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Discussion: What're your favorite fighting loads?
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SasquatchJim |
What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 12 2011, 8:43 PM EST
Here at the ZSDW, we talk about what guns we want all the time. But, what are we going to stuff them with?I'm curious to hear everyone's favorite loads for their firearms of choice in regards to combat and post-SHTF loads: E.G. Here's mine: For the Winchester '94: 170 gr. soft-points. They're inexpensive, a proven round against game, and provide good penetration as well as good enough accuracy. For the 1911: I'm a fan of the faster 230 gr. JHPs. I've fed a fair amount through my gun without any problems, and it seems like they'll work pretty well. Since the 230 FMJ is considered a manstopper, a JHP can only get better from there. For the 586: Pretty much any fast-stepping 125gr. JHP. They're considered by many people to be the gold standard for stopping power, and I'm not one to disagree. So, what're y'all's? I wanna know what y'all feed yer guns. Oh, one final note, I've recently become interested in two loads from DoubleTap: http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_27&products_id=443&osCsid=frckogi9hvhpqq2orvuaklqj50 http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_34&products_id=93 The .357s are boasting some amazing numbers, and though I'm not experienced with 185 gr. .45 ACP loads, it's buzzing along at a good rate as well. Anybody used either of these loads? 4 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you? |
JunkCollector |
1. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 12 2011, 11:36 PM EST
I don't know what bullet is the best. I don't know the difference from a bullet with different amounts of gun powder, different weighted projectile, different types of bullets (full metal jacket, hollow point, ball, or soft), to me none of that means much I'm not a professional gunner. I will use what ever bullet is made for the gun(s) I have. 4 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you? |
Sharpie41 |
2. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 13 2011, 12:33 AM EST
Whatever is cheapest.Currently for 9mm it is Western Munitions re-manufactured ammo. FMJ, I think 115 grain. 7.62x39 Russkie, Czech M43 ball. .22 LR Mostly Winchester White Box 555 bulk packs, also have federal Champion bulk pack and Rem Golden Bullet bulk packs, I do have 50 rounds of Stingers and No. 12 birdshot too. For 7.62x54 Rimmed, some Serbian stuff, Partizan I think, only have 50 rounds of it, in spring I will be getting 880 of Czech stuff. I'm not gonna list out everything, basically whatever is cheapest at the store 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you? |
CyprusBill |
3. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 13 2011, 7:36 AM EST
My 1911 and my .357s usually see Speer Gold Dot ammo. 230 gr. JHP for the .45 and 158 gr. JHP for the .357s.It's not too terribly expensive, and it does deliver. http://handguns.g00net.org/Ammo/Pic-gold_dot.jpg I love how the lead creeps out at ya through the copper jacket. Just looks mean! I've fired BOXES of Speer ammo at the gun range. Accuracy has been consistent and impressive. Although, as fond of the "bigger is better" approach to guns as I am, I did shoot some 185 gr. .45 hollow points that flew straight as lasers. I'm torn over slightly increased accuracy vs. that slightly extra "punch" of stopping power at the end. Cause damage EXACTLY where you want it, or cause slightly more massive damage overall? In the .44, I usually stick with Winchester 240 gr. JSP. My other pistols are carried for personal protection, hence the hollow points. But the .44 is my "out in the woods" gun, so I look for the deeper penetration of a solid projectile, the cannonball. The Winchesters shoot good, and are fairly cheap. Of course, I do have some Hornady personal defense hollow points for it, and they aught to work just fine as well against 2-legged predators. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
OutlawJames |
4. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 13 2011, 8:00 AM EST
For my Colt 1911 , I like and have used for a very long time a 200 grain Hollow point that I hand load.For the wifes .38 S&W I load up either a 125 grain Jacketed hollowpoint or a 148 grain hollowbase wadcutter loaded upside down ( Flying trashcan) In my .357 mag a 125 grain jacketed hollowpoint For my 30-06 Savage I like a 150 grain softpoint Speer Spitzer that is very accurate My Mini14 I use (when not shooting surplus) a 53 grain hollowpoint from Hornady My wifes 30-40 I use a 165 grain spitzer. Do you find this valuable? |
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albud3 |
5. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 14 2011, 4:49 AM EST
For Zeds, they are:Rifle: 5.56mm: any 55 or 62 gr. FMJ from a US or NATO supplier. Commercial .223 same types from a US major manufacturer (USMM). 7.62X51 & .30-06: 150 gr. FMJ military loads. .30 Carbine: 110 gr. FMJ from USMM. Shotgun: 12 gauge: #1, #4 buck, BB, #7 1/2 or larger birdshot. Handgun: 9mm: 115 or 124 FMJ US/NATO or USMM. .45ACP: 230 gr. same as 9mm. .38/357: 148/158 gr. LSWC, 125/130 gr. FMJ/Round nose same as before. Rimfire: Not recommended, but if had to; 40 gr. round nose < 50 ft. or lightweight Stinger/Viper type for up to 75 ft. in a rifle. Less than 25 ft any handgun. Combat/hunting: Rifle: 5.56/.223. 69 gr, or larger OTM, 45 gr. larger HP/SP USMM. 7.62X51: 150 to 168 gr. OTM, 150 gr. HP/SP USMM. .30-06: reloads only to specs. .30 Carbine: 110 gr. SP USMM. Shotgun: As above/ per game. Handgun: 9mm: 115/124 gr. HP (+P, +P+), USMM. .45 ACP 185/200/230 gr. HP (+P), USMM. .38/.357: 125 gr. SJHP (+P .38), USMM. Rimfire: as above. . Do you find this valuable? |
chitoryu12 |
6. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 17 2011, 8:28 PM EST
I'm running a Mosin-Nagant, so I load mostly surplus ammunition; you can get it in large amounts cheap and a 148 grain FMJ bullet hits hard. If I want some better stuff in smaller amounts, Brown Bear sells 203 grain soft points in boxes of 20 for $10 with shipping.
