best ammo for 21sf??

[sureshot]

i need something to keep in my 21sf
im leaning towards wwb 230 jhp
any of you other 21sf owners, what do you guys carry??
i reload but have always heard its not wise to use reloads in a self defense situation
anyways
you guys let me know

[SKYWLKR]

Gold dot 200 gn +p...

[kelsitone]

WWB may work, but there are much better loads for defense.

Federal HST, Winchester Ranger, and Speer Gold Dots are usually at the top of the list.

[carbofan21]

http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/product_info.php?pName=50rds-45-acp-federal-le-tactical-hst-230gr-p-hp-ammo&cName=45-acp-hollow-point-ammo

[jp_over]

Winchester Ranger 230 grain jhp

http://www.nles.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=1823&cat=174&page=1

[Lugi]

Gold dot Hp 230gr.

[mrosamilia]

Gold dot Hp 230gr.

+1 it seems to be very reliable and has a proven track record.

[ron b]

230 gr ball that you reload yourself.

[cdemarse]

http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/product_info.php?pName=50rds-45-acp-federal-le-tactical-hst-230gr-p-hp-ammo&cName=45-acp-hollow-point-ammo

I use these rounds too for HD. As far a WWB I have put thousands of rounds through all of my handguns and have zero problems or malfunctions. Great for range use, but if need be I would trust it for HD

[Mike from Texas]

Federal HST 230 gain +P is what I carry in all of my 45 ACP pistols. In my G29, Double Tap all they way.

[haveglocks]

I read a recent article in Handgunners Mag which the writer decided that .45 ACP +P wasn't worth the exta money or stress put on the firearm. Of course this was after I bought a box, but before I fired them at the range. I agree with this article, but don't want to disuade anyone from doing what they want. I've never had a problem with Remington UMC in JHP for defense or range.

[carbofan21]

federal offers the HST in a standard pressure 230 grain as well

http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/product_info.php?pName=50rds-45-acp-federal-le-tactical-hst-230gr-hp-ammo&cName=45-acp-hollow-point-ammo

[Jeff82]

federal offers the HST in a standard pressure 230 grain as well

http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/product_info.php?pName=50rds-45-acp-federal-le-tactical-hst-230gr-hp-ammo&cName=45-acp-hollow-point-ammo

That's my choice.

[carbofan21]

makes sense. the HST rounds seem to penetrate and expand incredibly well at lower speeds, so there really isn't much need for the +p version. i'm going with the standard pressure HST in 147 grain for my g19

by the way, i fired a box of the 180 grain HST in my g35 this weekend. nice tight groups! 15 rounds firing offhand at 25 feet made one hole the size of a silver dollar

[GJ1981]

There is no "best ammo" for your gun. You honestly should pick a grain you want and try at least 3 types. I did exactly that and for ME I found that I liked 230gr Gold Dots.

[Jeff82]

There is no "best ammo" for your gun. You honestly should pick a grain you want and try at least 3 types. I did exactly that and for ME I found that I liked 230gr Gold Dots.

Sure there is! You establish what "standards" you will use to determine what you want, then you will apply it. That ammo becomes "best" (or not) by how it meets, exceeds (or doesn't) your established criteria.

What criteria did you use?

[Arc Angel]

Anyone's 230 grain FMJ ball, (except Wolf or Sellier & Bellot) and 185 grain JHP Remington Golden Saber, or Winchester, 'personal defense'.

[GJ1981]

Sure there is! You establish what "standards" you will use to determine what you want, then you will apply it. That ammo becomes "best" (or not) by how it meets, exceeds (or doesn't) your established criteria.

What criteria did you use?

I realize I didn't word my statement in the way I should have. Your explanation is how I should have worded it honestly, I was just being lazy. When I test my ammo I test for
1. Reliability
2. Accuracy
Penetration, Expansion And Weight Retention
3. Recoil/Muzzle flash
4. Availability...I might hold off if it's a round that's getting hard to get or is being fazed out.

[GorillaGlock21]

I am using Hornady FPD 230gr +P JHP. I have put over 40 rounds of this thru my G21 and have had no problems with it.

[0ptimusG30]

Winchester Rangers 230 +P
Winchester Black Talon
Extreme Shock Fang Face

These are just some of the favorites

[zeke013]

If it's a .45 and you want to wield it capably, it has to shoot 230 grains of goodness.

[Jeff82]

I realize I didn't word my statement in the way I should have. Your explanation is how I should have worded it honestly, I was just being lazy. When I test my ammo I test for
1. Reliability
2. Accuracy
Penetration, Expansion And Weight Retention
3. Recoil/Muzzle flash
4. Availability...I might hold off if it's a round that's getting hard to get or is being fazed out.

I like what you've started...

