What is the most common ammunition for self defense?
When it comes to self-defense, some types of ammunition are more popular than others. Four of the most common choices are:
- 38 Special
- 357 Magnum
- 9 mm
- 12 gauge 00 buckshot (for shotguns)
Are you wondering what type of ammunition is best for your needs? The experts here at Powder Valley are happy to assist you. For now, let’s take a closer look at these four types of ammo.
38 Special: The Classic Choice
The venerable 38 Special has been around for over 100 years. For decades it was the caliber of choice for law enforcement agencies across the country. It remains a popular round today, despite the growing popularity of alternative calibers such as 9 mm.
38 Special ammo offers both reasonable stopping power and low recoil, making it a great option for smaller or less experienced shooters. A revolver loaded with hollow point 38 caliber ammunition will stop a bad guy in his tracks now just as surely as it did more than a century ago.
357 Magnum: the 38 Special’s Big Brother
Introduced in 1934, the 357 Magnum is similar in appearance to the 38 Special. But, when it comes to stopping power, the 357 packs twice the muzzle velocity (1900 FPS versus 940 FPS) and pressure (35,000 PSI versus 17,000 PSI) as its older counterpart.
All of that extra power gives the 357 Magnum a substantially stronger “kick” than the 38 Special. For this reason, we recommend that shooters try both types of ammo before making their final choice. For those who can handle the extra recoil, the 357 Magnum is an excellent self-defense round.
9 mm: The New Kid on the Block
Available in a wide range of configurations, 9 mm handgun ammunition provides formidable stopping power along with excellent accuracy. This caliber has enjoyed explosive popularity since its introduction to the mass market back in the 1980s.
You’ll find plenty of revolvers as well as pistols that are chambered for 9 mm ammunition. With so much versatility, it’s no wonder that this is perhaps the most popular self-defense round on today’s market.
12 gauge 00 Buckshot
12 gauge 00 buckshot is the classic choice for shotgun owners looking for a self-defense round. Devastating at short distances, its limited range makes it less likely to penetrate the walls of the average American home. If you’re looking for a way to deter the bad guys without endangering your loved ones, then 12 gauge 00 shotshell ammunition will do the job admirably.
Powder Valley: The Shooter’s First Choice for Ammunition and Reloading Supplies
Here at Powder Valley, we carry a giant selection of ammunition and reloading supplies, along with excellent customer service. We are happy to offer our expertise if you have questions about which products are best for your needs.
Shop our one-stop online megastore for all your ammunition needs and enjoy top-quality merchandise at the most competitive prices. Remember, we can help you to shoot more and pay less than before.