Trying to get a Consensus on Range v HD\SD AMMO!

[M&PMarine]

I currently only have Guns chambered in 9mm and .40 Cal but I am sure that .45 Cal is not far off.

What do you all prefer for the Range and or HD\SD? Manufacture, Grain, FMJ\JHP etc. Just looking to narrow it down to a manageable list so that maybe I will know what I am looking for without having to try out so many different ones.

[trackcage]

Simple answer: whatever feeds reliably in your gun.

Range ammo is matters very little or at all. HD/SD you better be able to trust your life with it

[M&PMarine]

Simple answer: whatever feeds reliably in your gun.

Range ammo is matters very little or at all. HD/SD you better be able to trust your life with it

Roger that! But as I said just trying to see what most are using so I do know what to try. And Yes whatever I do decide for HD\SD will have been fully tested with all of my Guns.

[ccmc]

Range ammo is matters very little or at all.

Some new guns can have stiff recoil springs which can cause extraction problems with some underpowered range ammo.

[sonofeugene]

Any of the name brands for HD will work fine. Try some, put enough rounds through your gun to make sure it feeds properly and then stock up. For range ammo, just about anything will work. I steer away from steel or aluminum and only shoot brass but there are many to choose from. Winchester white box, PMC, American Eagle, etc.

[EspoMan]

For range use, practically any FMJ I get a good deal on since my Beretta and Shield eat everything I've thrown at it. I did some research on which ammo is best for my Shield ( because of its short barrel) for carry, and it lead me to Federal HSTs in 124gr. The HSTs preformed amazing out of the shield in the tests I've seen. For my Beretta I use Winchester Ranger 147gr HP for SD/HD. Of course shoot at least 100rds of your preferred HP ammo through your guns to make sure your weapon likes it.

[Blackrain7557]

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4337-Service-Caliber-Handgun-Duty-and-Self-Defense-Ammo&

Personally I prefer Federal HST 147 grain 9mm but anything off of that list will work just fine.

[ExtremeX]

Range ammo for plinking practice... whatever is cost effective.

HD Ammo,... I also like HST because you get more rounds for your money. I still shoot a mag or two every couple range trips to practice with it as those loads are hotter / feel different than some of range ammo.

Some of the real premium stuff like the Hornady Critical Defense I use in my 357 Mag has been amazing... Hot, accurate, consistent, its quality stuff, it just cost a lot of $$$.

I used Remington UMC for years, and the ammo isn't bad at all, you get a lot of rounds for your money, BUT, its got a massive flash signature...

Whatever you pick... I would plan on running couple hundred rounds though the gun and the occasional mag or two as time goes on to make sure it runs without issues.

[elSquid]

Range ammo requirements: cheap, non-steel case[1], and goes bang. I'm currently shooting Hungarian made GECO pistol ammo, Prvi 308, and Federal 5.56. When I run low, I'll buy cases of whatever I can get...that is cheap and goes bang. Most of my ammo buying is done at sgammo these days.

Defensive ammo: recent generation hollowpoints from one of the large domestic manufacturers. I currently have Gold Dots and Rangers but I'd have no problem with HST, etc. Availability and cost are factors.

-- Michael

[1] The only exception to the steel case rule is for Russian rifle rounds. For those I use milsurp or new foreign manufacture.

[L84CABO]

Range: Fed American Eagle, Winchester White Box, Remington UMC, Federal Champion, etc. Anything that is of decent quality. After that, I buy range ammo based on price. For 9mm that usually ends up being 115 gr.

For defense, Federal HST in either the 124gr or 147gr for 9mm. I don't shoot .40. In 45 it's pretty much the same for range and for defense (Federal HST) both in 230gr.

gunbot.net is a good source for finding the lowest price.

[ConcealedKalifornia]

Roger that! But as I said just trying to see what most are using so I do know what to try. And Yes whatever I do decide for HD\SD will have been fully tested with all of my Guns.

My personal HD/SD ammo is Federal HST 147g +p Law enforcement. Its in all of my mags for my 9mm Shield.

I know a lot of people like Gold Dots too.

You may check out the youtube series "Ammo Quest". They do a good job explaining the different types/brands of ammo and testing them with ballistics gel and such.


Range Ammo - Cheapest I can find. Usually Freedom Munitions

[Ant45]

Have nothing but good luck and accuracy with any Federal, Winchester, Fiocchi, Remington UHC and especially Blazer Brass FMJ in 9mm & .45 for the range.

Don't have a personal favorite for home defense but I do have a box of Hydra Shock in 9 & .45. Lots of effective choices out there.

[rbensi]

For range I will use what is cheapest. Currently trying out Freedom Munitions.
I buy the new stuff in 9mm, .38 spl, and .357 magnum.

For HD I like Hornady Critical Duty. Expensive, but good enough for FBI, means good enough for my family. 9mm and .357 magnum.
Critical Defense in .38 spl, and Remington Golden Saber in .38 spl +P

So many choices, it boils down to personal preference, and what you can comfortably afford to shoot. IMHO

[stix213]

For your HD round, just get something that you're willing to run a couple hundred rounds through your gun before depending on it. I use Golden Saber +P 124gr 9mm in my primary HD handgun. Even though they have a reputation for the jacketing coming off on impact, and a few other brands like Gold Dot have developed a better reputation, Golden Saber has had excellent reliability for me and I've already thoroughly tested it, I've stocked up on it, and I'm not changing anytime soon. Also be willing to run a box through your gun again at least once a year or so.

As for range/plinking rounds I just get whatever is cheapest that I haven't had a previous issue with. If you had tons of money you would practice with your HD round only, but most of us don't have that kind of money.

[roger1022]

List of best choices for defensive ammo