115gr or 147gr in 9mm?

[Moparmike]

Now that the thread is fully hijacked...

I am not sure how "full power" they are. PMC 170gr HP's. After 30rds, my wrist wants to stop. 75 darn near killed my wrist.

 

[cratz2]

Oh... well, I've never tried the PMCs so... who knows?

I will admit that I've never put 75 rounds through the G29... usually just about 20 or so.

 

[mete]

The use of the 147 for handguns was based on stupidity. The round was originally developed to provide an accurate subsonic load for a SMG, nothing else. Apparently some thought that it was some magic round for the nine ( this is the stupidity). Originally performance on the street wa s terrible, well of course it wasn't designed for that . Later they changed the design and that improved the street performance. I'll stick to the 115-125 gr.

 

[Erich]

Considering that there are a number of folks in-the-know (reloaders, ballisticians, Dr. Fackler, etc.) who think that the 147-grainers are the way to go, you're throwing the word "stupidity" around pretty freely, partner.

 

[stans]

The 147 grain loading was picked up by the FBI because it met their criteria. Their criteria included defeating glass and car doors, so deep penetration was required. A 115 grain JHP is not likely to penetrate a car door and perforate a body, but a 147 grain round just might make it. As a civilian, and probably most cops, will not be shooting through such obstacles, so the 147 grain loads performed poorly and over penetrated. There is no magic bullet.

 

[jaysouth]

Hey guys,

It's not a zero sum game (either/or)

I know some serious PPC and Bullseye shooters who load 147s for accuracy. The most popular seems to be the Hornady XTP for accuracy. This bullet probably wins more 50 yard bullseye matches than most shot out of $2,000 plus custom 1911s in 9mm.

However, most people who carry a 9mm for defensive (sometimes offensive) purposes seem to favor loads with 115 or 125 loads. I have a good stock of Fed 9BPLEs (115 gr +P+) that are very accurate in a Glock 17 or 19 and are a proven stopper. My 9mm 1911s also shoot this load very well, but the 147s are more accurate.

But if you compare standard velocity loads for defensive or law enforcement, the 147 Hydrashok seems to work better than the 115 gr BP, again a very accurate and reliable load. I have always worked the theory that each and every gun is a law unto itself. That is my BHP or Glock 19 will shoot a different load more accurately and reliably than your BHP or Glock might.

 

[stans]

I am not sure how "full power" they are. PMC 170gr HP's.

They chrono'ed 1186 fps from my Colt Delta Elite. Winchester 175 grain Silvertips made 1237, so the PMC is not quite full power. The original Norma 170 grain JHP was supposed to make 1300 fps.

 

[Obiwan]

Peter nailed it...smart guy that preacher!

The original 147 gr. loadings were not great.....the designers were more concerned with the round remaining subsonic than expansion.

But the bullet designs have evolved to the point where they now provide the most consistent expansion and penetration ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF VELOCITIES.

So.....less dependent on barrel length and +p loadings to function.

For specific manufacturer/round info try the Terminal Effects forum on Tactical Forums....do a search...lots of good info from Gary Roberts mixed in with the "Gun Rag Science"

 

[cratz2]

Plus during times of war, over penetration and lacking expansion are of pretty much zero concern.

I do have to agree with jaysouth... I kind of elluded to it in my previous post but to say it most clearly here, of the two primary 9mms I've spent time with shooting at 100 yards, the 147 gr turned in the most consistantly good groups at that distance. I have no interest in carring 147 gr as defensive ammo but they very clearly serve some purpose, even if just as an alternative. Their existance is not stupid by any means... No more stupid than the existance of 230 Gr ball ammo in 45ACP.

 

[Serpico]

Stupid me...I carry winchester ranger sxt 147s in my duty beretta and my P7...lots of stupid deputies have shot stupid criminals with this stupid load with prettty stupid results....

 

[DigMe]

Stupid me...I carry winchester ranger sxt 147s in my duty beretta and my P7...lots of stupid deputies have shot stupid criminals with this stupid load with prettty stupid results....

Yeah man...you're pretty stupid and stuff.

brad cook

 

[trigger45]

Yeah man. really stupid!


If i still owned a 9mm I'd carry the 147 jhp rather than the 115 . and then the 124-125 stuff if I couldnt find it.

 

[BluesBear]

It's all apples & oranges.

Heavy & Slow as well as Light & Fast, BOTH have their place. BOTH will do the job but NEITHER will do it 100%.

Let me preface my opinions by saying I am a 1911A1/S&W N-frame .410" and larger kind of guy. Now having said that. I actually like my S&W 6904. I have carried it with various types of ammo. Some ammo I liked and some I didn't. I never felt undergunned with it.

What I am trying to say in a roundabout way is...

Practice with what you carry. Carry what suits YOU. Carry what YOU feel comfortable with. After all it's YOUR Assets on the line.