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45 ACP

45 ACP ammo (aka 45 Auto) is the most American pistol cartridge ever to exist! This is the standard round for the Colt M1911, although several other pistols have been designed around John Browning’s great feat of .45 cal magnificence. Choose a bulk 230 grain full metal jacket (FMJ) ammo for target practice, or a jacketed hollow point (JHP) if you need 45 ACP for self-defense. Bullets weighing 165 or 185 grains are both practical if you’re looking for lower-recoil performance. You'll see our in-stock 45 ACP ammo for sale below.
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Bullet Type: Hollow Point

3 Items

  1. 20rds – 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot 230gr. JHP Ammo 20rds – 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot 230gr. JHP Ammo
    $32.95
    $1.65/ppr

    21 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Hollow Point     Muzzle Energy
    405     Casing Type
    Nickel-Plated Brass     Muzzle Velocity
    890     Primer Type
    Boxer     Bullet Weight
    230 Grain
  2. 20rds – 45 ACP +P Speer Gold Dot G2 230gr. JHP Ammo 20rds – 45 ACP +P Speer Gold Dot G2 230gr. JHP Ammo
    $32.95
    $1.65/ppr

    33 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Hollow Point     Muzzle Energy
    423     Casing Type
    Nickel-Plated Brass     Muzzle Velocity
    910     Primer Type
    Boxer     Bullet Weight
    230 Grain
  3. 20rds – 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot 185gr. JHP Ammo 20rds – 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot 185gr. JHP Ammo
    $33.95
    $1.7/ppr

    55 In Stock

    Bullet type
    Hollow Point     Muzzle Energy
    453     Casing Type
    Nickel-Plated Brass     Muzzle Velocity
    1050     Primer Type
    Boxer     Bullet Weight
    185 Grain

