testtest

Look for ammo recommendations

I'm buying a xds 45 tomorrow and looking for ammo recommendations. It has the 3.3" barrel and I've been told that 230 gr. Doesn't stabilize in that short of barrel so do I need a light bullet?
You were told wrong. Very, very wrong.

You do not need a light bullet, in fact—particularly when you get into defensive ammo—230gr is the preferred bullet weight, as the greater mass will help ensure better penetration.

So, for practice? Just get some 230gr ball/FMJ. It’s the gold standard.

For defense (if desired)—read this (all of it):


for what makes one bullet better f out r defense than another, then scroll down to the .45ACP tests. Note that most of the lighter bullets only perform well when in +P—higher pressure—loads, which will mean more recoil and, all things being equal, slower or less accurate follow up shots.

But tell whoever said that a heavy bullet won’t stabilize in a shorter barrel to get bent; they’re an ignorant git who likes to speak out of their nethers. Feel free to quote me.
 
How accurate was it
I shot it very well. As mentioned anything within self defense distance even 10-15 yards shot well. Never went beyond that. I sold it to a friend though because I bought an RO compact that was basically the same niche. He still has it and carry’s it. Nothing but happy comments from him as well.

When it comes to accuracy a lot of that is on the shooter not the gun. Practice makes perfect sort of thing.
 
All I have ever ran in my Kimber Tactical Pro II is 230 gr loads.
Winchester white box or hand loads for target or plinking. Carry loads are Winchester Ranger or Federal HST.
 
Oh—and by the bye—my last 3” barrel .45 auto—a Colt New Agent—had no problem putting full mags of 230gr Golden Saber, HST, or Ranger-T or bkk blaster grade FMJ/reloads in the chest of a silhouette at 25 yards, despite a 3” barrel…and basically, no sights.

So, yeah…230’s will work fine. I use HST’s in my S&W 325 snubs.

It’s the twist rate of the barrel, not the length, that will determine stabilization.
 
Oh—and by the bye—my last 3” barrel .45 auto—a Colt New Agent—had no problem putting full mags of 230gr Golden Saber, HST, or Ranger-T or bkk blaster grade FMJ/reloads in the chest of a silhouette at 25 yards, despite a 3” barrel…and basically, no sights.

So, yeah…230’s will work fine. I use HST’s in my S&W 325 snubs.

It’s the twist rate of the barrel, not the length, that will determine stabilization.
"It’s the twist rate of the barrel, not the length". i will be using this statement but in a completely different context. thank you.
 
"It’s the twist rate of the barrel, not the length"
IMG_1913.gif
 
All reasonable suggestions. All I will add is you could investigate Hornady Critical Defense 185gr., as it was specifically designed for short-barrels. Personally, 9m HST is my preferred defensive ammo. Kudos . . .
 
I'm buying a xds 45 tomorrow and looking for ammo recommendations. It has the 3.3" barrel and I've been told that 230 gr. Doesn't stabilize in that short of barrel so do I need a light bullet?
I select three types of ammo:
1- Target - So long as descent overall quality as I shoot 100's at a time.
2- Protection - Usually a JHP +p+
3- One the trails/hunting - Solid monolithic ( Bear, Moose, Bison, Puma, Coyote, wyld hog and the worse of all, those conniving low down low life's, two legged snakes that will attack you).

Try a few different types of ammo and see how they feel in your pistol.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top