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Sullivan714 |
7. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 17 2011, 9:09 PM EST
So far I've shot Winchester .223 JHP. It fired nicely and was accurate enough. I'd like to buy some Federal Premium .223 ammo next. I've shot the Winchester .45 ACP JHP ammo also. It was average too. I'd like to fire the Federal Hydra shok rounds next. Do you find this valuable? |
badderthanbond |
8. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 18 2011, 12:49 AM EST
In my 1911 I use 230 grain Winchester ranger bonded and federal hst2 230s. I dont see a need for +p in .45 because at times the increased velocity interferes with expansion in human sized targets. In my 9 I use +p hst2 and hornady 147 xtp. For .357 I use 145 grain silvertips. A medium between 125 man stoppers and heavier hunting loads. Also Barnes 140 grain all copper for hunting. For 5.56 a special-run federal bonded soft point. It's great for any application, even hunting smaller game. Problem is the overrun is gone and I only have 120 left... Do you find this valuable? |
renet76 |
9. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 18 2011, 6:16 AM EST
| Post edited: Dec 18 2011, 6:19 AM EST
The ammuntiont i use is simpley because after testing a few different loads and brands that i can get these came up the best in my firearms if i felt my life was on thel ineok the loads i use are for my S&W M&PL 9mm Winchester125gr LRN ( for targets ) winchester 147gr JHP personal protection rounds and for when it really counts Hornady 115gr critical defense rounds for my Ruger black Hawk .357mag winchester super X 125gr JHP and when it really counts Hornady 125gr critical defense rounds For my Tikka 300 win mag i use winchester supreme elite 150gr xp3 or Horanday 150gr gmx super performance for my other rifles like my marlin lever action i just use the same ammunition as my pistol or what ever i find cheap at the time lol 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
possumblaster |
10. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 18 2011, 2:47 PM EST
| Post edited: Dec 18 2011, 2:52 PM EST
With an explanation of why: (many people will disagree with me here)The full metal jacket M855 5.56 round is the best overall survival cartridge. Please let me explain. At the tip of the bullet under the copper jacket is a steel penetrator. This allows the bullet to punch through more steel than a standard full metal jacket. This is a relatively heavy bullet for it's caliber (62 gr), which gives it a little bit more oomph at longer ranges. You can effectively take down a person or medium sized game at a little over 500 meters. The bullet requires about 4-5 inches before it creates a temporary or permanent wound channel. Therefore, if you were to use this bullet on small game the damage would be very minimal. You could hunt squirrels and rabbits with it and not have to worry about destroying a lot of meat. This would be a problem when using a really light hollow point .223 as they create a wound channel upon impact. The bullet has a cannelure built into it. This helps the bullet break up when it hits a target to cause more damage. It still requires the penetration depth before causing the damage, so overdoing it on small game is a non-issue. 5.56 damage actually scales with the size of the target. The larger the target the more room the bullet has to break apart and really do some damage. It's always just enough to be lethal, and rarely overkill. 3 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you? |
Oakspar77777 |
11. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 18 2011, 3:42 PM EST
3.25" 12g 00buck (18 pellet) with 8 pellets removed and the area filled with #5 birdshot. A hell of a shoulder kick, not great on range, but great no matter what you jump (dove to bambi, there is something there for everyone). Other than that, hollow point .22LR and soft (lead) point everything else. Do you find this valuable? |
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SasquatchJim |
12. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 18 2011, 4:20 PM EST
"3.25" 12g 00buck (18 pellet) with 8 pellets removed and the area filled with #5 birdshot. A hell of a shoulder kick, not great on range, but great no matter what you jump (dove to bambi, there is something there for everyone).Where d'you find 3.25" shells? I've only seen 2 3/4", 3", and 3.5". Are you referrin' to 3.5? 'cause I know those hold 18 00s. And good info, Possum. Thanks. Do you find this valuable? |
