Top 5 45 ACP Self Defense Ammo

The 45 ACP is an excellent self-defense round. It's been in service for the US Military since World War 1. The advantage the 45 ACP has over smaller cartridges, like the 9mm Luger, is a larger projectile although at a much slower velocity. Most 45 ACP ammo 45 ACP ammo will be between 185 to 230 grains with a velocity between 900 to 1,000 FPS.

45 ACP is a versatile round that can be used for several types of defense. The best ammo for your needs will depend on several things, like bullet style and intended use.

45 ACP Bullet Styles

Jacketed Hollow Point

Jacketed Hollow Point is the classic choice for a self-defense round. The jacketed hollow point offers controlled, reliable expansion to provide maximum penetration without over-penetration. Jacketed Hollow Point ammo for the 45 ACP is available from many of your favorite brands, like Hornady, Federal, and Sig Sauer.

Polymer Tip

Polymer-tipped defense rounds offer controlled expansion over a range of velocities. Their consistency and reliability are unmatched, giving shooters peace of mind. You can find polymer-tipped 45 ACP Ammo in lines like Hornady Critical Defense and Critical Duty.

Flat Nose

Flat Nose Bullets are great for woods defense situations when deep penetration is a must. Great for use against bears or hogs, these bullets reliably crush through bone and hide to strike vitals and keep you protected against large targets.

Knock Down Power

The 45 ACP generally features larger bullets and has more stopping power than cartridges like the 9mm. This makes the 45 ACP incredibly versatile as it can be trusted to take down larger game, like bears while also being perfectly manageable for home defense and other applications.

Popularity

The 45 ACP is one of the most popular handgun cartridges and has been for decades. Brands like Springfield, Glock, and Smith & Wesson produce wide offerings of 45 ACP Handguns. This popularity also means many manufacturers produce 45 ACP ammo for countless applications. 45 ACP ammo is generally readily available in a wide array of options for home defense, hunting, target shooting, and woods defense.

We've put together our list of the top 5 self-defense 45 ACP ammo. Here are our picks!

Hornady Critical Defense 45 ACP Ammo 185 Grain Hornady FTX Polymer Tip Box of 20

Hornady Critical Defense 45 ACP Ammunition was purpose built for concealed carry guns and designed to deliver reliable and controlled expansion regardless of target every time.. Critical Defense Ammunition is loaded with Hornady's bullet which has a soft polymer insert that delivers superior controlled expansion and large, deep wound cavities over a wide range of velocities. Each round is loaded into a nickel case for increased visibility in low-light situations and premium low flash propellants that deliver proven performance, even in very short-barreled handguns that will not disrupt your vision. This ammunition was designed by Hornady to expand every single time. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

Features

Unaffected by thick and heavy clothing, including denim and leather
Bullet delivers superior controlled expansion and large, deep wound cavities over a wide range of velocities
Clean burning and efficient propellants reduce recoil in lightweight handguns, and perform consistently at all temperatures
Minimal muzzle flash protect night vision
Feeds reliably in pistols
Bullets are custom designed for individual loads
Effective, consistent, reliable self-defense ammunition

Notice From Hornady: Temporary suspension of nickel plated cartridge cases for Critical Defense® Handgun Ammunition 5/25/21

Unfortunately, everyone is faced with production bottlenecks and supply chains are stressed. In particular, the freight system is delayed longer than normal. Our current turnaround time on nickel plating cartridge cases is 4+ weeks. This delay has created a significant bottleneck in the production of ammunition.

Due to these issues, we will suspend nickel plating on all Critical Defense handgun ammunition to help reduce production time. We will resume nickel plating when things return to normal.

