[two-70]

I liek the 124 grain hrdro shock and golden saber

[killer]

When I used to shoot bowling pins with pistols in competition (5 pins 21' away and 15 seconds to clear the table) my buddy had to switch to the heavy 147 gr or 149 gr whatever they came in those days. The heavy 9mm round would push the pin across the four feet of plywood and off the table, while the lighter rounds simply did not have the power.

I might add it was MANDATORY we use expanding bullets. A guy brought a guest shooter one day, forgot to tell him about the rule (which none of us really knew why it existed) and I saw the guy hit the hard maple bowling pin solid with a .45 FMJ bullet which bounced back and hit him in the leg and fell to the ground. He was not hurt. What do you think of that?

And if you think thats BS I've dug some of my 44 mag rounds out of the bowling pins and they were 250 grain soft points.

One round that always smoked the hard maple pin though was a plain old 180 grain soft point. They zipped right through and FLUNG the pin off the table.

[Taurus Fan]

Just go with the Federal +P+ 115 grain, 9BPLE. It's inexpensive, has a proven record, and other more expensive loads look better on paper but don't do any better according to all the data out there. Stuff costs $17.95 at the place I shop. Don't be leary of the +P+ designation, either, other brands +P ammo actually chronographs a bit faster, so the Federal load isn't pushing the envelope that the +P+ designation implies.

[TXplt]

I like the Cor-Bon 115 and DPX. My G26 likes these too.

[pike74]

The RBCD is a 9mm 60 grain round that travel 2010 fps/ 539 flbs
The RBCD performance plus TPD is a 50 grain 2300 fps/ 590 flbs

The cavity diameter on the 60 grain round is 7" with a 10" penetration
The cavity diameter on the 50 grain round is 7" with a 9" penetration

This is a lightweight high velocity round.
My opinion for personal self defense. This IS the BEST round on the market that is legal for any 9mm firearm.
With these rounds, I will not worry about richocet or rounds shooting thru the target if I had to use my firearm in my house with family members.
The rounds are more destructive than any hollowhead round. The rounds are leathal. Why? Because it damages organs. I also heard that these rounds can penetrate kevlar with armour plating. I am not an expert or a professional. I am just stating what I have seen that these rounds can do compared to other rounds. Other brands of lightweight/high velocity rounds are MAG-SAFE and GLASER. So check them out, do your research, and spend so time at the range. Because I am sure you want a round that you can unload into an intruder without fearing that one of you family members could be hit from one of your own round.

Websites
RBCD Performance Plus, Inc. Ammunition

Field Test

The Box O' Truth #38 - RBCD Ammo Vs. The Box O' Truth - Page 1
Performance in Gelatin

Feedback

Pistolsmith.Com • View topic - RBCD Platinum Plus Tactical 9mm 50-gr. Ammo: First Shots...

[Packerfan2600]

Quote:       Originally Posted by knightRider

i like hydra shocks

Yea go with the federal Hydra Shok its what the FBI and most police use

[Enscribe]

Gold Dot 9mm +P is the way I go. I have conducted my own tests and found that the way the lead and copper are joined they don't separate. They make a quarter sized projectile upon impact that doesn't shear the jacket. Most hollow points will shear the jacket right off giving half of what you think you have. Got a spent round right on my computer desk if anyone wants to see I'll post. I have shot Hydra-Shock and some other not so popular brands and Gold Dot +P is the one for me.

[KW Gary M]

In any caliber I like Golden Sabers or Rangers if you can find them. In a .45 only I still think a good 230 GR solid FMJ is as powerful as any hollow point.

[big boomer]

Make sure that hollowpoints feed well in your gun before choosing for self def. I would use something I know will feed.

[Zen900]

Quote:       Originally Posted by pike74

The RBCD is a 9mm 60 grain round that travel 2010 fps/ 539 flbs The RBCD performance plus TPD is a 50 grain 2300 fps/ 590 flbs The cavity diameter on the 60 grain round is 7" with a 10" penetration The cavity diameter on the 50 grain round is 7" with a 9" penetration This is a lightweight high velocity round. My opinion for personal self defense. This IS the BEST round on the market that is legal for any 9mm firearm. With these rounds, I will not worry about richocet or rounds shooting thru the target if I had to use my firearm in my house with family members. The rounds are more destructive than any hollowhead round. The rounds are leathal. Why? Because it damages organs. I also heard that these rounds can penetrate kevlar with armour plating. I am not an expert or a professional. I am just stating what I have seen that these rounds can do compared to other rounds. Other brands of lightweight/high velocity rounds are MAG-SAFE and GLASER. So check them out, do your research, and spend so time at the range. Because I am sure you want a round that you can unload into an intruder without fearing that one of you family members could be hit from one of your own round. Websites RBCD Performance Plus, Inc. Ammunition Field Test The Box O' Truth #38 - RBCD Ammo Vs. The Box O' Truth - Page 1 Performance in Gelatin Feedback Pistolsmith.Com • View topic - RBCD Platinum Plus Tactical 9mm 50-gr. Ammo: First Shots...

