Help Switching To Another SD Round

Speer or hornady is what I'd use.

Midway had some Underwood 115gr ammo in stock.(edit: looks like LeHigh solids though) But switching over to the 124+p Gold Dots that SGammo has in stock might be better for future purchases.They’re selling for $37 per 50 rounds is cheap in this market for what might be the best. Defense ammo is always easier to find in 124gr. Practice ammo in 124 grain is pretty easy to find too if you really want to keep the weight the same.

Good Ol' By wrote:
So I've been using Sig Vcrown 115's for years now and have been plenty happy with them.

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You don't mention which cartridge or which loading these are being used in. It would be helpful to know which caliber you are loading for, what powder you are using, how much powder you are using the the particulars of the bullet you are shooting.

I assume from the reference to "115's" [sic] you are talking about 9mm Parabellum.

• Are you looking for a jacketed bullet (i.e. 0.355 diameter)?
  
• Or are you looking for a plated bullet (i.e. 0.356 diameter)?

Your post does not make this clear.

I can offer numerous sources for inexpensive (none "cheap") 0.355 jacketed bullets. PM me for details.

If you're looking for 0.356 plated bullets, I am afraid I cannot help you.

Hugh

Sig V Crown 124gr.

I like the Federal Premium. HSTs and +Ps! I can not afford to practice with what I carry.
I could do that with MagTech, but would I want to carry those?

hdwhit said:

• Are you looking for a jacketed bullet (i.e. 0.355 diameter)?

• Or are you looking for a plated bullet (i.e. 0.356 diameter)?

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Construction material has very little to do with bullet diameter.
There is a trend, but all sizes can be found in all construction types.
I prefer jacketed to be .356, like the Hornady Hap. But that doesn’t come loaded.

And I think he is looking for loaded ammunition.

hdwhit said:

I can offer numerous sources for inexpensive (none "cheap") 0.355 jacketed bullets. PM me for details.

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Why not list them here? He literally did just ask for any links to help him decide, as well, then anyone could gain the knowledge.

Just a quick cruise through sgammo.com showed Speer Gold Dot, Hornady Critical Defense, and Hornady XTP in 115gr loadings. I shoot 147s and have no experience with these to share good, bad, or indifferent.

Nothing in stock currently, but a number of sites let you set up notifications.

OP, your not getting a real answer here because the current flavor of the decade is 124 and 147gr bullets (135 if you like Hornady). Someone will soon come along and tell you to find a "quality" round that will function in your sidearm and go with that. In reality there is a hard run on defensive 9mm ammo at this time so you may have to go with what you find.

If you are looking for a top dollar quality 115gr I would go with Speer Gold Dot if it can be found. I think Hornady makes a 115gr Critical Defense but I have never actually seen it in stock anywhere. For my Glock 26 I bought a ton Federal 115gr Hi-shok when it could be found for about the same price as FMJ. I like the 115gr in short barrels however some feel that round is obsolete. Personally I would feel comfortable defending my life with it.

Remington makes a very economical HP SD round, sold in 50rd boxes instead of the stupid 20 or 25rd boxes...

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/rem...-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-l9mm1-p-768.aspx

I haven't ever had a chance to test it's expansive capabilities, but at the end of the day even if it acts like a FMJ bullet, you are no worse off.

I am almost positive Speer makes 115 grain gold dots still. I have a couple boxes.

That said you can still get 9BPLE from Federal and while OLD tech it has a ferocious reputation.

Good Ol' Boy said:

So, I'm having a hard time finding any other manufacturer that offers a 115 SD round.

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Your intended meaning in your OP was quite obvious I think.

I’ve been carrying HSTs for a few years now, but Speer Gold Dots are my alternate SD ammo.

I have been carrying Fiocchi Extrema for quite a few years, which is loaded with 115grain XTP bullets, in fiocchi nickel plated cases. They are very accurate and reliable in my carry guns, and they were available in 50 round boxes for much less than the designer brand stuff. I bought about 150 rounds of it at one point and have been working my way through it.
It appears that Fiocchi still makes it but they have changed all the names on their ammo. It looks like they call that load "Fiocchi XTP" now, and there is also a "Defense Dynamics" load available in a 115 JHP of some sort. They also offer the same loads in 124 grain, and the name on the box appears to be the same so shop carefully. I have found the quality to be top notch and wouldn't hesitate to try more of their stuff.

Good Old Boy,
This is a link to Lucky Gunner and tests they did with SD ammo of various cartridges weights and configurations. They also sell ammo online.

Click on this link and scroll to select 9mm ammo. They show Specs for the various liars and they show their ballistic gelatin tests with photographs for each manufacturer’s loads tested. Select a few that meet your requirements and give them an accuracy test yourself.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm

After using this link I selected several 9mm 115 grain SD loads to try in my 9mm pistols. I found that the Hornady American Gunner XTP and the Remington Ultimate Defense were most accurate from my guns.

