Beating a dead horse...

[SigEquinox]

I know this topic has been debated and discussed ad nauseum, but I do respect the people on this board and would like to hear the various opinions:

What is the best home defense round, and why?

I used to use Black Talon back in the 90s, and then switched to HydraShoks after the talons got old (I try to keep fairly new ammo in my go-to pistol).

I switched to Hydra Shoks in the late 90s/early 00s and they were pretty popular back then. But then in the last 10 years I'd like to assume there have been advances...

Thanks in advance,

[M47_Dragon]

A lot of people like the Speer Gold Dot. One of my HD pistols is loaded with them.

I also like Win Silvertips, though they aren't "new."

[jdewolf]

Personally I really like the Federal HST's.

[rgs1975]

I use Federal HS's

[tonelar]

I have Speer Gold Dots (bonded 147grn subsonics) in my HD pistol

[BigDogatPlay]

If I'm paying for my own ammo, then it's Hydro Shok for me, and has been since the early 90's. I was issued SXT for a while, and it's good.

Been thinking about moving to the Hornady Critical Defense round. Tried it in a couple of calibers and like it.

[trickyvic]

Speer GD or Win Ranger T, both 230gr standard pressure.

[BluNorthern]

Remington Golden Saber 230 grain.

[Ron-Solo]

Ranger SXTs

[Shenaniguns]

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19887

From DocGKR:

Service Pistol Duty and Self-Defense Loads

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When comparing well designed duty handgun ammunition, there are minimal differences in penetration depths and temporary cavity effects, as noted below in the gel shots by Doug Carr:



As you increase bullet size and mass from 9 mm/357 Sig, to .40 S&W, to .45 ACP, more tissue is crushed, resulting in a larger permanent cavity. In addition, the larger bullets often offer better performance through intermediate barriers. For some, the incremental advantages of the larger calibers are offset by weapon platform characteristics. As is quite obvious from the photo above, NONE of the common service pistol calibers generate temporary cavities of sufficient magnitude to cause significant tissue damage. Anyone interested in this topic should read and periodically re-read, “Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness” by Urey Patrick of the FBI FTU, as this remains the single best discussion of the wound ballistic requirements of handguns used for self-defense -- it is available at: http://www.firearmstactical.com/hwfe.htm .



Keeping in mind that handguns generally offer poor incapacitation potential, bullets with effective terminal performance are available in all of the most commonly used duty pistol calibers—pick the one that you shoot most accurately, that is most reliable in the type of pistol you choose, and best suits you likely engagement scenarios.

The following loads all demonstrate outstanding terminal performance and can be considered acceptable for duty/self-defense use:

9 mm:
Barnes XPB 105 & 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)

.40 S&W:
Barnes XPB 140 & 155 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Speer Gold Dot 155 gr JHP
Federal Tactical 165 gr JHP (LE40T3)
Winchester Ranger-T 165 gr JHP (RA40TA)
Winchester Partition Gold 165 gr JHP (RA401P)
Federal HST 180 gr JHP (P40HST1)
Federal Tactical 180 gr JHP (LE40T1)
Remington Golden Saber 180 gr JHP (GS40SWB)
Speer Gold Dot 180 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 180 gr JHP (RA40T)
Winchester 180 gr bonded JHP (Q4355)

.45 ACP:
Barnes XPB 160 & 185 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal HST 230 gr JHP (P45HST2)
Federal HST 230 gr +P JHP (P45HST1)
Federal Tactical 230 gr JHP (LE45T1)
Speer Gold Dot 230 gr JHP
Speer Gold Dot 230 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr JHP (RA45T)
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr +P JHP (RA45TP)

Notes:
-- Obviously, clone loads using the same bullet at the same velocity work equally well (ie. Black Hills ammo using Gold Dot bullets, Corbon loads using Barnes XPB bullets, etc…)

-- Bullet designs like the Silver Tip, Hydra-Shok, and Black Talon were state of the art 15 or 20 years ago. These older bullets tend to plug up and act like FMJ projectiles when shot through heavy clothing; they also often have significant degradation in terminal performance after first passing through intermediate barriers. Modern ammunition which has been designed for robust expansion against clothing and intermediate barriers is significantly superior to the older designs. The bullets in the Federal Classic and Hydrashok line are outperformed by other ATK products such as the Federal Tactical and HST, as well as the Speer Gold Dot; likewise Winchester Ranger Talons are far superior to the old Black Talons or civilian SXT's.

----------------------------------------

Basically all the standard service calibers work when using good quality ammunition.

------------------------------------------

The keys are:

-- Cultivate a warrior mindset
-- Invest in competent, thorough initial training and then maintain skills with regular ongoing practice
-- Acquire a reliable and durable weapon system
-- Purchase a consistent, robust performing duty/self-defense load in sufficient quantities (at least 1000 rounds) then STOP worrying about the nuances of handgun ammunition terminal performance.

[goathead]

i like gold dot and ranger -T

[evidens83]

I've stocked up on a few boxes of PDX1 since they're readily available at my Wal-Marts at a decent price. Have a few boxes of Speer Gold Dots as well. Both feed perfectly through my HD guns so thats all that matters.

[Shenaniguns]

I've stocked up on a few boxes of PDX1 since they're readily available at my Wal-Marts at a decent price. Have a few boxes of Speer Gold Dots as well. Both feed perfectly through my HD guns so thats all that matters.

Walmart stocks Winchester PDX1 for a decent price??? I need to pick some up

[evidens83]

Walmart stocks Winchester PDX1 for a decent price??? I need to pick some up

IIRC PDX1 .45 were going for $23/box. Better than the $30+/box I find at the ranges IMO.

[sd1023x]

Oh my gawd jhp self defense ammo is expensive. I remember when federal hydra-shoks in pretty much any caliber was $20. I picked up alot Speer GD +p's for $16 bucks a 50rd box back in 2007 and am so happy I did.

As long as you stick with speer, winchester (SXT...same exact thing [to black talons]) or federal you should be good. Just look for deal!