What is everyone's preference for hollow point ammo? Doing some research and seeing what's available.

 

I have a small quantity of Hornady Critical Defense, which I do like, but I need to buy/test fire more through the gun to make sure everything's working right.

 

I found the Remington Golden Sabre 124/147gr JHP got good reviews online, but I'm also looking to see what else is out there.

 

I do also want to try Federal EFMJ but nobody has it in stock.

Federal EFMJ

 

Pretty sure this is what I have.....

Yeah but who has it in stock for purchase?

Anything using the speer gold dot....

Ammo design and function have come a long way in the last 10 to 15 years. Pick something from one of the major manufacturers, that works 100% in your gun and go with it. I do see a trend in defensive ammo that adheres to the light bullet/high velocity philosophy. I'm not a fan of that school of thought - not criticizing those that are, just be aware that anything beyond SD distances (>10 yards) your gun may not shoot to point of aim. With lighter bullets moving faster it will shoot lower than where must SD guns with fixed sights are regulated.

 

Manufacturers tend to regulate their sights at 25 yards with the most common bullet weight per caliber. That means most .45 ACP's sights are regulated with 230 gr bullets. 9mm with 124 or 147 gr bullets. Most .40 S&W's with 180 gr bullets. When you go to a lighter, faster bullet there is less dwell time in the barrel, which means a lighter/faster projectile will exit the barrel very early in the recoil arc. A heavier/slower bullet later in the arc, thus printing higher on the target.

 

EFMJ's were mentioned - they are tough to find in any iteration, but you should be aware that there are heavier EFMJ's made by Federal than what you commonly see offered to the public. For instance, you commonly see a 165 gr .45 ACP in EFMJ (in the small 20 rd boxes), but they also make them in 200 gr - and these are boxed 50 to a carton. Same with .40 S&W. In the 20 round boxes you get 135 gr bullets. In the 50 round boxes you can get 165 gr bullets. And in 9mm it is 105 gr vs. 124 gr. The heavier bullets in the 50 round boxes are marketed as LE only, but are available to the public. I've had luck finding them at gun shows, but I believe that all EFMJ's are in short supply right now.

 

I also tend to favor Speer Gold Dots in all calibers, but especially in .357 Sig. This ammo has been tested extensively by the various LE agencies that use the .357 Sig round and has been chosen over everything else (SS, Sky Marshals, RISP, TDPS et al). I also like their short barrel loads, especially for the J-frame snubbies, And their 230 gr .45 ACP at regular pressures.

 

It's hard to make a mistake, as long as you stick to mainstream manufacturers and some of the specialty guys are good too (like Corbon). Stay away from marketing hype like "Extreme Shock". Test what you will carry in the weapon in which it will be used.

 

That is all.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

 

 

As usual, Pizza Bob puts in the time and effort to give a great, well explained answer!

I carry federal EFMJs (out of state) in 9mm, in the 124 grain +P flavor (LE) I got them at ramsey outdoor sports for 25 per box of 50 (got 250 rounds

I like them for a few reasons.

#1- It's a brand name defensive round. It will work. And, on top of that, its marketed for defense/LE so a overzeleous prosecutor will have a weak case if he tries going for the "ITS MADE TO INFLICT PAIN/SUFFERING OMG" approach (its happened)

#2- Its not a big bad evil hollowpoint. Cops are not always on the top of the laws, even out of state. If you get pulled over with these, while jHPS are legal, its one less thing for them to question!

#3- They actually perform VERY VERY well, look it up. They start expansion quicker than conventional JHPs, and they do it no matter what (heavy clothing, etc)

I have a case of Remington Golden Sabre 9mm 124gr +p jhp. I obviously don't need the case, so if anybody is looking for some, let me know.

 

 

I have Speer Gold Dots in .40 and the Remington Golden Sabre's. I think they will all do fine in a tight spot. Really, I just hope I hit what I am aiming at if I should ever have the need to use them.

Thanks guys. Especially Pizza Bob!

 

I think I'll try to find the Federal EFMJ. May be able to find it out of state. We'll see. I'll try the Speer Gold Dot as well. It'll come down to testing them in the gun to see how well they perform and how I like them.

Hornady Critical Defense.

 

Is not "defined" as a hollowpoint round according to the NJ State Police internal correspondence PK90 shared with us a while ago...

I have some Hornady CD - was thinking of testing other ammo though.

Thank you Pizza Bob! Great information there.

I like Speer God Dots as well.

Another vote for Speer Gold Dots. I really need to drag my butt to Ramsey one day and pick up some EFMJs just to try them out.

I have both Federal Hydra-Shok and Corbon-DPX in 9mm and .38.

 

Both run my guns without issue. The Corbon DPX is in my nightstand mag.