(Realizing there is a "minimum" amount required in #3 before the potential ammo wold be considered by the rest of the list: min 12" pen, max 18")

1. Reliability (ammo must function in pistol d*mn near 100%, </= 1-2 [any ammo cycling stoppages] defects per 1K; ammo company must demonstrate sufficient QC process that I don't get bad ammo, < 1-2 factory defects per 10K)
2. Accuracy (ammo/gun/me combo must be able to be combat accurate, < 5" @25 yards)
3. Ammo characteristics (penetration must meet min/max criteria, expansion is nice but I don't count on it. I will choose a better expanding bullet all else being equal; muzzle flash, less is better; recoil, less is better as the gun's faster handling and in getting the gun back to make another accurate shot; higher weight retention is generally good BUT... case in point: 110gr and 125gr .357 Mag - bullet usually "blows up" [and that was why it was so effective] and was standard for decades as "street proven man-stopper" round)
4. Gotta use what you can get.

So another way to look at it is this:

1. Gotta go bang on command
2. Gotta hit where I aim
3. Gotta get multiple hits fast, and penetrate to vitals*
4. Gotta have it to shoot it

*considered before rest, as explained above

[McGAP]

Gold dot 200 gn +p...

My choice as well.

[dougader]

Does anyone know if the Federal Tactical Bonded uses the same bullet design as their HST round? (Except that it's bonded, of course.....)

[surferDude]

Winchester Rangers 230 +P
Winchester Black Talon
Extreme Shock Fang Face

These are just some of the favorites
The Winchester Talons are the only ammo I ever had a FTF with.
My not be the ammo,or another issue. It is great ammo,but it looks a little rough to feed 100% of the time. No idea,and I am not slamming this or any ammo. Just wanted to add that comment.

[PAGunner]

There is no "best ammo" for your gun. You honestly should pick a grain you want and try at least 3 types. I did exactly that and for ME I found that I liked 230gr Gold Dots.

With .45ACP, anything other than 230gr. is unacceptable, IMO. Penetration tends to lack (assuming we are talking JHP).

[Tom N.]

230gr Gold Dots or 230gr HST.

[Jeff82]

Does anyone know if the Federal Tactical Bonded uses the same bullet design as their HST round? (Except that it's bonded, of course.....)

On, right, nail, head, the, it, hit, you, the. Rearrange as required.

[dougader]

On, right, nail, head, the, it, hit, you, the. Rearrange as required.

So, the main reason I use Gold Dots (200 and 230) is that they're bonded. If the Federal HST has a bonded bullet that penetrates AND expands like their HST ammo, then I may be forced to switch my carry ammo.

The only testing I have seen is for the HST ammo... not the Tactical Bonded. But ATK does claim the bonded gives the same expansion as the HST at 1.5 times bullet diameter.

[rotax650]

hst 230+p in a short barrel and plain ol 230 hst's in long barrels is what I prefer. All the others stated are proven as well. Try them all....lol!

[Jeff82]

So, the main reason I use Gold Dots (200 and 230) is that they're bonded. If the Federal HST has a bonded bullet that penetrates AND expands like their HST ammo, then I may be forced to switch my carry ammo.

The only testing I have seen is for the HST ammo... not the Tactical Bonded. But ATK does claim the bonded gives the same expansion as the HST at 1.5 times bullet diameter.

As I understand it:

Federal has the "Tactical" line. The "Tactical Bonded" and the "Tactical HST".

From what I understand the "Bonded" has slightly better "hard barrier" performance (sheet metal, auto glass, etc) making it a bullet of choice for LEOs while the HST has slightly better "no or soft barrier" (extra fat, clothes, arms, etc.) performance giving an edge to the typical CCW type shooters/shooting situation.

Knowing that most LEO agencies will go with the Bonded, Federal has priced the Bonded slightly higher than the HST. But, some departments seeing this have gone with the HST as the performance is still very close and the HST saves some money.

[BamaTrooper]

Contrary to popular belief, they don't "all fall to hardball".
If you get expansion from a 230 grain HP then it is bonus. It should offer sufficieint penetration.

[PAGunner]

Contrary to popular belief, they don't "all fall to hardball".
If you get expansion from a 230 grain HP then it is bonus. It should offer sufficieint penetration.

+1, expansion a bonus, penetration necessity.

[DanMartin]

Free.

[Rich77]

https://2686337539.monstercommercesites.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2625

This is what makes my G30 pop off right.

[gary newport]

federal offers the HST in a standard pressure 230 grain as well

http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/product_info.php?pName=50rds-45-acp-federal-le-tactical-hst-230gr-hp-ammo&cName=45-acp-hollow-point-ammo

...and that is what I put in my G21SF and G30SF when they are assigned Home Protection duty!

[combatmedic78]

Federal HST 230gr. +P is what I carry in my 30sf.