Best .45 ACP Ammo
Compare loads for defense, target, competition & more
The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) stands as one of the most iconic and respected handgun cartridges in history. Developed by John Moses Browning in 1904, it became the standard U.S. military sidearm cartridge for most of the 20th century. The .45 ACP's reputation for reliable stopping power and inherent accuracy continues to make it a popular choice for defensive use, competitive shooting, and recreational shooting.
While newer cartridges offer higher velocities and increased capacity, the .45 ACP maintains its position through proven terminal performance and shooter-friendly recoil characteristics. Modern ammunition development has enhanced its capabilities while maintaining the cartridge's trademark combination of manageable recoil and substantial bullet mass. The .45 ACP represents a mature platform that benefits from over a century of refinement in both ammunition and firearm design.
All .45 ACP Loads
Compare ballistics and prices across 17 products
| PRODUCT ↕ | GRAIN ↕ | VELOCITY ↕ | ENERGY ↕ | BC ↕ | USE CASE ↕ | BEST PRICE ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ammo Inc Signature Series .45 ACP 230gr TMC
230gr
• 890 fps
• Target & Range
|
230gr | 890 | 405 | .185 | Target & Range | $0.96/rd |
|
CCI Blazer .45 ACP 230gr FMJ Ammo
230gr
• 830 fps
• Target & Range
|
230gr | 830 | 352 | .156 | Target & Range | $0.39/rd |
|
CCI Blazer Aluminum .45 ACP 230gr FMJ
230gr
• 845 fps
• Target & Range
|
230gr | 845 | 365 | .156 | Target & Range | $0.45/rd |
|
Federal American Eagle .45 ACP 230gr FMJ Ammo
230gr
• 890 fps
• Target & Range
|
230gr | 890 | 404 | .195 | Target & Range | $0.46/rd |
|
Federal Gold Medal .45 ACP 185gr FMJ-SWC Ammo
185gr
• 770 fps
• Competition
|
185gr | 770 | 244 | .12 | Competition | $1.07/rd |
|
Federal HST .45 ACP 230gr JHP Ammo
230gr
• 890 fps
• Self-Defense
|
230gr | 890 | 404 | .19 | Self-Defense | $0.64/rd |
|
Hornady Critical Defense .45 ACP 185gr FTX Ammo
185gr
• 1000 fps
• Self-Defense
|
185gr | 1000 | 411 | .14 | Self-Defense | $1.29/rd |
|
Hornady Critical Duty .45 ACP +P 220gr FlexLock Ammo
220gr
• 975 fps
• Self-Defense
|
220gr | 975 | 464 | .18 | Self-Defense | $1.36/rd |
|
Hornady Custom .45 ACP 200gr XTP Ammo
200gr
• 900 fps
• Self-Defense
|
200gr | 900 | 360 | .151 | Self-Defense | $1.75/rd |
|
Magtech .45 ACP 230gr FMJ
230gr
• 837 fps
• Target & Range
|
230gr | 837 | 358 | .194 | Target & Range | $0.86/rd |
|
PMC 45 ACP Bronze 230gr FMJ Pistol Ammo
230gr
• 830 fps
• Target & Range
|
230gr | 830 | 352 | .133 | Target & Range | $0.44/rd |
|
Remington Ammunition UMC .45 ACP 230gr FMJ Ammo
230gr
• 835 fps
• Target & Range
|
230gr | 835 | 356 | .161 | Target & Range | $0.49/rd |
|
Sellier & Bellot .45 ACP 230gr FMJ Ammo
230gr
• 853 fps
• Target & Range
|
230gr | 853 | 372 | .213 | Target & Range | $0.39/rd |
|
Speer Gold Dot .45 ACP 185gr JHP Ammo
185gr
• 1050 fps
• Self-Defense
|
185gr | 1050 | 453 | .109 | Self-Defense | $1.52/rd |
|
Speer Gold Dot Carry Gun .45 ACP +P 200gr JHP Ammo
200gr
• 1080 fps
• Self-Defense
|
200gr | 1080 | 518 | .138 | Self-Defense | $1.68/rd |
|
Speer Lawman .45 ACP 230gr TMJ Ammo
230gr
• 830 fps
• Target & Range
|
230gr | 830 | 352 | .153 | Target & Range | $0.46/rd |
|
Winchester .45 ACP 230gr FMJ Ammo
230gr
• 835 fps
• Target & Range
|
230gr | 835 | 356 | .163 | Target & Range | $0.49/rd |
.45 ACP Trajectory Calculator
Calculate drop, velocity, and energy at any range
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Proven terminal performance
- Subsonic velocity reduces muzzle blast
- Heavy bullets maintain energy through barriers
- Push-like recoil characteristic
- Excellent accuracy potential
Cons
- Lower magazine capacity than smaller calibers
- More expensive ammunition than 9mm
- Larger grip size in many platforms
- Slower follow-up shots than 9mm
- Rainbow trajectory at longer ranges