In 45acp I carry Winchester Ranger RA45T (230 grain T-series non +P ). The reason is very simple. .. It is the only SD ammo that is reasonably priced (box of 50 under $40) and a top 3 choice in both my XD45 compact 4" barrel and Kimber Ultra Carry 3" barrel across numerous professional and amateur tests I have read, also has excellent performance in a 5" barrel and in all shooting about same POA as 230 gr FMJ practice ammo and feeding reliably in most any 45. It also ties Federal HST for expansion, those two as of a few years ago having the largest consistent expansion of affordable/available JHP. There may be something new that does better now that I am not familiar with - last year or so has necessarily been more focused on other things. I would have been happy with the HST as well (comparable performance in my family's sidearms to the RA45T), however, it was more expensive and much less available last year when I bought a case of RA45T.
Hydro-shoks are a little old school. While it is still good ammo and better than a lot of competitors, IMO, Ranger T-series and HST are the better, more up to date options, especially in a short barrelled 45. HS is not very accurate in the Kimber (accurized/trigger job/etc and much more accurate than I wiill ever be even supported shooting) and not as accurate as the RA45T and HST in the XD or Kimber in my hands and in some testing. However, at self-defense ranges, and the most likely scenario of quick point-shooting for SD, I don't think it would matter. In my guns, we are really discussing a matter of 10% fps and an inch or so of accuracy at most regardless which is unlikely to matter for SD.
If you like HS and shoot it well, there is no reason I know of not to carry it. Like most firearm stuff, there is a lot of personal perference involved.
