[tenx100s]

Thank you for the detailed and helpful follow up, @Merton and extending to more common calibers! The fact you can reload is an awesome plus, especially given no boon in the future of the ammo marketplace.

I want to share a suggestion and solicit feedback from others too wrt the usage of FMJ in different calibers. The primary scenarios for using FMJ as far as I understand it are: (1) concern a JHP wouldn’t expand given some problem (e.g., insufficient velocity, HP cavity plugged), and (2) a requirement for deep penetration.

Both of these can be addressed (after proper self testing) with the full copper, non-expanding Lehigh Defense penetration bullet which is available from them, WC (Wilson Combat bought the company), and Underwood.
View attachment 1132807
After stripping lots of marketing talk, they say this: ”…the Xtreme Penetrator Fluid Transfer Monolithic (XP FTM) product line, for both handgun and rifles. The progressive nose geometry allows for deep, straight penetration while creating a permanent wound cavity diameter exceeding that of most expanding bullets.”

The rest of the above as well as their offerings can be found on:Xtreme Penetrator - Our Technologies and it would be great if anyone who has done first hand testing, or research into these and can offer an informative view rather than my testing suggestion.

I bought a variety of their bullets to test. My testing was delayed recently when I discovered a compound crack in the cast iron bullet trap that I have inside the shop. The gelatin should stop the bullets but over penetration would result in a hole in the wall which would allow the Minnesota winter inside and I pay dearly to keep it at bay. The low outside temps would skew results. I'll resume as soon as the new trap is built.

I've received notice from both Underwood and Lehigh of 20% off Thanksgiving sales!!

 

[tenx100s]

I forgot to mention what I load in my defense firearms.
Most of my carry, especially in winter, is with a .45acp and in that I load the Speer 230 Gold Dot. Great track record and bullets are available for reloading so testing can be done at less expense than the premium load price for 20 rounds.
In one of the "house guns" and when I carry the 365XL 9mm it is usually loaded with the 147gr Federal Hydra-Shok. I seldom carry it but in the Micro 9 I load the 124 gr Federal Hydra-Shok. Lastly on the rare times that I carry a S&W 340 it has five rounds of Hornady Critical Defense.
Honorable mention: I carry a 1911 in either .45acp or 10mm when hiking in the woods. They are usually loaded with handloads using weight appropriate Hornady HAP or XTP.

 

[tenx100s]

Awesome! I look forward to seeing your write up and takeaways. You definitely want to keep our bone chilling MN fog and cold out.

And then we have a weekend as nice as this one. I've been out three days in a row and its looking good for Sat and maybe Sunday. I can even live with digging brass out of the snow!