9mm SD Ammo Test (Pictures included)

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Great stuff. Thanks.

Makes me feel a bit better about the HST 147's I carry.
 
Thank you for posting this, Interesting findings. I may just have to pick a a box or two of those Federal HST 147gr . Nasty looking stuff.
 
No problem guys. I was looking at those Federal 147 grainers as well!
 
I would not be too worried about the rounds that did not penetrate the second jug. For me any of these would do the job but some would be a safer round in public, due to their reduced penetration, adequate penetration not over penetration.
 
This post just made me realize I bought the non +p 124 gr HST :(

Oh well, I think I like the results of the 147 gr enough to buy that next time.
 
9MM Pics & Facts...

I've heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words.

What you provided has got to be worth a million words, if one.

I'm a fan of the 9MM as well as the 45ACP always feeling that shot placment was THE most critical component of effectivness. Hopefully these photos and the results can better address the long time argument between 9MM VS 45ACP.

Bottom line I don't want to get shot with either!
 
My only issue with the 147gr ammo is how it does in short barrels. It seems no one hardly ever does short barrel tests.
I do agree the 147 would be the most effective in a 4"+ barrel but id stick with a 124gr in a 3" until i saw better evidence.
Im the same way with all short barreled guns.
3" .40 id use a 165gr +P
3" 1911 id use a 200gr +p
But as long as its a 4" and longer barrel i always prefer the highest weight bullet since it should reach max fps speeds so it can penetrate enough and reliably expand.

Ill be buying a pocket 9mm in 2 months and ill be buying 124gr +p HST or Ranger T-series for it.
 
Das: What type/brand of pocket 9mm are you interested in?

BullSi: You know you're right. I went back and looked more closely and it seems he did make some mistakes.

I was quite impressed, however, with the expansion of the lot in general. Bullet technology has come a long way in the last 20 years...even if this test is confined to performance in water. Id be curious to know how thick the plastic was on those jugs.
 
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My only issue with the 147gr ammo is how it does in short barrels. It seems no one hardly ever does short barrel tests.
I do agree the 147 would be the most effective in a 4"+ barrel but id stick with a 124gr in a 3" until i saw better evidence.
Im the same way with all short barreled guns.
3" .40 id use a 165gr +P
3" 1911 id use a 200gr +p
But as long as its a 4" and longer barrel i always prefer the highest weight bullet since it should reach max fps speeds so it can penetrate enough and reliably expand.
Click to expand...
:confused:
Heavier the bullet, the more resistance, and the more forgiving it is to slower powders in short barrels.
If you can't find short barreled tests, you aren't looking very hard.
www.ballisticsbytheinch.com

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1B/review_GUNS0710.html

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1B/review_ch0809.html

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1B/review_st0808.html

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1B/review_hgbg08.html

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1B/review_cch2006.html

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1B/review_police0905.html

The odd part is when you hit about 350 grains, you can use slow burning powders in 2" barrels, and get very little reduction in velocity.

As you can see from the above tests, short barrel results are really determined by what kind of powder the ammunition maker uses.

It really gets down to you have to find a test for your gun, with that ammunition, since ammunition is all over the charts, as far as to how well it works in short barrels.

One suggestion about the above results:

The biggest flower isn't always the winner. Explosive, big expansion in these calibers, is the result at the expense of penetration. Also, when that parachute opens up, it REALLY slows penetration through the target.
If you believe the FBI, who say that the most important factor in any handgun round is penetration, then perhaps the winner is the bullet that opens up the least, and penetrates the most.

Another great source for actual gun tests with ammunition is
www.buffalobore.com
The list real life chronograph tests for real guns, real ammunition;

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=105

While it doesn't apply here, since most of the ammo in 9MM he designs is tested in 4" or longer barrels, his short barreled loads show the potential, and provide a good bench mark for what is
possible out of a given barrel length, with a certain bullet.
 
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