Not all defensive ammunition is created equal, even though there are a lot of great options out there. Some of the best of these will be covered here.
What a Great Defense Ammo Offers
First, let’s talk about what a good defensive ammo offers. There are numerous attributes that make a defensive round good - or not so good.
The first is the suitability of the cartridge itself. It should offer a good balance between stopping power and recoil. Hence, some of the best defensive cartridges are 9mm, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, and .38 Spl.
Other cartridges like 10mm Auto and .44 Mag, even though they deliver greater stopping power, kick really hard. Others, like .22LR and .38 ACP just don’t deliver enough stopping power.
Another thing any good defensive ammo should offer is a suitable, hollow-point bullet that offers maximal expansion. Many jacketed hollow point bullets are made with skived jackets that disrupt explosively on contact with a soft target, delivering as much energy as possible, creating wider wound channels and cavitation, and minimizing the risk of overpenetration.
Lastly, a defensive ammo, regardless of cartridge or bullet type, should also offer reliable feeding, as some rounds are less reliable than others.
With that said, here are some of the best defensive ammos on the market.
Federal HST
Federal HST, available in a variety of different popular calibers, consistently ranks as one of the best defensive ammos in the industry.
Loaded with non-bonded hollow point bullets with deeply skived jackets, Federal HST delivers consistent, rapid expansion and devastating energy transfer for quick, efficient threat neutralization.
Interestingly, Federal HST has also been consistently demonstrated to resist plugging, the phenomenon that occurs when a hollow point passes through several layers of interposing fabric - that means that HST has been proven to perform on targets wearing several layers of clothing, for instance.
Powerful, consistent, accurate, and optimized for rapid disruption and maximal energy transfer, Federal HST is one of the best options out there, hands down. For more information, see our previous post, Everything You Wanted to Know About Federal HST Ammo.
Hornady Critical Defense
Like Federal HST, Hornady Critical Defense is another premium defensive ammo option, loaded with nickel-plated casings and with unique FTX bullets.
At the core of Hornady Critical Defense ammo is the performance of their FTX bullets, which expand reliably, consistently and explosively, without plugging, even when passing through multiple layers of fabric - just like HST.
Their nickel-plated casings also facilitate chamber checks, even in low-light environments, while also resisting corrosion, ensuring high-performance even when stored for prolonged periods of time.
Hornady Critical Defense ammo is also notably loaded with quick-burning, low-flash propellants that offer two distinct advantages: the low-flash performance helps preserve night vision and prevents temporary blindness, whereas the quick-burning performance of their propellants limits muzzle jump for confident, quick, accurate follow-up shots on target.
Hornady Subsonic
Hornady Subsonic is another excellent defensive cartridge, for numerous reasons, not the least of which is the relatively low recoil.
The one drawback of Hornady Subsonic is the slightly lower stopping power and terminal performance, but overall, the benefits largely outweigh the risks
Less propellant means less muzzle flash, which helps preserve the sight picture; it also reduces recoil, which helps recoil-sensitive shooters maintain better control over the gun, not to mention the fact that less muzzle jump increases the accuracy of follow-up shots.
Plus, the lower propellant charge makes the ammo quieter, better for use with suppressed handguns, and even more importantly, lessens the risk of overpenetration, especially in close, cramped quarters.
All of which, together, make Hornady Subsonic an excellent home defense ammo.
Speer Gold Dot
Speer Gold Dot might be a bit expensive, but it’s trusted by law enforcement personnel around the country for duty use, and that alone should speak volumes.
Among the many virtues of Speer Gold Dot are the GDHP, or Gold Dot Hollow Point bullets, that deliver rapid, consistent expansion, the dependable powder and primers, and the consistent, reliable feeding. The bonded bullets deliver consistent, optimal penetration as well, in concert with rapid, explosive disruption on contact with a soft target.
Another great thing about Speer Gold Dot defensive ammo is that it’s optimized for performance from a short barrel.
The one drawback is price. It is expensive, but that’s a small concession to make for something as important as defensive ammo.
Stock Up on Ammo Here
While these are 4 of the best defensive ammo lines in the industry, there are countless others, and we represent many of them. Take a look through our collection (you can also shop by caliber) and stock up your ammo cans while you’re here. Also, make sure to check out our deals and police trade-in specials so you never miss an opportunity to save on premium ammo.