Help! Best self defense ammo for .45 Defender?

[Doc Waters]

I am wanting input on which load would be optimum for my carry Defender. As of today, I am using Federal Premium Personal Defense 230 grain Hydra-Shok.

I have read that, given the three inch barrel, there is a train of though that a lighter round would provide better expansion.

Your thoughts?

[bravo619]

hornandy critical defense is good stuff

[tomob1]

the CD is good. i use starfire in my defender. less $$. buffalo bore makes a "hot" 45 and actually tested it in 5" and 3" guns. they have a flat nose fmj with good ballistics.
jmho
tom

[MotherMopar]

Speer makes a special version of the excellent gold dot hollowpoint in 230 gr, specially designed for use in short barreled guns. I believe they use the term 'short barrel' ammo.

If you know of the gold dots reputation, you're already ordering some of this ammo... If not: Speer makes one of if not the best defensive ammo.

[randyhamrick]

Doc you've opened a can of worms. There are SO many different trains of thought on defensive ammunition I'm surprised you haven't gotten dozens of replies to your query.

The HydraShok load you're using is a good one. Speer's Gold Dot is also a good one. Hornady's Critical Defense load is also a good one (if you can find it). I use Federal's 230 grain HST load in my pistols, because I have tested it over a chronograph and into ballistic gelatin. I have not shot any living tissue with it, but it performed perfectly from my 4-1/4" and 5" barrels in the tests I performed. I have no idea if it would perform adequately from a 3" barrel.

My advice to you is to do your own testing, and satisfy yourself with the performance of the load you choose to carry. And keep in mind even if the load you like the most because of it's accuracy and recoil doesn't expand in your test media, it's still a .45 bullet, and 230 grain ball ammunition is what built the stopping power reputation for this round.

[MotherMopar]

Randy is right on. Any of the major brands of US make are good choices. But you gotta test them in your gun for function and other testing.

I use Winchester pdx1 ammo in my gov model, as well as Speer gold dots. But you gotta test a variety to find your fit.

[Doc Waters]

Thanks!