Bullet weight question.

[bullseye308]

What I’m wondering is which bullet weight would be better for self defense in 9mm. The choices for this hypothetical situation would be the RMR 115 and 124 Nuke. Suppose both bullets are equally accurate and both pushed about 85% of top speed. Pistol used has a 5” barrel and powders available would be Bullseye, BE-86, Unique, and HP-38.

Which would you choose, and why?

 

[AJC1]

What I’m wondering is which bullet weight would be better for self defense in 9mm. The choices for this hypothetical situation would be the RMR 115 and 124 Nuke. Suppose both bullets are equally accurate and both pushed about 85% of top speed. Pistol used has a 5” barrel and powders available would be Bullseye, BE-86, Unique, and HP-38.

Which would you choose, and why?

I'd choose the 124 because your giving up the speed which is the only advantage the 115 has...

 

[Howland937]

Since you're not using a micro pistol and trying to mitigate recoil, is there a reason why you're staying at 85%? Is that standard or +P data?
I'd still probably go with the 124, but I'd also wanna run it on up closer to max. I had a thread about working up a 9mm load to near max and still not getting reliable function. Different bullet and different powder, but still something to keep an eye on.
I'd also probably go with the BE-86 to get it there.

 

[length_of_pull_1]

I would make the 124 go as fast as I could get it to go (safely, of course).

 

[JohnMc]

Add another agreement with the idea of pushing whatever weight bullet as fast as can be safely done.
+1 on the 124-gr, too

 

[bullseye308]

Since you're not using a micro pistol and trying to mitigate recoil, is there a reason why you're staying at 85%? Is that standard or +P data?
I'd still probably go with the 124, but I'd also wanna run it on up closer to max. I had a thread about working up a 9mm load to near max and still not getting reliable function. Different bullet and different powder, but still something to keep an eye on.
I'd also probably go with the BE-86 to get it there.

I rarely if ever load anything to max and like just a little wiggle room in case someone was to shoot them in a compact or older gun. I also load for accuracy before velocity and will give up a slight bit of expansion for better accuracy. BE-86 would be my first choice as I get great accuracy with it and know it gives great speed as well.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

BE-86 would be my first choice as I get great accuracy with it and know it gives great speed as well.

You would need a chrono and some ballistic gelatin to figure out which would be the best. Speed vs penetration vs expansion.

But since we are giving opinions,
I would like BE-86 for 124 gr
231 for 115 gr.
With the Nukes from RMR because of my target results.

 

[Charlie98]

I also load for accuracy before velocity and will give up a slight bit of expansion for better accuracy.

Accuracy is nice, but SD rounds don't need benchrest accuracy. I'm not saying use a bullet that throws like a shotgun, but in a bullet/load combo, I would strive for 100% feeding reliability before worrying so much about accuracy, let alone bullet expansion.

In any event, I'd echo the others... a 124grn bullet pushed as fast as you are comfortable.

 

[kmw1954]

My opinion for what it's worth. In the 9mm it really doesn't make that big of a difference. What makes a real difference is being able to control the shot and hit what you are aiming at. Repeatedly.

Today's world we almost see daily the reports of suspects and victims being struck multiple times and walking away.

 

[GRIZ22]

I've carried 115 to 147. There's no magic bullet weight. I prefer 115 gr Silvertips as I'm often in high density environments and concerned about over penetration. They also have minimal muzzle flash. A consideration in low light encounters.I don't like 115 Federal JHP as they have a lot of muzzle flash. 147s usually have little muzzle flash and, to me, recoil is more a push than a smack.

I carry under LEOSA and prior to restricted states being required to recognize LEOSA allowing hollowpoints I usually carried NATO fmj.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I like 115s worked up to 100%. Best chance of expansion.
W231 is excellent for that purpose.
If you go with 124s use your BE86 or Unique. IMO Unique works up well with 124s.
I don’t like the idea of 85% loads in pistols for serious uses.
I use ~85% loads in my carbine so I don’t over speed HPs, some will under penetrate if they’re going too fast, but if they’re too slow they may not expand at all.

 

[Chuck R.]

In 9mm I prefer the 147s, which is what I load for IDPA and 3 gun.

IMHO the recoil is more of a push, kinda like a 45ACP. The 147s loose less MV percentage wise when going in a shorter barrel, so I only stock 1 9mm SD load.