Best top brands of handgun ammo for SD and HD.

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JellyJar

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I know that the question of which type ( make and model ) of handgun ammo is best for SD and HD has been beaten to death many times but here is a slightly different take.

When it comes to the major handgun calibers for SD and HD, i.e. 9mm to 45acp, not including 44 or 41 magnum, what do you think would be the top ten best makes and models? For example Speer Gold Dots, Federal Hydrashok,.....
 
1. Extreme shock
2. Extreme shock
3. Extreme shock
4. Extreme shock
5. Extreme shock
6. Extreme shock
7. Extreme shock
8. Extreme shock
9. Uncle Grunties .38 Special 158gr LRN -P
10. Extreme shock




top_2.jpg
 
Well, I think it varies by caliber. And honestly, in many cases there are mutliple choices that make excellent options.

But right now, with the great ammo shortage still ongoing (though letting up just a bit), getting your hands on ANY kind of quality, SD handgun ammo is tough. You just about have to go with whatever you can get, which is particularly bothersome in autos because you really ought to test, at an absolute bare minimum, 100 rounds of your selected SD ammo to verify it's reliable operation. And finding 100 rounds of anything is friggin' difficult in my area, though I lucked out and bought some ammo off another THR member that I know functions 100% in my 1911. So I'll test some out of that batch just to make sure, it just won't be as extensive as switching to a whole new round.
 
"...I know that the question of..." You have asked the same question.
In any case, there is no best brand of ammo. If you're not reloading, you must try a box of as many brands and bullet weights as you can to find the ammo your pistol both shoots well and cycles the action. Then practice with it regularly.
 
From docGKR :

9 mm:
Barnes XPB 105 & 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)

.40 S&W:
Barnes XPB 140 & 155 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Speer Gold Dot 155 gr JHP
Federal Tactical 165 gr JHP (LE40T3)
Winchester Ranger-T 165 gr JHP (RA40TA)
Winchester Partition Gold 165 gr JHP (RA401P)
Federal HST 180 gr JHP (P40HST1)
Federal Tactical 180 gr JHP (LE40T1)
Remington Golden Saber 180 gr JHP (GS40SWB)
Speer Gold Dot 180 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 180 gr JHP (RA40T)
Winchester 180 gr bonded JHP (Q4355)

.45 ACP:
Barnes XPB 160 & 185 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal HST 230 gr JHP (P45HST2)
Federal HST 230 gr +P JHP (P45HST1)
Federal Tactical 230 gr JHP (LE45T1)
Speer Gold Dot 230 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr JHP (RA45T)
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr +P JHP (RA45TP)

All of the above rounds satisfied the FBI's standard for SD rounds, IIRC. I believe they met Ammolab's standards for penetration and expansion in ballistic gel draped with clothing (usually 4 layers of denim). ALSO, IIRC.*


*Have to add that caveat because the ol' memory ain't what it used to be.
 
IMO the best ammo is the one that is most accurate in the gun you use for SD.

One example, my S&W M640-1 shoots extremely well with 145gr Winchester Silvertip .357 Magnum ammo. I get very small groups with that revolver/ammo combination, smaller than with any other ammo. Every handgun I own seems to like something different, the trick is to find the right combination. For the most part any modern bullet will do what it should so find the ammo that is accurate with your gun.
 
Best top brands of handgun ammo for SD and HD

In no particular order...

Speer Gold Dot
Remington Golden Saber
Winchester Ranger
Federal HST
Hornady Critical Defense
Buffalo Bore

These are all rounds that I've cycled successfully through my handguns with excellent results as far as accuracy and reliability. I've read good things about CorBon and Double Tap but haven't tried them so can't comment. I think that realistically a good hollow point from a quality manufacturer would serve well in almost any situation.

And if you're using a 38/357 revolver, the tried and true FBI load is still considered to be perhaps the best in that caliber. It's what I keep loaded in my HD revolvers.
 
Federal HST
Speer Gold Dot
Remington Golden Saber
Winchester Ranger
Corbon DPX
 
Cor-Bon.....if you want the Best.

Federal would be my second choice as in my past experience, they tend to load ammo
on the warm side. Which is always a good thing when dealing with "real world" targets.
 
How do you differentiate home defense from self defense?
Click to expand...
IMO SD can happen anywhere and many times outdoors. HD by it's very nature will happen indoors and all that goes with it. (like enclosed dark rooms, thin walls and things like that)
 
I am shocked that no one mentioned Winchester Black Talons (replaced by Winchester Ranger T which is the same round less the black tip). I use Federal Hydra Shok.........in all of my SD/HD weapons.
 
I have seen it showing up in ammo collector's collections. As years go by, I imagine it will become even more popular with the collectors due to it's notoriety.
Click to expand...

I have seen Black Talons at the auction and high bids were in the $40-$50 a box range--thats only about a 120% mark up from the old retail price. I think I'll just keep mine and let my son shoot or sell them after I am dead and gone.
 
I am shocked that no one mentioned Winchester Black Talons (replaced by Winchester Ranger T which is the same round less the black tip). I use Federal Hydra Shok.........in all of my SD/HD weapons.
Click to expand...


Black Talon is a pretty mediocre bullet by 2009 standards, and the Ranger-T of today is significantly different (and better) than the Black Talon ever was. It was a great bullet for when it was around, but today's bullet designs work better and trade less in the process.
 
I know that the question of which type ( make and model ) of handgun ammo is best for SD and HD has been beaten to death many times but here is a slightly different take.


IMO ammo from any of the major manufacturers will serve you well. If you look at tests conducted by manufacturers they are designed to show their ammo in the best light. If you look at tests by LE agencies you'll find according to the FBI 9mm ABC ammo and DHS says XYZ. Beware of anyone who says "only Super Zap ammo" as anyone who goes to an extreme has to be taken with a grain of salt.

I select carry ammo based on what is the most reliable and accurate out of a particular gun.

There is no magic bullet.
 
Best advice I can offer is avoid the super cheap imports or surplus stuff.

Winchester White Box loads from WallyWorld work fine for practice, any premium from the major manufacturer like Remington, Winchester, Speer, Hornady, etc. for carry or defense will do the job.
 
For the most part brand isn't that important. Any of the defense ammo made by the major companies, Win, Fed, Rem, CCI is good ammo supplied to law enforcement and civilians. Their quality control is top notch as is their reliability. Self defense ammo be they Hydrashocks, HST's, Gold Dots, Golden Sabers, or SXT's is the most laboratory and field tested ammo you can buy. There's not a nickles difference between the brands in their terminal performance but there may be quite a difference in what feeds reliably and shoots accurately from your particular pistol.

Self defense ammo is marketed based on peoples imagination and fears. The general shooting public nonsensically buys into the "look" of the expanded bullet and their imagination tells tham that pretty petals, sharp "talons", 10% more velocity, or impressive name makes a particular round "better" and the wiz bang stopper they need.
 
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