JHP or FMJ for standard 45 acp loads?

j427x · 10-22-2012, 02:04 PM

i was shooting the old 1911s the other day some remington 230 JHPs and some remington FMJ. pretty warm factory load with a bit more "boom" than the tula light loads.

the thing is the JHPs didn't expand much at all. in fact i'm not seeing a lot of expansion in the 230gr JHP 45s less i am running P+ .

im like thinking the big old 45 really don't have to expand anyway and i can save a few bucks by just getting the FMJs.

a 45 FMJ is bigger than an expanded 9mm and twice as heavy--so is it enough?

(i know the answer this is just for grins)

**Grendeljaeger** · 10-22-2012, 04:46 PM

Yep and it feeds reliably too!

railbuggy · 10-22-2012, 05:34 PM

I cast my own 230gr lead slugs for target.Save the FMJ rds for the bad guy.

**tanvil** · 10-22-2012, 07:07 PM

For the 230's I like FMJ. When I'm loading 185's, the hollow points are usually what I use. Once your into the velocities of 185's they'll expand.

But as we already know a 230 knocks the shit out of just about anything so the hollow point is probably just to look nasty. (except body armor)

All in all, I would bet a soft lead 230 ball would create a nastier flesh wound than a 230 FMJ.

Think of that nice soft lead that was used in the War of Northern Aggression.

Soft enough to absorb all kinds of bacteria from being carried in the field, plus mush itself into a distorted chunk of lead with a couple pieces that will sheer off and create their own little infectious wound channels.

Slow moving enough to not burn off and kill the bacteria.

The bad guy who thinks that he'll be ok because it's 'just a flesh wound' will die a death of living hell if he can't get to antibiotics.

**7.62x39** · 10-22-2012, 07:19 PM

I think you're right, considering it's already sneaking up on a half inch diameter, how much more do you need in that department. The only thing I would be concerned with would be the lack of energy dump on a through and through.

wrench1957 · 10-22-2012, 07:20 PM

Jeez Tanvil, You ok?

kernelkrink · 10-22-2012, 09:20 PM

FMJ or cast lead for practice. For SD use, why not care enough to send the very best? While a 230 HP may not expand much, it is going to tear a mo' bigger ragged hole than an FMJ.

MUSIBIKE · 10-23-2012, 10:28 PM

Where I hunt, a solid 230Gr FMJ is more beneficial. HOGS are built like tanks.

I am glad I was carrying my SIG 1911 a month ago out by BAY CITY.

DUMPED a full mag into a LARGE HOG.

Two went through the heart.

**4thIDvet** · 10-24-2012, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrench1957

Jeez Tanvil, You ok?

No tanvil aint alright.. Man be crazy..

But I do think he speaks the truth..
Damn. Anything comes out that barrel, I would not want to be on the receiving end of.
My Marine Bro Buck.. Funny as hell, good dude.. May have posted this before.
14 months Nam, usual cuts and scrapes..
Guard duty back home, Camp Lajune?
Meat head behind him playing with his .45.. Bang..
Left side of Buck's back, from 3 feet..
Guess? The Military would use standard .45 230 grain hardball?
"Tim, it was like getting hit in the back with a sledge hammer. I was down and out for the count."
Missed his heart by a smidgeon. Lived, fine now..
Only experience I ever heard, with someone getting hit by one..
He did say, you get hit by one, you are not getting up..

**vz58** · 10-24-2012, 01:19 PM

Yeah I hunt with .45s. Contrary to many peoples opinion I like the 185 in +p and 45 super. 8 also like the 45 230xpb at around 950fps. Opens up most of the time and drives deep.

That said a 230 fmj is still a bad day for someone.

Been looking at a soft cast 230 gr semi wad cutter with a drilled shallow hollow point.