Balancing price, availability, cleanliness, accuracy, box attractiveness… the whole deal.
What’s the best? I’ve bought a few 200 packs of WWB 230 gr. from WalMart and the stuff seems to run just fine.
Okay, going to look at only the first 3 of the four requirements since the box could be pink for all I care as long as it shoots well. Which to think about it I have actually bought ammo in a pink box before…
Anyway, for cheap blasting ammo in .45ACP, I have found, surprisingly, that Wolf .45acp is not a bad option. Have not had any issues to speak of out of it in my TRP or Colt, it is surprisingly accurate stuff, at least it has turned in good groups when we have gone for tightest groups possible often out shoot WWB, and Rem UMC. It is a bit dirty though, and if you reload you aren’t getting any good brass. But if you want cheap, don’t care about reloading, might be worth a look and generally runs in the $15 range, which was nice when it was hard to find .45 below $18 a box for brass cased ammo. Nowadays $16-17 a box for imported .45acp isn’t impossible to find.
Other option, for cheap, PPU .45acp has been popping up very cheap as well. Picked some up in teh $15 range from a LGS and have seen it online in bulk for around $16-17 mark if I recall right. Not bad, but haven’t really run much of it so far.
Freedom Munitions. I’ve not shot a lot of their 45 but plenty of 9, 38 and 223.
I stick with their new stuff.
I’ve fired a lot of Blazer, Magtech, and PMC because they tend to be the cheapest. No problems with any of those in .45 If I have a choice, I’ll pick the Blazer aluminum.
I like aluminum cased ammo, but Blazer is relatively pricey these days. I’ll have to look into some Wolf.
I prefer my reloads, but for factory ammo, haven’t noticed any that seemed exceptionally good. If I had to pick one, I’d go with Winchester’s Service Grade, mostly because I like the plain cardboard box look, and the ammo seems a tad more “stout” than some FMJ options.
Sell that WWB, their box isnt flashy enough :rolleyes:
I have been finding aluminum cased champion at wally world for $15 a box. It seems a bit hot though.
The “best” cheap/common ammo I use in .45 is Atlanta Arms. However, I will also use Winchester White Box or Perfecta if I don’t have time or ability to order online and wait for Atlanta Arms.
I’ll second Freedom Munitions. We’ve shot well over 10K rounds of their stuff, albeit mostly 9MM, but a thousand or so .45, and we’ve never had an issue. Been using their reman ammo almost exclusively. Used it in 6 classes at Gunsite, around 1000 rounds each class, and it ran flawlessly through our Glocks and XDm.
Been using them since 2010, and my only complaint is that now they have a TX store, I have to pay sales tax on top of shipping, making them a less cheap option. But they have regular sales, and their quality has been extremely consistent.
Disclaimer, For range ammo, I shoot the least expensive ammo I can find, and have never had an issue.
SOOO, I’ll 3rd Freedom. The reman is normally the cheapest I can find, with the new running a close 2nd. I use to shoot 50/50 9/45 but now 99% 9mm. I have shot it all in 9/45 and for my purposes can’t really see an advantage to 1 over the other.
Freedom is part of Howell Munitions and Technology. My understanding is they utilize proprietary reloading machines and brass, Ammoload and IMT head stamped brass. The brass has a lip/ridge on the inside. There is some info on the internet about reloading (mostly not to do it), if that may be a consideration or concern for you. There are mixed headstamp brass with the reman I get, so I doubt Freedom uses different machines for different headstamps.
Doesn’t that reman stuff void factory warranties?
Generally it is handloads that most manufacturers are going to cite as voiding a warranty. Reman loads I think to a less extent and Freedom is a pretty large manufacturer and I have the feeling that they are likely going to cover any possible issues if you blow your gun up. Also, barring a manufacturer sticking head in the ass(like claiming you didn’t use our lube, ammo, and accessories, so your warranty is void type bullshit) I would imagine you should be fine. After seeing one cover a full replacement on TWO .45 handguns after having a guy running compressed loads blowing one completely up, destroying the frame, and another that he blew the extractor out to parts unknown and ADMITTING it. I think you’d be fine all things being equal, besides the reman ammo is supposed to be to factory standard anyway so…
Sounds good. I’ve used plenty of ultramax in the past. I’m guessing that Freedom is about that level?
+1 on all the above, all though I think Tula has a bit more flash and is definitely smokier. For range ammo I like the aluminum Federal just fine. Plus I don’t feel like I’m throwing money away by not collecting the spent casings 
I have had good luck with the Czech stuff… Reloadable brass and cheep … Lenard and Bennot or something like that…
Personally I never run any steel cased ammo… If Im not wanting the brass then blazer aluminum …
The Czech stuff is Sellier & Bellot. I have not shot or reloaded any yet but I have some sitting here waiting…
WWB for me. Ive been able to find it at a relatively competitive price, and I like to reload the WIN pistol brass. same said for 9mm. If i start running a bit low on brass, ill just buy another box of factory ammo to replenish.