Is the Federal 115 grain +p+ a good 9mm defense load?

[Redneck with a 40]

Opinions? I'm about to order a case of S&B ball ammo and was going to get 100 rounds of this stuff too, its $19.99/50 at surplus ammo.

Also, is the 180 grain HST a good 40 round? Gonna get some of that too, lol.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

the federal +P+ jhp round generally penetrates 10inches at the most, and you want at least 12 inches. it usually shatters on impact as well. not a bad round, but it's old tech.

the HST 180gr is probably the best 40cal jhp on the market right now.

s&b is great stuff, but $20/box is a complete ripoff. go to walmart and get federal champion for like $11/box.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Their no need for +P+ Just get a good modern HP it be a lot easier on your pistol

 

[ColtPythonElite]

If you put it where it needs to go, it will work just fine.

 

[918v]

If you want a +P+ load, look at the 127gr Ranger Talon. At least it has claws.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Sorry, meant to say that the S&B 115 grain ball is $199/1000 rds from surplus ammo. About $10/box.

How about the 124 grain +p golden sabre?

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

How about the 124 grain +p golden sabre?

often plugs resulting in no expansion, or the core/jacket seperate.

go with 147gr HST 9mm, either standard or +P. cheaper, and much more consistent performer.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Ok, I trust you're advice. Surplus ammo has Win SXT and Ranger-T in 147 grain, standard pressure, or the golden sabre 147 grain. Which one would you go with? The Ranger-T is a good bit more expensive than the SXT.

 

[Joey_the_Wolf]

For home defense if you are concerned about over penetration, I say go for it (I use something similar), however, for any other situation, stick with a heavier bonded round if at all possible. It's not a big deal though, like a previous poster said, put it where it needs to go and it'll work just fine.

 

[basicblur]

If this is 9BPLE, it has a pretty good record (with Border Patrol) and has been viewed favorably in various Ayoob articles. I think it was reported Federal was going to stop producing it, but due to demand from previous users, still produces or at least ran another big load of 'em.

Probably 'old school' stuff these days, and I'm guessing that's why it is appearing on sale many places? Local LE shop up the road had 'em and I bought a few boxes based on reputation/past history.

Many folks have gone out of their way to get the 9PBLE.

If it ain't 9BPLE...well jest forget all the above!

 

[Redneck with a 40]

It is 9BPLE, the LE load, that's what piqued my interest, for $20/50, not a bad price at all.

This would be strictly for home defense and/or CC.

Here's the link to the ammo: http://www.surplusammo.com/products/9mm--%2bP%2b-115-Grain-JHP-Federal-%2d-50-Rounds.html

 

[basicblur]

Since it is 9BPLE you could do a lot worse!

A lot of folks will pooh-pah it since it's not the latest/greatest (according to marketing), but it has a long track record and seems to rank highly among users.

Might Google 9BPLE etc for some interesting reading?

FWIW, I don't know that there's a heckuva lot of difference between the top name brands, so don't overpay!

Locally, I can get Winchester Ranger T 127 gr. 9mm +P+ for $24.95 box (really just wanted +P but he seems to carry only +P+).
Speer Gold Dot seems to be the easiest/consistently lower priced most of the time.

 

[Waywatcher]

The jello junkies aren't impressed by it, but it has been stopping people for years.

So yes, it is a good defense load.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

i know it's BPLE, as that's the only +P+ 9mm load federal makes.

true, the border patrol did use it for years, and it's certainly not a bad load. especially if cost is a major concern. times are hard.

if you don't mind spending a couple extra bucks, the 147gr HST and 124gr +p gold dots are both superior loads as far as penetration/expansion/weight retention

 

[basicblur]

If you live near any LE supply houses, you might keep an eye on 'em for sale prices? I live in a small town and the only thing you can find around here are those darn 20/25 round 'consumer' boxes, which I ain't buying!
Most police supply houses I visit seem to either have very good (sale) prices, or are rediculously overprice.

I have a number of police supply houses that I always visit when out of town-I often find very good ammo buys-overruns, returns (from PDs that change ammo), overstocks, etc.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

try sgammo.com good folks to deal with

 

[LeonCarr]

Good ammo...buy some.

 

[Waywatcher]

+1 on sgammo. Also Ammunitiontogo.

 

[PabloJ]

If you don't mind spending less money (when compared to many other JHP offerings) S&B also offers nice JHP load.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I went ahead and bought the federal 115's, plus some 180 grain HST's in 40. Surplus Ammo's prices are great. I'll feel just fine with 18 rounds on tap.

 

[BIGGBAY90]

Opinions? I'm about to order a case of S&B ball ammo and was going to get 100 rounds of this stuff too, its $19.99/50 at surplus ammo.

Also, is the 180 grain HST a good 40 round? Gonna get some of that too, lol.

If it hits, it's good

 

[GRIZ22]

Their no need for +P+ Just get a good modern HP it be a lot easier on your pistol


Thanx said it before I could.

My idea of a +P+ 9mm is called 357 SIG.

A standard 9mm round will defend you well.

 

[WC145]

9PLE is great stuff, one of the best rounds available back when everybody was carrying 9's and it's reputation as a "man stopper" was well earned, it was also known for positive function and accuracy. Dekalb County, GA S.O. just recently changed to .40 but they carried 9BPLE up til then. I just switched to a .45 for duty carry but the 9BPLE has been my carry load for years, still use it in my off duty piece and my BUG.

People haven't changed, the stuff that killed them 10 or 20 or more years ago will kill them just as dead today. The advances in barrier penetration, bonded cores, etc. really don't mean much for the person that uses their gun for home protection or concealed carry. That's why the good old 158gr SWCHP .38spl is as well respected today for self defense as it was 50 years ago. If something works and works well it lasts, that's why 9BPLE is still around.

 

[918v]

The only reason that round earned its reputation is because the velocity was high enough to reliably expand the nose on that ancient hollow point design. Todays hollow points reliably expand at a much much lower velocity, hence it is not necessary to run +P+ pressures and 1300 FPS.

 

[basicblur]

The only reason that round earned its reputation is because the velocity was high enough to reliably expand the nose on that ancient hollow point design

Not to pic nits, but there's one more reason-results/feedback from the field.

Ain't got nuttin' against the new fangled stuff (I have an assortment of 'bout all the big names), but 9BPLE has a much longer track record than any of the new stuff being pushed.

No doubt some of the new stuff is as good/better than 9BPLE, but given a choice, some folks would rather go with field reports rather than lab results.

Ignore the real world at your own peril...