Post YOUR Favorite Self Defense handloads!!

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halvey

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Since 70% of respondents to a recent poll state they use handloads for self defense loads, let's post your favorite loads here!

Me first...
CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.
.44 mag
300 gr hard cast lead,
18.0 gr Alliant 2400

Post away!
 
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hornady xtp 200g .451
vhitavuori n320
speer nickel brass
fed 150 primers

clocks in right at 900fps
 
.45 ACP +P load;
Speer 200gr Gold Dot JHP
8.0gr Power Pistol
Winchester LP primers
Winchester brass

Shoots at 925 fps out of my 4" Kimber and is very accurate. Little bit of a flash though. :D

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

10MM;
180gr Hornady XTP
9.6gr 800X (Warning, this exceeds suggested max powder load)
Starline brass
WLP primers.
691 fpe @ 1315 fps.
 
45 Colt

In 45 Colt I use

230 grain Gold Dot
9.8 grains N340
Fed. large pistol primers
Starline Brass
OAL 1.600
 
First of all - - Thanks to those who have answered already.

In general, it is accepted that there can be some serious drawbacks to using handloads for self defense purposes. That's already been hashed out recently, and I appreciate that no one's trying to veer this thread back to that discussion.

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

.357 magnum: 162 gr. LSWC from a Saeco mold over 7.0 gr. of Unique. Around 1050 fps from a 3" barreled S&W M65. Accurate, highly controlable, good penetration.

.45 Colt: 276 gr. LSWC from an old Lyman mold over 8.0 gr of Unique, H. Universal, OR 231. Not particularly hot, it works very well from my 626-6 S&W Mountain Gun.

These are special purpose loads, unavailable from the factories. Pretty much any other caliber, there's a factory load that suits me quite well.

Best,
Johnny
I can get
 
House loads in both night stands...Warning: These are over recommended charges by Winchester load manual. Load at your own risk and work up to them slowly...140 grain SJHP (Remington) over 5.0 grains of W231 and WSP primed. I would use my .357 magnum except for the "short" time being I live in an old folk's trailer park.:D

[BOLD FACE added by moderator.] Thank you moderator...
 
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um, OK,

.44 MAG in brand new nickel plated brass
210gr Winchester silver tip lubed with synthetic teflon grease (to make the cartridge waterproof) seated over 27 grains of H110 for a modest 1,550 fps out of a 6" barrel.
 
First, the required:

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

9mm

115 gr. JHP from Remington over 5.9 to 6.2 gr of Universal Clays, depending on the lot of powder it runs about 1350 fps.

I individually inspect each round for the following:

Primer: there is an explosive pellet and an anvil

Brass: I use only once-fired as I then know there is indeed a flash hole and that the case is capable of properly containing both a bullet and a primer.

Powder: That level of charge is too big to double charge without spilling it everywhere and I see each charge placed before it gets a bullet.


Cat
 
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For .45 ACP I like 7.2 grs. of Power Pistol under a 230 gr. XTP bullet. This is max for P. You could go to 7.5 grs. which is +P. I get about 880 fps in a 5" 1911 using 7.2 grs.

Paul
 
357 Magnum:
Starline Case
Hornady 125gr HP
9.4gr VV N340
Federal Small Pistol Primer
1420fps from 4" barrel
(current load)

Starline Case
Winchester 140gr HP
16.8gr VV N110
Federal Magnum Small Pistol primer
1490fps from 4" barrel

Starline case
Hornady 158gr HP
12.6gr VV N110
Federal Magnum Pistol Primer
1400 FPS from 4" barrel
(doubles as hunting load)

I'm a fan a Vihtavouri powders expensive, but they have very low flash.
 
Howdy,

Here's a slightly different twist on the subject. After 50 years of reloading; including a great deal of time with targets, a chronograph, a Fackler water box, (denim), and a great deal of reading, here's the final result. If I can make a BETTER LOAD than commercially available, I do so and carry it. The following have tested extremely well and are in service at this this time. Note: I have tested virtually all of the premium bullets currently available, including the revised HST...this has required downloading and reloading those bullets not available as components.

1. 380ACP: Quality factory 95g ball at 850fps (out of a relatively short barrel). Penetration is critical with this cartridge.

2. 9mm: 124g Ranger TP...superb.

3. 38 Special +P: Reloaded ammo produced by downloading and uploading factory ammo. Speer 135g Gold Dot, factory case, primer and bullet over 5.4g AA#2, max load per Sierra (ONLY). For comparison, the factory round chrono'd at 860fps out of my S&W 637 and 642,respectively, at 70 deg. F. This reload at 19,000 psi produces 930 fps with no muzzle flash and is an extremely smooth and accurate shooter. Besides, its factory ammo, right! Agencies do not normally test powder/ powder residue when unexpended ammo and the factory box is available following a justified shoot. In developing this load, I tested PP, Unique, AA #5, U. Clays, 231 and Bullseye with this bullet....the AA#2 performed the best out of the short barrel. This is a PRIMARY "light" CCW combo.

