Best 45acp Carry Ammo?

Published on February 23, 2019
Duration: 11:03

This video provides a critical analysis of various .45 ACP self-defense ammunition options when fired from a short-barreled pistol, specifically the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. The host, demonstrating significant expertise in terminal ballistics, conducted tests using FBI heavy clothing protocols and ballistic gel. The Federal Premium HST 230gr showed excellent performance with reliable expansion and optimal penetration, making it the recommended choice. Other tested rounds, including Hornady Critical Duty, Hornady Critical Defense, and Sig Sauer V-Crown, exhibited inconsistent or failed expansion, highlighting the challenges of achieving reliable performance with .45 ACP from shorter barrels.

Quick Summary

Federal Premium HST 230gr .45 ACP ammunition is recommended for short-barreled carry pistols, achieving 13 inches of penetration with perfect expansion in ballistic gel tests. Other brands like Hornady and Sig Sauer showed inconsistent or failed expansion due to lower velocities from short barrels.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Gear Overview
  2. 01:16Federal Premium HST 230gr Test
  3. 02:30Hornady Critical Duty 220gr Test
  4. 04:18Hornady Critical Defense 185gr Test
  5. 06:45Sig Sauer V-Crown 200gr Test
  6. 09:01Bullet Expansion Comparison
  7. 10:08Conclusion & Recommendation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best .45 ACP carry ammo for short-barreled pistols?

Based on ballistic gel testing with FBI heavy clothing protocols, Federal Premium HST 230gr is recommended for .45 ACP carry in short-barreled pistols. It demonstrated reliable expansion and optimal penetration, unlike several other tested brands which failed to expand consistently.

Why do some .45 ACP rounds fail to expand from short barrels?

The reduced velocity from short-barreled pistols can make it difficult for some bullet designs to achieve the necessary expansion threshold. This is particularly true for .45 ACP, where achieving reliable expansion requires careful ammunition selection.

How did Hornady .45 ACP carry ammo perform in the test?

Both Hornady Critical Duty 220gr and Critical Defense 185gr failed to expand reliably in the ballistic gel tests. Critical Duty penetrated deeply but acted like FMJ, while Critical Defense also showed no expansion and significant penetration.

What testing methods were used for .45 ACP carry ammo?

The test utilized 20% clear ballistic gel and simulated barriers with an FBI heavy clothing kit (denim, fleece, t-shirt). Penetration depth and bullet expansion were the primary metrics for evaluating performance.

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