9mm: 115 vs 124 vs 147 grain

[bg226]

What grain do you use in a defensive load?

 

[kokapelli]

124gr.

This should be a poll.

 

[RidgwayCO]

124 gr. Why? I don't really know, except that's the weight I've read that the military uses.

 

[AK103K]

You left out 127 grain +P+

 

[gofastman]

147gr +P in short barrels
124gr +P (or 127 grain +P+) in full size guns

 

[9mmepiphany]

I currently have mine loaded with Ranger 127gr +P+ Talons.

When I run out of that I have a case of 124gr +P Gold Dots I got for a good price.

My tendency is to stay fairly close to the original design weight (124gr for 9mm) of cartridges in auto pistols

 

[RatDrall]

It's not the weight that matters, it's the weight combined with the velocity combined with the design of the bullet.

 

[Radjxf]

My defensive load is either Federal HST 124gr +P or Winchester Ranger LE in a similar loading. Both are often considered to be either the best performing, or amongst the top rounds for defensive purposes.

 

[ttheel]

Right now my P228 is packed full of 115 gr Cor-bon DPX +P's. Copper bullet gets it done.

 

[Yarddog]

124gr G/D +Ps ; )
Y/D

 

[Snowdog]

Ra124tp

 

[481]

I prefer Hornady 9mm 147 grain XTP JHP. High sectional density and it is very, very accurate.

 

[Wispa]

I'm using Gold Dot 147gr right now. This may change in the future, but as of now I'm liking them very much.

 

[bg226]

No love for 115 gr?

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

I like 124gr, as I dont like to go lightest or heaviest and 124 fits middle of the road perfectly. lol

 

[wrs840]

I use 124gr Golden Saber in 9mm, just because that's what I convinced myself I was shooting the best groups on paper with. (BHP, 92FS, S&W 3rd gens)

Les

 

[UpTheIrons]

No love for 115 gr?

Apparently a beeeger boolit is better.

I'm curious about the answers, too, as my wife just got a 9mm (SR9c) that she absolutely loves. For function testing I bought one box each of Remington 124gr HD (repackaged Golden Sabers?), Winchester 124gr PDX1 +P, and Winchester Ranger 147gr SXT (which IIRC, is the predecessor of the PDX1 round).

There are many others out there, but I've gotta start somewhere! And I think 124gr is the right place to start.

 

[wally]

I'm a big believer in the heaviest bullet for the caliber, thus if I'd carry a 9mm it'd be with 147gr ammo (I use 180 gr in my PM40 and 158 gr in my SC360 .357 Mag carry guns).

Bullet placement, placement, and penetration are the three most important things in handgun effectiveness.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I use 147gr. I carry 9mm because I'm a firm believer in more rounds=more hits=more stopping. BUT, within that context, I pick the heaviest round I can.

 

[kmbrman]

9mm --115 124 or 147?

Over on another forum I've posted a test on Speer 147 GDHP in a gallon water jug test, and found the 147 GDHP will expand perfectly and penetrate three jugs and crack the front of a fourth jug fired from only a Glock 26 with a 3.46 " barrel. Go over to USRange and read it if you want. Penetration and expansion both, what's not to like!

 

[Waywatcher]

115 grain; because what good is a heavier bullet if they both go all the way through anyways? I'll take the higher velocity and energy.

 

[Confederate]

I go with a 115gr JHP +P.

The 9mm has always been problematic, but newer design bullets have gone a long way in fixing that. Faster, lighter bullets are a better way to go in my book.

 

[nathan]

My G 19 loaded with WInchester 147 gr HP . its the cheapest i could find at Walmart. Shoots just as fine!

 

[Dr.Rob]

115gr because it shoots to same point of aim/impact as my practice (fmj) ammo.

 

[sidheshooter]

Whatever. But whatever almost always seems to be a 124 grainer; especially GDHPs, around my guns...