Difference: 124gr Ball vs 9mm NATO?

[bg226]

What is the difference between 124gr Ball ammunition and 9mm NATO ammunition?

 

[juniustaylor]

Supposedly the 9mm NATO is almost like a +P+. It has a higher chamber pressure from what I've read on other websites. Maybe someone else can confirm that.

 

[918v]

NATO is not +P+ (42000 PSI). It's more like +P(-) It also uses bulletts with a harder core alloy to meet penetration requirements through helmets.

 

[bg226]

What is the velocity difference?

 

[Fumbler]

Most commercial standard pressure 124gr loads are around 1150 fps.
9mm+P are usually around 1250fps. 9mm NATO is around 1200-1250fps.

Max SAAMI pressure for standard 9mm is 35,000 PSI and =P is 38,500PSI.
9mm NATO max pressure is measured differently but falls somewhere in the neighborhood of 36-37,000 psi.

So...ballistics wise the NATO is pretty close to 9mm +P.
NATO ammo will have crimped and sealed primers, commercial 9mm usually isn't.

Do a search and you'll find tons of information...and unfortunately some misinformation.

 

[481]

And now to confuse things further...

Ran these through my Glock 17:

Winchester 9mm NATO M882 124 gr. FMJ (WCC-00-K-033-008)
Hi: 1150
Lo: 1068
Av: 1113
ES: 82
SD: 20
n: 44

Federal American Eagle 9mm 124 gr. FMJ (AE9AP)
Hi: 1144
Lo: 1100
Av: 1118
ES: 44
SD: 11
n: 24

Marginally better performance (Vavg, SD and ES) from the commercial ammunition.

After doing this (more than once) and getting the same result each time, not to mention much better accuracy from the commercial stuff, I am not certain that there is much to be gained by using "NATO" ammo.

 

[bg226]

481,


That is mind blowing!!!

 

[481]

481,

That is mind blowing!!!

Heh, I was shocked the first time that I got this result having heard that the NATO labeled stuff is supposed to be so much 'hotter' than 'civvie' commercial ammo. Ammo manufacturers load to pressure, not velocity, and I suspect that there may very well be significant variance between the results that I've obtained and what someone else might. Afterall, other guns may have 'faster' or more accurate barrels than mine and I bet that we would likely see someone who could produce completely different results than mine.

Still, I like the "cool factor" of having a box or two of the "real" (NATO) stuff around. Just the 'kid' in me, I guess.

In any event, I am happy to plink away with any of the commercially produced range ammo (115, 124 or 147 FMJ) by any of the major (Winchester, Remington, Federal, etc.) manufacturers. Best stuff around and we are lucky to have it, IMHO.