9mm para...Hornady 147 XTP jhp; opinions, feedback, testing links

[kmrcstintn]

new acquisition: Ruger P95; 4" barrel; new ammo recommendation: Hornady XTP jhp 147gr in any variant...Custom, TAP, or older CQ; shot some of the Custom load...went bang every time, good combat accuracy to 15 yards, no hiccups; seeking opinions, feedback, testing links about penetration & expansion numbers, thanks

 

[Gun Slinger]

kmrcstintn,

I happen to think that it is an excellent "Controlled Expansion" load and I carry it exclusively in my Glock 17 (and 19) for SD/CC since its terminal performance characteristics fit my specific needs.

It expands with predictable regularity to 0.53"-0.57" (~1.5x caliber) and penetrates 14"- 16" in calibrated ordinance gelatin. There seems to be very little difference in the muzzle flash produced by all three (TAP-FPD, TAP "CQ" and Custom) offerings from the testing that I have done and all use the exact same XTP bullet.

Although it is an "older SD ammunition design" developed to pass the F.B.I minimum penetration (12") test protocals, it performs as advertised and offers "match grade" accuracy out of my gun giving me sub-3" groups at 25 yards, off hand, if I do my part, but YMMV, of course.

I usually use it as "up close anti-prairie dog" ammunition when I go out to Montana every June and can hit them with 'satisfying regularity' out to 50 yards from the bench. Really puts them down, too and you know how dangerous those prairie dogs can be when they charge.

Here are the results of one of my chronograph sessions a couple of years ago:


Test Date: 20July2006

Hornady 147 gr. TAP-FPD XTP JHP (#90288)
HI: 1068 fps
LO: 995 fps
AV: 1023 fps
ES: 73 fps
SD: 18.49 fps
n: 18 rnds
Comments: Advertised velocity is 975 fps. Very consistent/accurate.

Hornady 147 gr. TAP "CQ" XTP JHP (#90285)
HI: 1043 fps
LO: 1003 fps
AV: 1024 fps
ES: 40 fps
SD: 10.17 fps
n: 24 rnds
Comments: Advertised velocity is 975 fps. Very accurate in test gun. My current carry load in all my 9mm CCW sidearms.

Test Platform: Glock 17 (ser.#: XXX564US) Barrel: 4.49"/114mm
Temp: 81 F Humidity: 62% Elevation: ~650 ft. ASL.
Instrumental Distance: ~5 ft. (Shooting Chrony F-1)

If you decide to employ this as your SD/CC load, just be aware of the fact that it offers very deep penetration and moderate expansion against human targets and prepare/engage accordingly.

Regards,

 

[kmrcstintn]

thank you for you intuitive & informative feedback

 

[SeanSw]

Lots of debate on the 9mm 147gr ammunition. I load my 9mm with it. The 158gr/900fps .38 special is a good round and very well respected. I can't understand why some consider it less effective when you load it at 147gr/1000fps and call it a 9mm. Out of a shorter barrel some might call that a .357 magnum

 

[MachIVshooter]

I haven't ever used TAP, but I handload the 147 grain XTP's to +P and +P+ levels and they perform very well.

 

[Gun Slinger]

MachIV-

I am not surprised that they can be pushed faster and still yield decent performance.

The last time that I opened a box of the 147 gr. XTP's to reload them, the little information slip that Hornady includes inside the box indicated that the velocity 'window' was 750-1200 fps.

1200 fps is pretty much the "upper limit" for what the 9x19 can do with the right powder (maximum loads of 6.4 grs. of VV N105 will provide ~1108 fps and 6.9 grs. of VV 3N38 will provide ~1207 fps) from a 4"-4.5" barrel, so the option of "more speed" is available.

While I am satisfied with the factory TAP "CQ" load (for the purpose of SD/CC) which uses the XTP bullet and "buzzes" along at an average velocity of ~1025 fps from my Glock 17, it is nice to have the option to push it faster should one want to do so.

 

[BlindJustice]

I have a recently acquired CZ 75B and like the 147 gr. XTps as well. I've been putting 115 fmj, 124 gr. JHPs, and 147 gr. JHPs through it
and it hasn't FTF/FTE'd anything. I also have a source - smaller
Ammo Co. that offers the Hornady XTP 147 gr. 9mmx19 loaded to
1,090 FPS - I need to order up several boxes for some SD/HD to keep
in stock.

The source is Reeds Ammunition & Research Oklahoma CIty OK.
Ron offers other cartridges with various weights in the Hornady XTP
as well as Rem. Golden Saber, Not so many Gold Dots - priced Gold
Dots lately? I think the last time I priced some .451 Hornady XTPs
they were 20 cents each, Gold Dots in a equal weight were 44 cents
each, OUCH.

Randall