Self Defense Ammunition

[JD338]

I have chosen the Federal Tactical 45 ACP 230 gr HST loads as my carry load in my Kimber Tactical Pro II. This load clocks 805 fps in the 4" barrel. I recovered this bullet in water filled milk jugs, sticking out the back side of jug #3.
The bullet weighed 229.9 grs and measures .906" expanded at its widest point. Pretty awesome bullet!

JD338

 

[big rifle man]

JD that is some expansion. Do you have any idea who makes the bullet for Federal? Also, where did you find that particular brand of ammo? I've been using 200grain XTP's and found pretty good expansion in gelatin blocks. On another note, Last week some Speer 200 grain gold dot's showed up in Midway. I placed an order for three boxes on friday 6/5 and receive the bullets monday afternoon. The box was somewhat crushed and someone had taken the time to use clear packing tape to support the crushed corner, but, that was after they had removed one of the boxes. I called Midway and they credited me but I'm thinking about going to my local PO in order to file a loss report. At least it might get someone's attention.

 

[JD338]

big rifle man

Sorry to hear of your loss. I would go to the PO and file.

Yes, impressive load for sure. I bought 2 boxes from AmmunitionToGo last year, $28.00 per box. Now its hard to find and close to $50.00 per box.
Federal also offers it in +P and a bonded core version. What I have is standard HST.

I want to get a couple more boxes so I have it on hand. I hope I never have to use if for its intended purpose but I know it will do the job if needed.

JD338

 

[.405]

Looks like good results with the Federal ammo.Since I like to roll my own, I am using 230 grain Rem Gold Sabers with 6 grains of Unique.

 

[JD338]

Just keep in mind that using hand loads in a carry gun for self defense will bring on a lot of legal recourse and will be attacked upon by the bag guys (or family) lawyer.
It will be perceived that the bad guy had a bad childhood and really didn't mean any harm to you, but your vicious reloads were concocted to harm my little bad guy.....
Something to be aware of.

JD338

 

[.405]

Just keep in mind that using hand loads in a carry gun for self defense will bring on a lot of legal recourse and will be attacked upon by the bag guys (or family) lawyer.
It will be perceived that the bad guy had a bad childhood and really didn't mean any harm to you, but your vicious reloads were concocted to harm my little bad guy.....
Something to be aware of.

JD338

Good point, and I usually do use factory ammo in the guns I carry.
I have about 500 of the Gold Sabers for .45ACP, 9MM, and .40S&W. I will probably just load them up and put them in a military can to have on hand.The bullets are too good and expensive to waste on targets.I like to have plenty of ammo on hand ,just in case. :wink:

 

[JD338]

Just keep in mind that using hand loads in a carry gun for self defense will bring on a lot of legal recourse and will be attacked upon by the bag guys (or family) lawyer.
It will be perceived that the bad guy had a bad childhood and really didn't mean any harm to you, but your vicious reloads were concocted to harm my little bad guy.....
Something to be aware of.

JD338

Good point, and I usually do use factory ammo in the guns I carry.
I have about 500 of the Gold Sabers for .45ACP, 9MM, and .40S&W. I will probably just load them up and put them in a military can to have on hand.The bullets are too good and expensive to waste on targets.I like to have plenty of ammo on hand ,just in case. :wink:

I agree, the Golden Sabers are good bullets, a shame to just shoot targets with. Maybe you could use as a carry load when out in the woods.

Its frustrating that the good guys can get caught up in the legal system, we just have to be careful. GOD forbid, if I am ever put down that path, I would have to explain in the court of law that the Federal Tactical HST is used by law enforcement agencies across the US and some of my LE friends recommended that this is the ammunition to carry for SD.

JD338

 

[.405]

My though is, you can never have too many 1911's and you can never have too much premium quality ammo for them. :grin:
I am a believer.I have shot the rest, but I only want the best. :wink:
It may be almost 100 years old, but I have yet to find anything close.
One of John's very best!

 

[JD338]

.405

What is your carry gun?

I carry a Kimber Tactical Pro II, holster is a HBE DC Tuckable by Eric Larson in Salt Lake City, UT. Very comfortable to wear.

JD338

 

[.405]

I have Kimber stainless Ultra Carry.I also keep a North American Arms ..22LR .Always watch the hands, because that is what kills. :wink:

 

[FOTIS]

Here is my baby!

 

[.405]

The 1911 is where I have spent a good bit of time shooting over the past twenty five years.I love em.My first love use to be a .44 mag revolver. :lol:
My friends are always looking for the latest hollow point construction for their
9mm.Trust me, I am happy with hard ball in my .45ACP :lol: :lol:

 

[big rifle man]

Totally agree with JD in regards to carrying factory ammo in your personal defense gun. If you have a friendly medical examiner it helps even more. Most of my practicing (and I'm sure everybody else) is with hardball or lead but you do need to so some shooting with loads that will be equal to what you carry. I do remember a few incidents a number of years ago where handloads were used with great effect and no problems but that was in the good old days and things have definitely changed since then.

 

[FOTIS]

Totally agree with JD in regards to carrying factory ammo in your personal defense gun. If you have a friendly medical examiner it helps even more. Most of my practicing (and I'm sure everybody else) is with hardball or lead but you do need to so some shooting with loads that will be equal to what you carry. I do remember a few incidents a number of years ago where handloads were used with great effect and no problems but that was in the good old days and things have definitely changed since then.

I thoroughly concur!

 

[Richracer1]

In addition to factory ammo, my gunsmith would strong advise against doing any trigger work for a handgun slated for self-defense use. His reasoning is, the attorney working against you will say that had the gun not been modified (i.e. lightened trigger) you probably wouldn't have shot his client. You get the drift, they are going to try to make it your fault for shooting that person whether they were breaking the law or not, you're the bad guy/girl. Of course if your in a state that passed the "Castle Doctrine" law, you are much safer from being sued or arrested for defending yourself. Those that live in CA, you're just plain screwed.

 

[.405]

I looked for that ammo and I think it is going to be really hard to find right now.I may have to buy some Remington Factory load 230 grain Golden Sabers for now.

 

[JD338]

The only place I ever found it was ATG.

JD338

 

[.405]

Looking at 12ga buckshot for HD, I really don't care much for 00. There is not enough of them. A man might walk through that pattern at 50 yds. Let him try it with #4 Buck. :wink: We have killed deer at 60 yds with the #4 buck in a 3" mag with a full choke.

 

[Richracer1]

Looking at 12ga buckshot for HD, I really don't care much for 00. There is not enough of them. A man might walk through that pattern at 50 yds. Let him try it with #4 Buck. :wink: We have killed deer at 60 yds with the #4 buck in a 3" mag with a full choke.

I prefer to use my sporting clay ammo - 12g, 7/8oz of 7.5 bird shot. I guarrantee a burgler will not walk through that and I don't have to worry about it going through the walls and hurting a neighbor or family.

 

[JD338]

Looking at 12ga buckshot for HD, I really don't care much for 00. There is not enough of them. A man might walk through that pattern at 50 yds. Let him try it with #4 Buck. :wink: We have killed deer at 60 yds with the #4 buck in a 3" mag with a full choke.

I prefer to use my sporting clay ammo - 12g, 7/8oz of 7.5 bird shot. I guarrantee a burgler will not walk through that and I don't have to worry about it going through the walls and hurting a neighbor or family.

++1

JD338