4. 357 MAG: Factory Gold Dot. Wife's weapon and load of choice on the horse farm.

5. .40 S&W: 165g Win. Ranger T (factory). Primary home defense choice as well as "medium" CCW...again, superb.

6. 44 MAG: The 200g 44 (Special) Gold Dot over various loads giving 1050 to 1100fps, for felons. I use the 240g Gold Dot, (revved up a bit), out of my Lew Horton 3" Smith for larger critters. I keep this load in the event that a vet is not available and I'm forced to put down one of our horses, or a neighbor's animal.

7. 45ACP: Nothing tests as well as the 230g Ranger T +P at 980fps out of a 5" barrel. This is an incredible load. You just can't do much better without a shotgun.

Bottom-line, again, I carry/use reloads when I can TRUMP factory performance, (read ballistics and TERMINAL PERFORMANCE), and do so safely.

Regards,
 
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This may surprise you folks but I go with what I shoot all the time:

200 Gr LSWC
5.3 Gr Win 231
Win LPP

This load is accurate and manageable in my guns. If this load doesn't solve the problem I am in a world of hurt.

Stay Safe
 
Hornady 155gr XTP
5.6gr Titegroup
1.115 OAL
WSP
Starline brass (once fired by me)

Freaky accurate, it's like driving nails. A little slower than factory offerings, but much more controllable, and zero muzzle flash. Definitely the sweet spot.

In the Commander, I carry Federal HydraShoks in 230gr.

BigSlick
 
This is not a Max load. Proceed with caution.

357 SIG

125gr Gold Dot
Starline once fired cases
Winchester Small Pistol Primer
10.5 grains Blue Dot
1.135 COAL
Firm crimp

Around 1450-1500fps From my XD357, very accurate, lots of flash and noise too.
 
Quick question:

Why so many loads using over max data?

You're counting on that load to save your life. What if it's a bit too hot, and you blow a primer out, or split a case? Could lead to an unresolvable weapon malfunction. I don't think the few extra FPS gained are worth that risk.

My self defense loads are the same as my range fodder loads for the most part, as far as powder charge. All of my handloads are well under book max loads. The only change between range and SD loads is bullet quality. Cheapo plated for the range, high quality jacketed for SD. But, that requires changing velocities in some calibers, and means it's 'different' ammo. So I have been using only high quality bullets in my loads for a while now once I ran out of cheap bullets. At the volumes I shoot, the extra couple of bucks per 500 bullets isn't worth the extra fiddling with the powder thrower...and now I don't have to worry about keeping my Magnums under 1300fps. ;)
 
I agree with you, but I am loading for two Mod 10 S&Ws and they have been shooting this (my above post) "fodder" for the past 20 years without incident and no undue wear on either hand gun. Both are still tight...:cool: As far as why over load (which isn't that much)? to get the job done in a trailer park where a .357 magnum would really be too much...Go to my .45 ACP? Wife's hands are too small to deal with the Colt. Hell...She can't even rack it...:D
 
my guess for the overloading is that many reloading books are conservative to accomodate older firearms that may not be up to modern specs. they'd rather they told us to shoot light, then run a heavy round through an unstable platform
 
After a fair ammount of testing I found the Hornady XTP and Bullseye powder to be a good combo in small blow-back pistols.

The following loads have worked well for me in my partiular handguns. Your results may vary. They are somewhat "hot" and should be used with caution.

9mm Makarov (aka 9 X 18):

Bullet: 95gr Hornady XTP
Powder: 4.1gr Bullseye
Case: Starline or Speer
Primer: CCI
Handgun: Bulgarian Makarov

Results: 1040 FPS, expanded to about .60 caliber when fired into water


.25 ACP (yes, I'm crazy enough to handload for it):

Bullet: 35gr Hornady XTP
Powder: 1.7gr Bullseye
Case: Winchester
Primer: CCI
Handgun: Beretta "Jetfire" Model 950

Results: 975 FPS, expaned to about .32 caliber when fired into water
 
I am fortunate in that I use Department issue ammunition, which is RA45T.

If I were to reload, though, I would look seriously at (believe it or not) 7.5 of Herco, with the Montana Gold 185 grain bullet. This is a surprisingly controllable load, it cycles a pistol with an 18 pound spring, and is VERY accurate and clean burning.

Or, you could step it up to 8.0, and approach 1000 fps. 8.0 of Unique will get you 1000, as well as 8.0 of Power Pistol, according to the manual.

For defensive use, though, you might think before using Power Pistol. The reason is that this powder is flashy! I heard that this is the powder Federal uses behind the Hydra-Shok bullet; I know that 6.5 of Power Pistol behind a 230 grain slug is a powerful and snappy load. Use with a shok-buff--no kidding here!
 
i use commercial loads for defensibility in court. same reason the cop's are not allowed to use custom loads. commercial is easer for the lawyer to defend in court. that said i use federal premium hydra-shocks in all my hand guns and 00 buck in my Mossberg.
 
9mm
WCC NATO OFB
115gr XTP
WSP
5.0 Titegroup
1.100"

A freakily accurate defense round out of my Glocks.
 
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