Posted: 7/29/2008 9:26:15 AM EDT
|
We recently bought the following: .45 golden sabre 230gr 185gr +P Tap 200gr fpd hornady custom 230gr jhp/xtp +P 40 S&W corbon 150gr jhp federal personal defense 165gr hydra shok jhp golden sabre 165gr federal hst 180gr hst/hp hornady custom .357sig 124gr jhp/xtp Would the +P ammo be suitable to fire from p245 or a kimber pro carry? Are the Hornaday custom load suitable for ccw or home protection and will it hurt the fire arm? Does anyone use any of these loads and how have they performed for you? What is the ideal load for each caliber for home protection vise personal carry. lastly which brand/ load of the afore mentioned list is favored more by law enforcement? |
|
Thanks, however after reading the article some questions still remain. Specifically others expriences with the listed ammo to wit reliability, recoil ( understandable varies with firearm) and accuracy. Regarding the +P ammo, IMO at least with the .45 cal anything less than 230gr is considered +P. Is this correct? When buying manufactured +P ammo how does one ( a novice) determine if it will harm a particular firearm or wether that firearm can adequately support the pressure? |
No.
Check with the firearm's manufacturer. Why the need for +P? The listed choices from the FAQ all pass the FBI's test requirements. [ETA] Manufacturers make +P for varying reasons. Bullet performance was not always what it is today, and extra pressure/velocity was a way to squeeze out more performance from mediocre cartridges. The only thing that really matters are: 1) Does the bullet expand properly? 2) Does the expanded bullet penetrate the required 12" minimum? If the answer is yes to both, then it makes no difference what the initial velocity is. Some manufacturers are able to make the criteria with standard loadings, while some - such as the Winchester 9mm Ranger-T 127gr +P+ - have to use the extra velocity to reach the required performance. Velocity is also a big selling factor for some people, and companies prey on that. FWIW - the following section of the self-defense ammo FAQ states the following:
Notice the "light and fast" bullet basically performs the same as the "slow and heavy" bullet. Either one will be fine. |
The SAAMI specification for .45 acp is 21,000 psi or less The SAAMI specification of .45 acp +P is 23,000 psi or less This is the difference, not the weight of the projectile. |
Yep. "+P" is an increased pressure round. Generally right around 10% from the standard spec. These specs come from SAAMI: http://www.saami.org/ You will generally only find "+P" loadings in the old cartidge designs (.45ACP, 9x19, .38spcl.; all designed just after 1900) since modern firearms, materials, and manufacturing techiniques are generally much better than they were ~100 years ago. You won't find +P loadings for more modern cartridges like .40SW, .357Sig, 10mm, etc. since they are already designed around modern firearms and materials. |
Zhukov, just curious, but do you know if the ammunition list tacked at the top of this forum was tested in standard length barrels or if the approved list was tested in short barrels as well? Also, which loads were used in the attached photos of the gel tests listed? |
No - I remember reading at one point in time which bullet was used for the pic of all the various calibers/weights (which is what I assume you were referring to). They were either Ranger-T's or God Dots if I remember correctly. As far as barrel lengths - there's no hard data for that. Most of the hollowpoints in question have velocity envelopes that are wide enough to handle shorter barrels. If your pistol is much less than 3.5", it might be worthwhile to look into +P or "short barrel" ammunition. |