How do you decide on your carry ammo?

[Mr. 16 gauge]

How do you decide to carry what you carry in your sidearm? Do you follow the axiom of "I carry what my local PD uses", or do you go by statistics of actual shootings, or do you do some testing on your own? What factors determine what ammo you use?

I have done some testing on water jugs packed with surgical sponges...I line 'em up, shoot at them, note how deep the various rounds penetrated, then cut them open and note how well (or not so well) the expanded. I have had good luck with Winchester's silver tip ammo in various calibers, as well as the Speer GDHP. Low on my list were Remington's Golden Saber HP (although I do like it as a reloading component....then I can get it to expand!). Here are a few pics of the loads I have tested.









I realize that these 'tests' aren't very scientific, unless...of course....you are attacked by a jug of water soaked surgical sponges! However, they do give a basis for comparison.