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Need .45acp load for defense

bpkingbpking Member Posts: 14 ✭✭
Just starting to reload .45acp for the first time. Have nosler .451 185gJHP bullets and once fired cases to work with. I need a good defensive load. Any suggestions?

Comments

  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    4.6 Grains of bulls-eye OAL 1.185 taper crimp the case mouth to .469
  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I like 5.5gr. of Win 231 at 1.195 OAL
  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I went to AA #7. I use 12 gr. behind a 185 gr. JHP. That's just enough to get you 1000 fps. You can jump that to 13 gr. and go for 1100 fps. It has a heavy recoil so I taper crimp about .060" down from the mouth of the case.
  • elubsmeelubsme Member Posts: 2,197 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    PLEASE Use only factory loads for defense. The Courts will crucify you for using home made body destroying hollow points and vast quantities of powder to excede factory balistics to inflict excess * harm & suffering to this poor misunderstood victim of society. Masaad Ayoob has stated this many times. He is a law enforcement officer & lawyer who is on our side. Practice with your reloads, but sight in & carry the best you can afford, your life depends upon it AND your future residence. Eddie, CCW since 1974-- California no less!!! be[8D]
  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Typical Government function...tell everyone a factory can do better than what they can do. That whole defense thing is a myth. Anybody that's been nailed on it would have been nailed anyways because they were in a "anti" state. The idea with that is to get everybody hooked on factory loads then jack the price and make it impossible to get. I think we ought to start now learning how to "roll our own". I do.

    FWIW, the loads I use are under what the factory uses and I get less than factory velocity. The JHP's I use are the same bullets you buy in loaded ammo.
  • 44shotdoctor44shotdoctor Member Posts: 178 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You all need to listen to elubsme. If you shoot somebody and there are questions there are many cases where the ballistics of that load will prove your innocence. Such as distance you were away from your atacker. Only loads that are manufactured can prove this. I agree these loads are very expensive. But you need to buy them once and shot them only when your life is in danger. You can be wrongly accused if you cannot prove your life was in danger.
  • babunbabun Member Posts: 11,038 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I hope you never have to kill or shoot some one in self defense. But if you do, remember that 99.9999% of the people you will be explaining it to, do NOT reload. Use only factory loads from the largest, well known
    manufacturer you can find. If you were ever in a major court case of any kind, you know it's not what happened that matters, its how the story is told. Why give some lawyer a chance to tell the jury how "you planned to kill anyone that got in your way, with your home made ammo".
    Reload all you want...but load it to carry with factory ammo. Not just MY humble opinion.....bob
  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Suggest you buy factory....
  • Bubba Jr.Bubba Jr. Member Posts: 8,304 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I guess I don't get the logic of the factory vs. reload debate. If the bad guy breaks in through my front door, and I put a bullet in his brain, he is going to be just as dead no matter whether the bullet came from Wally World or my reloading press. You can buy +P+ loads that will outperform anything I will reload, plus you can only reload so hot before you have case failures. You can buy almost any bullet that is the equivalent of almost any factory loaded rounds bullet.

    Also I have never read of an actual case where this issue came up, just rumors and possibilities of it happening. Does anyone have a link to an actual case where someone was found guilty solely because of the round they were using?

    I'm not saying it hasn't happened, but I hear so many things on the internet that turn out to be based on theory and not fact, that I have become very skeptical of info that just doesn't add up.

    I mean you can kill someone just as dead with a sharp stick as you can with multiple shots from a gun. Using the logic that a reload is somehow more dangerous, is like saying that you put too sharp of a point on the stick you intended to use for self defense. Or, am I totally missing the point?[:0]
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think the scariest question the prosecution could ask you if you were in the hot seat.

    "Did you load your own ammo with the intent to kill? And in your own opinion, is factory ammo less than lethal?"

    I am sure states have some laws about it, but in my opinion if you get lawyer that's pretty sharp he's going to work that issue very hard.
  • Bubba Jr.Bubba Jr. Member Posts: 8,304 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF
    I think the scariest question the prosecution could ask you if you were in the hot seat.

    "Did you load your own ammo with the intent to kill? And in your own opinion, is factory ammo less than lethal?"

    I am sure states have some laws about it, but in my opinion if you get lawyer that's pretty sharp he's going to work that issue very hard.


    And my answer would be " I loaded my ammo to defend myself from unprovoked attack by persons trying to inflict incapacitating injuries or death to myself or my loved ones. My loaded ammo is no more or less lethal than factory ammo, but by using the same quality components and doing it myself, I can save money." Also, "In a perfect world the police would protect me, and I wouldn't have to defend myself from criminals, But this isn't a perfect world, is it?"

    At that point the jury would be excused, I would be released, my guns would be returned to me, and I would have sent a message to the bad guys, that I will fight back.

    By the way, I live in Ohio, where a castle doctrine type of law was passed and signed into law last year, thank God!
  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Bubba Jr.
    quote:Originally posted by FrancF
    I think the scariest question the prosecution could ask you if you were in the hot seat.

    "Did you load your own ammo with the intent to kill? And in your own opinion, is factory ammo less than lethal?"