3 Items

Geltest header image

45 ACP ballistic gel test results

We shot 32 different loads of 45 ACP self-defense ammo into ballistic gel

Used firearms icon
Firearm Used Ruger SR45
Barrel length icon
Barrel Length 4.5"
Distance target icon
Distance to Target 10 Feet
Barrier icon
Barrier 4-layer cloth
Ammo 5-shot average penetration depth 5-shot average diameter 5-shot average velocity
20rds – 45 ACP +P Barnes TAC-XPD 185gr. TAC-XP SCHP Ammo 20rds – 45 ACP +P Barnes TAC-XPD 185gr. TAC-XP SCHP Ammo
  13.82"
0.77" 911
20rds - 45 ACP Black Hills 230gr. Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo 20rds - 45 ACP Black Hills 230gr. Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo
  18.72"
0.59" 858
50rds - 45 ACP Federal LE Tactical Bonded 230gr. +P HP Ammo 50rds - 45 ACP Federal LE Tactical Bonded 230gr. +P HP Ammo
  13.76"
0.81" 930
50rds - 45 ACP Federal LE Tactical HST 230gr. +P HP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP +P Federal Premium Law Enforcement 230gr. HST JHP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP +P Federal Premium Law Enforcement 230gr. HST JHP Ammo
  13.08"
0.85" 890
50rds - 45 ACP Federal LE Tactical HST 230gr. HP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP Federal Premium Law Enforcement HST 230gr. JHP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP Federal Premium Law Enforcement HST 230gr. JHP Ammo
  14.96"
0.84" 856
50rds – 45 ACP Federal LE Tactical 230gr. Hydra-Shok JHP Ammo 1000rds – 45 ACP Federal Premium Hydra-Shok 230gr. JHP Ammo 1000rds – 45 ACP Federal Premium Hydra-Shok 230gr. JHP Ammo
  20"
0.49" 822
20rds – 45 ACP Federal Personal Defense 230gr. JHP Ammo 20rds – 45 ACP Federal Personal Defense 230gr. JHP Ammo
  21.82"
0.45" 822
20rds - .45 ACP Hornady Critical Defense 185gr. HP Ammo 200rds - 45 ACP Hornady Critical Defense 185gr. HP Ammo 200rds - 45 ACP Hornady Critical Defense 185gr. HP Ammo
  14.18"
0.62" 989
20rds - 45 ACP Hornady Custom 230gr. +P XTP HP Ammo 200rds - 45 ACP Hornady Custom 230gr. +P XTP HP Ammo 200rds - 45 ACP Hornady Custom 230gr. +P XTP HP Ammo
  19.34"
0.56" 905
50rds - 45 ACP Nosler Match Grade Handgun 185gr. JHP Ammo 50rds - 45 ACP Nosler Match Grade Handgun 185gr. JHP Ammo
  23.64"
0.46" 1003
25rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 185gr. +P HP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP +P Remington Golden Saber 185gr. JHP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP +P Remington Golden Saber 185gr. JHP Ammo
  16.42"
0.73" 1096
25rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 185gr. HP Ammo 25rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 185gr. HP Ammo
  13.92"
0.71" 954
25rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 230gr. HP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 230gr. HP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 230gr. HP Ammo
  20.74"
0.58" 823
20rds - 45 ACP Sig Sauer Elite Performance Ammunition 200gr. V-Crown JHP Ammo 20rds - 45 ACP Sig Sauer Elite Performance Ammunition 200gr. V-Crown JHP Ammo
  20.26"
0.5" 895
50rds – 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 230gr. JHP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 230gr. HP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 230gr. HP Ammo
  14.3"
0.68" 770
20rds – 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot 185gr. JHP Ammo 20rds – 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot 185gr. JHP Ammo
  15.18"
0.69" 1002
20rds – 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot 230gr. JHP Ammo 20rds – 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot 230gr. JHP Ammo
  12.42"
0.72" 805
20rds – 45 ACP Winchester Defender 230gr. PDX1 Bonded JHP Ammo 200rds – 45 ACP Winchester Defender 230gr. PDX1 Bonded JHP Ammo 200rds – 45 ACP Winchester Defender 230gr. PDX1 Bonded JHP Ammo
  17.22"
0.7" 896
20rds - 45 ACP Winchester W Train & Defend 230gr. JHP Ammo 20rds - 45 ACP Winchester W Train & Defend 230gr. JHP Ammo
  23.02"
0.45" 873
50rds - 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 200gr. +P HP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 200gr. +P HP Ammo 1000rds - 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 200gr. +P HP Ammo
  13.1"
0.73" 1076
20rds - 45 ACP New Black Hills 185gr. JHP Ammo 20rds - 45 ACP New Black Hills 185gr. JHP Ammo
  20.58"
0.5" 995
50rds – 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 185gr. JHP Ammo 500rds – 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 185gr. JHP Ammo 500rds – 45 ACP Speer LE Gold Dot 185gr. JHP Ammo
  12.04"
0.71" 1000
50rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber Bonded 230gr. BJHP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber Bonded 230gr. BJHP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber Bonded 230gr. BJHP Ammo
  18.12"
0.54" 861
50rds - 45 ACP Nosler Match Grade Handgun 230gr. JHP Ammo 50rds - 45 ACP Nosler Match Grade Handgun 230gr. JHP Ammo
  24.82"
0.45" 893
20rds – 45 ACP +P Hornady Critical Duty 220gr. FlexLock Ammo 200rds – 45 ACP +P Hornady Critical Duty 220gr. FlexLock Ammo 200rds – 45 ACP +P Hornady Critical Duty 220gr. FlexLock Ammo
  19.54"
0.56" 991
20rds - 45 ACP Hornady XTP 200gr. HP Ammo 200rds - 45 ACP Hornady XTP 200gr. HP Ammo 200rds - 45 ACP Hornady XTP 200gr. HP Ammo
  17.92"
0.53" 900
20rds - 45 ACP G2 Research RIP 162gr. HP LF Ammo 20rds - 45 ACP G2 Research RIP 162gr. HP LF Ammo
  11.32"
0.45" 992
50rds - 45 ACP Winchester Ranger Talon 230gr. HP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Winchester Ranger Talon 230gr. HP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Winchester Ranger Talon 230gr. HP Ammo
  14.18"
0.91" 955
50rds - 45 ACP Winchester Ranger Talon 230gr. +P HP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Winchester Ranger Talon 230gr. +P HP Ammo 500rds - 45 ACP Winchester Ranger Talon 230gr. +P HP Ammo
  17.54"
0.79" 976
20rds – 45 +P ACP Black Hills 230gr. JHP Ammo 20rds – 45 +P ACP Black Hills 230gr. JHP Ammo
  19.78"
0.64" 922
20rds - 45 ACP Federal Hydra-Shok PD Low Recoil 165gr. HP Ammo 20rds - 45 ACP Federal Hydra-Shok PD Low Recoil 165gr. HP Ammo
  14.74"
0.65" 1044
20rds - 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 230gr. HP Ammo 20rds - 45 ACP Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 230gr. HP Ammo
  16.44"
0.67" 862
50rds – 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 230gr. BJHP Ammo 50rds – 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 230gr. BJHP Ammo
  18.96"
0.69" 849
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More About 45 ACP Ammo

What is the Difference Between “.45,” “.45 Auto,” and “.45 ACP?”