I enjoyed the box o truth link and found the high speed low weight ammo very fascinating but I am curious as to why you suggest it is an effective personal defense round when box o truth gave it the thumbs down because the ammo has extremely poor penetration?

[HEMI]

FACT!!A 45 fmj is no where near a good a stopper as a hollow point! 45 fmj 70% a 45 230 gr hp hydra shok 94+%. If my 45 or 9mm wouldn't feed hps I would carry some thing else. I have browning 9mm hi power that will only feed ball ammo that is very accurate ,it will never be carried on the street because fmjs are pathetic when compared to the hollow points.

[Zen900]

Quote:       Originally Posted by HEMI

FACT!!A 45 fmj is no where near a good a stopper as a hollow point! 45 fmj 70% a 45 230 gr hp hydra shok 94+%. If my 45 or 9mm wouldn't feed hps I would carry some thing else. I have browning 9mm hi power that will only feed ball ammo that is very accurate ,it will never be carried on the street because fmjs are pathetic when compared to the hollow points.

HPs generally dont feed as well as ball ammo. Picture a squared flat nosed bullet trying to slide up a concave, rounded feed ramp into the chamber. Then picture the round nosed ball ammo sliding up the same feed ramp. It's easy to see why ball ammo feeds better.

This is why some folks wont use HPs in a semi auto for self defense.

[HEMI]

Zen I understand the reasoning,if my autos could not reliably feed hps I would carry a revolver. No fmj has the street record that hps do period not that having fmjs makes you defenceless just you and yours deserve the best. And todays hps are the best stoppers no contest!!! Most hollow points have the same profile as ball.

[DWFan]

I saw this thread and went and checked out some sources for the ammo. What I found was interesting.
Winchester Ranger 115gr +P+ JHP...
The ammo is restricted by Winchester to Law Enforcement sells only. This is Winchester rules not the law.
Federal Tactical Bonded 135gr +P...
The ammo is restricted by Federal to Law Enforcement sells only. This is Federal's rules not the law.

WTF is going on here? They write that this is the best stopping power ammunition in this caliber that they make and then say an ordinary citizen can't buy it because of company policy? Oh, but they'll gladly sell you bullshit, no-stop hardball that could place your life at risk if you use it for self defense?
What's next? We can't sell you full power .357 Magnum ammo but we'll make you pay the same price for a 1/2 load gunpowder-1/2 load sawdust barely .38 Special +P? This isn't a liabilty issue, this is Federal and Winchester saying they don't trust you.

[owen762]

45 auto 45 gap 40 sw 10mm auto 44 magnum so many options 9mm is great for target shooting but when it comes to protecting yourself and your family you want to know that the gun is up to the job

[TXplt]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Zen900

I enjoyed the box o truth link and found the high speed low weight ammo very fascinating but I am curious as to why you suggest it is an effective personal defense round when box o truth gave it the thumbs down because the ammo has extremely poor penetration?

When I face a threat that consists of pine boards and water jugs, I'll be sure and re-study the "box o' truth" results. Until then, it's just one more well meaning data pont. I really question how it's "penetration" data translates at all into real threats.

The 9mm depends heavily on expansion to be able to dump its energy without overpenetrating. I'll go for the 115-124's at high speed to get expansion and good energy dump (DPX, Cor-Bon, Gold Dot, GS, +P+, etc.). I'll go to exotics (Glazer, etc.) if specifically worried about overpenetration (otherwise no). If you want mass, I'd suggest go for a .45.

DWFan--I've seen the +p+ available on several ammo clearing house sites (as specials yet). I don't know why it's generally not available, but suspect it might be because there's not real industry standard for 9mm pressures in +P+ and most manufacturers don't see much added value in marketing this. Buffalo Bore has some pretty hot ammo as well, if you're looking for the max factory load you can find.

[TheWall]

Don't forget to make sure your gun can handle the ammo you are using. A broken gun won't stop anyone. Most manufactures make remcommendations.

[DWFan]

TXplt, I know I could get that ammo if I wanted to, Winchester or Federal company restriction or no. Heck, I could handload proof-level ammo if I wanted that would make that crap look like a .22. That isn't my issue.
My issue is who the hell is Winchester and Federal to decide who can and can't buy it? Armor-piercing, fragmentation, incendiary, poisonous/radioactive...those I understand restrictions on; but those fall under government restrictions. These are private companies establishing guidelines as to who they trust with their premium self defense ammunition.
Meanwhile, they will gladly take your money for ammo that by the statistics in their own advertisements is less than optimum for the job. Would you want to do business with a company that says "Sorry, your life isn't important enough to us to sell you the best we make; but we have plenty of second rate stuff you can buy."

I'm just off on a rant.

[LarryO1970]

I'm a huge fan of the Speer GoldDot.

... unfortunately, some guns are picky with the ammo they eat, so just make sure it functions without a hitch.

[Zen900]

Quote:       Originally Posted by TXplt

When I face a threat that consists of pine boards and water jugs, I'll be sure and re-study the "box o' truth" results. Until then, it's just one more well meaning data pont. I really question how it's "penetration" data translates at all into real threats.

Will the round penetrate a leather jacket even?