Highly Rated Self Defense Loads For Consideration

[147 Grain]

****** 380 ACP ******

Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian version of bonded Ranger T
95-gr. Bonded PDX1 (S380PDB)

Buffalo Bore:
100-gr. Hardcast Flatnose Standard Pressure (27E)
100-gr. +P Hardcast Flatnose (27A) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.
95-gr. +P Jacketed HP (27D)


****** 9X18 Makarov ******

Buffalo Bore: Consider FMJ is you have feeding problems.
115-gr. Hard Cast Flat Nose (Item #34B)


****** 38 Special Snubnose ******

Buffalo Bore Short Barrel:
158-gr. Standard Pressure Lead Semi-Wadcutter HP (20C)
150-gr. Standard Pressure Hardcast Wadcutter (20D) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
110-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper HP (DPX38110-20)

Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot:
135-gr. +P Gold Dot HP (23921)


****** 38 Special ******

Buffalo Bore: Also see other loads with 158-gr. +P LSWCHP (FBI / Chicago Load)
158-gr. +P LSWCHP (20A)
150-gr. Standard Pressure Hardcast Wadcutter (20D) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian version of bonded Ranger T
130-gr. +P Bonded PDX1 (S38PDB)

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
110-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper HP (DPX38110-20)

Speer Gold Dot: Also see other loads with the Gold Dot bullet
125-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot HP (23720)


****** 9mm Luger ******

Federal Tactical: LE Only
135-gr. +P Bonded HP (LE9T5)
124-gr. Bonded HP (LE9T1)

Federal HST: LE Only
147-gr. +P HST HP (P9HST4)
147-gr. HST HP (P9HST2)

Winchester Ranger T: LE Only
147-gr. HP (RA9T)
124-gr. +P Bonded HP (RA9BAB)
147-gr. Bonded HP (RA9B)
124-gr. Bonded HP (RA99124TP)
127-gr. +P+ HP (RA9TA)

Remington Golden Saber: Similar to Ranger T
147-gr. HP (GS9MMC)
124-gr. +P Bonded HP (GSB9MMD)
147-gr. +P Bonded HP (GSB9MMC)

Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian Version of Bonded Ranger T
124-gr. +P Bonded PDX1 HP (S9MMPDB)
147-gr. Bonded PDX1 HP (S9MMPDB1)

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
115-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper HP (DPX09115-20)

Black Hills:
115-gr. +P Barnes Tac-XP

Barnes:
115-gr. +P XPB Copper Jacketed HP

Speer Gold Dot: See also Double Tap & Black Hills
124-gr. +P Bonded HP (23617)
147-gr. Bonded HP (23619)
124-gr. Bonded HP (23618)

Buffalo Bore:
124-gr. +P+ Bonded Gold Dot HP (24B)
147-gr. +P+ Bonded Gold Dot HP (24C)
124-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot HP (24E)
124-gr. +P+ Penetrator FMJ (24F) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Double Tap:
115-gr. +P Barnes Tac-XP Copper Jacketed HP
147-gr. +P Flat Nose FMJ For protection in the mountains.


****** 357 Sig ******

Double Tap:
147-gr. +P Bonded (1. Gold Dot if Available / 2. Sierra Loading)
125-gr. +P Bonded (1. Gold Dot if Available / 2. Sierra Loading)

Federal LE Tactical: LE Only
125-gr. LE Tactical Bonded HP (LE357ST4)

Buffalo Bore:
125-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot (25A)

Winchester: LE Only
125-gr. Bonded Ranger T (RA357SB)

Remington:
125-gr. +P Bonded Golden Saber HP (GSB357SB)

Federal HST:
125-gr. HST HP (P357SHST1)

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
125-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper Jacketed HP (DPX357SIG125-20)

Speer Gold Dot:
125-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP (23918)


****** 357 Mag ******

Buffalo Bore:
125-gr. Jacketed Montana Gold HP (19D) Use Gold Dot if it’s available
158-gr. Jacketed Montana Gold HP (19C) Use Gold Dot if it’s available
180-gr. Hardcast Lead Flat Nose (19A) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Double Tap:
125-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP (If Available)
125-gr. Semi-Jacketed Nosler HP
158-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP
158-gr. Jacketed Nosler HP
200-gr. WFNGC (Wide Flat Nose Gas Checked) Hard Cast For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Speer Gold Dot:
125-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP (23920)
158-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP (23960)

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
125-gr. DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper HP (DPX357125-20)
125-gr. Jacketed HP (SD357125-20)

Winchester Supreme:
180-gr. Nosler Partition Gold (S357P) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.