What Customers Are Saying

Go To Defense Ammo

This is the absolute best Defensive ammo on the market for most civilian uses. Law enforcement needs barricade/glass penetration but the avg civilian just needs to stop the threat without over penetration. This ammo will do that. I have never had a FTF, FTE, or any problem with this ammo in any of the eight 1911s I have used it in. It also has decent accuracy. Averages 2 inches at 25 yards in most 1911s. In tests on penetration/expansion on water filled one gallon jugs, it penetrated 3 jugs and expanded to 68 caliber. The first jug was completely laid open and the second jug was split clean down the side. The round bulged the back wall of the third jug. That is 18 inches of penetration when fired from 10 yards away. I get the same performance whether it is a 3, 4, or 5 inch barrel. Additionally there is no hollow point on this ammo that can be plugged by denim or leather on initial contact. This stuff always expands due to the polymer tip. I bet my life on this ammo. I also keep the 38 special 110 gr Criti...

- Jim, 10/16/2017

About Hornady

“Ten bullets through one hole” is the philosophy that brought Hornady® Manufacturing from a two-man operation in 1949, to a world-leading innovator of bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture today. Change is their constant and daily challenge. They outperform their competitors by ensuring the products they make are the ones their customers need right now, and accurately predict what they’ll want in the future. They recognize trends, and respect when to leave well enough alone. Their workforce includes an ample number of hunters and competitive shooters, as well as veterans and former law enforcement officers. At Hornady® Manufacturing, ammunition is more than their livelihood. It’s a major part of their daily life.

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Federal Premium Personal Defense 45 ACP Ammo 210 Grain Federal Hydra-Shok Deep Jacketed Hollow Point

Federal Premium Hydra-Shok has proven itself for self-defense since 1989. Hydra-Shok Deep builds off the time-tested platform with design improvements that better meet modern performance measurements. The bullet features a more robust center post and a core design that provides as much as 50 percent deeper penetration than original Hydra-Shok and competitor loads. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable nickel plated brass cases.

Features

Penetrates 15 inches in bare ballistics gel—the optimal depth according to FBI standards
50 percent deeper penetration than original Hydra-Shok
70 percent improvement in FBI protocol score
Iconic center post design has been improved for better, more consistent expansion through standard barriers.
Consistent, specially formulated propellant
Extremely reliable Federal primer

What Customers Are Saying

Picky gun likes!

I couldn't help but notice this hollow point has a bit more of a taper to the meplat then most. I have an older picky gun doesn't like most hollow points but it fed these just fine. With that said I would gladly recommend these purely based off of reliability.

- Range Shooter, 7/3/2022

About Federal Premium

Federal Cartridge Company, as we know it today, started in 1922 when Charles Horn purchased Federal Cartridge and Machine out of receivership. Federal’s first products were shotshells, followed by rimfire in 1924. In 1976, Federal Premium was launched, combining boutique bullets with premium propellants and nickel-plated brass to create the “best of the best” in centerfire ammunition. Over a century later, MidwayUSA offers a complete spectrum of Federal ammunition, ranging from shotshell offerings like: Top-Gun, High Over All, Game Loads, Gold Medal Grand, and Prairie Storm; and centerfire rifle ammunition such as Fusion, Power-Shok, Gold Medal Match, Meat Eater; to centerfire pistol ammunition: HST, Punch, and American Eagle. Federal continues to manufacture rimfire ammo in the form of AutoMatch, Champion, and Game-shok. Federal supports handloaders with standard: small pistol, small rifle, large pistol, large rifle, 209 shotshell primers, and the Gold Medal-series match primers.

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G2 Research R.I.P. 45 ACP Ammo 162 Grain G2 R.I.P. Fragmenting Hollow Point Lead Free Box of 20

G2 Research is a premium self defense, and environmentally conscious defense/hunting ammunition manufacturer. G2 Research's vast understanding of material properties and utilization of complex geometries renders predictable and consistent results that maximize the effectiveness of its solid copper/lead free projectiles. The G2 Research R.I.P. (Radically Invasive Projectile) features a unique one hundred percent copper petaled-trocar design which gives it the ability to not only penetrate deep into a target but also fragment in fluid. Upon entering a gel or fluid the petals break from the base and create individual wound channels as the base continues on course. This penetration and separation delivers not only a maximum shock wave but wound path as well. In years of ammunition design there has always been a trade off between mass and velocity to accomplish the goal of effective stopping power. G2 Research added a third variable with the patented trocar design. The surgically designed trocars offer better barrier penetration thus maintaining a higher velocity when hitting a target, transferring more energy into the target. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

What Customers Are Saying

RIP 45 ACP Performed as expected

Used the RIP in both my Ruger 1911 and my S&W Performance 1911 and it performed flawlessly. No feeding problems and it shot tight groups at 7,10 and 15 yards. Expensive, yes but used for personal protection round.

