Who uses 147gr JHP 9mm as a self defense round?

I do. Mostly because I don't really think it makes any difference and the 147 grain was cheaper when I bought it.

How is that for a fantastic reason?

I have no stats to support this post and really don't know where to look... but i'll quote a very famous shooter from a famous family here in town.

She told me that a 9MM for SD purposes should be light and fast. It needs to create the maximum hydrostatic shock that it possibly can.

There are two schools of SD thought on caliber choices -- those that beleive in Hydrostatic Shock and those that believe in Wound Size...since each "school of thought" is widely accepted it would be futile to say the other is wrong -- i'm just stating what I was told by a shooting instructor who has instructed 1000s of LE and won numerous world championships -- so no real data to support this post -- but I didn't question her...just accepted it as fact.

If taking her advice go with the +p 115 gr.

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

When I carry a 9mm, I carry Gold Dot 147 gr JHP.

It needs to create the maximum hydrostatic shock that it possibly can.

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9mm won't get fast enough to cause meaningful hydrostatic shock. In service calibers it's pretty much nonexistant. Higher velocity is better than lower, but hydrostatic shock really doesn't come into play at the speeds a service pistol will ever be able to create.


Personally I liked the 147 HST or 147+P HST, those fourth generation Ranger-Ts look great as well. I also used to use the 9BPLE, 124+P Gold Dots, some Fiocchi-loaded 115 XTPs, but the one I had settled on for the long haul was the 147+P HST. Oh and I also used the 124+P HST a lot.

I have 500 Winchester SXT's in 147 gr. and I have no issues with using them. Traded a Countersniper scope for them.

147gr +P here!

I have my G26 loaded with HST 147gr. They were a good deal when I bought them. Have a good supply of 124gr. (forget brand) as an emergency supply. When I'm done cycling through my 147gr. rounds I will get whatever is a good deal in 124+ or 147gr. from a major manufacturers defensive ammo line. As long as they cycle I fine with them.

rellascout said:

What have you been shooting them out of? Have to tested expansion or just feeding. I am not a big fan of the backyard expansion test because any and every hollow point design, bullet & weight fails some amount of the time.

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Just feed testing [CZ SP-01]. I don't have the equipment or place to test expansion.

Use 147 gr JHP of various manufacture, but mostly Winchester Ranger in all our 9mm handguns. We don't use +P at all. We have Kahr P9, S&W 908, S&W 3913, Kel-Tec PF9. All handle 147 gr just fine.

Well, I don't shoot a 9mm, but I thought my comment might be useful to you. I tend to go with the heavier bullets in any caliber. I prefer slower, heavier bullets. Guess that's why I got a .45. If you REALLY like small, fast bullets, why not stick with the smaller ones?

Also, have you lost faith in the GDHPs and want to switch brands for any specific reason? Or you just found a sweet deal on the Rangers? Both are great ammo, if there were a sale, I wouldn't mind switching brands/weights, they all do roughly the same damage, and handgun accuracy at 10yrds isn't too badly affected by swapping bullets, supposing that you notice a difference at all. I only shoot my little hand piece offhand, so I wouldn't notice any difference.

Just my two bits, nice discussion.

Hornaday XTP's in 147gr here. 147 strictly because that's what the lgs had in hornaday.

Sometimes the caliber is just fine, sometimes it isn't about small and fast or big and heavy. The 9mm is really more like a middle of the road caliber, it's only light and fast compared to the .45.

NG VI said:

Sometimes the caliber is just fine, sometimes it isn't about small and fast or big and heavy.

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That's what she said.....

sorry I couldn't pass that up.

rellascout said:

I am considering switching to 147gr Winchester Ranger RA9T 147 gr T-series.

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Probablly the best 9mm hollowpoint load to be had, I've carried the RA9124TP, and the RA9TA, two superior loads to be sure, however they are not superior to the RA9T. They combine greater muzzle blast and a propensity to shed their jackets, two things that the RA9T does not....

When you get those, go shoot some water jugs. The expansion is incredibly reliable and very dramatic. These are the only bullets I have ever seen that always look like the picture in the advertisement.

I am a 147 HST convert, I now shoot 127 +P+ Ranger T in my G26. I may go with 147 Ranger T next time, they look like they deliver the goods without the extra pressure.

Good choice and good luck.

Yeah, in my CZ 75B

Doubl Tap +P 147 Gr. Cold Dot JHPs rated at !,125 FPS

accurate and easy to shoot recoil wise

However, Double Tap doesn't offer the Gold DOts currently
I think they're bonded JHPs now are Montana GOld.

R-

I have a pregnant question. Is it going to make any difference to a grand jury what you are shooting in the unlikely event you are forced to use your gun. My thinking is that if you are using the same ammunition as our military 124 NATO FMJ that kinds precludes the super killer bullet issues and subsequent civil suits from family survivors. Just throwing this out there.

Avoid Hyjack....

I do notice that the 124-127 +P loads recoil much more than 147. This is very noticeable too.

Id rather be found guilty than dead...

anyway,
I too find 147gr loads to have the most comfortable recoil characteristics.

What about the civil suit: He's using military ammo!!! ? Personally I don't worry about such things, people can start a lawsuit for anything, but when you are in the right, you are in the right.

rellascout, have you shot the 147s in your gun?? A new hollowpoint can be devastating to the wallet if you buy 3000 and the first box won't cycle properly. Never really had that problem but I hear about it from time to time, might want to pick up a couple boxes before you take the plunge.

Personally, I believe that the 9mm is better suited for the 124 than the 147. It was built for the 124 and the compact weapons don't behave very well with the 147 either. Again, from what I've learned and researched, that is my opinion.

I carry 124 in my 9mm.