I will have a new Beretta P4-Storm in a 45 caliber next week and I have been checking the internet supply stores for ammo for this baby. I'm not really familiar with 45 ammo and there are so many types of loads to choose from. 230 grain? 200 grain? 165 grain? What FPS? Brand name? I want a round that will do the job if need be God forbid, but I don't want the bullet over penetrating either and causing mass distruction. I am totally lost so educate me please. Also, what is a good practise round. Thanks. Tom
For defensive use I like the Remington 185 grain JHP +P or a Georgia Arms 230 grain Gold Dot. For practice I use a 230 FMJ, again Georgia Arms (www.georgia-arms.com). G.A. now has a 185 FMJ that I am told is a lighter recoiling load for target use, but I haven't tried it yet. G.A. is close to me so I go pick it up at the plant, but if I was going to have to pay shipping I would just go to Wally World and get Winchester white box ammo.
My man, you are subjecting all of us to a flurry of opinions by asking this...can't wait to see what my comrades say. IMO, a 230 grain JHP (NOT +P) is the only way to go. The reputable manufacturers all have good specimens. Fed Hydra Shoks are a good choice here. FMJ for practice, all factory ammo. +P (again, IMO) are a waste of money, and more importantly time. Time to fire a second shot. No such thing as that "one shot stop", follow ups are much easier with non +P and the performance may not be worth the recoil. Now, the important thing. Practice, practice. Need to run a few boxes of your selected service ammo through the gun after it is broken in to: 1) determine if they will function reliably, 2) group, 3) determine if point of aim vs point of impact is different from your other practice (FMJ) ammo. You choice, just my opinion. regards
+1 on 230 grain JHP. 230 grain ball is readily available and make for good practice rounds, but makes poor defense rounds in the sue happy world we live in. A quality JHP will expand to approximately 1" in diameter and penetrate not much over 12". I personally like the Remington Golden Sabre, but it's purely an individual choice. Just remember that the safety of you and your family depend on that ammo, so don't be cheap.
Thanks for the info guys. It helped big time. I'm going to Walmart today and see what they have for practice rounds. I'll get the best of the best for defense rounds. Tom
Tom, you'll want the CCI Blazer Brass the they carry for the range and 230 gr. Hydrashocks for defense use.
I picked up 150 rounds of CCI Blazer Brass 230 gr FMJ last night. I'm putting the cart before the horse. The pistol comes in Thursday.
I use .45 ACP 185gr Remington or Federal for practice and home defense/personal protection. I only practice what I shoot.
I've been using georgia arms ammo for almost twenty years. Their 45 acp is very smooth and accurate; I use it in my Colts and Wilsons. I usually meet georgia arms on their gun show circuits to save on shipping costs; it also allows me to turn in brass for credit toward my ammo purchases. For defensive ammo; their Gold Dot loaded cartridges uses new Starline Brass.
