The 45 ACP is one of the greatest rounds ever created. There’s nothing like firing a 1911 at the range, and the 45 Automatic Colt Pistol cartridge has been proven in the realm of self-defense and law enforcement. After hours of researching and testing, I found that Speer Gold Dot is the best 45 ACP ammo.
Below you’ll find my top five list of 45 Auto ammo for target shooting and self-defense. Whether you’re firing a Colt 1911, Glock or Smith & Wesson chambered in 45 ACP, you can count on this ammo.
Recommended Ammo for 45 ACP
| Best 45 ACP Ammo Overall | Speer Gold Dot 230 Grain JHP |
|---|---|
| Best 45 ACP Ammo For Self-Defense | Federal HST 230 Grain JHP |
| Best 45 ACP Ammo For Target Practice | Sellier & Bellot 230 Grain FMJ |
| Best Medium Weight Bullet | Hornady Critical Defense 185 Grain FTX JHP |
| Best 45 ACP Self-Defense Ammo For Short Barrel | Sellier & Bellot XRG Defense 165 Grain SCHP |
Best 45 ACP Ammo Testing Procedure
I began my research online, getting a feel for what most 45 ACP shooters prefer to use. I then headed to the gun range with a 1911 and my Springfield XD-S to see how the top-ranked rounds performed out of my firearms.
I kept these things in mind while firing these rounds:
- What was the round designed for?
- Accuracy
- Reliability
- Price
Knowing that you’re responsible for every round fired from your gun means you should be aware of what purpose the round was designed to perform. FMJs might make great training rounds, but they can endanger innocent bystanders by over-penetrating various barriers and soft tissue.
Being responsible for every round fired also means the ammo must be accurate so you have the best chance possible of quickly neutralizing a threat when called upon to do so. I ensured I could shoot tight groups with these rounds at the range.
When you pull the trigger, the ammo must go bang and cycle without malfunctioning. Lives depend on it. I fired slow, fast, and through a fairly dirty gun to ensure these rounds would work when I needed them most.
Price isn’t always a big factor, but I like to include it to help keep my significant other happy and for when I’m stocking up on range ammo.
My List of the Top 45 ACP Ammo
Speer Gold Dot 230 Grain JHP - Best 45 ACP Ammo Overall
Specs
- Bullet Weight: 230 grain
- Casing Type: Nickel-Plated Brass
- Muzzle Velocity: 820 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 343 ft-lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Trusted by countless CCWers | Expensive |
| Hard-hitting | Lower muzzle velocity |
| Low chance of malfunctions |
Why I Chose It
This is one of the brands that came up repeatedly during my research. Consensus holds that it’s reliable, accurate, and hard-hitting thanks to its performance-enhancing features, a bonded jacket and a two step nose cavity creation process.
Speer Gold Dot has excellent stopping power with a 230 grain bullet. Thanks to the unique jacketed hollow point (JHP), you don’t have to worry too much about over-penetration, which keeps your friends and neighbors safer.
The nickel-plated brass case means you’ll have fewer malfunctions because it’s smoother than traditional brass-cased ammo. I found it to cycle through both of my 45 ACP pistols very well.
The biggest downside is that you’ll need to pick up a few extra chores the week you buy this self-defense ammo. It’s expensive.
If you’re a ballistics-focused shooter, then you won’t be impressed by the muzzle velocity or energy, but it’s good enough to get the job done and expected with the heavier projectile.
Speer Gold Dot 230 grain JHP is one of the best 45 ACP hollow points because it’s reliable, hard-hitting, and trusted by many shooters across America. Don’t hesitate to pick up a couple of boxes today!
Federal Law Enforcement HST 230 Grain JHP - Best 45 ACP Ammo For Self-Defense
Specs
- Bullet Weight: 230 grain
- Casing Type: Nickel-Plated Brass
- Muzzle Velocity: 890 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 404 ft-lbs
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Designed for law enforcement by a trusted brand | Not the best ballistics |
| Low probability of malfunctions | |
| Reasonably priced |
Why I Chose It
Federal made this personal protection ammo for law enforcement officers needing high-quality ammo at a decent price. I love that it’s priced so you can take your handgun to the range for training and also use it as a home defense round.
All of my law enforcement buddies strongly encourage practicing with the same ammo you carry so you can be more confident if you’re ever forced to defend yourself or your family.
I found the smooth nickel-plated brass helps my gun cycle the casings with fewer malfunctions. II trust these rounds are very reliable as I had zero malfunctions while testing it.
While the ballistics are not the best compared to the other 45 ACP rounds (lower muzzle velocity than lighter projectiles and lower muzzle energy than +P ammo), they’re about middle of the pack, which should be expected considering the insanely reasonable price of Federal Law Enforcement HST 230 Grain JHP.
Federal Premium ammunition is loved by many shooters and concealed carriers, which is why it’s consistently considered some of the best 45 ACP ammo for self-defense.
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