9mm ammo question

Majicmike

Majicmike

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I've read that a lot of people prefer the 124 and 147gr bullets over the 115's includeing a lot of peps in here.
What's your preference and why?
 
The paper and steel can't tell a difference. Preference would just depend on your gun's preference or possibly the spring weights. I shot some 147 in my HK P30sk during the first 500 rounds or so for break-in purposes. It hiccuped on some 115's the first range trip. After a few hundred more rounds it was fine. Some guns function better with different ammo and spring set ups. Just find out what yours will shoot and stick with it.
 
Are we talking about self defense or target ammo?
For self defense some people like a 147gr bullet because traditionally they have slightly more penetration at the expense of a little expansion.

For target ammo a 147gr bullet in a powder puff load often feels like more of a push recoil instead of a snap. Some people like the perceived lower recoil of 147gr and some feel like the 115gr is “quicker” to cycle and let them reacquire the target.

I like 147gr for both target and self defense but I think off the shelf 147gr ammo misses most of the benefit on the target ammo side because they’re loaded to work in a wide range of guns instead of down to the minimum power factor that works reliably in your gun (and that is legal in your sport if sport shooting).
 
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I carry 147 gold dots for the performance of the bullet. I blast whatever I find cheapest.


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I usually wear light-duty ear pro for comfort so I prefer to not hear a supersonic crack when I'm shooting a pistol. I also like to use the least expensive projectiles that give me good results, so 124 gn fits. I can load them to just-barely-sub-sonic velocity and still make a round that's cheap to build, makes power factor in competitions and has very manageable recoil. Then I can buy Federal 124gn HST for carry and it shoots almost identical to my practice ammo. Tail wags the dog here but it works for me.
 
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So far the 9mm I shoot most runs on anything I put in it. I honestly can't tell the difference in recoil. I don't reload and 115 is the easiest to find. I guess I could order 124 and 147 if I thought there was a real noticeable advantage.
Only target target shooting
 
I tested 115 vs 124 in my M&P's a few years ago after reading that 124's were superior. Blazer brass in both weights, didn't see much difference.

I only shoot 147 because I usually shoot suppressed.
 
For whatever reason of the common weights 124/5gr bullets have always given me the best accuracy. 133s and 135s do even better in my Glocks. 147+ things open up a little.

There is a distinct difference in recoil between factory 115s and 147s loaded to PF floor, my observation is the latter is also more reliable at making poppers fall. The slide speed stuff is somewhat observable but you're not going to outrun it. How far the sights lift is not very different, how they return is again observable, but the timer won't notice unless it throws you way off, so pick a load and stick with it and it can't.

The last WWB 147s I shot were immediately after my 132PF 133gr load and was astonished at the difference in the recoil impulse, the WWB was stupid soft, FWIW, but I've seen a lot of obvious external QC failures with them so I wouldn't be surprised at a production lot having powder charge error.

If I had to buy factory and was going to just burn rounds at the range I'd buy whatever was cheapest.
For competition I'd probably go with one of the smaller loaders, T1, Minuteman, etc., get a sample of various weights and let the groups decide.
For SD I like the 124/5 class, good accuracy, and from the tests I've seen plenty acceptable terminal performance.
 
I carry 147gr Hornady XTPs in my G26, but it shoots everything well. I just prefer heavier bullets. I might try out some of the Fiocchi Extrema 124gr XTP & give 'em a go.
 
For my SD needs I use a 147g HST +p load in the nightstand gun. Carry is either 135g Critical Duty or 147g Golden Sabre depending on season. These are subject to change, though. As far as gaming, if the stage has mostly paper I'll use factory 115 or 124 depending on what I have on hand or available. If there is falling steel I prefer the weight of the 147. I do tend to prefer the 147, and the CORE I used to have (never should have traded that one) ran it just fine and I didn't notice a huge difference in groupings as long as I didn't screw things up.
 
As long as its gold dot the weights almost don’t matter. But the 124’s for summer use and the 147’s for winter use is what I run.
Penetration is king.
 
I shoot whatever bullet weight the gun likes best. I have found 135jhp's shoot really well in most all my 9mm's. 124's shoot the worst. Talking accuracy here. Small ccw guns like G43 and LC9 will probably feel better to the shooter with 115grain bullets as opposed to 147gr especially with +P powder charges.
 
I have a stash of 147gr HST, standard pressure, that I carry in all my 9mm pistols. For range use, I prefer 124gr or 147gr, but really, I’ll shoot whatever brass cased ammo I can get for cheap. Lately, I’ve been buying 124gr pills at $90/500 whenever Brownells offers deals, so I have quite the stash of 9mm 124gr ammo.
 
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I guess I left out some info,,if your shooting "poppers" does it really make a difference using a heavier bullet.
 
Majicmike said:
I guess I left out some info,,if your shooting "poppers" does it really make a difference using a heavier bullet.
Click to expand...

115 gr on poppers large or small

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147 gr on the same poppers

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I carry 147 gr Rangers. Standard pressure.

Shorter barrels on most 9mm carry guns can't take advantage of 115 gr velocities and produce more flash to boot from the unburnt powder exiting the bore. Might as well go with the heavier bullet for better penetration.

For range work I buy whatever is cheapest that works. 115gr FMJ from one of the big US or Euro manufacturers. Or I reload it, when I have the time.....
 
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Because....

ZOMBIES! :eek:

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Just kidding. 124gr Hydra Shocks. I've never had a failure with them in either of my Glocks and that's good nuff for me.
 
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I was initially using 147gr for better performance on steel and suppressors. But I bought a sh*tload of wolf steel cased 115 and fed. alum 115 due to price. Mix it thru my scorpion....pfft.....CRACK....pfft.....CRACK....pfft.....CRACK
 
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