115 or 124 grainers in 9mm?

[powwowell]

I have another reloading question. In 9mm pistols, are 115 grain FMJs considered a better load than 124 FMJs? I'm just interested in the most accurate load, for punching paper, that I can get. I know enough that generally less powder will be used, with a heavier bullet.

 

[mgmorden]

I actually prefer 147's. Typically at an equal power level heavier bullets will exhibit less felt recoil.

Between 124's and 115's though I'd definitely go for 124's.

 

[Buckeyeguy525]

Are you loading to practice with a self defense weapon? If so, get whatever weight your carry ammo is. In 9mm I prefer Hornady Critical Defense in 115 so I only load 115gr fmjs...plus they are cheaper

 

[joecil]

If I'm making my own I tend to go with 124 gr unless I get a really good deal on 115 gr. My favorite over the counter ammo which I have a 1000 rounds of is RWS 124 gr. I find their ammo about the most accurate I've ever shot regardless of caliber though somewhat expenive compared to plinking ammo. I bought out the local Walmart of 2000 rounds none of the locals would use because they had never heard of it getting 1000 45 acp and 1000 9mm for about $11 for 50 count boxes.

 

[LiveLife]

I have found that I need to push 115 gr FMJ at near max W231/HP-38 load data to get optimal accuracy (4.8 gr) compared to 124 gr FMJ at mid-high range load data where accuracy plateau and is maintained to near max load data.

Unless 115 gr bullet is significantly cheaper, I would get the 124 gr bullets.

 

[beatledog7]

I load a variety of bullet types in all three (115, 124, 147gr) weights. All have their purpose, but they all shoot to different POI for the same POA. My personal favorite weight for 9mm, if I could only have one, is 124gr.

For paper punching, shoot the same weight and power as you would use for SD. If all you do with the 9mm is kill paper, 115gr FMJ will be fine. They are generally also the least expensive.

 

[bubbacrabb]

I load the 115's from Montana gold and have had good luck with them. They're accurate for me. I'm shooting them out of a glock 17 and they're minute of beer can accurate atleast I load them over Unique with good results. I imagine 124s are every bit as good or better, but I bout the case of the 115s cause it was a little better deal.

 

[sellersm]

In 9mm, 124gr is kind of the 'standard', but as has been mentioned, they all have their place. 115gr is definitely the cheapest. I tend to prefer 124gr or 147gr. All depends on what you're doing: punching holes in paper, looking for speed, simulating a SD round, etc.

 

[918v]

Try both weights. Your gun will tell you which is better.

 

[J_McLeod]

I went with the 115s because they are cheaper, and my XDs shoot them well, so I've stayed with them over the 124s. MBC 147s are fun to shoot because of the minimal recoil, accuracy and low powder charge. RMR had a special on 85gr a while ago so I bought some, and they shoot pretty well too. Not as accurate as the 115, but great for non serious shooting.

 

[Upstater]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but what would 115 grain ammo be good for if 124 grain is better for targets? I ask this because I have been having a hell of a time tp with 115 grain, shots seem to be all over the place - 6-7" groups at 16 yds. I probably should try the heavier rounds.

 

[J_McLeod]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but what would 115 grain ammo be good for if 124 grain is better for targets? I ask this because I have been having a hell of a time tp with 115 grain, shots seem to be all over the place - 6-7" groups at 16 yds. I probably should try the heavier rounds.

Either a different weight or a different load. What are you loading and shooting them with?

 

[Upstater]

I am loading with 4.7 grains of w231 115 grain Speer jacketed round nose out of a gen3 G19.

 

[Tex4426]

I use watever is cheapest for plinking

 

[LiveLife]

shots seem to be all over the place - 6-7" groups at 16 yds ... I am loading with 4.7 grains of w231 115 grain Speer jacketed round nose out of a gen3 G19.

Winchester 115 gr FMJ loaded with 4.8 gr of W231/HP-38 at 1.135" OAL will produce around 2 inch shot groups out of Gen3 Glock 22 with Lone Wolf 40-9 conversion barrels at 15 yards (target squares are 1 inch) - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7266869#post7266869

 

[kingmt]

A barrel made for 115gn.

 

[LiveLife]

kingmt, the same load will shoot equally well in factory Glock 17 barrel and shoot well even in G27 with LW conversion barrel.

Another accurate target load is Missouri 125 gr lead RN (SmallBall) with 4.0 gr of Promo/Red Dot at 1.080"-1.100" OAL.

 

[kingmt]

Is there a question there or a point I'm missing. My duty Glock 19 sucks with 115gn but does well with 125gn. Factory barrel.

 

[LiveLife]

kingmt, I thought you were suggesting the accuracy came from the barrel, not the load which is very similar to OP's test load. The same load (4.8 gr W231/HP-38) shoots comparably accurate in factory G17 and G22/G27 using LW conversion barrels (and note that I usually get better accuracy with factory Glock barrels when using jacketed loads).

When I see shooters complain at the range about inaccuracy of their pistols, I often recommend they try different factory loads of varying bullet weights as I have experienced different level of accuracy using different factory loads. Using the same "inaccurate" pistols, when they shoot my reloads, their shot groups shrink significantly in size (115 or 124/125 gr loads).

On my trip to the range last week with a friend, we encountered a couple of new shooters not happy with their shot groups of 12-14 inches at 10 yards. When they saw our consistent 1-2 inch shot groups at the same distance using various 9mm and 45ACP pistols (9 pistols total), they commented they must be lousy shooters. We offered for them to shoot our pistols/reloads and their shot groups shrank to 3-4 inches (9mm 125 gr Missouri RN (SmallBall) with 4.0 gr of Promo at 1.080-1.100" OAL and 45ACP 200 gr Missouri SWC (Bullseye #1) with 4.0 gr Promo at 1.245" OAL).

 

[GlackAttack]

I like 124 gr +p Speer Gold Dots for a carry load. The comparable target load would be Speer Lawman. I believe all are accurate, but give a different feel to the shooter.

 

[kingmt]

I was saying the barrel will have a affect on which bullet at what speed shoots better. Most butt not all 9mm drop better with 124gn.

 

[Upstater]

I am going to get a couple of boxes of 124 grain lawman for this w/e and try that, it does seem feasible that the inaccuracy could be the bullet/charge wgt., but my question remains then of what good use would 115 gr. ammo be or maybe that would do well in a another pistol?

 

[LiveLife]

115 gr FMJ +P loads shot from longer barreled carbines like MP5 with higher muzzle velocities are quite effective.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I use watever is cheapest for plinking

+1, whatever's cheapest and I don't have to dig thru a ton of stuff to find.

 

[hentown]

I'm reloading 124s and carrying 127s...that's close enough for me.