[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I thought it might be interesting to see how the numbers shake out for 230-gr (or other) self-protection loads. I loaded the poll with 230-gr. choices as these do seem to be the more often used in this caliber but if you use
a handload, a factory round that is not listed, please join in with your pick.

Thanks in advance.

Best.

 

[oldgranpa]

After a bunch of wetpack tests I picked the 230gr GoldenSaber as my best carry round. That heavy brass jacket on the bullet cuts a tremendous "wound" path as the petals open.
Other rounds have mostly a thin copper jacket that folds over instantly doing little damage.
og

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, sir. I agree with you that the GS is a very fine round. The ones I've seen pulled out of animals have been impressive.

Best.

 

[Guest]

Stephen,

I use Federal Hydra Shock 230's in all my .45's.

Currently, I'm testing Winchester Ranger LE 230 grain +P loads and may switch depending on results.

The standard Hydra Shock is giving 830 FPS from my Commander and the same from my Glock 36.

Wes

 

[kcii]

The Remington 230gr golden saber is my first choice for my 1911s. I would be equally satisfied with the Win. Ranger but I have something like 500-600rds of golden saber through my primary 1911 so it has proven it's reliability with this round. It costs too damn much to test a gun every time you switch to a new carry round so I'll stick with the GS.

KCII

 

[Guest]

200 gr +p gold dots.

Used to carry 230 grain federal tactical +P until the local shop stopped carrying them.

 

[Guest]

I'm using the Black Hills 230 jhp which uses the Speer Gold Dot bullet. My Gold Cup 45 finds this the most accurate combination that I've fed it.

 

[Bob Reed]

Hello Mr. Camp,

I like Federal Classic 230gr. JHP.

Take Care,
The Sockman

 

[Guest]

Stephen and all,

Currently use Federal 230 gr. Hydra-Shock in my G36 and 1911's.
May switch to Winchester 230 gr. Ranger +P provided testing goes well.
Heck, I'm OK with ball ammo, too...

Wes

 

[Guest]

I carry 230 gr. of Extreme Shock fang face ( wild name huh) in my Kimber the rounded nose resembles ball ammo so feeding is not an issue. There's no lead in these rounds so the epa is happy. Around the Casa I have what they call their Air Freedom Round which is on the order of the Glasser Safety round.

 

[erich]

I use either the Federal 200-gr +P EFMJ or the Hornady 230-gr +P JHP.

Depends on which gun I'm using.

 

[Guest]

I used to carry 230 FMJ in my 45, but after watching one of my hardball 45s go completely through a block of ballistic gelatin, end-to-end, during an ammo demo, then a temporary assignment as a school security officer, I switched to Winchester Ranger 230 JHPs. They just made more sense.

 

[icecreamsoldier]

I use Remington Golden Sabres too. I laso been known to have some PMC Starfire too not abd around ,probaly The best of the sub $10 per 20 JHP ammo!!
But Golden Sabre first got my attention back when I was carrying a Kimber SLE and two spare mags.
With 3 mags plus1 round in the "pipe" that made for 25 rounds...exactly what The Remington Sabres come in, 25 round boxes! As opposed to the others giving 20? whats up with that? I guess a fella could tote 2 mags of his faveroed and put the rest ona speed strip(if BiaNCHI HAS ONE FOR .45ACP) in his pocket for emergency if needed.
But how do you know youll have time for the speed strip as opposed to another full mag ready to go.

So the bullet design and reports are aplus for me, and the amount sold in defensive packs equals my style/needs and budget.

Oh I do like to grab the silvertips when ever I find an old box of 50 at the shows. I love them silvertips!

 

[Guest]

Did some testing on the 230 gr. Extreme Shock ammo over the weekend and was pretty impressed . Setup a 5 gallon water jug with mock 4" sheet rock wall at 5 yds. Jug had exit hole first piece of sheet rock had a hole but failed to pass thru second wall looks like good home defense ammo here was their AFR round for that test repeated it 7 times with same out come each time. Had a friend bring some blocks of gel for next test of their FF round block where 8"x8"x20" shots fired from 10 yards with a full 14" of depth each time after 7 tests. All blocks had major damage with the majority of the energy apearing to be delivered by 6 to 7" of depth each time at no time was there an exit wound in any of the gel. This was just a test by me with some help and we tried to make it as accurate as we could. This is just my view of what happened during this and by no means am I a pro at doing this type of test. So you guys can take it at that for what it's worth. But most of all it was kind of fun to see what these rounds can do with out taking the manufactors word for it if you know what I mean. Have fun out there and be safe. All shots where fired from a Kimber 5" Tactical Custom II.

 

[Guest]

I carry Speer 200gr GDHP in my Colt Govt. Model. I also have 200gr Cor Bons in my extra mag. No real reason, they both shoot very well in my gun. Either could be in the gun and I don't feel uneasy.
Dave.

 

[Guest]

I either carry Speer Gold Dot or Federal HST, both 230 gr.
The Gold Dot is a tougher round as the lead is more bonded to the jacket. You won't get as much expansion out of them, but they'll go thru just about anything.
Talked with a Federal Rep. last week. He says the only reason they still sell Hydra-Shok, is because folks are still buying it. They haven't improved the bullet in many years. They have had much problems with inconsistent feeding and expansion.

Here's a pic of a Fed HST that went thru a windshield, and took out a perp, center mass.



Here's a pic of a Gold Dot that went thru a wall, which would be two thicknesses of sheetrock, and came to rest inside the body cavity.



Here's an HST round, before and after being shot into ballistic gelatin. It averages over an inch of expansion every time, with an average of 12+ inches of penetration.




Check out le.atk.com scroll down to the "Wound Ballistics Workshop", click on one of the tests..........very interesting reading.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks for the post, excellent pictures, and the link.

Best.

 

[Guest]

I've found Cor-Bon's 200gr +P JHP to be quite accurate and 100% reliable through my Combat Commander, I will see how it shoots out of a Govt. when I buy one over R&R. When I redeploy, I will see how it compares between the two barrel lengths. In a pinch, Winchester's White Box "Personal Defense" ammo, the 230gr JHP stuff feeds 100%, and is more than accurate enough. I am of the school that most will not volunteer to be shot with anything moving more than 30fps, and weighing more than a paperclip. Both rounds have proved effective on small game, and we all know shot placement is of utmost importance on anything you're shooting.


Anthony

 

[ka0azs]

230gr Federal Hydra-Shoks. Reliable and combat accurate in my Glock 21.

An additional endorsment/reason is that it's the same load used by one of the local PDs'.

 

[jimhigginbotham]

I would not feel inadequately prepared with any of those listed (and a hose of others that are not listed) but I use the Ranger +P 230 JHP because it is extremely accurate in my guns as well as giving good performance on deer and wild boar which gives me some confidence.

Jim