9 vs 9 plus p?

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gringolet

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lots of encouragement to plus p ammo, but anyone know a link to actual testing and comparisons between the 2? what is diff. in penetration and
expansion of 9 and 9+p in ballistic gelatin or through jugs of water?
 
Checkout tnoutdoors9 on youtube, he does a lot of ammo testing in gelatin and jugs filled with wet newspaper
 
From what I've seen the actual difference is very slight (unless you're talking lower power rounds like .38 special or .380 ACP). Bigger TWC, slightly increased expansion and/or penetration, but overall I'd rather have 147 gr non +P than 124 gr +P.
 
I'm curious about this as well...since many cartridges are designed around the FBI Protocol...and some cartridges like the Speer Gold Dot in 124GR both standard velocity and +P penetrate similar distances and expand similarly in ballistic gelatin, what's the difference and where does the extra energy of the +P cartridge go...;)

Bill
 
In most of today's subcompact 9mms a lot of the +p extra energy is going out the end of the barrel in the form of large muzzle flash. I don't think in a 2 to 3 inch barrel that +p is going to gain you much in increased velocity.
 
Assuming identical bullets, penetration may actually be less in +P stuff because bullet upset is quicker and usually greater in diameter which limits penetration. Check out the latest issue of Shooting Times (maybe Guns or Guns & Ammo, I get em all and already read/tossed it). It has a really comprehensive article on bullet testing.
 
Fifty or seventy five feet per second isn't going to affect bullet performance all that much.

Changing bullets is going to affect it (possibly) very much, depending on which two bullets are in question.

The actual bullet is going to be what determines penetration and expansion, not all 9mm JHP is the same, regardless of what pressure level it is loaded to.
 
9 vs 9 plus p?
lots of encouragement to plus p ammo, but anyone know a link to actual testing and comparisons between the 2? what is diff. in penetration and
expansion of 9 and 9+p in ballistic gelatin or through jugs of water?

The 9mm +p's 51.123456789fps extra will equal 0.0987654321" greater penetration and 0.0123456789 expansion without fail regardless of media or target. That's about as meaningful a statement as using backyard water jug tests of various ammo in various guns under various conditions. IMO, there's no reason to give up the added velocity in 9mm comparing the two if you have access to both. But, if someone gave me ammo that was not +p I'd use it. Actually, I never have +p in my gun opting for 147gr.
 
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thanks

thanks for the comments...
as I am interested in pocket pistol
(ie: Beretta BU9 and Sig P290 types)
I think the +p is of little value
and may be a liability in low light with flash...
agree best options are
124 gold dot or a good 147 in regular 9mm.
 
Something like a Ranger-T or HST in 147 (the HST comes in +P flavor as well, modestly heavier loading) would be a good choice for one of the very small pistols, they expand very well and because of their weight class will generally be more comfortably in their normal operating range from a short barrel than a lighter bullet loaded to hit a certain speed out of full size guns.

And they are heavy enough to expand to a very wide degree without adversely affecting penetration, which happens easier with light bullets that expand very well.
 
If you believe factory bullet charts, +P may yield an additional 2" of penetration in some cases.
 
The difference is not enough to be concerned about one way or the other. The main difference between 9mm and 357sig is velocity. Many will say the 357 is superior. 9mm +p and +p+ make the two overlap in performance (best 9m vs slowest 357). Comparing the Federal 9BP vs 9BPLE, when both are available I will pay the extra $1 per box for the faster ammo.
 
The difference is not enough to be concerned about one way or the other. The main difference between 9mm and 357sig is velocity. Many will say the 357 is superior. 9mm +p and +p+ make the two overlap in performance (best 9m vs slowest 357). Comparing the Federal 9BP vs 9BPLE, when both are available I will pay the extra $1 per box for the faster ammo.
I've never understood why some people think 100 fps is a big deal going to +P or +P+ but that another 100 fps on top of that is no big deal...

Bill
 
9MM 124gr.+P

Hi, Maybe it's the confidence factor of that little added ummmmffff ! I know most of My practice is with WWB 115 because there cheap, but at the end of My practice I run a couple of My magazines loaded with My carry round Speer Gold Dot 124+P and the groups tightened up considerably ! ....WVleo
 
I am not sure that the extra expense and wear (what little there may be) of 9mm +Ps is worth it. I just select a good 147 gr. JHP (there are many) and worry about more important stuff.
 
I use 124gr +P ammo exclusivly in my 9mm, for defensive purposes. I feel the 9mm is a round that depends on speed for much of its effectiveness, so IMO more speed can't hurt!
 
I've never understood why some people think 100 fps is a big deal going to +P or +P+ but that another 100 fps on top of that is no big deal...
Because it takes a significant increase in pressure to get to that marginal increase in velocity. At some point you hit an aerodynamic wall where returns diminsh greatly.
 
so when those extra 100fps are from 357 Magnum or a rifle they are good but in 357 SiG they are just a 9mm???...I don't think you've made your case but I'm listening...:D...where is the aerodynamic wall...?

Bill
 
For hunting I use homecast 105(Lee), 133(Lyman) and 140(Lee) grain SWC's out of my Hi-Power. I load them about as hot as I dare but sure don't Clark them. The flatter trajectory really helps (I've popped coyote and fox way the heck out there), and the higher velocities just help break bone/disrupt more tissue and penetrate deeper in my experience with these particular bullets.
 
silversport, I must have misread your statement. In the context of 9mm Luger I don't think the slight increases in velocity are worth the significant pressure increases.

Getting those velocities or higher out of a .357 SIG or .357 Magnum is fine, because those cartridges have the case capacity to push the projectiles at those speeds while maintaining pressures within their SAAMI or CIP specs.
 
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