Federal 165gr .45-any good?

[Tom Servo]

Two local shops are stocking these now, and I was curious. I've used 185gr rounds at the range, and they seem just as accurate, even if they do lack the satisfying "push" of the 230gr.

Are there any pros/cons to such a light round? Anybody used them?

 

[MICHAEL T]

Might as well shot a 40 as that baby bullet. Its 230 all the way.

 

[Cortland]

The 165s are for velocity out of very short barrels.

A lot of people say you can't get reliable expansion with the heavier bullets in very short barrels such as the 625 snubbies and some subcompact autos. I carry 165 gr. Federals in my S&W CS45 (~1.5 in. barrel)

 

[Preacherman]

Be VERY careful with the 165gr. Federal load - the early-production rounds (in the "Personal Defence" packaging) that I tested had a ridiculously wimpy velocity, which I can only assume was designed to reduce recoil. They were actually SLOWER (by a considerable amount) than +P 185gr. loads, and almost 300 fps slower than the Cor-Bon 165gr. +P JHP's that I also tested.

Unless they've hiked the velocity considerably, I wouldn't consider these an adequate threat-stopping round. For shorter barrels (to bring up velocity) I've standardized on 185gr. or 200gr. +P JHP's, with the heavier load preferred. For 5" barrels, I'll still go with 230gr. loads.

 

[wileyj]

I use the 165gr Hydra-Shok in my PT-145

the 165 grain is to expand from the short barrel.
the ballistics are
muzzle, 25, 50, 75, 100
1060, 1022, 985, 953, 924
412, 383, 356, 333, 313
drop is -1.2 at 50

So, from the beginning, it appears that they did a good job on this self defense round
the Personal Defense Handgun cartridges are only 230 and 185gt

..wiley
Racing Miatas, Good Cigars, Big Guns
Houston, TX

 

[Bulldozer]

If I have to use a 3" 1911, I'd use the 165 JHP by Cor-Bon if I wanted a lighter load. I've clocked those out of my Commander and they are fast! Recovered slugs look well -- nice, steady expansion. I would prefer the heavier projectile though for better penetration.

 

[moxie]

Preacherman about nailed it. Use a 185+P (200 if the velocity is over ~1000fps) with short barrels. I like the Rem Golden Sabre 185+P. That's the right combo of weight and velocity. With long barrels use the 230s for sure. For that I prefer the Fed. 230 Hydra-Shok.

 

[birdman]

For what it's worth a friend and I did some 45 ACP ammo testing Saturday and the Federal Personal Defense 165 gr. hydra shok was included. We were shoot water filled milk jugs using both a Combat Commander and Government Model. While most of the ammo used penetrated 3 gallon jugs with the bullet being found in the 4th jug (test included Speer Gold Dots 185 & 230 gr; Golden Saber Remington's 185 & 230 gr; PMC Eldorado Starfire 230 gr; Magtech 185 +P's JHP; & 230 gr. Federal Hydro Shok) the 165 gr. PD Federal totally fragmented in the 1st jug doing absolutely no damage to the second. This ammo was fired from a Combat Commander at a distance of 25 feet. I find this to be unacceptable performance for my needs. I believe greater penetration is needed. This stood in stark contrast to the performance to other ammo tested. While I don't suggest that this very limited test is in anyway definitive, I know I won't be carrying any of this ammo in my CCW in the future.

 

[DarkKnight01]

How big of a difference is there (recoil and controllability wise) between the 230gr and 185gr +P? thinking about changing to it for my PT-145..(3 1/4"bbl) and how and where do you get your velocity clocked?

 

[GlenJ]

Hey Birdman how did that Magtech do?

 

[MrAcheson]

Yeah 165 seems a might light. At least for a .45acp in JHP. A round ball in .45 caliber is about 140 grains. Seems to me that once the bullet expands it won't have much material to hold itself together.

I think I'll put this in the same bin as those 90 grain 9mm jhps. Too little bullet.

 

[birdman]

GlenJ, replied to your message. For other's benefit the Magtech Guardian Gold did okay. It clocks about 1025 fps out of my Combat Commander. I'm now concentrating on testing some Speer 200 +P Gold Dots. It's also clocking at around 1025 fps out of the CC but with the heavier bullet. As has been stated before we found that the 230 JHP's did better in the 5" barrel while the 185's seem to give a better combination of penetration and expansion out of the shorter barrel. The Gold Dot did well in it's non +P versions in both 185 and 230 gr. and the 230 was traveling at only about 810 fps. I think the 200 gr +P will provide the performance I'm looking for in the CC.