Next-Gen Defensive
Handgun Ammo

While debates continue to rage about what constitutes the best caliber for personal defense in a handgun, the better question might revolve around bullet and load selection. Fortunately, there’s more than a handful of factory loads that will get the job done and are backed not only by groundbreaking new technology but a long track record of reliable use. Handgun loads today have never been more tested, while space-age materials continue to find their way into the design and manufacturing process. As a result, defense ammunition today is lighter than ever, faster than ever, and more efficient than ever at delivering a truckload of energy on target.

So, whether you’re looking for a load to match your pocket rocket .380 and need a bullet that will perform at lower velocities, or you’re on the search for a heavy-hitting round that will pass every FBI barrier test with flying colors, there’s a perfect load out there waiting to be discovered. Here’s a look at some of the best next-gen handgun loads for personal defense on the market today.

Federal Premium HST Micro .38 Special

While the semi-autos get a lot of love among defensive shooters today, there’s still an exceptionally strong market — and argument to be made — for carry revolvers. One of the most popular revolver chamberings during the last century has been the .38 Special, which was originally introduced in 1898 and loaded with black powder. Very shortly after introduction, the .38 was loaded with smokeless powder, and the cartridge saw widespread use among soldiers in World War I and among police officers from around 1920 to the early 90’s. One of the issues with the cartridge, historically, is that it has more case volume than necessary for modern powders, and burn rates vary in short-barreled revolvers. All that space creates consistency issues, something Federal noticed with extensive load testing. The solution was Federal Premium’s new HST Micro design, in which a wider-mouthed, 130-grain hollow-point bullet is seated inside the case against the powder charge. The cartridge is easily noticeable because the top of the bullet is almost flush with the case. Like the other calibers in Federal’s HST line, the .38 Special variant performed well in gelatin and clothing tests. Unlike other larger calibers, however, it was not tested against FBI protocols, so if you plan on penetrating beefier obstacles like glass and car doors, Federal recommends .40, .45 or 9mm. If you’re looking for an optimal load for your short-barreled revolver, the HST Micro in .38 Special is among the best on the market.

www.federalpremium.com

SIG Elite Performance V-Crown

What’s revolutionary about Sig Sauer’s entrance into the ammo market, a leap that occurred in 2014, is that the same company which brought us world-class firearms is now delivering world-class ammunition to feed them with, all at budget-friendly price points. Skeptical at first, I’ve tested dozens of handguns with Sig’s Elite Performance V-Crown loads over the last few years, and it’s always been a top performer in accuracy, velocity and feeding. The V-Crown bullet features a jacketed hollowpoint (JHP) design, as well as an additional hollow-point cavity, toothed cannelure halfway up the shank to provide deep penetration and expansion, and V-shaped jacket skives and scores for controlled, consistent expansion. Each of the bullets, with the exception of the .380, feature a mechanically paired core and jacket. Testing has shown that V-Crown bullets meet the needs of many law enforcement agencies and are both effective and consistent in almost all defensive barrier tests. The other advantage to Sig’s Elite Performance line is that caliber selection is constantly expanding, and now includes all the old standbys — 9mm, .45, .40 — as well as many off-the-beaten-path cartridges, like .44 Special, .45 Colt, and .38 Super.

www.sigsauer.com

Remington Ultimate Defense Compact Handgun

With so many compact pocket pistols on the market today, many of which are chambered in short-barreled handguns, several manufacturers have noticed the need for ammunition that is designed specifically for these pocket rockets. This is due in large part to the obvious fact that full-size handgun loads don’t perform the same when fired from compact carry guns, and differing velocities mean bullets will expand at different rates. Remington has been producing its ever-popular Golden Saber bullet in Ultimate Defense loads for years, but the company now offers the brass jacketed hollowpoint (BJHP) in a Compact Handgun version that’s tuned for short barrels. The full-size loads are intended for use with barrels between 4″ to 5″, while the Compact Handgun loads are ideal for use with handgun barrels less than 3″ in length. According to Remington, the company designed the bullets in Compact Handgun to expand at lower velocities, something that’s essential when your carry gun features a shorter barrel or smaller caliber, like .380. This bullet design allows for excellent energy transfer on target, reliable expansion and consistent penetration through clothing and gelatin.

www.remington.com

Hornady Critical Defense

Improving upon the tested-and-true hollowpoint design, Hornady built a personal defense bullet with its patented Flex Tip, a technology that it features in its premier Critical Defense ammunition. The Flex Tip works to eliminate any material that might clog the hollow-point, thus preventing the expansion necessary to create a catastrophic wound channel. Interestingly enough, Hornady employed the same material from its LEVERevolution tipped ammunition in the Critical Defense loads. The company uses nickel-plated cases, which are easier to see in low light conditions, while low-flash producing propellants aid in target acquisition in low-light situations. The other beauty of the Critical Defense load is that it’ll function well in shorter-barreled handguns, and is thus ideally suited for concealed carry and personal defense applications. Chambered in everything from .380 Auto to .45 ACP, Hornady’s Critical Defense loads are a proven contender in the defense world.

www.hornady.com