I have a wide variety of ammo, mostly because I am not picky. My biggest requirement is that it function well with the firearms that I am going to be using it in.
The only ammo I standardize is rifle ammo. In 5.56mm, I am buying 62 grain green tips. I have optimized my rifles for that. In 7.62 mm, I am shooting 149 grain, but I also have some 168gr BTHP as well.
For handgun, there is a wide variety. Still, here are the main cartridges that I have in stock, and this is largely what I am carrying:
| Caliber | Bullet | Velocity (fps) | Power (ft/lb) |
| .38Spl | 125gr | 950 | 250 |
| .357Mag | 125gr | 1400 | 544 |
| .357Sig | 125gr | 1350 | 506 |
| .380ACP | 90gr | 950 | 180 |
| 9mm | 124gr | 1110 | 339 |
| 9mm subsonic | 135gr JHP | 1010 | 306 |
| 9mm subsonic | 145gr RNL | 1000 | 322 |
| .40S&W | 165gr | 1045 | 400 |
| .45ACP | 185gr | 970 | 386 |
| .45ACP | 230gr+P | 975 | 464 |
| 10mm* | 180gr | 1250 | 624 |
Note that when more than one bullet is listed in a given caliber, the heavier one is the one that I use in firearms with longer barrels. The lighter bullet is for shorter firearms. For example, that 135gr 9mm bullet makes best use of the longer barrel from a PDC like my Scorpion EVO and its 8 inch barrel. You can tell that I am a fan of the 125grain loading. I also stock subsonic 9mm for using with a suppressor.
However, I also have odds and ends of ammo that I have tested and you will see some odd stuff like 184 rounds of this, or 20 rounds of that. (The 20 rounds is rat shot for the .38Spl)
*For reference, I included the 500 rounds of 10mm that I bought to test. Once I get sights, magazines, and I am sure that this ammo functions well with this handgun, this one will be ready for use.
My wife likes to use the 380 for handguns, but her home defense gun is that EVO, and I don’t blame her. It’s easy to use, recoil is great, and with the 30 round magazines, it gives you a decided advantage against an assailant.
My EDC is either the 38 snubbie, or my Shield Plus in 9mm. My house handgun is a full sized M&P45, and its loaded with the 230gr +p’s.
I may add that 10mm to the mix at some point. The numbers are impressive. I am looking at a company called Underwood that appears to be loading defense ammo to its full potential. The S&W10 is nice because it is the same sized as the 45, and uses the same holsters.
Here is Garand Thumb reviewing the Underwood loadings for the 10mm. I like this video, because it is more entertaining than a dry lecture on the benefits of a cartridge, even if he does take some liberties with strict range safety.
I have never bought or fired Underwood’s ammo before and I know nothing about them, other than their website and the above video. I have to admit that 15 rounds of 180 grains moving at 1300 feet per second is interesting.
8 Comments
Danny · March 4, 2025 at 11:54 am
FWIW — regarding smaller calibers, I have CCI 30 grain hollow point that is (on the label) rated at 2050 fps. Also Hornady 30 grain V-Max which reaches an amazing 2200 fps. The Hornady has the red plastic tip to facilitate entry when the projectile strikes target. At relatively close range, hitting vital areas on a human with a number of these will make for a bad day for that person.
I liked the comments about .22 in the previous post and know it to be true. Assassins use them I’m sure.
Danny · March 4, 2025 at 4:27 pm
Oops — forgot to state that it’s .22 magnum
Tree Mike · March 4, 2025 at 1:15 pm
I’m old and stuck in my ways, for 5.56, I stick with M193, it yaws and breaks up some inches after impact, that’s as good as it gets for ball ammo.
I have a case of Lake City, 7.62, but I prefer 168 gr OTM, it flys better than the poorer ballistic coefficient 147-150 gr ammo. 180 gr is just too heavy/slow for long range, though it’s fine for hunting at close range, under 250 yards, too much of a rainbow trajectory. I did a few years on the Army, Cal. Guard rifle team, back in the mid 80’s. The old timers taught the most useful info.
Home defence goes to either a 300 BO AR pistol or a 5.56 M4ish carbine. Each one has it’s own ear defenders. People smarter than me say the raw blast from an unsuppressed AR helps dissorient, distract, deter, attackers. I don’t have to worry about neighbors, just my dogs.
Divemedic · March 4, 2025 at 1:28 pm
300 Blackout is in my future as well.
SP RN · March 4, 2025 at 4:40 pm
You’ll get very high power ammo from either Underwood or Buffalo Bore. Spendy but one gets what one pays for.
Divemedic · March 4, 2025 at 5:31 pm
I got the ammo from Underwood
Danny · March 4, 2025 at 5:39 pm
Bear loads — ha ha
https://grizzlycartridge.com/product-category/10mm/
Bad Dancer · March 4, 2025 at 7:41 pm
Been carrying a 10mm for over 10 years, mostly because I am dumb and set in my ways, from an AMT backup rechambered from 40 to 10mm (ow), glock 29s, 20s, and a colt delta elite I loved but just would not group.
Underwood are good people, load their ammo hot but not stupid dangerous hot, I believe they’re the spiritual successor to Swamp Fox ammo. Another fun round to consider is the blisteringly fast 135 grain hollowpoint 10mm or the 60 grain liberty defense claiming 2400 fps and 780 foot pounds of energy. I haven’t chrono-ed that loading but I’ve shot clay blocks and calibrated gel and dont hate it.
Switched to underwood to carry a 200 grain hollowpoint after hornady discontinued their XTP 200 grain line and I am very very happy with its performance on human test analogs, feral hogs and wild boar, deer, and bowling pins.
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