- Craig, 1/18/2019 Shop Now

Hornady Custom 45 ACP +P Ammo 230 Grain Hornady XTP Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 20

Hornady custom-grade ammunition from the factory. Every round of Hornady Custom ammunition is hand inspected before packaging to ensure the highest levels of quality control. Hornady Custom ammunition is manufactured to give shooters and hunters the advantage of hand-loaded accuracy in a factory load. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

Hornady XTP bullets were designed for hunting, self-defense, and law enforcement. One of the great things about the XTP bullet is reliable performance, it features controlled expansion where six serrations divide the bullet into six symmetrical sections. These sections weaken the jacket to allow controlled expansion at low velocities and ensures fragmentation does not occur at high velocities. The XTP bullet is really known for its stopping power. They were designed from the beginning to expand reliably at a variety of handgun velocities and deliver deep, terminal penetration with every shot. Most handgun bullets are designed to perform at a single factory-specified velocity where the XTP bullet is designed to offer controlled expansion over a range of velocities. Each XTP Bullet has a swaged core and drawn copper jacket to ensure uniform expansion and in-flight stability. Adding a cannelure to this bullet keeps the core and the jacket locked together while also allowing the cartridge case to tightly crimp, adding security at high velocities.

What Customers Are Saying

Excellent round. Good ...

Excellent round. Good power and recoil is manageable. Functions flawlessly from my Cot Commander and Springfield 1911-A1. Not one malfunction or fail to eject. Nice tight group at 25 yards. My carry round and home defense. No need for more expensive ammo.

- Ray, 2/25/2010

About Hornady

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Winchester USA Ready Defense 45 ACP Ammo 200 Grain Winchester Hex-Vent Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 20

Winchester USA Ready Defense ammunition is a select grade of ammunition and components, designed for personal defense. Made in the USA, it offers the ideal combination of stopping power, penetration and reliable expansion. The unique Hex-Vent Rigid Insert shields the hollow point from obstruction while channeling material flow for positive bullet expansion. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in reloadable nickel plated brass cases.

What Customers Are Saying

I will purchase more.

Tested Winchester 45 acp USA ready 200 grain defense ammo for function & accuracy in my Kimber ultra crimson carry 3 inch barrel. Function was perfect, however this gun shoots everything without issue , including reloads of all configurations. Grouping was good & recoil was about equal with Hornady critical defense 185 FTX. Also equal with the Hornady 185 FTX ammo, in this gun point of impact at 15 yards was about 2 inches above point of aim . Yours may differ. I have not tested in my kimber pro carry 4 inch yet. So far, it's a keeper. There is several brands of good defense ammo available, it's difficult to choose. Fact is , shot placement is what will save your life ! Just my personal opinion, be safe.

- Quigley, 12/19/2022

About Winchester

Winchester is The American Legend, a brand built on integrity, hard work, and a deep focus on its loyal Customers. Considered one of the world’s leading ammunition and firearms manufacturers, Winchester has built its reputation on delivering innovative products, providing top-shelf Customer service, and demonstrating industry leadership. Along with ammunition and firearms, Winchester offers many gun parts and accessories as well as tools, apparel, safes and storage, air guns, and more. We offer a huge selection of Winchester products, including the Model 70 Rifle, Super-X Ammunition, SX4 Shotgun, and AA Target Ammo. From our research and development efforts to our manufacturing processes, we understand the value of product quality and performance. With a reputation steeped in tradition, we have earned the moniker ‘The American Legend’ by delivering on our commitment to excellence in everything we do.

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