For a defense load in 45 ACP,which between these following brands,Remington Golden Saber(230 Grain),Federal Hydra-Shock(230 Grain),and Hornady XTP(230 Grain+P)would you choose?For your information,the reason for me asking only about these brands of 45 ACP ammo is because I live here in the Philippines and they are only ones what are available here.
Thanks in advance.
In a 1911, I would automatically rule out the Hornady +P loads. I want to say that there is a list that you can search for of Doc Robert’s recommendations.
It’s not that the +P loads will be impossible to shoot, but that the 1911 platform isn’t the most tolerant of hot loadings like that. Way back when the 10-8 forums were around, I recall posts about +P loads not only being hard on the gun, but difficult to set the gun up to run reliably with. If I remember correctly, the post was by Tim Lau and the ammo was Winchester Ranger 230 grain +P. He showed how it was beating the gun up with pictures of the internals being worn at an accelerated pace.
But I’m not an expert, and there might be better info in the terminal ballistics section of the forum.
The feed-ability of the Golden Sabre is second to none. Pretty sure FBI HRT uses it largely for that reason. The new bonded core +P Golden Sabre really isn’t bad.
I wouldn’t even touch the Hydro Shock; it is obsolete, but the Federal HST is very nice. But I prefer Gold Dots in 230.
I use Speer Gold Dots and Winchester PDX1 +P or Federal HST in my carry firearms. Usually its the PDX1.
I wouldn’t shoot +P daily, but for defensive purposes, I think any accelerated wear on the gun is far outweighed by velocity and energy benefits. Once a month, 100 rounds of +P I don’t think would alter the lifespan of the gun.
The increase of a +p round in .45acp is nominal as compared to other calibers.
duty loads
Barnes XPB 185 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Hornady Critical Duty 220 gr +P JHP
Federal HST 230 gr JHP (P45HST2)
Federal HST 230 gr +P JHP (P45HST1)
Federal Tactical 230 gr JHP (LE45T1)
Speer Gold Dot 230 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr JHP (RA45T)
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr +P JHP (RA45TP)
More info here
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=125566
In regards to the Remington Golden Saber 230 Grain 45 ACP,is it a must to get the Bonded version?
Thanks.
We carry HST’s for duty work.
They work, very well.
I am going to try to find a picture I took of one that was taken out of a BG, but it looked like a star and did its job.
Absolutely, imho. Without the bonded core, the golden sabres are pretty old in the tooth.
Edited to add that I agree heavily with the above poster–the HST is awesome.
The answer would be if available, yes, it’s better to go with the bonded versus the non-bonded.
However, if the only thing you have available are the loads you listed in your original post, than the standard Golden Saber would probably work.
My department issued Hydra-Shock in 40 S&W and Golden Saber in 45 ACP for over 15 years. We now issue Federal HST.
Both of those bullet designs are totally obsolete. Hydra-Shock has terrible performance against barriers such as windshields and has major issues with jacket separation. The 45 ACP Hydra-Shock had feeding problems in some 1911’s which is why we issued the Golden Saber in that caliber. They were great rounds in 1995. They both suck today. The only reason Hydra-Shock is still being made is because it is written into the policy of various police departments and people buy it.
With regards to +P in 45 ACP…it’s pointless. You essentially gain nothing and give up much.
I consider +P ammo a necessity in light 9mm and 38 Special rounds. IMHO they need the extra velocity to get better penetration and expansion.
In 45 ACP the +P gets you about 30-50 fps more velocity and increases pressure astronomically and beats the living crap out of your gun. Avoid it.
Good ammo these days are the Federal HST, Winchester Ranger-T and although its aging (but aging well) the Speer Gold Dot.
I have said it on other forums especially with the 1911 platform find a round that feeds reliably! Modern bullet design and performance is great but if my particular pistol fed an older design perfectly and was accurate with that round I would not lose sleep over what bullet design I was using. I took a class earlier this year from a respected trainer who said his reload mag when carrying a 1911 is hardball. His feeling is if his usually reliable pistol choked for some reason he would at least be sure his reload worked. He went on to say repeated accurate hits matter a whole lot more than bullet construction and I very much agree.
A recommendation to use hardball is bad advice. Find a JHP that feeds reliably. With the assortment of JHP’s out there that have a polymer tip to feed like hardball this shouldn’t be an issue.
Of the 3 I would use the Golden Saber
Not saying hardball is the answer at all. The hp that works in your gun is the one to use. 1911’s aside just about every gun will show preference for a certain load for reliability and that needs to come before hp performance. Once you find a reasonably good hp that runs in your gun stick with it. Many people are having a hard time finding enough ammo for sufficient reliability testing so figure out what you can source and try it before you carry it. (Lots of opinions out there on how much testing is enough to ensure reliability)
Keep in mind just because your friends colt serial number 12345 shoots a certain load completely reliably does not mean your gun serial 12346 will do the same
Having carried the Fed Hydrashok, I wouldn’t hesitate as it runs in my gun. However as stated, it is dated and there are better options. I have moved to Hornady Critical Defense 185gr FTX. It runs well. I have not tried Remington Golden Sabre so I cannot comment.
Although not one of the types listed by the OP I’d strongly recommend looking into Winchester T-Series line of LEO ammo. Great performance.
Now if I had to pick one of the OP’s choices, I’d go with the hydra shock.