Thanks guys. Especially Pizza Bob!

 

I think I'll try to find the Federal EFMJ. May be able to find it out of state. We'll see. I'll try the Speer Gold Dot as well. It'll come down to testing them in the gun to see how well they perform and how I like them.

 

I have golden sabres and they are really good - I use the 9mm 124g nrmal pressure - they are available widely on sale just now because Remington is introducing a new tungsten=based home defense bullet.

 

EFMJ rounds in 9 at least are available in 50 boxes at Cheyenne Mountain - I recently bought 150. Can't remember the exact price but it was pretty good. We at ShootNJ had a chat about this and several of us were moving over to this round because it simply is not a hollow-point and so is not subject to the ambiguous and aggressive legislation in NJ.

 

very best

G

Another vote for Speer Gold Dot's. They perform extremely well in all tests. I have them in .45acp and 124 gr 9mm. Prefer the non +p for the .45 as slow and heavy is the rule with those big boys.

 

I pretty much only buy defense ammo if it's recommended by the famous DocGKR. You can google his ballistic tests, the guy is the authority on ammunition.

Speer gold dot 124+p in 9mm. Also have some Winchester Silver tips.

00 Buck in the shotty and right now Federal FMJ in the .45.

When it comes to defense ammo, people love to talk about the hardware but fail to take into account the #1 factor, which is reliability. The most deadly load in the world won't do any good jammed in the feed ramp. Hollowpoints are more prone to feeding issues than FMJ. Even a reliable modern gun can have issues feeding certain hollowpoints vs. others. Guys who fire a box of 20 rounds, then buy another box of 20 to keep on hand are making a big mistake.

 

I would not trust my life to a pistol / ammunition combination without a thorough reliability test. That means you firing at least 500 rounds of the exact load, in your gun with zero failures. Yes, really. If you can't make it through that then your pistol / ammunition combination is not functioning reliably enough to depend on. And it's not good enough that an internet guy did that test, becuase each pistol has variances and even each shooter's different technique can affect feed reliability.

 

Expensive, sure. That's why once you've found a reliable combination you should not switch at the next newfangled load to come along. And if you still can't afford it, then consider buying fewer guns and concentrate on properly testing the one you count on.

 

OK, I'll get off the soapbox now.

200 is the widely accepted standard for reliability which is what I do. Anymore than that is a waste IMHO but do as you please! It really gets expensive when the stuff is over a dollar a pop!

Streichers has EFMJ for $23 per 50 rds. Here: Streichers also other calibers available.

 

I like Speer Gold Dots and Cor-Bon DPX. Both cycle fine in my guns.

Thanks for that source savageshooter - hadn't heard of them before. They seem to have all the hard to get stuff at decent prices.

Streichers has EFMJ for $23 per 50 rds. Here: Streichers also other calibers available.

Only the .40 is in stock Thanks tho - always good to have another place for ammo.

Sorry gents. Worthy of a bookmark though. I've ordered from them before with no problems.

Cool thanks for the link.

Thanks for that source savageshooter - hadn't heard of them before. They seem to have all the hard to get stuff at decent prices.

 

 

What do you think of the prices for the .45's Bob? Is $38 for 50 good? I've never seen prices for these before.

 

Thanks.

What do you think of the prices for the .45's Bob? Is $38 for 50 good? I've never seen prices for these before.

 

Thanks.

 

 

In today's market, not too bad. I think I paid $35/50 for the last box of .45 ACP / 230 gr GDHP. Here's a source you may want to look at...

 

http://georgia-arms.com/index.aspx

 

While I haven't tried any of their stuff, my buddy bought 1K rounds of .357 Sig loaded with 125 gr GDHP's and seems happy with them. NOTE: This is not Speer ammunition - you have your choice of used or new brass loaded by Georgia Arms with ball or hollow-point bullets. They used to specify Gold Dot bullets, but now refer to them as "bonded" hollowpoints. I think Speer may have stopped them from using their trademarked name. As I understand it, the bullets they use are the "old" design Gold Dots and have either more or less (I forget which) skives than the current bullets. Prices are hard to beat for new ammo though. When it comes time for me to restock, and I have the money, I'm going to give them a shot (pun intended).

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

I was looking at Georgia Arms Canned Heat ammo for targets. Cheap stuff in tins. Tin of 500 .38 Special SWC or LRN for $110 is tempting. I'm pretty stocked now, maybe order some in the future.

As usual, Pizza Bob puts in the time and effort to give a great, well explained answer!

 

I agree 100% Pizza Bob always teaches me something when I read his posts.

He brings alot of knowledge to the table. Thank you PB

I have bought 5k rounds of various GA ammo and have been very satisfied. 3K of those were 357 sig.