For all the time spent discussing firearms, accessories, gear, etc to levels of exactingly autistic detail, I'm surprised that there are never any general ammunition discussion threads. I intend to change that right here.
Share your favorite factory or hand loads and discuss why you like them and what you use them for.
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I'll start with pic related, Speer Gold Dot JHP, particularly their 230gr .45 ACP load (just because I only have 2 handguns, both chambered in .45). I think the entire line of Gold Dot loads is underrated based on personal experience with the .45 loads and what I've researched for other common calibers.
Pros:
Cons:
This one is more an open ended question, but what is out there in the world of 5.56 ammo that isn't covered by your typical NATO equivalent/knockoff (M193/M855) loads?
I personally shoot a ton of Federal XM193 for a variety of reasons but I can't help but think there have to be alternatives that far outperform it, even if that performance is situational. As far as why I buy XM193:
Pros Specific to Federal XM193 in the 420 round cans:
Pros Specific to M193 style ammo:
Cons Specific to M193 style ammo:
All that being said, I know there has to be some other types of 5.56 ammo worth stocking up on, even if it is for niche uses. For example, what is a good hunting load for small deer? Winchester makes some 64gr expanding ammunition based on the same design aa their .30+ caliber bullets but I think something heavier would be better, I just can't find one that I like.
What's a good alternative bullet to hollow points, that doesn't get stopped by thick jackets?
Plastic tipped stuff?
Modern hollow point designs don't have that problem unless the stars are aligned in just the wrong way. Otherwise consistent or barrier-blind expansion ammo like Hornady's polymer tipped critical defense and critical duty line are what you want.
On that note, does anyone have a good recommendation for other ammo like critical duty? I like the mid-line heavier bullet weight in 9mm (135gr) and the barrier performance, but I'd love to find something a little cheaper without LEO credentials, or maybe loaded a little hotter.
Just bought 2 boxes of this for home defense. How did I do?
Does anyone have experience using .38 wadcutters or xtreme penetrators? I am considering using one or the other for carry. What would be the best to go with?
That all depends on how it patterns out of your gun. I've got a typically low opinion of winchester buckshot but I've never shot that one, it might actually be buffered.
OP here, I'd say Gold Dot but they only have 124gr and 147gr loads as far as I can tell. Maybe someone else can chime in because there has to be something out there cheaper than Hornady's offerings. Hornady makes good ammo but their pricing is heavily supported by marketing, just look at how much they have to discount their ammo for LEOs in order for it to sell.