Expanding Full Metal Jacket---Pistol Ammo

[Rastus]

I'm sitting here looking over a box of Federal Premium 200 grain expanding full metal jacket 45 Auto + P rounds.  I put 50 rounds through my 1911 as a test and they fed and fired flawlessly.  The word from guys from the local gun range is that this is the round for self-defense in your 45 auto.  The same sages didn't seem to have the experience factor with the 40 S&W and 9MM offerings in expanding full metal jacket. 

What do ya'll know about the expanding full metal jacket rounds in any caliber?  I'm thinking about ditching the gold dots in the 40 S&W.

Thanks!

[CDR]

Personally, I believe CorBon makes the best defensive 45 ACP round......bar none.  I carry the 230 gr +P JHP as I like the heavier bullet coupled with the higher velocity CorBon provides compared to what is typically offered in a standard 230 gr 45 ACP round.  Further,  I find CorBon JHP immensely accurate at the range.  I put a box of 20 into a hole the size of a quarter at 10 yards the day before last with my Nighthawk, with only one flyer about 4 inches south of the bullseye.  It definitely put a smile on my face...  

Their DPX round uses Barnes copper bullets and is certainly a good alternative as well, but you have to give up some bullet weight.  I don't think you can get a better hunting or personal self defense round than CorBon IMHO.

Having said that, I still carry the Speer Gold Dot short barrel 135gr +P loads for my revolvers....the NYPD loads.  This round has proven immensely accurate in my S&W 686 4" as well as my Model 60 J frame.

Here's the link to CorBon........ http://www.dakotaammo.net/products/corbon/convjhp.htm

[DonWorsham]

Personally, I believe CorBon makes the best defensive 45 ACP round......bar none.    I put a box of 20 into a hole the size of a quarter at 10 yards the day before last with my Nighthawk, with only one flyer about 4 inches south of the bullseye. 

You put 19 .45 caliber holes into a circle the size of a quarter? Damn fine shooting!

[someguy]

After seeing the test data from the Memphis PD range testing - where they tested the Hydra-Shoks they were using, Gold Dots, and about 10 other brands - I won't be using anything but Gold Dots anytime soon.  My Hyrdra-shoks are now range ammo.  I posted about this some months ago, and since found out that I am prohibited from posting the actual test results, but suffice to say that with 'standard' testing media - drywall, clothing of various thickness, gelatin, auto glass, wood, and beef - the Gold Dots were the only ones that didn't have any jacket separations.  YMMV.

[CDR]

You put 19 .45 caliber holes into a circle the size of a quarter? Damn fine shooting!

Thanks Don, I appreciate the kind words.  I'm sure the great Heinie Slant Pro Straight Eight sights and the Nighthawk itself had more to do with it than my ability, but I was really surprised and pleased with the result.  What really pleased me was that my usual slight pull to the left of center disappeared and the quarter size hole was dead on the center of the bullseye.  That straight back control of the trigger makes all the difference, as does the 3.75 lb trigger weight I'm sure. 

After seeing Michael's show with Bruce Gray at the SigArms Academy, I decided I had to really concentrate on trigger control as he did mention it "occasionally"....thank you Michael for that very helpful episode. "Trigger...trigger....trigger". I've been using a 70/30 hold with the majority of control pressure placed on my non shooting hand with a slight push pull of both hands, keeping my trigger finger as loose as possible.  Most of the pressure on my shooting hand is placed on the bottom of the grip, the last two fingers, in order to keep the trigger finger loose.  Seems to really be working as a tight grip on the shooting hand just causes unnecessary shaking of the trigger finger.  Works with my revolvers as well.

After shooting at close range paper, I then tried my luck at some small steel plates (probably about 10 inch plates I'm guessing) at 40 yards with some 45ACP 230 gr Blazer Brass and was hitting about two out of three, but at one point I hit 6 in a row so I'm quite pleased with my Nighthawk Talon....great gun and great guys to deal with there in Berryville.  I highly recommend Nighthawk Custom for anyone considering a high end 1911.  These guys are as good as it gets IMHO.

Sorry Rastus...I didn't mean to hijack your thread.  Back to opinions on the best 45 ACP defensive ammo.

[Sponsor]

[2HOW]

I carry Gold Dot 230 gr +ps

[2HOW]

Here is the link to the FMJ expanding bullets     http://www.federalpremium.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=7

[TAB]

All of the big ammo manufactors all make good "self defence" ammo, find the one your gun likes and you can shoot well( some of the p+ can be harder to control then others, if you can't make shots on target fast, it does not matter what ammo your using) and stick with it.   You punch holes in the right place it does not matter if its a 22 or 454 its going to work...just the bigger the bang, the more you can be off.

[Dharmaeye]

Did they test Federal HST loads? Its my preffered self defence  load in 40 and 45 load.

[someguy]

Dharmaeye-  I'm assuming you were asking me about the MPD test...  I'll check that and get back with you.  The spreadsheet is on my work computer, so it'll be tomorrow (at least).  If I haven't responded in a couple of days, pm me - end of month is nuts.