caused by rifling.

Your choice, but I'd again suggest staying away from the shot loads.
Denis

 

[COLT_45]

.45 COLT.....My Fav's for SD

185 Hornady CD's
200 Blazer JHP
225 Winchester PDX or Silver Tips JHP
255 Buffalo Bore Heavy "Standard Pressure" Keiths

 

[IrvJr]

I think any good quality factory 45 Colt will do from the little Bond Arms Derringer. I would pick a load that hits closest to your point of aim. The heavier bullets might raise the point of impact of the bottom barrel and make it easier to hit stuff.

I sometimes carry a little 3" Bond Arms derringer when I hike. It's in .44 special. I just carry it with a quality factory load (246 gr) or some peppier hand loads. I eventually plan on putting together a 255gr hard cast .44 special load for the derringer but haven't done so yet.

Within 11 yards, the bottom barrel hits a couple of inches below point of aim and the top barrel hits a few inches above point of aim.

Have you tried your Derringer at 25 yards yet? I took mine to the range last week and for fun shot it at 25 yards using some moderate handloads. i only loaded the bottom barrel and shot with my elbows resting on a table. I was surprised but I could hit the paper (not the rings of the target, but the paper) with most of my shots and I even hit the bullseye once! That was more luck than anything, but it was a lot of fun.

If I were you, I would stick with the 250 gr cowboy loads. I think that with the little Bond Arms gun you need to practice a lot to get proficient with the gun. Having a less expensive, but quality 250gr Cowboy Action load will allow you to put more rounds down range and get comfortable totin' and shootin' the little double-barrel gun.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I looked on Midway and it didn't take long to find these on sale for $18.00/20. I have the feeling that a good hit with one of these on your attacker and you wouldn't have to retreat. 8) 8)

Hornady Critical Defense Ammunition 45 Colt (Long Colt) 185 Grain Flex Tip eXpanding Box of 20

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/414703/hornady-critical-defense-ammunition-45-colt-long-colt-185-grain-flex-tip-expanding-box-of-20

...Jimbo

 

[Tallbald]

Following this thread with interest. Thanks again all. Don

 

[RaisinRiverRon]

I agree about using the 250gr. Cowboy loads for practice and use the Speer Lawman 250gr. Gold Dot (or Deep Curl now). It's loaded to about 750 fps and should have pretty much the same point of impact.

 

[Top]

I bought a box of the Barnes Vor-TX 45 Colt at Bass Pro today and really like the look of them. I've shot Corbon DPX out of my carry guns for years and these rounds look very similar.

Buffalo Bore makes a round like this but it was close to twice as expensive.

These were $27 for a box of 20. Expensive yes, but I plan on carrying my Montado in Alaska and have faith that these will give me the best performance in my SA Ruger.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/barnes-vor-tx-ammunition/

 

[COLT_45]

+1 On The Barnes Vor-Tx 200'S

 

[VAdoublegunner]

The Win 225gr Silvertips are easy to shoot and the ballistics are good. Moreover, they are usually very easy to find about everywhere 45 Colt ammo is sold. I like them for my factory 45 Colt needs.

 

[Groo]

Groo here
Buffelo Bore has a full wadcutter at standard pressure
I would consider..

 

[WESHOOT2]

The Win 225gr Silvertips are easy to shoot and the ballistics are good. Moreover, they are usually very easy to find about everywhere 45 Colt ammo is sold. I like them for my factory 45 Colt needs.

This; I recommend this.