Since the invention and subsequent military adoption of the M1911 pistol, the .45 ACP cartridge has been a staple in the American firearm market. And while the 230-gr. FMJ, or ball, round is probably the most common projectile to top the cartridge, advances in bullet design, particularly in the last couple decades, have given rise to a vast array of offerings. From hardball to hollow points, shooter’s today have quite a selection of performance- and purpose-driven ammunition from which to choose.
For American Rifleman’s Joe Kurtenbach, a pair of 185-gr. offerings from Hornady are among his favorite .45 ACP loads, and in this week's NRA Gun Gear of the Week video he explains some of the benefits of the company’s American Gunner and Critical Defense lines.
Additional Reading:
Understanding Hornady's Critical Defense and Critical Duty Ammo 
NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Favorite .45s From Hornady
More like this from around the NRA
Latest
Review: Springfield Armory SA-35 4"
Springfield Armory has made its SA-35 High Power clone even more appealing to those interested in a compact, concealed-carry pistol with a new 4-inch barreled version of its SA-35.
Legacy Sports International Expands Howa Bolt-Action Rifle Lineup
Japanese-made Howa M1500 rifles continue to be some of the best value-for-the-money bolt-actions on the market, and for 2026, the company is adding two new models, along with a new chambering.
The Armed Citizen® Aug. 17, 2026
Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.
Skills Check: The Tabula Rasa Method
Too many shooters step onto the range carrying the emotional residue of every missed shot, every bad stage and every ugly drill from the last six months like a tactical backpack full of disappointment. The Tabula Rasa method is designed to change that relationship.
Canadian Law Enforcement Agencies Select Federal Ammunition
Federal Ammunition will supply the Canadian Department of National Defense and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with rifle and shotgun ammunition, respectively.
Shooting Surplus: Finding Affordable Mil-Surp Ammo in 2026
Today, the market for mil-surp ammo is vastly different than it was even just a few years ago. If you're a military-surplus collector and shooter, what should you look for in 2026? Here's our guide.
Interests
Beretta B22 Jaguar Tac Metal Available Now, Metal Competition Coming Soon | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal
- Smith & Wesson Honors America's 250th Anniversary with Limited-Edition Model 1854 | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- Colt Electro-Optics Introduces New Red Dots & Magnifier | An Official Journal Of The NRA
- First Look: Eylar X Brownells 250th Anniversary Rifle and Pistol Cases | An Official Journal Of The NRA
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
