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Editor's Notebook: Hornady Critical Defense Ammo
Hornady has introduced new handgun ammunition slanted to the personal defense market and they call it Critical Defense. Using flexible material in their hollow-point, along the lines of the FTX LeveRevolution rounds for hunting with lever-guns and handguns, the Critical Defense line is designed not to allow their hollow-points to plug up with fiber from clothing - which effectively turns conventional hollow-point bullets to act like full-metal jacket ammo.
Along with the Flex-Tip bullets, the Critical Defense ammunition line has other well-thought out aspects. They use flash retardant materials in the powder to minimize the chances of compromising night vision. The bullets have a cannelure and are crimped to prevent setback in the case upon feeding. Those bullets have been designed for the particular loading in which they'll be used. The brass cases are nickeled for visibility in low light, to prevent corrosion and to help "slick up" the feeding process.
I've not yet gotten to try any of their loads - which currently include a .38 Special 110 grain bullet, both in standard pressure and in a +P load, a 9mm and a .380 - but they had some at Gunsite in April. They were being used in the Ruger LCR. I only fired the 125 +P XTP load and that was because we didn't have the +P Critical Defense round.
If Critical Defense is as good as the rest of the Hornady line, fear not. Hornady's been making accurate, reliable ammo for years.