Favorite 9mm carry bullet

[ldlfh7]

I have loaded so many kinds of 9mm projectiles its tough to say what I prefer the most. Looking to make an investment in a large order in the near future and thought I would reach out to you guys for some solid opinions.

So...what are your favorite bullets? Performance? Thoughts?

Again, this is for a carry load so I will not be interested in lead/fmj.

 

[sixgunner455]

124 gr Gold Dot. I've only shot one critter with it. Mule deer doe. Went through her spine, expanded, ripped out a neck artery and trachea, instant kill. Same load is in my CZ right now.

 

[moxie]

Ditto 124 Gold Dot. The factory 124 +P and Fed. 124 +P HST are my favorite carry loads, but the HSTs have never been available for reloading, as far as I know.

 

[noylj]

1) I wouldn't carry a 9x19
2) I wouldn't carry my own hand loads
3) If forced to do so, I would use a Hornady XTP-HP or Speer Gold Dot, whichever was most reliable for feeding.
4) Most competition JHPs are not designed for expansion and holding together (they are target bullets), so I would only use JHPs that have a history for self-defense.

 

[ldlfh7]

Then why did you respond to this thread?

 

[allaroundhunter]

My preferred carry load is the Federal HST 124 gr +P.

However, if I were to hand load my carry rounds then I would use Gold Dots.

 

[mljdeckard]

I would be curious to see some serious tests of these:

http://barnesbullets.myshopify.com/collections/tac-xptm-pistol-bullets

 

[gamestalker]

I really like the Gold Dot, but I have no issues with XTP's either. And my SD projectile is always pushed with a serious charge of Longshot.

GS

 

[918v]

125gr Gold Dot from the .357 Sig line.

 

[david bachelder]

125 grain round nose. I cast them myself, BHN runs about 10. These are great shooting bullets.

I'd like to find a 9mm HP mold reasonably priced.

For self defense I carry hand loads with my own bullets. Imagine that

 

[Muddydogs]

I don't think you can go wrong with either the Speer Gold Dot or the Hornady XTP. While I don't own a 9 I do shoot Gold Dot's out of my .380, 38 and .40. I shoot the XTP out of the .44 and .45. I even shoot a .45 300 grain XTP out of the .54 cal muzzy which does a number on deer and elk.

 

[Ed4032]

Gold Dot 124grn +P

 

[The Bushmaster]

124 grain HP/XTP.

 

[jstein650]

Really like Gold Dot's. Just for a visual, 115gr Gold Dot, and 115gr XTP recovered from water, 1200+ fps.
Usually can be had (if they can be had) at a good price too.

 

[On An Island]

Hornady Critical Defense 115g in 9mm
Hornady Critical Defense 165g in 10mm
Hornady Critical Defense 185g in .45ACP

Hmmm, I'm sensing a trend here....

 

[Otto]

Gold Dots.... but good luck finding them.

 

[rg1]

124 grain Speer Gold Dots, Hornady 124 XTP's, or 124 gr. Remington Golden Sabers. All shoot good with the 124 Golden Sabers showing a little more accuracy in my pistols but all very close. I wouldn't feel under gunned with either of the above.

 

[Eb1]

Federal 115 +P+ 9PBLE or
Federal 124 grain HST or
Federal 124 grain Hydro-Shock or
Hornady 115 XTP or
Winchester Ranger T 124 grain HP


There are so many good 9mm bullets for sale that you really can't go wrong. The Federal +P+ is the only one that really stands alone, but I owe my families life to a Federal 124 grain HST non-+P version. It had zero issues stopping the threat.

 

[osteodoc08]

124gr good dots or XTP.

Now that I think of it, the XTP is probably my favorite HP of all time. I load it in my 9mm, 357, 40, 41, 45 ACP, 45LC and 454 Casull. I just bought 200-200gr XTP to try out in my new 10mm. I don't have a 44mag but I've loaded them for my fathers 44 mag and shot them so that kinda counts. Terminal performance has been nothing but outstanding on game with broad side shots. Accuracy is also decent. I've also loaded GD, but the XTP are usually cheaper so I load them. That reminds me, I've got to load up some 41 Mag for the upcoming deer season. I've got some 265gr LFNGC loaded up, but they won't cycle in my marlin.

 

[HOOfan_1]

My two defensive loads are

9mm 124grain Gold Dot +P
.40 S&W 180 grain HST

 

[HOWARD J]

Federal 135 gr hydra-shok JHP

 

[CZ9shooter]

I have a bunch of 124 gr XTPs loaded to nearly 1200 fps. Whenever I have needed them they have been readily available at a fair price. Accuracy seems to be above average. The simple terminal ballistic tests I have performed on them are more than acceptable.

I wouldn't mind getting a hold of some Gold Dots. But I have no reason to seek them out and make the switch. If I stumble cross some I may give them a shot.

 

[1SOW]

1. 124 GD 2. 124 XTP
I load to about 1180-1200 fps

Haven't been able to find either bullet for many months.

 

[JShirley]

I buy Gold Dot-loaded ammo when I can, but most of my bullets are XTPs.

 

[RealGun]

Also wondering about your premise...why do you need a large quantity of more costly bullets for carry loads. Do you get in gunfights very often?

I have other good bullets, but XTPs are a mainstay for all my calibers. My 9mm though is a 5" 1911 bought for IDPA. I carry .357 Magnum and up.

I think part of it is generational differences in norms and in how we dress for concealment (or not). 9mm is actually on the heavy end of the scale for lots of young people who want pocket guns. Its better than none, as long as one is aware of the limitations.