There really is no difference for these terms, as they are largely used to describe the .45 ACP, which is the official name of the cartridge. When someone says “.45” in reference to ammunition, they are usually referring to the .45 ACP. The same goes for “.45 Auto,” as “ACP” stands for “Automatic Colt Pistol.” However, they may be referring to the .45 GAP, which stand for “Glock Automatic Pistol.” The GAP, however, is much less common than the ACP.

Testing the best 45 acp ammo for self-defense

Is 45 ACP Good For Self-Defense?

Generally speaking, 45 ACP is a slow handgun cartridge but it delivers a lot of energy down range. This makes it a great choice for self-defense shooters. We tested several 45 ACP hollow point options with ballistic gelatin to see how they performed. Find out the best options for 45 ACP self-defense ammo here.

Are the .45 ACP and .45 GAP Interchangeable?

No. Unlike other cartridges (the .38 Special and .357 Magnum, for example), these two cartridges are not interchangeable at all. The .45 ACP was created by Colt’s Manufacturing Company for their line of pistols, while Glock created .45 GAP ammunition for their own products. These cartridges have different dimensions, most noticeably a vastly different overall length.

How Far Can a .45 ACP Effectively Shoot?

The .45 ACP is an effective handgun round for target shooting, but it is generally limited to about 50 yards of effective range, a fairly common maximum distance for handguns. For example, the Gold Medal rounds with 185-grain FMJ bullets (a light bullet for this cartridge), when zeroed to 25 yards, will drop 3.1 inches at 50 yards and almost two feet at 100. This makes using the .45 ACP at distances over 50 yards extremely difficult. You can learn a lot more about the caliber's capabilities in this 45 ACP Ballistics guide.

Is the .45 ACP Ideal for Self-Defense?

Yes. The .45 ACP can deliver effective speed and velocity for personal and home protection. The cartridge has muzzle velocities generally in the range of 800 to 1,100 feet per second, and can go even higher if you are firing +P ammunition. It also delivers muzzle energies approaching 500 foot-pounds, which drives effective penetration and expansion to the target. The only downside for .45 ACP is that it may be too large for some conceal-carry users and could have too much recoil for effective secondary shots. If you are using the .45 ACP for self defense, you will want expanding rounds such as jacketed hollow points.

Is the .45 ACP Better Than the 9mm Luger?

That depends on what you want from your cartridge. If you value sheer strength and stopping power above all, the .45 ACP is your best option. However, the 9mm Luger ammunition is a compact yet powerful cartridge that is ideal for many gun owners.

Which Firearms Commonly Load the .45 ACP?

While there are many weapons that can load the .45 ACP, the most famous is the 1911-style semi-automatic pistols. These firearms can be chambered for many different calibers, but the 1911/.45 ACP relationship is one of the most famous and successful gun/cartridge combinations in the world.

Recent 45 ACP Reviews

  • ☆☆☆☆☆
    All good!
    William Wise on 500rds - 45 ACP Federal American Eagle 230gr. FMJ Ammo
  • ☆☆☆☆☆
    I shot about 100 rounds of Maxx-Tech 45 acp ammo from Ammotogo.com, the ammo was very clean, accurate, NO issues in my Tisas 1911A1 pistol. Would definitely buy more!
    Marlon Savarino on 500rds – 45 ACP MAXX Tech 230gr. FMJ Ammo
  • ☆☆☆☆☆
    This ammo runs great in the Glock 21 G3. A lot of 230 fmj ball ammo sinks like a stone at 30 yards in the G21 G3 but this stuff is just like the ballistics data on this page shows- it sails flat and true and can ding cola can sized pieces of steel at 30 yards easy if you can deliver on your end. You can trust your life or your next hunting trip with this ammo. Excellent, accurate, reliable, and reasonably priced for the level of quality that Hornady is.
    CGiles on 20rds - 45 ACP Hornady Custom 230gr. +P XTP HP Ammo
  • ☆☆☆☆☆
    Thanks for all the info on these rounds. You guys really take pride in evaluating and testing these products. It helps me pick the right round without guessing or going off your buddy's favorite round. Love the attention you guys give. And I'm sure you've help countless people make the right choice with all your info.
    Ryan on 25rds - 45 ACP Remington Golden Saber 185gr. HP Ammo