best 9 mm self defense ammo? speers gold dot GDHP or Doubletap bonded JHP?

[rod5591]

I am still trying to learn the in's and out's of ammo. I have Glock 17 and a Glock 26, and looking to buy the best 9 mm. ammo for self defense.

What in your opinion would be the best?

Speers gold dot 115 gr GDHP or
Doubletap bonded 115 gr JHP?
Nosler Match Grade Ammunition 9mm Luger 115 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point

Are these rounds strong enough to penetrate ribcage and sternum at 15 ft? the human skull?

Can anyone knowledgeable give their opinion please?

[Hunter991]

You can't go wrong with Speer gold dots. One of the best out
There. But really any SD ammo is good. What matters most is that your gun Feeds it.

[mljdeckard]

All premium defensive ammunition is likely to fully traverse a human target under most circumstances, yes either of them will work fine. Double-tap is probably loaded a little hotter.

In the real world, there's so little difference between them you are very unlikely to see any difference at all between the two. My preference for 9mm is Federal HST 147 gr, standard pressure.

Find a load that cycles reliably in your gun and use it. The rest is really just 'what-iffing'.

[beeenbag]

I use gold dots for all of my SD guns. I use them in .380, 9mm and 45 acp.

[TarDevil]

I'm thrilled with the results I got with Gold Dots in my backyard ballistic tests.

[coolluke01]

With the short barrel on the G26 I would use a 147grain bullet. You won't get much benefit from lighter faster bullets because all the powder won't burn in the barrel.

127+P's in the G17 would give you a real good round, but the 147's will work good to and then you will have the same ammo for both guns.

I use Winchester Ranger T's 147 grain 9mm's in my G26. They shoot very well and have good consistent penetration. Those talons are wicked!

[sota]

i'm a P9HST1 fan personally. but most if not all of the premium defensive ammos will get the job done.

[Big_John1961]

Define best. Many factors are involved in making a broad determination like "what's the best ammo."

[rod5591]

Originally Posted by Big_John1961

Define best. Many factors are involved in making a broad determination like "what's the best ammo."

Best in reliably penetrating ribcage and sternum into heart and skull into brain from 15 ft. would be my main concern.

[dakotasouth]

Awful hard for me to think that you could go wrong with the Gold Dots. I have carried them in my J frame and in my P220.

My 220 feeds them well. I have yet to read anything negative and both .357 and .45 ACP were available the last time I visited my LGS.

Of course, none of that mentions 9mm at all. Just general observations. FWIW, I currently have 124 gr Hornady Tap loaded in my 9mm Shield.

[nathan]

I have the Gold Dot .

[Walter]

I would be happy if I could find any of them around here, now.


Walter

[mljdeckard]

To the op,

do you think EITHER of them wouldn't be able to do that?

[rod5591]

Originally Posted by Walter

I would be happy if I could find any of them around here, now.


Walter

I get mine on gunbot dot net. I have to pay shipping but it seems about the only way to get ammo nowadays.

[CSG]

There is no "best". I have Hydra-Shok in my 9's and 442 snub. Gold Dots in my .380. My 1911's are lead 230 gr. I'm confident any of it will work just fine if called upon.

[481]

Originally Posted by rod5591

I am still trying to learn the in's and out's of ammo. I have Glock 17 and a Glock 26, and looking to buy the best 9 mm. ammo for self defense.

What in your opinion would be the best?

Speers gold dot 115 gr GDHP or
Doubletap bonded 115 gr JHP?
Nosler Match Grade Ammunition 9mm Luger 115 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point

Are these rounds strong enough to penetrate ribcage and sternum at 15 ft? the human skull?

Can anyone knowledgeable give their opinion please?

Any of those loads are capable of penetrating the ribcage, sternum, and skull. Of the three choices offered, I'd choose the Gold Dot.

[breakingcontact]

I'd say Gold Dot or HST. But most modern hollow points are all pretty good.

[allaroundhunter]

I'm partial to HSTs and Gold Dots (147 gr and 124 gr +P, respectively). I have tested both on feral dogs and each have worked very well.

.... I'll try to find the mushroomed bullets I have taken from some of the dogs, but I haven't been able to find them since the move

[Bobson]

I use Gold Dots in my G19, and prefer the 124 or 147 grain offering - but in a pinch, any Gold Dot will do. Every variety offered has performed well in tests I've seen.

This thread is specific to 9mm Gold Dots, and includes links to some testing videos (on page 2, IIRC).

[sonick808]

I carry gold dots. Shot placement is so much more important, but I've heard the Gold Dots are reliable ebough.

[JohnBiltz]

Best in reliably penetrating ribcage and sternum into heart and skull into brain from 15 ft. would be my main concern.

If that is all you want then ball would work fine. When talking premium SD ammo you should expect it to open up and be reliable. You can (and we do) argue about what is best but really the premiums work about the same. Some might open up a little better, some might stay together better and some might be better at barrier protection but none really do it all best. I prefer 124 for 9mm.

[Thompsoncustom]

Here is the hottest and deepest penetrating Gold dolt that money can buy

http://www.underwoodammo.com/9mmluge...xof50-2-1.aspx

That I know of at least.

[JTQ]

Greater sectional density usually results in greater penetration. A 115 grain 9MM round (with the same construction) will have less sectional density than the same bullet in 124 grains or 147 grains. You will typically get better penetration with the heavier bullets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sectional_density

[mdauben]

Its fun to debate minutia of ballistics and gel performance, but in all honesty I doubt you would see any quantifiable real world differences amoung any of the quality modern JHP loadings from any of the big manufacturers.

[TAKtical]

Federal HST