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The 10 Worst Ammo Choices for Self-Defense —Avoid These at All Costs

Choosing the right ammunition for self-defense is critical, as your life and the safety of those around you could depend on it. Not all ammunition is created equal, and some rounds fall far short of what you need in a defensive scenario.

Certain rounds fail to deliver when it matters most, from over-penetration to underperformance. Below, we examine 10 ammunition types that have consistently proven unreliable for self-defense.

Understanding why these choices fall short can help you make informed decisions about the rounds you trust in life-and-death situations.

1. G2 R.I.P. (Radically Invasive Projectile)

1. G2 R.I.P. (Radically Invasive Projectile)
Image Credit: G2 Research Ammunitions

The G2 R.I.P. round, despite its flashy marketing and aggressive name, is one of the worst options for self-defense. Designed to fragment upon impact, it creates multiple shallow wound channels but lacks the deep penetration needed to stop a threat effectively. In ballistic gel tests, its petals penetrate only a couple of inches, while the base of the bullet struggles to reach a depth of eight inches. 

This leaves vital organs untouched, rendering it ineffective against determined attackers. Additionally, its overly dramatic branding – complete with a tombstone on the packaging – can be a legal liability in court, painting the user as reckless. While it might look impressive on paper, this ammunition is better suited to a novelty collection than a defensive scenario.

2. Winchester Silvertip

2. Winchester Silvertip
Image Credit: Winchester Ammunition

The Winchester Silvertip has an eye-catching design, but its performance is far less impressive. Available in 115-grain and 147-grain variants, this round consistently fails to meet the necessary penetration standards in ballistic gel testing. The projectile often fragments or fails to expand properly, leading to insufficient energy transfer and unreliable stopping power. This inconsistency makes it a poor choice for those who prioritize safety and effectiveness in their defensive ammunition. While it might be inexpensive and widely available, the Silvertip’s lack of reliability in real-world scenarios is reason enough to avoid it entirely.

3. Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense

3. Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense
Image Credit: Liberty Ammo

The Liberty Civil Defense round is another example of a concept that prioritizes speed over substance. Weighing just 50 grains, this ultra-lightweight round boasts blistering velocities exceeding 2,000 feet per second. However, its lack of mass severely limits its ability to penetrate deeply or maintain stopping power. In testing, it often shatters on impact, leaving tiny fragments that fail to incapacitate a threat. While the numbers on the box might sound impressive, the performance in real-world scenarios is anything but. This ammunition is flashy and fast, but it lacks the consistency and power needed for effective self-defense.

4. Remington Golden Saber

4. Remington Golden Saber
Image Credit: Remington

Marketed as a premium defensive round, the Remington Golden Saber fails to live up to its promises. This round, particularly in its 124-grain +P variant, is plagued by separation issues, with the jacket and core often coming apart upon impact. This drastically reduces its ability to penetrate deeply and deliver the stopping power needed to neutralize a threat. Its slower-than-average velocity further hinders its performance, making it unreliable in critical moments. Despite its premium branding, the Golden Saber is an inconsistent and outdated choice for modern self-defense needs.

5. Norma Monolithic Hollow Point

5. Norma Monolithic Hollow Point
Image Credit: Norma Ammunition

The Norma Monolithic Hollow Point might look impressive with its sleek, solid copper design, but it falls short in practical application. While it performs decently in bare ballistic gel, its penetration becomes inconsistent when faced with real-world barriers like clothing or auto glass. The bullet’s design is prone to failure if any deformation occurs, leading to incomplete expansion and potential over-penetration. This round’s shortcomings are particularly disappointing given Norma’s reputation for producing quality ammunition. While it might catch your eye with its aesthetics, it’s not a reliable choice for self-defense.

6. Winchester White Box Hollow Points

6. Winchester White Box Hollow Points
Image Credit: Winchester Ammunition

Winchester’s White Box Hollow Points are another example of budget ammunition that cuts corners where it matters most. These rounds often fail to expand properly, behaving more like full metal jacket rounds than hollow points. This results in significant over-penetration, which can endanger innocent bystanders in a self-defense situation. 

While the affordability of this ammunition makes it tempting, the lack of consistent performance makes it a poor choice for anyone serious about personal protection. There are far better options available at slightly higher price points that offer the reliability you need in critical moments.

7. Federal Hydra-Shok

7. Federal Hydra Shok
Image Credit: Federal Premium

Once considered a top-tier self-defense round, the Federal Hydra-Shok has been surpassed by more modern and effective designs. One of its major flaws is a tendency to over-penetrate, which increases the risk of collateral damage in urban or home defense scenarios. Additionally, its outdated construction struggles to maintain consistent performance across different barriers. While it may still perform well in bare gel, real-world tests often reveal its limitations. In today’s market, there are numerous alternatives that offer better expansion, energy transfer, and barrier performance without the drawbacks of the Hydra-Shok.

8. Browning X-Point

8. Browning X Point
Image Credit: Browning

The Browning X-Point promises controlled expansion but often fails to deliver. This round’s performance is inconsistent, with many tests showing inadequate penetration and unreliable expansion. It frequently acts more like a full metal jacket round, failing to transfer sufficient energy to stop an attacker effectively. The X-Point’s flashy design might catch your attention, but its lackluster performance makes it a poor choice for anyone looking for dependable self-defense ammunition. With so many better-performing options available, there’s little reason to rely on this round.

9. Winchester USA Ready (Hex-Vent Insert)

9. Winchester USA Ready (Hex Vent Insert)
Image Credit: Winchester Ammunition

The Winchester USA Ready with its hex-vent insert is another example of a promising concept that doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. The hex-vent, designed to aid expansion, often causes premature or uneven expansion, leading to inconsistent penetration depths. This round struggles to perform reliably through barriers or even heavy clothing, which are common in self-defense scenarios. Despite its premium branding and higher price point, the USA Ready fails to deliver the consistency needed to justify its cost. Stick with more proven options for your defensive needs.

10. Sig Sauer Elite Performance V-Crown

10. Sig Sauer Elite Performance V Crown
Image Credit: Sig Sauer

The Sig Sauer V-Crown is a hyped round that often underdelivers in real-world scenarios. While it performs adequately in bare gel, it struggles when faced with barriers like clothing or plywood. Its erratic penetration and inconsistent expansion make it a gamble in critical moments. Despite being marketed as a high-performance option, the V-Crown’s shortcomings make it a risky choice for self-defense. In a field where reliability is paramount, this round simply doesn’t make the cut.

Not the Place to Cut Corners

Not the Place to Cut Corners
Image Credit: Survival World

Self-defense ammunition is not the place to cut corners or experiment with flashy, unproven options. The rounds listed above have consistently underperformed in critical areas such as penetration, expansion, and energy transfer.

In a self-defense situation, you need ammunition that you can trust to perform reliably, regardless of the circumstances. Instead of falling for marketing gimmicks or budget deals, invest in well-tested, high-quality ammunition. Your safety, and the safety of those around you, is worth every penny. Choose wisely, stay prepared, and stay safe.