Black Hills personal defense ammo--new info! - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

XDerminator · 08-15-2007, 03:26 PM

I just got off the phone with Black Hills ammunition. I use their ammunition as my primary carry/defense round. I've been carrying it in my 9mm for quite some time. When I purchased the boxes for my 9mm, I was told (and was able to confirm) that the ammo was topped with a Speer GoldDot bullet--which I know to be outstanding, so I was very pleased.

When I recently purchased a box of Black Hills' 230 Gr. JHP +p .45 ACP ammo, however, I noted that the bullets looked different, and I wondered if they used a different bullet. So I called, and was told that Black Hills no longer uses the Speer GoldDots in its PD ammo, because Speer could not meet the demand, so Black Hills now uses Hornady XTP bullets in their PD ammo.

I know that the Hornady bullets have also gotten good reviews, but I have always been strongly sold on the GoldDots. Has anybody done a one-to-one comparison of the two and have any comments?

Myk9noseknows · 08-15-2007, 07:11 PM

I'm pretty much set on only two brands of ammo for self defense:

Speer Gold Dot
Hornady TAP

Both are extremely high quality brands that are known to mushroom to extreme diameters and penetrate accordingly. They have always been exceptionally accurate as well. I like the Hornaday TAP since they utilize a low muzzle flash powder burn for nighttime shooting.

Someone can correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe the TAP is the same 'bullet' as the other Hornady JHP's

I wouldn't hesitate to load up with either of them. I usually decide on either brand based on price, weight, or +P availability.

XDerminator · 08-16-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myk9noseknows

I'm pretty much set on only two brands of ammo for self defense:

Speer Gold Dot
Hornady TAP

Both are extremely high quality brands that are known to mushroom to extreme diameters and penetrate accordingly. They have always been exceptionally accurate as well. I like the Hornaday TAP since they utilize a low muzzle flash powder burn for nighttime shooting.

Someone can correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe the TAP is the same 'bullet' as the other Hornady JHP's

I wouldn't hesitate to load up with either of them. I usually decide on either brand based on price, weight, or +P availability.

Are Hornady "TAP" and "XTP" the same thing? Anybody know?

I'll probably be switching to the GoldDots--the reason I was using Black Hills was their reputation as an ammo maker combined with the fact that they were using the GoldDot bullets = the perfect combination. But now that they aren't using GoldDots and I know nothing about the Hornady XTP, well....

cougar_guy04 · 08-16-2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDerminator

Are Hornady "TAP" and "XTP" the same thing? Anybody know?

IIRC, the TAP line of ammunition uses the XTP bullet.

RobFMJ · 08-16-2007, 02:04 PM

Yes, the TAP line uses the XTP hollow point, which I'd go as far as to say is a pretty marginal bullet for self defense when things like the Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST exist.

XDerminator · 08-16-2007, 02:48 PM

Yup--confirmed that the Hornady TAP uses XTP bullets. I've heard mixed reviews on here about TAP.

Guess I'll have to say 'buh bye' to my Black Hills ammo and start paying more for the Speer stuff.

Oh well...

TN-popo · 08-16-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobFMJ

Yes, the TAP line uses the XTP hollow point, which I'd go as far as to say is a pretty marginal bullet for self defense when things like the Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST exist.

+1
With so many better options out there, TAP / XTP would be way down on my list.

Popa75 · 08-16-2007, 07:58 PM

I carry corbon 115gr +p how do you guys feel about that round? The data impressed me 1350fps out of a 4'' barrel.

Mephis · 08-16-2007, 09:04 PM

Almost any modern hollow point is more than enough to get the job done. I wouldn't be getting too picky about it.

I use winchester rangers and after testing on water jugs and steel plate, I'm pretty sure they'll stop just about anything short of big game.

gsh341 · 08-16-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popa75

I carry corbon 115gr +p how do you guys feel about that round? The data impressed me 1350fps out of a 4'' barrel.

Is that DPX?

If so, you have some really good ammo.

08-15-2007, 03:26 PM	#1
XDerminator XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 404	Black Hills personal defense ammo--new info! I just got off the phone with Black Hills ammunition. I use their ammunition as my primary carry/defense round. I've been carrying it in my 9mm for quite some time. When I purchased the boxes for my 9mm, I was told (and was able to confirm) that the ammo was topped with a Speer GoldDot bullet--which I know to be outstanding, so I was very pleased. When I recently purchased a box of Black Hills' 230 Gr. JHP +p .45 ACP ammo, however, I noted that the bullets looked different, and I wondered if they used a different bullet. So I called, and was told that Black Hills no longer uses the Speer GoldDots in its PD ammo, because Speer could not meet the demand, so Black Hills now uses Hornady XTP bullets in their PD ammo. I know that the Hornady bullets have also gotten good reviews, but I have always been strongly sold on the GoldDots. Has anybody done a one-to-one comparison of the two and have any comments? __________________ "Arms in the hands of the citizens may be used at individual discretion for the defense of the country, the overthrow of tyranny or private self-defense." John Adams "Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined. The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun." Patrick Henry

08-15-2007, 07:11 PM	#2
Myk9noseknows XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,098	I'm pretty much set on only two brands of ammo for self defense: Speer Gold Dot Hornady TAP Both are extremely high quality brands that are known to mushroom to extreme diameters and penetrate accordingly. They have always been exceptionally accurate as well. I like the Hornaday TAP since they utilize a low muzzle flash powder burn for nighttime shooting. Someone can correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe the TAP is the same 'bullet' as the other Hornady JHP's I wouldn't hesitate to load up with either of them. I usually decide on either brand based on price, weight, or +P availability. __________________ "When people need help, they call the Police. When Police need help, they call K-9"

08-16-2007, 02:04 PM	#5
RobFMJ XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Galveston, Texas Posts: 1,955	Yes, the TAP line uses the XTP hollow point, which I'd go as far as to say is a pretty marginal bullet for self defense when things like the Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST exist. __________________ Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

08-16-2007, 02:48 PM	#6
XDerminator XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 404	Yup--confirmed that the Hornady TAP uses XTP bullets. I've heard mixed reviews on here about TAP. Guess I'll have to say 'buh bye' to my Black Hills ammo and start paying more for the Speer stuff. Oh well... __________________ "Arms in the hands of the citizens may be used at individual discretion for the defense of the country, the overthrow of tyranny or private self-defense." John Adams "Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined. The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun." Patrick Henry

08-16-2007, 09:04 PM	#9
Mephis XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 587	Almost any modern hollow point is more than enough to get the job done. I wouldn't be getting too picky about it. I use winchester rangers and after testing on water jugs and steel plate, I'm pretty sure they'll stop just about anything short of big game. __________________ All guns lost in tragic boating accident until 08 president is decided.

08-16-2007, 07:58 PM	#8
Popa75 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 508	I carry corbon 115gr +p how do you guys feel about that round? The data impressed me 1350fps out of a 4'' barrel.

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