115 gr vs. 124gr 9mm round nose

[presspuller]

I'm trying to simplify my life a little and go with one bullet. I have a small inventory of both of the above sizes and getting to the point of needing to resupply. Every time I shoot one size, I decide that is my favorite, and then I change my mind when I shoot the other.
Which is your favorite and why?
Thanks guys.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Of the two I much prefer 124's. I can load softer shooting rounds than with 115's.

 

[SC_Dave]

I have used 115 for many years. I'm letting my stock deplete to switch over to 124, for several reasons. One is because it closer matches the my social ammunition.

 

[Blue68f100]

All I shoot is the 124gr. You have more options on feel with the heaver bullet.

 

[Dudedog]

My guns seem to prefer 124/125s/.
Also with 124s I can load match ammo that makes 125 PF without going supersonic.
Really happy with all of RMRs 124s, the MPR JHPs, the RN and FN FMJs.
Mostly use the MPRs about $80k shipped with the discount if you buy 3000, great for target and would work in case of a zombie attack.

 

[Bartojc]

I shot thousands of 115 until about 3 months ago. I ordered a couple thousand RMR 124 RN to try. After shooting a few hundred of the 124 while running down my 115 supplyI had a chance to compare side by side. I much prefer 124 and I may never go back to 115. The 124s do not seem as snappy to me. The recoil is still there but it is noticeably different, and I much prefer it over the lighter 115. I know a lot of shooters prefer 124 because it is easier to make PF for competition.

If you do go 124 I would highly recommend RMR as a supplier.

-Jeff

Note: Edited and replaced 125 w/124, I always forget what it is....

 

[hdwhit]

I use 115 exclusively. The main reason is that my 9mm pistol is very particular about 124 loads; get them hot enough to reliably cycle the gun and I'm 0.1 grain from smashed primers. The 115s give me about 0.4 grains of leeway.

 

[Walkalong]

In the beginning, and for many years, I shot nothing but 115 because it was cheapest. The I tried 124/5 Gr bullets and found a couple of guns preferred them, and I liked them as well, so now I shoot that weight.

 

[Walkalong]

The main reason is that my 9mm pistol is very particular about 124 loads; get them hot enough to reliably cycle the gun and I'm 0.1 grain from smashed primers.

What powder/pistol? I have no trouble at all getting light 124 Gr loads to cycle.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I shot thousands of 115 until about 3 months ago. I ordered a couple thousand RMR 125 RN to try. After shooting a few hundred of the 125 while running down my 115 supplyI had a chance to compare side by side. I much prefer 125 and I may never go back to 115. The 125 sdo not seem as snappy to me. The recoil is still there but it is noticeably different, and I much prefer it over the lighter 115. I know a lot of shooters prefer 125 because it is easier to make PF for competition.

If you do go 125 I would highly recommend RMR as a supplier.

-Jeff

I fully agree with Jeff. In fact the only difference is the time (I tried them last year).

I love the RMR 124s (I’m guessing the 125s are similar) with BE86

 

[thomas15]

124

 

[egd]

RMR 124 in house rn fmj.

 

[fxvr5]

If people like the softer recoil of the 124s, then try the 147s. They feel even softer.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

try the 147s

My preference too. I like even heavier ones but they can be hard to load for some guns.

 

[wrench459]

My PPC don't like 147's.

 

[rpenmanparker]

In the beginning, and for many years, I shot nothing but 115 because it was cheapest.

My kind of guy. That is exactly my philosophy. That and that recoil is a more function of bullet mass that velocity. Lighter bullet, less recoil. It has to do with momentum which is mv while energy is 1/2 mvv. So m has a larger influence on momentum than muzzle energy. And momentum is what recoil is all about.

 

[rpenmanparker]

If people like the softer recoil of the 124s, then try the 147s. They feel even softer.

That is backwards at the same muzzle energy.

 

[cfullgraf]

I've been shooting 115 gr bullets in 9x19 for the most part lately, but I can go both ways.

I do have one pistol that shoots more to point of aim with 124 gr bullets.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

That is backwards at the same muzzle energy.

In a semi auto handgun heavier bullets can have a softer recoil impulse than lighter ones. The reason being, heavier bullets can be loaded with lighter charges and still cycle reliably.

 

[wrench459]

I've always thought that is was the amount of powder charge.

Which one with the same charge of powder will felt recoil be the least 115,124,147 or +1xx?

 

[rpenmanparker]

I've always thought that is was the amount of powder charge.

Which one with the same charge of powder will felt recoil be the least 115,124,147 or +1xx?

For me it all comes down to self defense and therefore muzzle energy. At the same muzzle energy a lighter bullet provides less recoil than a heavier bullet.

In long barrels the powder charge should be nearly proportional to the muzzle energy. After all the powder is the only source of the energy. So to a first approximation at same powder charge (more or less same energy) the lighter bullet ought to give the lower recoil. But it is really complex. I’m sure there are lots of exceptions.

 

[BigMacMI]

I had forgotten there were 115's out there

 

[fxvr5]

I've always thought that is was the amount of powder charge.

Which one with the same charge of powder will felt recoil be the least 115,124,147 or +1xx?

With the same powder charge (with the same powder), heavier bullets produce more recoil, because they usually go faster, or at least as fast as the lighter bullets.

See Table 2 here: http://www.shootingtimes.com/reloading/power-factor-recoil-bullet-weight-gives-edge/


At the same power factor (with the same powder), heavier bullets produce less recoil. See Figures 3 and 4 at that same link.

 

[shoobe01]

I am switching to 100% 124s because that's by far my preferred weight in Gold Dots.

It also makes me happy that it's The Right Weight. The original Georg Luger designed 9mm parabellum fired an 8g bullet.

 

[wrench459]

I agree.
Can do 174pf with 124 grain boolets.