in abscense of premium loads...opinion of older hollowpoint designs

[kmrcstintn]

caliber & platform: 9mm parabellum (aka 9mm luger); Ruger P95 w/ 3.9" barrel

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firea...mid&famid=3&variation=P95&bct=Yes&type=Pistol

I have been looking in many a shop to find more than 1 or 2 boxes of anything that resembles a 'premium' defense load (eg: Remington Golden Sabre, Speer Gold Dot, Federal HST, et al) without success; on the flip side, I snagged 3 boxes of Remington UMC 100 round pack 115gr jhp's and have them stashed while the panic continued...

amidst the scarcity, is this older hollowpoint design or something like Winchester white box Personal Defense okay? thanks...

 

[rbernie]

I've been carrying WWB 147gr Personal Protection for years, even with other options available. I am aware of no reason to NOT do so.

They have cycled well in all my 9mm pistols.

 

[jon_in_wv]

The older designs seems to work fine before all the new fangled stuff came out. The newer designs are probably a little more reliable but any HP is better than FMJ. The WWB HPs work well and are best of the inexpensive HPs in my opinion. I used to like the UMC HPs but the powder they use is dirty and produces way to much muzzle flash. The WWB uses flash suppressed powder and has very little muzzle flash. I prefer Federal HSTs because I'll take whatever advantage I can get, but I would have no hard feeling if like, rbernie, all I had was WWB 147gr.

 

[JTQ]

I'm sure the new "high tech" bullets are a better design and no doubt expand more reliably and stay together better than the previous generation of bullets. However, the 9mm round was in use for 60+ years before hollow points.

 

[Onmilo]

Except for trying some 200 grain CCI 'flying ashtrays', 230 XTP Winchesters and Federal expanding full metal jacket loads, I don't use hollowpoints in .45 acp.
All three of these .45 acp load exhibited excellent expansion and terrible accuracy.

My 9mm testing has yielded similar results but one old standby for me is the Federal 115 JHP 9mm load.
It has always remained an excellent expanding bullet load that also displays quite acceptable accuracy.

 

[yeti]

I still like the old Super Vels.

 

[.357 magnum]

Winchester PDX 147gr or 124gr +P

I use all LE Ammo for personal defense. I was lucky this week and found some Winchester 230gr Ranger SXT's for my .45's and Some Speer LE 180gr Gold Dots for my .40's. I am still unable to find LE ammo for my 9mm's. Before the Ammo shortage I used mostly Winchester Bonded or Federal HST's. I am able to find the Winchester PDX 147gr and 124+P for my 9mm's just right off the shelf here in Omaha. The PDX line is Winchester's Bonded Civilian Ammo--Great Ammo actually. If you cannot find the Winchester PDX I would see if there are any Speer Gold Dots over the counter either 147gr or 124gr +P in your area.I Hope you find what you need.

The Best to You and Yours!

Frank

 

[psyopspec]

I've tried a variety of JHPs in my 9mm carry guns over the years, and while I have a favorite, I have gone with WWB JHPs when my other preferences were not available.

 

[wally]

Where you place the bullet on the target is far more important than which particular bullet it is. Reliability in your particular gun is the second most important thing.

IMHO using ammo you can't afford to shoot enough of to insure good placement and reliability in your pistol, is a mistake.

--wally.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I already mentioned I use the Federal HSTs but the spare mag I keep in the console of my car is loaded with 17 147gr WWB JHPs. I don't feel bad about those at all.

And Wally hit the nail right on the head.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The good old Federal "Classic" - popularly known by its stocking number, 9BP - 115-gr. is never a bad choice.