Markthegenius |
13. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 20 2011, 2:39 AM EST
Living in the UK, I don't have guns... Yet.The most common/likely scenario I can think of where i'd be heavily armed post-SHTF would be if I was guarding crops with my neighbours, or even just patrolling my street with friends/family against chavs or raiders. I'd have with me: - Folding knife on my belt, - Big hunting knife on my belt - WW1 officers sword on my belt OR my broadsword, undecided.... - 80lb Pistol crossbow in my hands, with a pouch of alloy bolts on my belt. I think i'm gonna need some braces to stop my trousers falling down.... I'm not armed like you americans, but I think two knives, a sword and a crossbow would make me more lethal than the majority of threats i'm likely to encounter in my suburban village. 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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SasquatchJim |
14. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 20 2011, 10:22 AM EST
"Living in the UK, I don't have guns... Yet.Mark, this thread wasn't about what weapons you would carry. I was askin' what kind of loads people prefer in their firearms. I'm not knocking you or saying your post is worthless; I'm just sayin' that it isn't a "what weapons would you have" thread. Do you find this valuable? |
JasonRedfield |
15. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 20 2011, 11:30 AM EST
Well, for each of the firearms in the house:My SKS: I just bought the thing so currently all I have is a mix of practice ammo -- TulAmmo 122-grain hollow-points and Monarch 123-grain FMJ. They're cheap, so they're fine for practice. However, today I'm headed to the store to buy a box of "quality" defensive ammo for it: Hornady 123-grain VMAX (heck, I might just buy some of their new ZombieMax ammo ;-) ), Winchester soft point, etc. Makarov: Same here, all I have is a bunch of practice FMJs. Unfortunately I've yet to find a good defensive load in 9x18mm with ballistics test to back it up (penetration is the problem). There are a few I'd like to try, though. .22 Revolver: CCI Minimag. My brother favors Federal Hydra-Shoks (124-grain, I think) in his SIG 9mm. Do you find this valuable? |
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Markthegenius |
16. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 20 2011, 11:40 AM EST
"Mark, this thread wasn't about what weapons you would carry. I was askin' what kind of loads people prefer in their firearms.Yeah my bad, connotations of the term "loadout" must be to blame :) Do you find this valuable? |
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bolvark |
17. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 26 2011, 11:52 PM EST
for a 12 gague shot gun me andd my gramp picked up a thin walled hallow point mold for slugs allow it be be loaded with bird shot a hit to the head unleases a hail storm of shot inside the skull which lack the force to exit so it pings around
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oldannyboy37 |
18. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 27 2011, 12:25 AM EST
I like my Golden Bear 7.62x39 123 gr hollow points for my AK and SKS. For my 30-06 wise I like my 160 grain magnum loads by Hornady...they're pretty wicked. For my .45 I like my Speer Gold dot .230 gr loads. Do you find this valuable? |
LJ126 |
19. RE: What're your favorite fighting loads?
Dec 27 2011, 1:11 AM EST
| Post edited: Dec 27 2011, 3:07 AM EST
I'm not really sure what loads I'd prefer to "fight" with, but I'll share what I try to buy when I'm buying ammunition...7.62x39: Steel cased 123 gr. hollow point, preferably Barnaul or Wolf. It's cheap, it goes bang, and it stores well - and it's available in bulk. 7.62x54R: For survival, 203 gr. Bear SP ammo. It's very accurate out to about 200 yards and hits stupid hard. It'll drop any land animal in the Western Hemisphere, provided shot placement is adequate. in my firing backstop in the yard, it leaves golf ball-sized craters. Since I can't imagine ever shooting the Mosin-Nagant beyond 200 yards in a survival situation, the big 203 does the job for me. 9x19 Luger: Geco 115 gr. FMJ - cheap, accurate, powerful, and my Ruger P89 eats it up fast. .45 ACP: Federal 230 FMJ - see above. $18 a box isn't bad for very accurate ammo.. 12 gauge: Varies by application but for home defense, we keep Federal Max 2 3/4" 000 buck (8 pellets) loaded up. It'll do the job for me, I think. Do you find this valuable? |
