Author Topic: What ammo do you carry? (Read 14786 times)

TheQ · « **on:** August 03, 2010, 10:18:46 PM »

Hello all,

I was looking at alternatives to the Golden Sabers I carry. I've read good things about Golden Sabers, but I've also seen good things about the Hornady Critical Defense rounds.

With that, I'd like to ask this -- in terms of 9mm owners, what do you carry for ammo and why?

Wardo · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2010, 10:34:18 PM »

Good thread topic.

I carry Gold Dot ammo by speer. 147gr HP

I heard Federal Hydroshock is a good brand too.

Bronson · « **Reply #2 on:** August 04, 2010, 12:47:52 AM »

Hydroshoks are an outdated design and they have a tendency to NOT expand after passing through clothing. I used to carry the PMC Starfires until I found out they had the same reputation as Hydroshoks and tested it for myself. Sure enough, great expansion in water until the bullet had to pass through fabric then nothing.

I have also personally had Golden Sabers and Hornady TAP fail to expand in water.

The tests I've seen on the Hornady Critical Defense are at about 50/50. Like many hollow point bullet designs they work great...until they have to pass through fabric then you get inconsistend so-so performance.

One of the most consistent SD ammunition choices out there, and what I carry, is Corbon DPX. Don't go with the old Corbon JHP as it also tends to not expand after passing through fabric.

I believe the Federal HST ammo is getting good results in independant tests as do Gold Dots.

There are a lot of water jug + fabric tests here: http://www.bersachat.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/66-Ammo-Jug-Tests

Bronson

rabbivj · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2010, 12:48:15 AM »

winchester ranger in 165 gr.

wardog6t · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2010, 09:45:32 AM »

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/index.php

Agent1 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2010, 09:53:14 AM »

I used to be a CorBon freak, but now I carry GoldDot 230gr in .45's and Win Silvertip HP 155gr in the .40's

Bronson · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2010, 01:38:02 PM »

Quote from: Agent1 on August 04, 2010, 09:53:14 AM

Win Silvertip HP 155gr in the .40's

I try to test my carry ammo myself whenever possible. I don't have ballstics gel so I use water and do the math conversion for an approximation of penetration in ballistics gel. Silvertips were recommneded by a gun store guy so I bought a box. They too failed to expand after passing through 3 layers of medium canvas into water. I have personally fired Corbon DPX through 8 layers of the same canvas and had it expand and penetrate just like it is supposed to.

Bronson

TheQ · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2010, 02:45:37 PM »

I just picked up a box of 25 Hornady Critical Defense 115. I also bought a box of 50 SPEER Gold Dot 124. I'm thinking about loading them in an alternating configuration. So if one works better than the other in a particular field case, I'll have the advantage (and weakness) of both. Any thoughts on this strategy?

I plan to test fire a few magazines with this configuration in the coming week.

Agent1 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 04, 2010, 03:34:25 PM »

Quote from: Bronson on August 04, 2010, 01:38:02 PM

Quote from: Agent1 on August 04, 2010, 09:53:14 AM
Win Silvertip HP 155gr in the .40's

I try to test my carry ammo myself whenever possible. I don't have ballstics gel so I use water and do the math conversion for an approximation of penetration in ballistics gel. Silvertips were recommneded by a gun store guy so I bought a box. They too failed to expand after passing through 3 layers of medium canvas into water. I have personally fired Corbon DPX through 8 layers of the same canvas and had it expand and penetrate just like it is supposed to.

Bronson

Another thing about them that I noticed is that even some media will cause jacket seperation (glass, wood and metal), and drywall plugs the HP and will not allow it to expand. But for the most part I only carry the .40's in the summer time, I am totally confident in this loads ability to function and it's accruacy is second to none. Once the shorts come off and the pants go back on the 1911 comes out. The SilverTips are the most accurate load I have ever fired in my Glocks and Browning HP.

Agent1 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 04, 2010, 03:36:53 PM »

Oh and by the way, I use them in my AR-40 also.

Did you test the .40 or the 9mm in water? I know I read years ago that the 9mm Silvertips failed about every test they were ever put through.

TheQ · « **Reply #10 on:** August 04, 2010, 03:46:46 PM »

I plan to raid the neighborhood recycle bins tomorrow to get milk jugs. I'll take some old jeans and do a 4 layer denim test into water in the near future on the two round types I just bought. I'll post the results here.

Bronson · « **Reply #11 on:** August 04, 2010, 04:57:00 PM »

Quote from: Agent1 on August 04, 2010, 03:36:53 PM

Did you test the .40 or the 9mm in water? I know I read years ago that the 9mm Silvertips failed about every test they were ever put through.

9mm and .32, both failed.

Bronson

Bronson · « **Reply #12 on:** August 04, 2010, 04:58:07 PM »

Quote from: TheQ on August 04, 2010, 03:46:46 PM

I plan to raid the neighborhood recycle bins tomorrow to get milk jugs. I'll take some old jeans and do a 4 layer denim test into water in the near future on the two round types I just bought. I'll post the results here.

Check out that link I posted because he does a LOT of testing and may save you some hassle. Of course if you just want to test them yourself I understand because I'm the same way

Bronson

TheQ · « **Reply #13 on:** August 04, 2010, 10:57:49 PM »

Quote from: Bronson on August 04, 2010, 04:58:07 PM

Check out that link I posted because he does a LOT of testing and may save you some hassle. Of course if you just want to test them yourself I understand because I'm the same way

Seeing is believing, isn't it?

Bronson · « **Reply #14 on:** August 05, 2010, 01:43:43 AM »

Bronson · « **Reply #15 on:** August 05, 2010, 01:57:09 AM »

ken243 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 05, 2010, 11:40:53 AM »

Federal hydrashock. I started because of the logic behind the design. But once I was asked "Does that logic work?" by one of my CPL class students I tested it. I used 4 milk jug with water inside with a t-shirt layer infront then with old pair of jeans infront. 9mm and .45acp worked perfectly. The round ended up in the 4th jug with the 9mm and the 3rd with the .45acp. I did get some 9mm +p+ and tested it without the clothing in front and it passed through all 4 jugs and I did not find the round. Due to the number of variables involved with defensive rounds this is by no means a perfect test but it worked for me. I would be interested in testing the expanding full metal jacket ammo in the future.

TheQ · « **Reply #17 on:** August 05, 2010, 12:55:45 PM »

I have an old leather coat my cats pissed on (so it's no good). I may use it for a water jug test as well...

TheQ · « **Reply #18 on:** August 08, 2010, 10:46:25 PM »

As a follow up, this video (not mine) shows pretty good results for the .

Bronson · « **Reply #19 on:** August 08, 2010, 11:53:44 PM »

Test your ammo and carry what you're comfortable with.

Bronson

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Author Topic: What ammo do you carry? (Read 14786 times)