Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Best 45 ACP Load in a Short Barrel

Just info is all.

I took this hog from my 5 inch Springfield around twenty yards using the Federal 230 gr HST Plus P and he dropped in his tracks with behind shoulder shot. I like this bullet and load. I took the second hog with the Hornady 230 gr Plus P XTP at about the same distant and he dropped on the spot with behind shoulder shot, so if the bullet will go through the gristle plated shoulder of a Wild Boar it should work well on humans. In a civilian self defense shooting i worry more about over penetration than under. Has any one tried the New 220 gr Hornady Critical Duty Ammo in the 45 ACP? In my Springfield Champion i carry the Speer Gold 185 gr Plus P because the pistol likes them so well.

Did any exit? What was the internal damage like? Good shooting on those hogs. This type info is awesome.

IMO the best short barrel load would vary depending on usage Hunting = max velocity with accurcy, self defence = good velocity, accuracy and low muzzle flash . If one thinks muzzle flash is unimportant in a defence load go shoot some in the dark and see how long it takes your eyes to adjust for a second shot with varying degrees of muzzle flash.

Both bullets where lodged under the skin on the far side . Lungs totally destroyed. Federal expanded better than the Hornady , but both worked the same, dead hog at the place they were shot. For self defense i believe you risk over penetration with the Hornady 230 GR XTP over the Federal HST

I have been liking the XTPs in my 45 Super. Ammo today is much better than 20--30 years ago

Thanks for the info.

no problem

Para Ord P10 45acp 3.16" barrel
152 gr. lead semi wad cutter, .569" bullet length
12 gr. PowerPistol
1.275" OAL, Lee factory crimp
Starline 45acp +P brass

If Quickload is altered from 25 to 24 gr water case capacity to
compensate for the thick case walls, then 1,211 fps, 26,027 psi - 1,247 fps, 28.767 psi

chrono 1226 fps, 1257 fps,

Over all length is important in the short pistol for feeding and pressure.

+P brass is important with .235" feed ramp intrusion and .180" web on 45acp brass, leaving .055" of thin unsupported case wall. P.O. can do this for a 21,000 psi cartridge to improve feeding, but at 29,000 psi, I need the thick case walls to avoid a case bulge.

So you are shooting 45 Super pressure levels in the short barreled pistol.

you are pushing the pressure limit in a standard 45 acp

Yep, with a short light slide.

Load up some of my carry loads Bea.

10.0 gr of Power Pistol under a 185 gr Barnes TAC-XP, you'll still get 950+ fps in your 3" gun and it will penetrate with the 230 HP's.

your load is a good one for sure . Number one Hog Killer

10-4, load would also offer you a bit less muzzle flip than the heavies.