the MILITARY is USUALLY restricted to use of non-expanding bullets, if your restricted to non-expanding bullets the bigger the diameter hole you punch
(as long as it has the energy to punch through the vitals at normal ranges and angles)
the more effective it tends to be, hunters and civilians in most areas can use expanding projectiles and thats a whole different game!
where you hit a target/aggressor is more important that the power level within reasonable limits so knowing your opponents anatomy and being able to place shots in critical lethal areas is vitally important, if the goal is extremely rapid immobilization of a mortal threat.
a 357 mag, 4o S&W or even a 9mm with quality expanding projectiles , can produce more damage than the non-expanding projectile!
Ive been hunting deer and hogs for 45 plus years with handguns, and while it may not be people , you do get to see how effective various
calibers are, and while non-expanding bullets like military 45 acp may be illegal to hunt with Ive seen it used on enough hogs to know its potential as a STOPPER!
theres a HUGE difference in effectiveness in a handgun bullet between a full metal jacket like a military 45acp,
and a controlled expanding bullet like the better hollow point and soft point design bullets available.(yes even in a 45 acp)
theres no question at all if youve seen the results first hand, that expanding bullets provide a larger wound channel and are generally quickly fatal with well placed hits,
and that similar hits with hard ball may be lethal, but noticeably less effective immediately, unless the spine or brain is hit .
theres always a compromise, youll be forced to make between power ,penetration, expansion,accuracy, recoil level and firearm size and conceal-ability
http://www.vedderholsters.com/comforttuck/
if you can,t COMFORTABLY carry your handgun of choice all day/every day,
you don,t have the correct holster, pistol or mindset!
http://gundata.org/blog/post/best-handgun-caliber-and-round-for-self-defense/#10mmauto
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-useful-self-defense-pistol.13688/#post-70443
given what Ive seen over the years, while hunting and dressing out large game animals ,
Id suggest a 357 mag , 40 S&W or 10mm , 41 mag or 45 ACP , 45 colt revolver
CARTRIDGES IN A HANDGUN YOU SHOOT WELL,
loaded with a good expanding bullet will do an exceptionally effective job
IF your forced to fight, for your life,if your opponents not down and out, DON,T STOP SHOOTING!
FAILURE to destroy the CNS (BRAIN OR UPPER SPINE) will usually NOT RESULT in instant stops
even several center mass hits with most good effective hand gun calibers that will eventually prove fatal, will not insure the attacker can,t continue to fight for a few seconds or minutes, even non-survivable wounds don,t necessarily, stop an antagonist instantly, and in those few seconds you could be mortally injured, so if your forced to fight it makes a great deal of sense to select the most effective tools available and to have the practice and experience to use the tool effectively
if you can shoot accurately,
REMEMBER ONLY WELL PLACED HITS COUNT HERE!
ID suggest you look for a load that gives max expansion and 14"-to-20" of penetration on the chart posted above if I was selecting defensive ammo
if you select a 45 acp, something like this would be close to ideal
http://www.luckygunner.com/hornady-45-acp-ammo-for-sale-45acpp230xtphornady-20#geltest
if you select a 9mm something like this would be close to ideal
http://www.luckygunner.com/9-mm-p-124-grain-jhp-remington-golden-saber-25-rounds#geltest
this works in a 10mm
http://www.luckygunner.com/10mm-auto-180-gr-jhp-xtp-hornady-20-rounds
this would be my choice
http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=126_134&product_id=591
WHY?
well after shooting a few hogs with my glock 20,
10mm the results are informative,
and make me rather confident in the potential results
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