Best defense ammo for short barrel .45s

[glbedd53]

I would like some ideas and input about which ammunition should perform better in shorter barrel .45 ACP. Mine is 3.5" but I know some are even shorter. I realize velocity vs expansion can be complicated but I'm sure some of you have studied it and know more than me.

[mgood]

I don't know what's "best."

I have a Kimber Ultra CDP II. It has a 3" barrel.
I keep it loaded with Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok 165gr. It's a lighter bullet and a higher velocity (factory claims 1060fps, but I don't know what barrel length that was tested, probably 5") than most .45. Closer in weight and velocity to most .40 S&W. Kicks like a 9mm out of my little Kimber.

[glbedd53]

I bought some more Golden Sabre 185gr today mainly because that's what I've been using and I know they feed good. It seems like CorBon or whatever has the highest velocity would be best but I never know how heavy is too heavy and how light is too light.

[Beiruty]

Speer Gold dot are available for short barrels. I use the regular +P 124g for my 9mms.

[glbedd53]

Yeah I remember that from back when I handloaded. I used Unique and 700x for my 4" .357 and .41 mag. I even had some Bullseye for my snub but I was scared of it. I was thinking the same thing about short barrels and heavier bullets. Sounds like the Speer is what I need to look at. I agree about reliability. So far the Officer feeds anything I put in it.

[ntexaschl]

Corbon makes defense ammo specifically for short barrel .45s. It's called the "Compact Gun Load." It's the 160 gr DPX load. Velocity - 1050 fps...Energy - 392 ft/lbs. I have these in my ultra raptor.

[Mike1951]

I don't have the exact numbers at hand, but when I was chronographing .45 loads out of my 4" P45, the venerable Federal HydroShoks gave much higher velocities than the Speer Short Barrel load.

[RiverRat]

I just got Hornady "FTX" 185gr 1000 fps at muzzle, 936 fps at 50yd and 883 fps at 100yd. Videos on the expansion look good at several bbl lengths through several different clothing barrier configurations. I was unable to find the link to post for the Hornady video.

I carry 3", 3.5", 3.9", 4" or 4.25" and want something that works accross the board and am only interested in PD with those pistols, no other expectations. I have been using Speer for short bbl because it loads reliably. I mean EVERY time.

[glbedd53]

That's some good info. What Mike1951 said about the Hydra Shok is interesting. What weight bullet was that? I think this gun will feed any of them. The bad part is forking over the money to buy enough of them to run a few boxes through it.

[Mike1951]

Both brands were 230gr.

I went to http://www.fsguns.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; , where I always found the best price on 50rd boxes of HydroShoks. I remember buying 50 rds of HydroShoks for $23.00.

According to the site, Federal no longer sells the 50rd box through sporting goods outlets, only the 20rd.

Also, Federal has apparently decided not to sell their HST ammo to other than LE.

Both of these revelations are disappointing.

[glbedd53]

Might have been a dumb question, I'm not sure I've ever seen Hydra Shoks in any other weight than 230 for .45

[Mike1951]

Might have been a dumb question, I'm not sure I've ever seen Hydra Shoks in any other weight than 230 for .45

Found this:
P45HS1G is the same 230 gr. as P45HS1 except that the G box is an LE box packed to 50 rounds versus the civilian 20 round.
PD45HS2G is a LE packed 50 round box in 185 gr.
PD45HS3H is a civilian packed 20 round box in 165 gr.

[glbedd53]

Hornady +P 230 gr XTP is what I've been carrying in it most recently. On the box it says muzzle velocity is 950. I guess that's with a 5" .

[RiverRat]

The one part I failed to bring up with the FTX was that it expanded the same whether through leather or t shirt or multi layers of denim. The XTP tests had shown clogging, effectively turning it into an FMJ and penetrating to over 18". The FXP is supposed to penetrate to the 12-14" which was what I considered about right for personal defense. The FTX has the plastic insert in the hole of the hollow point to keep from clogging. A .45 hole is a .45 hole, with expansion is about .70" , but if it clogs up, it doesn't expand.......and in the house, I want less penetration. I'll go do a search and see if I can find the video. I know the DPS uses the Gold Dot because it penetrates windshields and that's not my need with personal defense ammo.

EDIT: I found one of the links, but not the one I saw on the .45.......It shows pretty effective .380......;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhXSTqV0 ... re=related

It was available at Academy in most calibers, I got some last weekend for .45.