    I am sure states have some laws about it, but in my opinion if you get lawyer that's pretty sharp he's going to work that issue very hard.


    And my answer would be " I loaded my ammo to defend myself from unprovoked attack by persons trying to inflict incapacitating injuries or death to myself or my loved ones. My loaded ammo is no more or less lethal than factory ammo, but by using the same quality components and doing it myself, I can save money." Also, "In a perfect world the police would protect me, and I wouldn't have to defend myself from criminals, But this isn't a perfect world, is it?"

    At that point the jury would be excused, I would be released, my guns would be returned to me, and I would have sent a message to the bad guys, that I will fight back.

    By the way, I live in Ohio, where a castle doctrine type of law was passed and signed into law last year, thank God!


    No argument from me![:D] Now you need to convince the jury.
  • partisanpartisan Member Posts: 6,414
    edited November -1
    elubsme is giving you the BEST advice! 185gr Federal Hydro-Shok is a good defensive load for your .45.
  • colt423colt423 Member Posts: 36 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I like the 230 gr bullett, even if off center mass it will put a big man on his butt. then take the extra time given to place one between the eys as he gets up. I always go with the most muzzle energy. I live in tennessee we still have freedon of persecution. your state is probly different. The quote i operate off of is "better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6". I have always used aa#7 because of 10 mm loads one powder two calibers.
  • mike992mike992 Member Posts: 62 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The best load is the most accurate load in your gun shot by you. Power isn't worth a damn if you miss.
  • hooch31Lhooch31L Member Posts: 1,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by elubsme
    PLEASE Use only factory loads for defense. The Courts will crucify you for using home made body destroying hollow points and vast quantities of powder to excede factory balistics to inflict excess * harm & suffering to this poor misunderstood victim of society. Masaad Ayoob has stated this many times. He is a law enforcement officer & lawyer who is on our side. Practice with your reloads, but sight in & carry the best you can afford, your life depends upon it AND your future residence. Eddie, CCW since 1974-- California no less!!! be[8D]


    The lawyer at my CPL course said the same thing. Use factory loads for carry.
  • SlowDogSlowDog Member Posts: 15 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I live in Michigan and we also have the Castle Doctrine and while I haven't heard of any cases concerning which ammo used I have found that using hard ball 240gr putting nearly a 1/2 inch hole through someone is sufficient for me.If not, well, there's plenty more where that came from and I also wont have to worry about feeding issues.....just sayin
  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    240 gr hardball? Only hardball I have seen is 230 gr. As for best load, Remington factory 230 gr golden sabers.
  • cletus85cletus85 Member Posts: 2,104 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For the record, I carry factory ammo in my CCWs, but I'm also an avid handloader.

    Can anyone produce an example of a lawful self defense shooting where handloaded ammo became an issue? I didn't think so[:D]

    Now, if you were at the range practicing and all you had with you was handloaded ammo and some crazed lunatic started shooting at you would you defend yourself with you handloads[;)]
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    One other reason to carry factory ONLY in defense and dangerous hunting locations. I got this from hunting, a lot, in bear country while living in Alaska.

    After I shot a moose or caribou in bear country with my hand loads I changed the ammo in the gun to Federal Premium factory ammo. I did that just in case I was attacked by a bear. If I had my hand loads in the gun and it went CLICK rather than BANG, it was my fault, my problem, no recourse for my survivors. However, if the factory ammo went CLICK and I was turned into puree by the bear my family could ask Federal to kick a few bucks in for my kids.

    I buy Hydra shocks or golden sabers for my house gun(s) for that reason. I shoot each box up and buy a new one every three or four years. Factory ammo is lawyer proof if you shoot it into a bad guy and your survivors lawyer friendly if it goes CLICK when it was supposed to go BANG.

    My .02
  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998
    edited November -1
    Buffalo Bore Factory makes some HOT .45 loads....

    Buy Factory Ammo....for self defense.
  • cletus85cletus85 Member Posts: 2,104 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bpost1958
    One other reason to carry factory ONLY in defense and dangerous hunting locations. I got this from hunting, a lot, in bear country while living in Alaska.

    After I shot a moose or caribou in bear country with my hand loads I changed the ammo in the gun to Federal Premium factory ammo. I did that just in case I was attacked by a bear. If I had my hand loads in the gun and it went CLICK rather than BANG, it was my fault, my problem, no recourse for my survivors. However, if the factory ammo went CLICK and I was turned into puree by the bear my family could ask Federal to kick a few bucks in for my kids.

    I buy Hydra shocks or golden sabers for my house gun(s) for that reason. I shoot each box up and buy a new one every three or four years. Factory ammo is lawyer proof if you shoot it into a bad guy and your survivors lawyer friendly if it goes CLICK when it was supposed to go BANG.

    My .02



    With all due respect, I assume you are joking? A competent handloaders ammo doesn't go "click" any more often than factory ammo.

    I admit I've had my handloaded ammo fail to fire on a couple of occassions in the past 25 years, but I've also witnessed two misfires of factory ammo over the same period (used by friends). One was factory Federal the other was Winchester Supreme.