****** 40 S&W ******

Federal LE: LE Only
165-gr. +P Bonded HP (LE40T3)
180-gr. Bonded HP (LE40T1)

Federal HST: LE Only
180-gr. HST HP (P40HST1)

Winchester Ranger T: LE Only
180-gr. HP (RA40T)
165-gr. Bonded HP (RA40BA)
165-gr. HP (RA40TA)
180-gr. Bonded HP (RA40B)

Remington Golden Saber: Similar to Ranger T
180-gr. HP (GS40SWB)
165-gr. Bonded HP (GSB40SWA)
180-gr. Bonded HP (GSB40SWB)

Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian Version of Bonded Ranger T
165-gr. Bonded PDX1 HP (S40SWPDB)
180-gr. Bonded PDX1 HP (S40SWPDB1)

Black Hills:
155-gr. Barnes Tac-XP

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
140-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper Jacketed HP (DPX40140-20)

Barnes:
155-gr. XPB Copper Jacketed HP
140-gr. XPB Copper Jacketed HP

Speer Gold Dot: See also Double Tap, & Black Hills
165-gr. Bonded Gold Dot (23970)
155-gr. Bonded Gold Dot (23961)
180-gr. Bonded Gold Dot (23962)

Buffalo Bore:
180-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot (23B)
155-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot (23A)
180-gr. +P Flat Nose FMJ (23C) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.


****** 10mm (FBI) Auto ******

Double Tap:
155-gr. +P Barnes Tac-XP All Copper Jacketed HP
180-gr. +P Golden Saber HP
180-gr. +P Nosler Jacketed HP
200-gr. +P WFNGC (Wide Flat Nose Gas Checked) Hardcast
230-gr. +P WFNGC (Wide Flat Nose Gas Checked) Hardcast For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains

Buffalo Bore:
180-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot HP (21B)
200-gr. +P Flat Nose FMJ (21A) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
155-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper Jacketed HP (DPX10155-20)


****** 45 ACP ******

Federal LE Tactical: LE Only
230-gr. +P Bonded HP (LE45T1)

Federal HST: LE Only
230-gr. +P HST HP (P45HST1)
230-gr. HST HP (P45HST2)

Winchester Ranger T: LE Only
230-gr. +P HP (RA45TP)
230-gr. HP (RA45T)
230-gr. Bonded HP (RA45B)

Remington Golden Saber: Similar to Ranger T
230-gr. HP (GS45APB)
230-gr. Bonded HP (GSB45APB)

Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian Version of Bonded Ranger T
230-gr. Bonded PDX1 HP (S45PDB)

Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
185-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper Jacketed HP (DPX45185-20)
160-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper Jacketed HP (DPX45160-20)

Black Hills:
185-gr. +P Barnes Tac-XP

Barnes:
185-gr. +P XPB Copper Jacketed HP
160-gr. +P XPB Copper Jacketed HP

Speer Gold Dot: See also Double Tap, & Black Hills,
200-gr. +P Only – Bonded Gold Dot HP (23969)
230-gr. Bonded Gold Dot HP (23966)

Buffalo Bore:
200-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot (45-200)
230-gr. +P Bonded Gold Dot (45-230)
255-gr. +P Hardcast (45-255) For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.

Double Tap:
160-gr. Barnes Tac-XP Copper Jacketed HP
230-gr. +P Golden Saber HP
255-gr. +P Hardcast Semi-Wadcutter For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains

 

[147 Grain]

Heavy for caliber bullets typically perform better for self defense than lighter projectiles do because PENETRATION is mandatory and expansion is secondary.

The FBI says that 62% of police shootings, a bullet travels through an arm, hand, or leg before even touching the chest area and PD's frequently state that 50% of time the bullet has to travel at a odd angle before reaching the vitals. This is why PENETRATION is critical due to longer angles or extremities before reaching the vitals!

The average self defense HP loses 4" - 6" of penetrating power in flesh when it goes through a leather glove (both sides). Strong heavy duty bullets (that also expand) are a must if you want to survive!

The above list of suggested loads generally provide good penetration and expansion. A proper balance with penetration leading the way is the criteria I used in gathering data for performance in Gel, 4-Ply Denim, Heavy Cloth, Wallboard, Glass, and Steel.

I am in the process of expanding the recommended list to include other calibers which will be posted soon.

 

[WESHOOT2]

I have a shorter list of SELF DEFENSE ammo:

9x19 real fast 115g or 124--127g JHP

357 SIG real fast 124--125g JHP

357 Magnum 125g JHP

40 S&W real fast 135g (or 155g R-P) JHP

45 ACP 230g JHP from most anyone.

These choices may not offer the greatest lethality (BFD, ay?), but without question they continue to prove themselves as "behavior stoppers".

 

[Hammerdown77]

I believe actual real-world performance from the 200 grain Speer Gold Dot bullet in .45 has been less than stellar. Although I don't remember if that was the standard or +P version.

 

[147 Grain]

Bonded Gold Dot (GD) bullets (for civilians) perform better when driven at higher velocities and some manufactures prefer to use this projectile in their line-up IF they can consistently purchase them from ATK / Speer. I.E. Buffalo Bore (BB) and Double Tap (DT).

