Gorilla Ammunition’s loads have favorably impressed me with good quality control, excellent cartridge integrity and accuracy. While there are many types of ammunition available, ranging from inexpensive steel-case loads we don’t expect much accuracy from to match-grade rifle ammunition we expect to group into a dime at 100 yards, so ammunition must be chosen with care. The object we examine may give a good first impression, but its properties are the determining factor in any further purchases–and Gorilla brings plenty of performance.

There are many questions concerning ammunition. The first is price, and while the price may give us pause in some cases, it’s all relative to the performance of each load. All we may ask of burner or practice loads is that they go bang! with every shot. Match-grade loads must shoot up to the potential of the rifle. We must understand that potential before we begin testing. If the rifle has delivered 1 MOA with quality factory ammunition or our own handloads, we may expect the same from a maker’s match loads. If the rifle has never delivered 1 MOA, changing ammunition isn’t always the answer. In this case, I tested Gorilla ammunition in a number of rifles that have given good to excellent results. As it turned out, the combination proved a happy one in every test program. At $17.27 per box, this is a great buy–perhaps even a bargain.

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Now and again, we get to bring you an American Warrior story that has a little something extra, and today is one of those occasions. Not only is it a success story–a good idea, plenty of hard work, right place/right time/right people, etc.–but also one where some of the key players are those who’ve had that extra close-up view of what liberty really costs: our veterans.

We may, in fact, get a double dose of sorts with the Gorilla Ammunition story. As Sales and Marketing Director Jay Duncan–himself a former 101st Airborne Combat Engineer–told us, “30 percent of our employees are vets.” The company is also producing some of the best ammunition we know of (it was the accuracy winner in our October 2015 review of the Legendary Arms 704, for instance).

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Maybe your rifle likes to dine on something hearty like a 120 Grain pill. Maybe you prefer to enjoy some lighter fare at the range like a 110 Grain bullet. Now you can get your gun eating both in Gorilla Ammunition’s new .300 Blackout offerings.

This load is simply a supersonic load for .300 Blackout enthusiasts with a muzzle velocity of 2,225 FPS. There is not much else for specs reported by Gorilla Ammunition, but they had this to say about their new varmint load:

“Gorilla Ammunition features great accuracy and knockdown power from the 110gr Varminter Hollow Point. The 110gr Varminter in 300BLK features excellent hunting capability at an affordable price. The 110gr Varminter sports a jacketed lead core hollow point projectile designed to open up and create effective terminal damage on game. Accurate, Reliable, and Deadly.”

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There’s a time in every gunowners life when you’ll hear someone say, “If you’re looking for something for home defense, just go get a shotgun.” The real truth is that pistols and rifles can be just as effective in a home defense situation, if not more so. Pistols are great for moving quickly in close quarters or when doing other tasks with one hand — such as opening doors, holding a flashlight, or leading loved ones to safety. However, pistols do have their caveats, such as limited firepower and ammunition capacity. Whereas a rifle or shotgun generally needs both hands to operate effectively and the longer barrel length make them more cumbersome to move around indoors. BUT, rifles do have a distinct advantage over pistols in a home defense application.

1. Firepower

Common AR-15 rifles are chambered in .233 and use 55gr to 77gr bullets. Although they don’t pack as much of a punch as a shotgun buckshot, they do have velocity on their side. The bullet is traveling at an incredible speed which allows it to transfer a huge force into its target, much faster than that of common handgun calibers.

Another topic to explore would be home defense on the AR-15 platform but chambered in 300 Blackout. 300 Blackout is a great option for home defense because the bullet packs a heavier punch than it’s .223 counterpart and is available in subsonic loads, such as the Gorilla Ammunition 300 Blackout 205gr, Self Defense. Whether your rifle is chambered in .223 or 300BLK, be sure you’re using the proper ammo for your specific home defense application as overpenetration could be a concern.

2. Distance

With an AR-15 rifle, even a semi-experienced shooter is skilled enough to deliver shots on target out to 100 yards and beyond. This would be considered an extreme distance for even a skilled marksman wielding a shotgun or pistol. Understandably, distance isn’t always a concern for home defense, but may be for those living in more rural areas defending ranches or farms. Other considerations for both pistols and rifles are illumination and sights, but that’s a whole other discussion in itself.

Pistols

Pros: Easy to handle in close quarters, can be shot with one hand
Cons: Less ammo capacity, low firepower, limited long range capability

Rifles

Pros: Powerful loads, higher ammo capacity, Perfect for longer range applications
Cons: More difficult to maneuver indoors, potential overpenetration, need both hands to operate

So, which is better for home defense — a shotgun, rifle, or handgun? Well, the short answer is “It depends.” They all play a role in keeping you and your family safe. Think about where you live, how your house or apartment is set up, and plan your home defense needs accordingly. A rifle may not be the best option for some, while for others it is and vice versa for pistols and shotguns. Obviously, your local laws may dictate how you choose your home defense firearm as well.

Friday, January 22nd, 2016

Vero Beach, FL, — January 20, 2016 — Gorilla Ammunition introduces the new Silverback product line, featuring solid copper machined projectiles in 380 ACP, 9mm, 45 ACP, and 300 BLK. These technologically advanced projectiles create insane temporary and permanent wound cavities with controlled expansion to optimum depths.

“The growth of Gorilla Ammunition has been tremendous over the past year. We are very excited to release our new Silverback Line at SHOT Show. These lead free, CNC lathe turned copper projectiles are engineered and tuned for maximum expansion with penetration depths dictated by user requirements. Our proprietary heat treating and CNC machining process provides the unique ability to tweak projectile performance…

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At SHOT Show this year, Gorilla Ammunition unveiled its new Silverback line of solid copper hollow point self-defense ammo. It’s available in .380 ACP, 9×19, .45 ACP, and .300 BLK. Except for the .380, each caliber is offered in a couple bullet weights and expansion styles, all of them featuring 100% copper, CNC’d projectiles. I got my hands on a few boxes of .380 and both types of 9mm, and figured I’d put it through some brief testing.

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Silverback Ammo features a high-end copper bullet.

Gorilla Ammunition’s Silverback line is loaded with solid-copper hollowpoints, manufactured on Swiss-style lathes. Wait, what–“Swiss” lathes? Yes. Monolithic-material bullets, what we confusingly call solid-copper hollowpoints, have to be produced on a lathe.

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6.5 Creedmoor load development: Semi-automatic gas gun, 123 and 142 SMK

The majority of cartridges in existence tend to find themselves chambered in certain types of firearms.  While there are exceptions, you’d expect to find a 45-70 in a lever action (or single shot rifle), just as you’d anticipate a 338 Lapua Magnum in a bolt action.  This is often a function of the design of the cartridge.  Some cartridges like the 223 Remington, 308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor are at home in a wide variety of firearms- with expansive offerings in both semi-automatic and bolt action rifles.  The cartridge may be the same, but the handling characteristics of each kind of rifle can be quite different.

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