    On neither of the four occassions mentioned was any game lost or wounded. One of my failures was at the range the other was while hunting, but there was time for a second (lethal) shot.

    On the factory ammo one was at the range the other was on an unneccesary follow up shot(deer running after first lethal shot).
  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by cletus85
    quote:Originally posted by bpost1958
    One other reason to carry factory ONLY in defense and dangerous hunting locations. I got this from hunting, a lot, in bear country while living in Alaska.

    After I shot a moose or caribou in bear country with my hand loads I changed the ammo in the gun to Federal Premium factory ammo. I did that just in case I was attacked by a bear. If I had my hand loads in the gun and it went CLICK rather than BANG, it was my fault, my problem, no recourse for my survivors. However, if the factory ammo went CLICK and I was turned into puree by the bear my family could ask Federal to kick a few bucks in for my kids.

    I buy Hydra shocks or golden sabers for my house gun(s) for that reason. I shoot each box up and buy a new one every three or four years. Factory ammo is lawyer proof if you shoot it into a bad guy and your survivors lawyer friendly if it goes CLICK when it was supposed to go BANG.

    My .02



    With all due respect, I assume you are joking? A competent handloaders ammo doesn't go "click" any more often than factory ammo.

    I admit I've had my handloaded ammo fail to fire on a couple of occassions in the past 25 years, but I've also witnessed two misfires of factory ammo over the same period (used by friends). One was factory Federal the other was Winchester Supreme.

    On neither of the four occassions mentioned was any game lost or wounded. One of my failures was at the range the other was while hunting, but there was time for a second (lethal) shot.

    On the factory ammo one was at the range the other was on an unneccesary follow up shot(deer running after first lethal shot).


    I reiterate; Factory ammo is lawyer proof if you shoot it into a bad guy and your survivors lawyer friendly if it goes CLICK when it was supposed to go BANG.

    I have had so few failures to fire with handloads they have become memorable. One went click because of no anvil one had no compound in it. I have had a dead 38 spl on my desk for years that someday I plan on pulling down and looking at the primer, someday..

    But; that is not the point.

    I am 99.9999% confident they will go bang, but if I am being eaten by a bear it would be tough to be my own witness at trial. So I put in factory ammo after the game was taken to cover the .0001%. [:D] Maybe it was a reward to myself too, I shoot so little factory ammo that having it in the magazine makes me feel wealthy while in the agony of humping out a moose hind quarter. [:)]
  • cletus85cletus85 Member Posts: 2,104 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    bpost1958, It's funny you mention having the failed round for so long. I kept my first failed handload (a .270 Win with 130 gr Nosler BT) for over 15 years, before I pulled it to see what happened. I had always assumed it was contaminated or bad primer, but it actually had no powder charge. The priming compound had almost bonded the bullet to the case. I guess in the excitement of shooting a deer in late season I didn't notice the primer sound at all or it wasn't audible in a loaded round[?]
  • glabrayglabray Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The logic of the factory vs reload arguement for a defensive load is reliability pure and simple. I'd guess there isn't 1 reloader in 1000 that can make ammo that is as reliable as the factory can.
  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you just have to reload...try 5.5 grains of 231 behind a 230 gr Remington golden saber.
  • Hiline345Hiline345 Member Posts: 31 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I use only factory loads in my home defensive guns. I keep the box cause the box has the lot number on it so it can be duplicated cause they keep records. I don't keep my guns loaded to kill a person I keep my guns loaded to stop any threat that may occur but then again I also keep a fire extinguisher, first aid kit and earthquake supplies. I think you maybe able to get out of a legal jam with reloads but how lucky do you feel, how much time do you have to explain your case do you have a week a year? How much is your freedom worth, how much is your life worth hell I can spend 40 bucks on 20 rounds for my life/freedom. I know a lot of guys in here reload and so do I but I don't think anyone in here went cheap with buying a fire arm I didn't and I wont go cheap with my freedom or life.
  • cletus85cletus85 Member Posts: 2,104 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Everyone keep repeating the same theories on the possible implications of using handloads in a defensive situation, but can anyone point to a case where it actually became an issue?

    I think I'd be more leary of carrying the now discontinued Black Talons than I would handloads[;)]
  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,381 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My gunsmith went to handloads for SD when a major name brand round failed to fire, fortunately on the range instead of "the street." He found the powder in the case melted into a solid lump. We never could figure out a contaminant that could cause that, but it sure happened. So he went to loading his own. He uses once fired brass, a 185 gr Sierra JHP, and sufficient powder for 1000 fps. Cases are hand primed, charged, closely inspected for powder charge, the bullets seated and taper crimped. After seating the cases are cannelured at the base of the bullet to prevent setback against the feed ramp more effectively than a hard crimp. Naturally his gun is throated for that load and shoots it reliably and accurately.

    I am more concerned that the OP says: "Just starting to reload .45acp for the first time." and wants to jump into duty ammunition right away. There is definitely a learning curve and I still don't trust myself enough to load defense ammo. If I am assaulted at or on the way to or from the range, I will of course apply whatever I have with me.
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