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KEVWYO · 06-02-2007, 10:58 PM

Any thoughts on a 185 gr vs a 230 gr bullet? Is there more "snap" with recoil with the lighter bullet?

Myk9noseknows · 06-02-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEVWYO

Any thoughts on a 185 gr vs a 230 gr bullet? Is there more "snap" with recoil with the lighter bullet?

My thought are if you want to shoot a 180g bullet, you should get a .40 caliber. I'd suggest buying a box of each, 185g, 200g, and 230g and feel the difference in your own weapon. That's how I decided on what to carry CCW.

I personally like the 200g +P .45 round for defense, but have no issues with the 230g either. I would just rather have a heavy bullet...everyone has their preference.

PSALM109 · 06-02-2007, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myk9noseknows

My thought are if you want to shoot a 180g bullet, you should get a .40 caliber. I'd suggest buying a box of each, 185g, 200g, and 230g and feel the difference in your own weapon. That's how I decided on what to carry CCW.

I personally like the 200g +P .45 round for defense, but have no issues with the 230g either. I would just rather have a heavy bullet...everyone has their preference.

Middle of the Road Round!

It's like the difference in riding a pony and a bull !!!

Without a doubt, opinions flow out of personal experience and you'll never know until you check'em out.

Do let us know what your findings are as you engage.

**Rustynuts** · 06-03-2007, 05:12 AM

I like the idea of a heavy bullet too, but why when you check the energy ratings, the 230's seem to fall short of lighter-faster rounds? Even the +P loads.

I'd like my cake and eat it too, heavy AND fast! I could take a little hotter in my 45. My 40 seems to kick more.

mike_1 · 06-03-2007, 09:06 AM

I belong to the school of thought that bigger is better. I use 230gr in my 45 and 180gr in my 40.
Mike

Compact Shooter · 06-03-2007, 12:32 PM

I am one to shoot was the gun was disigned around. 230 grain in .45 and 180 grain in .40.

I like to know that the heavy weight will better penetrate and still do the damage needed to get the job done.

jtkratzer · 06-03-2007, 01:53 PM

i currently have 200 gr. +P GoldDots, but they didn't have 230 gr. when i picked those up.

I'd like to pick up a few boxes of different weight and brands to give them a try.

Tally XD · 06-03-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtkratzer

i currently have 200 gr. +P GoldDots, but they didn't have 230 gr. when i picked those up.

I'd like to pick up a few boxes of different weight and brands to give them a try.

Other than testing recoil and accuracy in YOUR gun, this doesnt tell you much? You would need ballistic gellatin to be able to see the difference in penetration and bullet wound characteristics. I am sure those statistics are already available for almost all bullets now.

I am currently homebrew testing three or four brands of rounds of JHP fired into four bleach jugs full of water. I wanted to see the bullet expansion of each round tested. I just finished testing the Hornady XTP 230gr +P JHP. Posting photos right now.

Next I will test the Federal Personal Defense 230gr JHP and then the Speer GoldDot 200gr +P.

jtkratzer · 06-03-2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tally XD

Other than testing recoil and accuracy in YOUR gun, this doesnt tell you much? You would need ballistic gellatin to be able to see the difference in penetration and bullet wound characteristics. I am sure those statistics are already available for almost all bullets now.

I am currently homebrew testing three or four brands of rounds of JHP fired into four bleach jugs full of water. I wanted to see the bullet expansion of each round tested. I just finished testing the Hornady XTP 230gr +P JHP. Posting photos right now.

Next I will test the Federal Personal Defense 230gr JHP and then the Speer GoldDot 200gr +P.

i posted in your thread already. i'm looking to test reliability. so far, the two brands i like most as far as expansion and sheer nastiness have been winchester and speer.

the_gunman1 · 06-03-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEVWYO

Any thoughts on a 185 gr vs a 230 gr bullet? Is there more "snap" with recoil with the lighter bullet?

The 230 will have heavier recoil. Provided your not talking about 185 +Ps.

Just a side note: CCI/Speer Gold Dot ammunition may or may not be considered the finest HP out there depending on who you talk to.
One thing is for sure. In every HP ammo discusion I've ever been involved in the Gold Dots have always been mentioned as one of the top loads out there. It is the only load(excluding some of the newest ones) that I've not heard anyone say anything bad about. Thats gotta mean something.

06-02-2007, 10:58 PM	#1
KEVWYO XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,060	self defense round Any thoughts on a 185 gr vs a 230 gr bullet? Is there more "snap" with recoil with the lighter bullet?

06-03-2007, 09:06 AM	#5
mike_1 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southwest Missouri Posts: 107	I belong to the school of thought that bigger is better. I use 230gr in my 45 and 180gr in my 40. Mike __________________ Never trade the thrills of living for the security of existence. My daily carry XD45 Compact in a K&D Dakota or Eagle Defender

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06-03-2007, 05:12 AM	#4
Rustynuts XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,241	I like the idea of a heavy bullet too, but why when you check the energy ratings, the 230's seem to fall short of lighter-faster rounds? Even the +P loads. I'd like my cake and eat it too, heavy AND fast! I could take a little hotter in my 45. My 40 seems to kick more.

06-03-2007, 12:32 PM	#6
Compact Shooter XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4	I am one to shoot was the gun was disigned around. 230 grain in .45 and 180 grain in .40. I like to know that the heavy weight will better penetrate and still do the damage needed to get the job done.

06-03-2007, 01:53 PM	#7
jtkratzer XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lancaster Co., PA Posts: 16,291	i currently have 200 gr. +P GoldDots, but they didn't have 230 gr. when i picked those up. I'd like to pick up a few boxes of different weight and brands to give them a try.