Good Luck

EDIT: Oops! Forgot to provide the link for their ammo sales:
https://www.luckygunner.com/

If you must have 115 grain rounds, go with the Speer Gold Dots or the Federal 9BPLE +P+.
The 9BPLE +P+ is an older design but pushed at a very high velocity. It has a fearsome reputation for putting the hurt on bad guys.

I don't think the exact bullet and load is terribly important. At the same time I don't have confidence in the lighter bullets. From what I've read the light and fast approach works spectacularly when it works. When it fail's, it fails spectacularly. Most of the LE and military chose 124 gr bullets at about 1200-1300 fps some time ago. They seem to think that is the best approach and that is my choice.

Many years ago I picked up a box of LE contract over runs at a very good price. It was 250 rounds of 124 gr+P Speer Gold Dots. I'm getting 1250 fps from my G17, about 1200 from the G19, and that is the round I've carried with confidence for a very long time. Of course I've never had to actually use them and hope I don't. I've shot them sparingly over the years and still have about 100 left. But I'd probably be just as well off with most any 124 gr HP at the same speed.

In other words I don't think the expensive stuff is necessarily better. The test data above shows several good options for less expensive ammo.

The FBI seems to think the newer 147 gr bullets at 950-1000 fps are the better option. Some early 147 gr bullets did not expand at those speeds and the concept has gotten some bad press. But they claim the issues have been resolved and they are now making bullets designed to work at those speeds. The jury is still out on that for me. I'm paying attention, but I'm not ready to go in that direction just yet.

jmr40 said:

I don't think the exact bullet and load is terribly important. At the same time I don't have confidence in the lighter bullets. From what I've read the light and fast approach works spectacularly when it works. When it fail's, it fails spectacularly. Most of the LE and military chose 124 gr bullets at about 1200-1300 fps some time ago. They seem to think that is the best approach and that is my choice.

Many years ago I picked up a box of LE contract over runs at a very good price. It was 250 rounds of 124 gr+P Speer Gold Dots. I'm getting 1250 fps from my G17, about 1200 from the G19, and that is the round I've carried with confidence for a very long time. Of course I've never had to actually use them and hope I don't. I've shot them sparingly over the years and still have about 100 left. But I'd probably be just as well off with most any 124 gr HP at the same speed.

In other words I don't think the expensive stuff is necessarily better. The test data above shows several good options for less expensive ammo.

The FBI seems to think the newer 147 gr bullets at 950-1000 fps are the better option. Some early 147 gr bullets did not expand at those speeds and the concept has gotten some bad press. But they claim the issues have been resolved and they are now making bullets designed to work at those speeds. The jury is still out on that for me. I'm paying attention, but I'm not ready to go in that direction just yet.

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Actually, the FBI has issued 135g Critical Duty for the last couple of years- https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/the-story-behind-the-fbi-new-duty-load/325989 These loads work well only in full length barrels though. Put them in a 3" tube and the test results are horrific; they don't open up well at all and really over penetrate.

I recently purchased a box of the 115gn Lehighs for reloading and I'm impressed with these little copper solids. They're neat looking and great performing based on what I've seen from youtube.

That said I carry either... Federal HST, Hornady Critical Defense, Speer Gold Dot, or Winchester Ranger T. All four of those are excellent. I like Winchester Ranger T 147gn and Speer Gold Dot 124gn the most however.

I know you said you prefer to shoot training ammo same as possible to SD ammo in 115gn though so I'd recommend Hornady or Speer in 115gn.

Everything is in short supply my friend.

I would likely just try and find one of the following:

Federal 9BP
Federal 9BPLE (really a hot round, may cause wear a little quicker than others)
Federal XM9001 (kind of a +P between the two above. Very decent round. I bought two cases of it about a year ago)
Speer Gold dot regular or +P.

All of those are good reliable rounds, not stupid priced and, you won’t be unarmed until things settle back down.

Nosler also makes a 115 gr JHP load. But like most other loaded ammo right now, it's impossible to get. Till things calm down, you might have to go with whatever you can get or wait it out.

I know you said you like the 115 grain bullets but I've been running the 124+P Gold Dots for a while and really like the accuracy. I took them jackrabbit hunting once and that load was devastating on them.

Target Sports currently has 50 round boxes in stock

I have a 50-rd box of Fed BPLE, a 50-rd box of Cor-Bon, a 20 or 25-rd box of Hornady XTP (thought I had several, but only see the one now) and a 20-rd box of DPX, all 115 gr.
I have been carrying Winchester Ranger SXT 127s for the last ten years and am slowly transitioning to the 147 HST.
If you are interested in all of the 115s I'd make you a decent package price. Contact me by pm or email and we will make it happen.
Best, Rich
rich at rabidjackal dot com