Questions on Ammunition

[FutureDoctor]

When firing out of a 4 inch barrel, what is the best ammunition to use? For .45 caliber weapons, I have heard a lot about 230 grain, 180 grain, etc. Does it really matter as you have such a "big" bullet anyway? Does the effectiveness of the round diminish in the lower grain? Thanks alot- I look forward to your posts.

Also, in regards to hollow points, which ones feed best in the new XD? Is there one that you would recommend over another for reliability?

[LDC]

I'm no expert but I will try to explain a few basics about bullet weight, velocity and energy. The grain (gr.) is the weight of the bullet or projectile itself. With a given type of ammo the lighter the bullet the higher the velocity. What you give up in projectile weight you gain in speed and vice versa. Of course it is subject to a point of diminishing returns on both ends of the spectrum. Plus there are other variables such as internal pressure levels increased (+P) or reduced etc.

For example here is a comparison of the Remington 45 ACP Golden Saber (Standard Pressure Non+P)
230gr vs 185gr

185Gr. Golden Saber™ Brass-Jacketed Hollow Point
1015 FPS(feet per second) At muzzle
423 Ft. Lbs. of energy at muzzle

230Gr. Golden Saber™ Brass-Jacketed Hollow Point
875 FPS at muzzle
391 Ft. Lbs. of energy at muzzle

If you notice the 230gr is a great deal slower than the 185gr yet the energy level is in the same ballpark.

Basically what it boils down to is it takes more energy and pressure to move the heavier bullet at a given speed. Another factor is the depth that the heavier bullet must be seated into the case. This reduces powder and expansion room and also causes increased pressure.


As far as terminal ballistics that is a whole other can of worms. Some people swear by the lighter faster bullets and others swear buy the heavier "torquier" bullets. I leave these explanations to people more qualified than me.

I really think with any high quality hollow point ammo that you and your gun will fire accurately without fail will work great no matter which bullet weight you choose. Be sure to test with the type and weight bullet that you plan to use. Any change in the type of ammo or bullet weight could cause a change in reliability, accuracy or point of aim. Once you settle on a brand, type, and weight I would recommend test firing at least 100 rounds of the ammo.


So far with my XD 45 I have shot 20 speer gold dot 230gr HP, 25 230gr Rem Golden Sabers and 20 Magtech Guardian gold 185gr +p loads without a single FTF. Once I settle on my carry round I will test fire at least 100 to make certain of function.

LDC

[ranburr]

I use 230 grain hollowpoints. Look at it like this, if it expands you get a really big hole. If it doesn't expand, you still get a big hole.

ranburr

[LDC]

Originally Posted by ranburr

I use 230 grain hollowpoints. Look at it like this, if it expands you get a really big hole. If it doesn't expand, you still get a big hole.

ranburr

I agree. I bought the XD-9 for the cheap ammo and the XD-45ACP because it was what I really wanted. I really like the XD and I have always liked the 45ACP round. It's the perfect pairing.

[Ron xd357]

I use the winchester x silvertip hollow points I have shot about 350 thru the 45 cost alot but I know I will not have a problem with them if I need them great rounds in my opinion.....

[Integratedj]

Originally Posted by LDC

So far with my XD 45 I have shot 20 speer gold dot 230gr HP, 25 230gr Rem Golden Sabers and 20 Magtech Guardian gold 185gr +p loads without a single FTF. Once I settle on my carry round I will test fire at least 100 to make certain of function.

LDC

I have run 140 rds of the 230gr Gold Dots, and so far Flawless. The Gold Dots have always been my carry round in both .40 and .45, so I am happy that the XD likes them.


IJ

[Cerberus]

I have to agree with Integratedj. I have been using Gold dots for my carry round for years. I have a very picky Kimber Pro Carry and with the 230gr Gold dots, I know it will fire every time.
As far as ballistics go, on a defensive handgun, I don't think bullet weight/muzzle velocity/expansion play as big a roll as bullet placement. I would suggest experimenting to find what you're most accurate with. If you put the bullet where it belongs, it will do it's part.

[Snake-eater 1]

Originally Posted by Cerberus

As far as ballistics go, on a defensive handgun, I don't think bullet weight/muzzle velocity/expansion play as big a roll as bullet placement. I would suggest experimenting to find what you're most accurate with. If you put the bullet where it belongs, it will do it's part.

Jeff Cooper agrees with you:


G&A Gun Columns >> Cooper's Corner >> Thoughts From The Gunner's Guru, February 2006


In a recent confrontation in Petaluma, California, the bad guy was hit 27 times with 10mm pistol bullets, whereupon he died. The 10 is a pretty satisfactory cop cartridge, but it is not the ultimate answer. Nothing is. I suppose that the .69-caliber, caplock front-feeder of the 1840s was about the best thing of its kind in stopping power, but men have been hit with heavier blows than that and still kept coming. The answer, of course, is placement. You have to put your bullet in the right place, and this, of course, calls for a cool hand.

[Jettubby]

Use the heaviest grain bullet with any caliber. With the .45 acp use 230 grain. If it's too much to handle then use 185 grain and feel bad about it. If that's too much to handle and you have to go to a 165 grain then sell the gun and buy a .40 caliber.

[LDC]

Originally Posted by Jettubby

Use the heaviest grain bullet with any caliber. With the .45 acp use 230 grain. If it's too much to handle then use 185 grain and feel bad about it. If that's too much to handle and you have to go to a 165 grain then sell the gun and buy a .40 caliber.

The 185 grain Magtech's I have have caused the most muzzle flip so far.
(to me*subjective matter*)More bullet weight doesn't always mean more recoil. Usually just different recoil. Heavy slow bullet makes a push, light fast bullet makes a snap.

Basically if you can't handle the recoil of any 45 ACP ammo you may want to consider another hobby.