best defensive caliber and why?

[Adam Helmer]

MTP & Mountain Mike,

RACKING a shotgun does make a hell of a noise and WILL direct the Bad Guy's fire in your direction-Pronto. The days of scaring off a home invader with "Shuck, Shuck" are long gone. BG's are usually armed and on an adrenelin rush. When they hear the racking of a shotgun, they will fire in your direction-numerous times. Why blow your cover? Snap off the safety with a slight "snick" and bag the critter.

As for Ball Ammo in the .45 ACP-bad idea. Ball ammo in any caliber, including rifles, is a very poor manstopper per the 1974 FBI ammo tests. The .45 ACP shines with a 190 grain or 200 grain open hollow point FAR above anything Ball ever hoped to do.

Adam