There are several thread on this in the ammo section here:

http://www.handgunforum.net/home-defense-target-ammunition/

As for myself - I carried 9mm Hydrashok for many, many years (still have some in my P99c right now). But, I started using the 50 round boxes of the jacketed hollow point Winchester Rounds sold at Wal-Mart (the personal protection rounds). U get 50 for about the price of 20 of the other brands of hollow points. And, I read some tests someplace earlier this year, and they performed just as well as the higher priced brands.

Since I rotate ammo periodically, I bought some boxes of this, and have it in all my 9mms except fpr my P99c. WHen its next time to swop out the ammo, I'll be using the Winchester in that gun as well...

Speer Gold Dots. They have a bonded core so they provide very good penetration while also good expansion. They also hold together better if you had to shoot through a windshield (for some reason or other) than a non bonded round. You can get a box of 50 of them online for around $20. Many, many people swear by them. Many LEO also use them including NYPD.

I have a mix of Hydrashok and FMJ.

Mostly I carry .45 ACP, and I am comfortable with just about anything. I have carried Hydra-Shok, Starfire, and Black Talon, and still have some mags loaded with those. I have carried Hornady FMJ Flat Points and even FMJ RN. I don't feel unarmed with any of it. Lately, though, I have been carrying Cor-Bon DPX, just because it (reportedly) penetrates car bodies and glass better than everything else. I am absolutely paranoid about cars. They are everywhere. The chances of me getting in a gunfight are almost nil, but if I do, the chances of cars being around (and used as cover) might be pretty high. I have a lot of .45's that I carry, so as each one gets proven reliable with DPX, that's what I carry.

In my Titanium .38, I carry Nyclads -- I still have a small supply. In my aluminum .38, I carry 158 LSWC +P (I forget which brand). A friend just got a new Taurus .38 snubby, and I advised him to get the Speer 135's. That's what I would carry if I didn't already have the other stuff.

In my .40's, I carry some Black Talons that I have left over, and sometimes Hydra-Shoks.

In my Kel-Tec .32, I carry whatever. No .32 is going to stop anybody with a body shot. I practice head shots only, so the ammo selection just isn't that crucial. Right now, there are Silvertips in the gun, but when I run out of those, I'll load up the Gold Dots, because I happen to have a box of those lying around.

Be aware that the 32 JHP can cause rim lock. I use the Fiochi FMJ for my Keltec 32. In the Keltec area of the site, there is a thread w/ a link to some 32 caliber ballistic tests...

Dang near everything.

Usually a jacketed hollowpoint of some sort, like Remington Golden Sabers ( my favorite so far), along with Hydra-Shoks and the Personal Defense Ammo. I've liked Starfires as well.

I stay away from Cor-bon, normally, except in the mouse gun .32's.

I've carried Glasers in the past, but they're too dang expensive.

As for the "what to use" in my home defense/carry gun. Someone else’s favorite may or may not function in your gun or in your magazines. No matter what brand you pick, buy several boxes and SHOOT it. Make sure the ammo works in YOUR gun and in ALL the magazines you use in that gun. If it shoots, functions and cycles in your gun that may be the round for you.

I like Speer Gold Dot, personally, although right now my Sig is loaded up with Extreme Shock Fang Face rounds. I only carry those because we are required to carry some sort of Extreme Shock in our carry guns at work and that's mine. I just don't particularly like them. We've had some strange, strange things happen to people's Extreme Shocks around there. Nothing to make you feel warm and fuzzy.

Originally Posted by SuckLead

I like Speer Gold Dot, personally, although right now my Sig is loaded up with Extreme Shock Fang Face rounds. I only carry those because we are required to carry some sort of Extreme Shock in our carry guns at work and that's mine. I just don't particularly like them. We've had some strange, strange things happen to people's Extreme Shocks around there. Nothing to make you feel warm and fuzzy.

You are required to carry "extreme shock?" What is that? What do you mean by strange things happen to peoples extreme shock? I am confused. From what I have read those fang face things are extremely expensive and they do not work anywhere near as well as standard HP rounds. Have you seen this?

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot23.htm

Originally Posted by -gunut-

Have you seen this?

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot23.htm

That's pretty cool... Of course I use Ranger ammo...

Originally Posted by -gunut-

You are required to carry "extreme shock?" What is that? What do you mean by strange things happen to peoples extreme shock? I am confused. From what I have read those fang face things are extremely expensive and they do not work anywhere near as well as standard HP rounds. Have you seen this?

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot23.htm

Yea, we discussed it on another thread when she mentioned it a while back. She works in a guns tore, and apparently her boss requires them to carry hat round while working in the store...

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

Yea, we discussed it on another thread when she mentioned it a while back. She works in a guns tore, and apparently her boss requires them to carry hat round while working in the store...

Exactly, thank you! Although, techincally we are also "required" to use a Blackhawk holster and I put my foot down there. I already have 13 holsters and the one I use is just fine (and sold there), and Blackhawk is too expensive. But I digress. I am considering getting rid of the Extreme Shocks after what I saw a few days ago and using the Speer Gold Dot instead. One of my co-workers dropped a magazine full of 45 ACP fang faces on the break room table to show us what happened. Somehow the bullets sunk into the case. Not just one or two; the entire magazine full! Weirdest thing I've ever seen! Just these little fangs sticking out of the casings. He carries them around to show managers when they check his gun for the correct ammo so he can show them why he won't carry them. I know mine are flaking, which is weird. Apparently, the bullet is painted.

Originally Posted by -gunut-

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot23.htm

Thanks. I sent that along to my co-workers. I wish I could print it out for the boss. It would save us a lot of money. Apparently a rep came and tested the ammo on the range and it did some neat stuff. That was before my time. But I have gotten very untrusting of the stuff myself.

Originally Posted by SuckLead

Exactly, thank you! Although, techincally we are also "required" to use a Blackhawk holster and I put my foot down there. I already have 13 holsters and the one I use is just fine (and sold there), and Blackhawk is too expensive. But I digress. I am considering getting rid of the Extreme Shocks after what I saw a few days ago and using the Speer Gold Dot instead. One of my co-workers dropped a magazine full of 45 ACP fang faces on the break room table to show us what happened. Somehow the bullets sunk into the case. Not just one or two; the entire magazine full! Weirdest thing I've ever seen! Just these little fangs sticking out of the casings. He carries them around to show managers when they check his gun for the correct ammo so he can show them why he won't carry them. I know mine are flaking, which is weird. Apparently, the bullet is painted.

That is crazy! Also weird that you are required to carry a specific ammo (not to mention about the most expensive one out there). Hope you can use that link I gave you to your advantage!

for serious social purpose, I like carrying what I have been issued by my department.
Lawyer: Why were you carring that terrible deadly round?
Me: I was issued it by my police department.
9mm +p+ 115 JHP
357 magnum Winchester 147 gr silver tip jhp
38 Spec Winchester 125 gr +p Silver tip
38 Special Winchester 110 gr +p silver tip
357 sig 125 gr CCI Gold Dot JHP

Originally Posted by jimg11

for serious social purpose, I like carrying what I have been issued by my department.
Lawyer: Why were you carring that terrible deadly round?
Me: I was issued it by my police department.
9mm +p+ 115 JHP
357 magnum Winchester 147 gr silver tip jhp
38 Spec Winchester 125 gr +p Silver tip
38 Special Winchester 110 gr +p silver tip
357 sig 125 gr CCI Gold Dot JHP

That is allot of guns to fit on one belt!