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I have experimented with slugs for over 30 years because I wanted to improve the performance of the police-style riot gun. These slugs are powerful, they pound the shoulder, and they get the job done. While Lightfield’s offering excel for defense, hunters are not forgotten with both light and heavy recoil loads for added knock-down power. If you are looking for maximum performance, check out Lightfield. They are sometimes overlooked but not because of accuracy and power. This specialty maker offers real performance at a fair price.
With an ammunition shortage coming and good quality ammunition at a premium now is the time to get the loading press cranked up and rolling. Here is one plan to keep shooting.
The Thompson LaGarde test of handgun calibers has been brought into controversy by some, but it was the definitive word when conducted. Their biomechanical fidelity in the use of both cadavers and live animals must be respected. Others point to the success of the .45 ACP during WWII or the works of Elmer Keith and Skeeter Skelton to determine the best caliber to stop a threat. IN this feature article, Bob Campbell makes his case why he relies on big bores for defense.
Not long ago, I was able to spend time with a long time correspondent and email buddy at an NRA convention. Each of us were carrying cocked and locked 1911 .45s and snubnose .38 backups. Each of us has real world experience that lead to this combination. ‘Old School’ he noted. Things become classics because they work and do the task well.
In the firearms world I see much hype and overstatement. As such the real article with genuine performance is often under appreciated. One example is comparing the latest 9mm +P or .357 SIG load to the .357 Magnum. Those may seem like fighting words to some, but read the full story before passing judgement.
Steel-cased loads are viable and most of all affordable. Therefore, the author was very interested to see Hornady offering a Steel Match line. These are not rebranded loads but rather steel-cased cartridge cases loaded by Hornady with Hornady projectiles. That means a lot. This makes the loads viable for hunting provided they are accurate enough for this pursuit, and the powder technology addresses one of the primary concerns with steel cased ammunition—powder fouling.
When it comes to personal defense ammunition, we all want the most for our dollar and a load that maximizes the caliber. This is especially true with the popular 9mm Luger cartridge. A number of manufacturers offer target grade loads, hunting loads, and personal defense loads. DoubleTap ammunition offers personal defense loads, and they do it as well as anyone and better than most.
Those familiar with Bob Campbell’s writing, knows he is a .45 ACP guy all the way, so why is he calling the 9mm “Every Man’s Defensive Caliber?” It’s simple. He believes, ‘Unlike some advocates of the 9mm, I do not ignore physics and claim the 9mm is as effective as the .40 or .45 caliber pistols. Of course it isn’t, because it cannot be. Physics cannot be changed. However, the balance of power and controllability is ideal for most shooters.”
The explosion in handgun choice, and the proliferation of handgun calibers and loads, is immensely interesting. Whether you wish to use a certain caliber and load or not, each is intriguing. Did you know, the popular cartridges of today fill the same basic niche in the same relation to others since Sam Colt codified the pocket, belt, and holster pistol? Colt’s revolvers were offered in .31, .36 and .44 most commonly. The .31 served the same role as today’s .380 ACP pocket pistol; the .36 was the 9mm of the day, and the .44, well, the .44.
There are situations in which the shotgun must be carefully aimed for both hunting and self-defense. That’s primarily because the shotgun can be a formidable weapon to 50 yards and beyond when the user is familiar with its attributes. However, the pattern has not spread all that much at short range and should be aimed almost as carefully as rifle. Have you sighted in your shotgun?
