Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns which 45 acp hollow point bullet?

Trying to decide which 45acp hollow point to reload for self-defense.

I only see a few 45 acp hollow point bullet as components: Remington Golden Saber, Speer Gold dots, and Hornady XTP-hp.

Any of those three you'd recommend? The speer gold dots always seem to be out of stock.

Any others that I left out that are worth considering?


Thanks for the feedback!

Gold Dot

Factory GD is my carry load so if I were to use reloads I would go with the same.

I like the Federal HST factory load, but for a handloader the Speer Gold Dot is about the best, and is not hard to find.

+1

I use factory HST's in all my carry guns, 9mm, 40 & 45.

I also handload GD's as the HST's are not available as a component.

I do think the HST is a better bullet though........the petals it usually generates on expansion are wicked, wicked.

MM

Honestly? Damned near any of them. They all work very well.

I'm loading these






http://www.gtbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=26

I use the factory Speer Gold Dots.

Sean is likely right, that said I've seen the results of a couple of 230 grain plus p Gold Dots and I'm confident in them

While I carry factory Gold Dots, and some older Hydra-shoks in my personally owned. 45s, I think just about any modern American manufactured 230 grain JHP, whether it is Corbon, Federal,Hornady or whatever, will work just fine.

Quite frankly I would have ZERO problem shooting fast moving lead SWCs for defensive purposes out of a .45.

I've killed a bunch of animals, including quite literally truck loads of vehicle struck, semi ambulatory, to non ambulatory, to very ambulatory animals with .45 caliber duty ammo, and I can attest to the effectiveness of a properly placed 230 grain slug. This has included deer, elk, cattle, and various smaller critters.

Of the ones you listed, Gold dots, or the Hornadys would be my top picks, but I would not hesitate at all to use the slugs that Steelhead has pictured.

Quite nice looking slugs actually.

I have been a Hydra-shok guy for many years. I do like the cast HP's in my hunting large bore revolvers. In particular those cast by Dick Thompson. He has sent me a load of 475's that shoot very well. I will take one of my 475's after elk next month so loaded.

All the above... I'd also add HSM plated hollow points to the mix as well...

I did a test a while ago with 357 mag ammo. Granted, different caliber but I tested the same bullets and the XTP were flat out impressive. I also shot a javelina with the XTP and performance was impresive.

XTP's amd Winchester's basic 230 grain JHP both work fine. Beyond that, you can go as hi-tech as you like.

Keep an eye on Rocky mountain reloading. They have pulled bullets as well as new. They currently have 10mm hst bullet,pulled,in stock. I've seen all types on their sight but most don't stay there long.

My department went from the G17 with +P 124 Gold dots to the G21 with 230 standard pressure Gold Dots, and having great success with them.

No doubt they all work as intended. That is why I opt for the less expensive one I can find. If that means the Hornady XTP, that's the one I choose. Plus I know my pistols love the XTP'S: They are very accurate. I think the OP was asking about reloading components as well. Here locally they have the speer gold dots and the Hornady XTP's. They XTP's being about $9.00 cheaper per box ($20.99 vs. $30.49), those are the ones I grab!! It's actually nice to see more reloading components on the shelves!!!

I guess i am a dinosaur. Couple of years ago i tripped across over about ten 100count boxes of speer 200grain flying ashtrays.
I like them.

Rocky Mountain Reloading
http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/40-10mm-180-Gr-mixed-HST-HP-PULLED-1000-Ct-40-180-165-155-HST-Pul-1000.htm;jsessionid=C468E18EA83ECBCE42C4DC49C89477FA.m1plqscsfapp02

http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/45-452_c14.htm

Yes, I was asking specifically about bullets available as reloading components.