Expanding Full Metal Jacket---Pistol Ammo

[enidpd804]

Several HP rounds will easily out perform EFMJ's.  DPX, HST, standard Corbon, et al.  THE round in 45 acp is definitely not EFMJ, but may be the Fed 230 HS. 

Don't listen to 'range guys'...we're all full of it!   

[ellis4538]

IMO I think TAB has the right idea.  All the ammo makers make great products.  I just wish someone (other than Federal) would bring out a quality non+p for us old timers that have snubbies that aren't rated for +p ammo.  I'd like to have more that one to choose from.  I read where the CorBon DPX for the .38 Spl. was non+p but when I enquired that isn't the case.  I also read that the experts say a few rounds of +p won't hurt a non+p rated gun.  I prefer putting more than a few rounds down range in testing and practice and sometimes shoot an IDPA BUG match with it.  Right now I'm carrying vintage S&W/Federal 125 gr. Nyclad Detective Special ammo(no longer available) and back that up with the Federal 110 gr. PD round.  All practice is with similar reloads.

[2HOW]

First thing you want is a bonded bullet, to keep separation at a minimum. The best hollow points are fairly equal, the trick is to match them to the pistol. Barrell length is the biggest denominator. Im not a big proponent of the "practice with what you carry" crowd. IMHO it matters very little. Right now I carry 180 Black talons in my PT140 and 230+p gold dots in my 1911, that could change . The consensus is you cant find a better bullet than a gold dot, alot are equal.