Your Favorite SD Cartridges

[Waywatcher]

For home defense in those calibers I chose and 'use':
.357 Federal 125 grain JHP
9mm +P+ Federal 115 grain JHP

Both have a good history, and I was able to get a good price on them. In my home defense, overpenetration is a concern.

However, if I'm on the road or hiking/camping I use:
.357 140 grain Barnes XPB
9mm +P 124 grain Gold Dot

These are much better at staying together and penetrating through barriers likely to be faced, such as auto glass. The better penetration and non-fragmentation would also be good if I had to use it on cougar/black bear.

 

[bpisler]

I have the 115gr +P by Black hills that uses
the Gold dot bullet in my 3914 ladysmith.

I carry the Fed 115gr JHP (9BP) in my little
Kel tec P-11,I tried the Black hills but they
were a little too hot for me in the P-11.

My 2 3" 357 mags get the Winchester 145gr
silvertip JHP when i carry one of them.

My home defense pistol is a 3" S&W 10-7
that i have loaded with Federal 158gr LSW-
HP's plus my mossberg 500A with 00 buck.

 

[RandyB]

9mm
gold dot 124 JHP (regular or +P)
Winchester 147 SXT

.357
38 special+p LHP 158 grain
Winchester 180 Partition (esp. in bear country or as a car gun)
Gold dot 170 JSP (hiking in bear country/ deer load)

 

[romma]

Federal Hydra Shok 124 grain for my 9MM... Ball ammo in my .380 and .32

 

[Donut]

Federal HST in the 124gr+P flavor.

 

[obxned]

230gr Ranger-T in my .45, usually the +Ps.

FMJs in the .380.

 

[benEzra]

Cor-Bon 9mm 115gr JHP +P.

 

[Kacerdias]

+1 on the Corbon DPX 9mm +P, it's my every day carry load. S&W 637 BUG also uses Corbon DPX but in .38spl +P. My HD pistol is full of Hornady TAP in .40S&W - good stuff with low flash.

 

[XLMiguel]

I'm a 'ho, I buy what's on sale. I've never been in a gunfight. never drawn in anger; in the few fearful situations, it was simply good to have a gun.

That said, for PD in 9mm, I have a bunch of Federal, HS, Gold Dot, SilverTip, Remington GS, in 115, 124, 135, & 147, P & +P. I chose loads for gun & barrel length based on conventional wisdom, but basically, I'm a candy-assed suburbanite in a low threat environment. What ever I carry is sufficcient for the situation in my world. Shoot placement, etc X 3, eh?

 

[XLMiguel]

I'm a 'ho, I buy what's on sale. I've never been in a gunfight. never drawn in anger; in the few fearful situations, it was simply good to have a gun.

That said, for PD in 9mm, I have a bunch of Federal, HS, Gold Dot, SilverTip, Remington GS, in 115, 124, 135, & 147, P & +P. I chose loads for gun & barrel length based on conventional wisdom, but basically, I'm a candy-assed suburbanite in a low threat environment. What ever I carry is sufficcient for the situation in my world, or soI pray. Shoot placement, etc X 3, eh?

 

[GroovedG19]

Currently my G17 is loaded with 18rds. of DoubleTap Gold Dot.

There are quite a few excellent loads out there for 9x19mm.Such as Winchester Ranger, Speer Gold Dot, Remington Golden Saber, Federal HST and Federal Tactical, Corbon DPX and their Sierra PowerJacker hollowpoint.

 

[CZF]

Double TAP Ammo in everything but my RAMI, which dislikes the hotter stuff from any company.


9mm, 10mm, and .45 ACP! Custom DT stamped nickle plated brass loaded with the proven Speer Gold Dot bullets, mean hi-velocity with superb accuracy and
quality control.



No wonder it is the favorite among many here and on Glock Talk, especially in 10mm.

 

[Mumwaldee]

Federal HSTs baby!




That's GOTTA hurt.

 

[Ken Rainey]

I go along with what "sm" said basically ... most important is to make sure it works in your firearm. In 9mm I prefer 147s if they hit POI/POA, or at least a 124 grain bullet. For a .357 revolver, a 158 in .38 special (+P is better) for inside the house or car or a 158 .357 for outside work. Hollowpoints are optional.

Premium self defense ammo, especially those designed for law enforcement use, usually have better quality control and perks like flash suppressed powder which is always a plus in low light and most have nickeled cases for more positive extraction. Just don't believe all the marketing hype about super expansion...and don't believe that it is necessary in order to be effective....it's accuracy and penetration that get the job done.

 

[Plink]

I've some to really respect Double Tap ammo's offerings. They use the proven Speer Gold Dot bullet at velocities that Cor-Bon can only dream of, using lower pressure also. Also their prices are more in line with premium quality ammo, rather than the higher cost "specialty" ammo.

They're great all around performers and the 147 grain load expands quite reliably (uncharacteristic for a 147 grainer) and gives good penetration. I've used this load for hunting even. It also performs quite well from shorter barrels. Their 125 grain load is another good performer but will have less penetration.

 

[Mike U.]

I've some to really respect Double Tap ammo's offerings. They use the proven Speer Gold Dot bullet at velocities that Cor-Bon can only dream of, using lower pressure also. Also their prices are more in line with premium quality ammo, rather than the higher cost "specialty" ammo.

This are excellent points, Plinker.

After I'm done working through the current ammo stash for my .45, I want to try some of DT's .45 ACP stuff for the reasons you cited. That flat point load looks especially good to me. That's something I've wanted for quite awhile now and I just lately spotted it on DT's site. A .45 ACP round with a decent size meplat that'll feed in my USP. If it feeds in my pistol, I want to stock up on it.