The 200-gr. Gold Dot doesn't perform as well at standard pressures, but loadings from BB and DT bring this midweight projectile alive with more fps. The 230-gr. is still the preferred size in 45 ACP.

I am working on updating the list to reflect the +P loading for 200-gr.

 

[DougU]

Heavier is better than lighter is a spurious conclusion at best. I seem to remember that 155 grain .40 S&W have far better conclusions than 180's. Of course, experts used to say that 147gr 9mm were best; which has since been discarded, even vilified.

 

[Bucks Owin]

I'll trust to a .45LC with a cast 275 gr penta HP over a hefty dose of W296.... :wink:
I expect a hit with that thoroughly nasty bomb anywhere from the belt buckle up would be incapacitating and quickly fatal. Also, any "cover" had better be substantial... :shock:

JMO

 

[slippingaway]

I've been shooting Federal HST 230gr in .45acp for a while now, and I love them. They are super accurate in my P345, just as good as my custom handloads. They have some oomph behind them, and penetration is good. I pray I never have to find out how the do against a real-life bad guy, but if needed I trust them to deliver.

I'm surprised that Golden Saber 102gr HP isn't listed with the other .380 ammo, I remember right after the LCP came out just about everyone here was singing its praises. It was hard to find for a long time, but it's one of the few .380 HP rounds that feeds 100% reliably in my LCP, and I remember seeing quite a few tests that showed the 102gr Sabers penetrated considerably better than a lot of the other ammo out there.

 

[WESHOOT2]

The 102g continues its effectiveness in numerous LE back-up guns.

More cops switch to 357 SIG.

More cops move away from 45 ACP.

And virtually no cops issue the 147g 9x19.....

 

[steve b]

Apply liberally. Regardless of bullet choice, shoot until threat is gone. Preference for larger claibers usually ends when you take force-on-force training. Then you learn capacity is your friend. Stay safe. steve b

 

[volshooter]

For my 73+ mother I load HBWC backwards with normal powder loads for the .38 spc. Got that recipie from G&A long ago. Accurate to 20 feet and expands to about 64 cal. Not a speedster for sure but effictive. Another load from G&A was 2 OOO buck stacked. That load seperated 10-12 inches at 20 feet. These are for my mother, light recoil but destructive up close.

 

[TRanger]

More cops move away from 45 ACP.
.

Not in my neck of the woods. More officers are going to it. I have never shot anything alive with the .45 ACP that required a second shot.

 

[volshooter]

Personally i use what ever load produces the best group in everyhing i might carry.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Had a bad-actor ground hog take five good hits from my 45 Witness / 225g LTC before behavior/ movement ceased.
From under 18ft. I gave it time between hits.

I beleve-but-cannot-prove one shot of my 9x19 115g JHP @ 1370fps would have caused immediate cessation; I believe-yada-yada one hit from my 357s with my 125g JHP load would have vaporized said hog.

Just sayin'.....

 

[Hammerdown77]

Had a bad-actor ground hog take five good hits from my 45 Witness / 225g LTC before behavior/ movement ceased.
From under 18ft. I gave it time between hits.

I beleve-but-cannot-prove one shot of my 9x19 115g JHP @ 1370fps would have caused immediate cessation; I believe-yada-yada one hit from my 357s with my 125g JHP load would have vaporized said hog.

Just sayin'.....

Rumor has it that the Taliban has been recruiting ground hogs for special missions in Afghanistan for this very reason. They've been known to take direct 50 cal hits and still run 50 yards before expiring.

Kidding. Sort of....

 

[steve b]

I just posted something along these lines in the concealed carry forum. Feel free to disgaree or ignore. steve b

 

[cruzerlou]

Georgia Arms new manf. 9 mm +p 124gr Golddot hp's there .40S & W 180 gr +p golddot hp's and there .45acp 230 gr +p gold dot hp'sl all of these loads are stellar preformers and you get 50 rounds for the price of 20 Remingtions .As to the.38 spl I'm old school any 158gr +p lswchp's is my favroite.I've heard that Federial is gonna start making the nyclad .38 spl swchp's again and that was a great round .Just about any 125gr.357 semi jackted hp at around 1500 fps I think is still the king of the one shot stops and with the new bonded bullets is probley even better .When I carried my 4" S & W 686 on duty I carried the Fed nyclad 158gr +p's .38 spl's in it rather than the .357's less recoil and muzzle flash and much easies to control and just as good as a hot 125gr.357 sjhp and only 2 or 300 fps slower than the .357.In the .44mag self defence load the Wnncherter 210 gr silvertip again less recoil,muzzle flash and more controable and no overpenatration like a a 240 gr sjhp
I'm not a big fan of the lighter weight bullets except for the 124+p 9mm and the 210 gr .44 mag J.M.H.O.
Lou