Tough 45 auto bullets

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98s1lightning

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What's on the market for TOUGH 45 auto bullets for reloading?

Flat point or Truncated cone...... Jacketed or Bonded (no bare lead)

What the toughest bullet you can get that will penetrate and stay together. I'm looking to get the most out of my HK 45C for woods carry. I would like it to shoot faster, flatter, and as much energy as I can safely.

I may expand my education into doing some +P reloading, investing in some +P rated brass. But I will have to check my manual first and see what pressures the gun can safely handle. I seem to recall reading (possibly in the manual) the pressure rating and if I remember right it was higher than standard pressure but not quite +P..... I have to look into it all again.

I feel undergunned with my 45 vs my 357 in the woods, but the 45 is so much easier to pack...
 
I shoot powder coated lead up to 1250 FPS in my Hi Point carbine. Most cheap plated bullets are rated up to 1200 FPS or there abouts. I’d guess he toughest 45 caliber handgun bullets will be the Hornady 200 grain FTX for use in .460 S&W and intended for velocities around 2,200 FPS. All of these options and more will handle the relatively low pressures of 45 ACP +P with ease.

Honestly most 45 ACP bullets will do just fine.
 
You could look at converting your gun to .460 Rowland... but you would probably be better off just buying a 10mm.

What are you worried about not being able to stop with your .45 acp? Knowing what you think you might be shooting would go a long way to helping you pick an appropriate bullet and load.

I use my XD mod 2 in .45 acp for my woods gun and never feel under gunned... my .44 mags are just too heavy and seem over kill for the woods around my area.
 
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Would the HoneyBadger type loads work for what you want it for? No expansion and decent penetration is what they claim.

Lehigh Defense offers 190 gr bullets as components, at +P or Super velocities you should have a pretty good stomper.

Stay safe.
 
The application is for MAINE woods carry. Black bear and all other critter defense. Most bears up here are manageable size for 45 if needed. However I did see a 400 plus pounder once which made me start carrying the 357 over 45. I can't shoot a 44 mag well. It's HIGHLY unlikely I would ever need the 45 for defense but want to be prepared and have piece of mind.

The lehighs are interesting and IV888 has a great review on YouTube of them. I have some in 9mm but haven't tested them much......they are pricey.

I'm looking for a more "common" bullet with minimal expansion.

I feel uneasy when, like just this past weekend, I shoot ball into a soft sandbank and see copper jackets shredded all over the hillside...... kind of lame.

I would own a 10mm if HK offered it.

+P is my only option, I don't want to get into conversions with pricey barrels and such........

Thanks guys!!!!
 
I asked an old timer a number of years back about using my 45acp (1911) for hiking in an area populated with black bear. His advice was as follows:

"First, use regular, military ball ammo. Nothing fancy that may jam or hot rodded to the point of causing a failure. Secondly, and this is very important, you're going to want to file the front sight down flush to the gun. You certainly dont want the front sight getting snagged on anything when that bear shoves that gun up your backside":D

Now, me personally, think 45acp is fine for woods carry. But I don't go sneaking around in bear country. If I'm in an area that there is likely to be bears, I make plenty of noise walking through the woods...and I've still walked up on some black bears. But, they had fair warning and were already moving away.
 
I usually carry a 357 loaded with 180 grains hard cast, gas checked bullets. If I carry 45 I just leave a mag of premium bonded stuff in it. If you were looking for something with better penetration and ball did not make you happy, I would probably try a hard cast bullet. Something made from Lyman number 2 alloy, which is 5% tin and 5% antimony would likely penetrate very well and would hold together rather than shatter if it glanced off a bone.

Or you could haul a 12 gauge with slugs...
 
I never considered my 45 ACPs sufficient for "dangerous game carry". But, if that's what you want then look for some of the Lehigh "Extreme" bullets. You ruled out lead bullets, but one of my choices for the 45 ACP would be a hot loaded 200 gr SWC. But in reality, I carry my 4" 357 Magnum or my 6" 44 Magnum loaded with either a LSWC (357) or a RNFP (44 Mag.) when I might meet some 4 legged critters...
 
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I cannot find a 230 JFP like the extinct Hornady USAF design.
There are some 200 gr JFPs from Montana Gold, exposed lead but unlikely to expand.
A coated cast 225 gr truncated cone should work.
 
I cannot find a 230 JFP like the extinct Hornady USAF design.
There are some 200 gr JFPs from Montana Gold, exposed lead but unlikely to expand.
A coated cast 225 gr truncated cone should work.

Nosler makes a 230 FMJ FP, if that's what you're referring to.
 
Yes, plated bullets work fine in polygonal bores, but coated bullets will have a tougher (cast) core. Plated are usually soft swaged cores.
 
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I've had 45 230 FMJ ball ammo hit a tree stump and curl right back out of the stump on the same side, only penetrating a few inches. Of course that's wood, not flesh.
SWC, flat points, cone or T/C seem to penetrate more in a straight line in wood and newsprint.
 
Might try some Speer #4476, affordable Flat Nose Total Jacket. Shank looks short on the 185gr so possibly lots of case capacity
 
I've had 45 230 FMJ ball ammo hit a tree stump and curl right back out of the stump on the same side, only penetrating a few inches. Of course that's wood, not flesh.
SWC, cone or T/C seem to penetrate more in a straight line in wood and newsprint.

I've experienced similar results, this is why I just began to wonder about plated....maybe NO jacket to shred dumping energy lost that could have been used for penetration...idk
 
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