What grain bullet for defense in 9mm .40 S&W and 45 ACP?

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drf

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I bought some defense ammo today for my 9mm and .40 S&W I usually go with the middle of the road grain and get 124 for the 9mm and 155 grain for the .40 S&W but I could only choose between 115g or 147g for the 9mm I ended up with the 115 because of it being a faster bullet but I dont know if I made the right decision..
I also bought some .40 S&W in 155g and 180g for self defense...

All of this ammo was Speer Gold dot

Could anyone give me input on the type of defense round you use and why?

Is there much difference in 115g vs 147g???Thanks!drf
 
In the past I used standard pressure Federal 115 gr. JHP's in the two 9mm pistols I owned. I sold both, only to buy another one. This time I decided to go with a heavier bullet. I narrowed my choice to the Speer Gold Dot 124 gr. JHP+P or the Winchester Ranger T 147 gr. JHP+P. I bought the 124's. In .45 ACP I use Federal Hydra-Shok 230 gr. JHP's. I don't own a .40, but if I did I'd probably go with a 165 gr. bullet. Even though I use popular choices, I know there's other things that are more important than what ammunition I'm using.
 
My top two choices for 9mm SD ammo is 147 grain Gold Dot and 147 grain Ranger T. 147 grain Ranger T sits in my G19 as I type this and an extra mag on my night stand is loaded with Speer Gold Dots.
 
Well since we seem to answer the question on a weekly basis, here is my selection again: 9mm-124, 40S&W-165 and 45ACP-230.
 
It's not the weight that's important, it's the performance. Pick your ammo based on performance. That said, the heavier weights tend to perform better, but that's not always true for every design.

You're pretty safe with Winchester Ranger-T series ammo in 9mm or .45 Either 147gr RA9T or 230gr RA45T or the +P version, RA45TP.

In .40 I like 180gr Gold Dot. But there's other stuff out there that works just as well.

- Gabe
 
In 9mm i like speed and a bullet that will hang together and expand.I've got black hills 115gr +P loaded with the gold dot bullet.1300 fps from a 4" barrel (factory specs) and accurate from my SW9VE.

The only 45 i've got now is a S&W 625-6 MG and it will get some form of the 230 gold dot.
 
I like 124 gr. 9mms. When I had a .40, I used 180s. In .45, I like 230 gr. unless the barrel is under 4", then I generally use a good 185 gr. Your choices may vary.
 
If you're running a 45, I don't think grain matters so much as whether or not the bullet profile runs good in your particular gun. From anywhere between 165 trough 230, that .45 caliber bullet is going to make a good hole.
 
DRF,
This is a highly contested subject. Almost everyone formulates an opinion and defends their selection vigorously. As the "experts" can not seem to agree, I would recommend you do a little reading and make an informed selection rather than relying on advice gained from the internet.

That said, here is a good place to start.

http://www.firearmstactical.com/hwfe.htm

Here are the loads recommended by Dr. Gary Roberts, a noted ballistician, in the calibers you specified. His recommendations seem to enjoy a good reputation in the field. FWIW, my carry load is highlighted.

9 mm:
Barnes 105 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Fed 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Speer 124 gr +P JHP (53617)
Win 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Win 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Fed 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Rem 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer 147 gr JHP (53619)
Win 147 gr JHP (RA9T)

.40 S&W:
Speer 155 gr JHP (53961)
Fed 165 gr JHP (LE40T3)
Win 165 gr JHP (RA40TA)
Win 165 gr JHP (RA401P)
Fed 180 gr JHP (LE40T1)
Rem 180 gr JHP (GS40SWB)
Speer 180 gr JHP (53966)
Win 180 gr JHP (RA40T)


I prefer any defensive load I use to have at least 400 ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle. Since you expressed an interest in Gold Dots, here is a link to Speer's site where you can check their data on the Gold Dot. I would imagine other companies have similar sites.

http://www.speer-bullets.com/default.asp?s1=7&s2=26

Keep in mind, it is not so much what bullet hits him as it is where the bullet hits him. Hope this helps.
 
All 3 of my choices for them are the Gold Dot JHP bullet.

For my BHP, 124gr +P Black Hills ammunition with the Gold Dot JHP bullet

For my .40 cal Taurus PT 100 (I have since sold this gun) it was the 165gr Speer Gold Dot JHP ammo

For the .45 Kimber Pro Carry I carry Speer 200gr +P Gold Dot JHP ammo.

You wont go wrong with the Speer bullet. A second close in my eyes is the Gold Saber bullet.

Check out www.ammolab.com and see how different bullets performed
 
Interestingly, I've been more concerned about accuracy and reliability than I have been with end-power.

In both my BHP and CZ75B, with stock barrels, I find the 115g FMJ to be the most accurate - impacting the target at the point of aim. When I switch to 147g FMJ, the groups size opens dramatically, though still in the lethal area of a generic rib cage.

I have some 124g +P and +P+ Speer GD that I will try out, and hope that I get a good correlation between POA and POI. Otherwise, I'll have to find a loading in the 115g range as you just never know when you'll need to make an accurate shot in a defensive situation (shoot COM of the target that is available.)

I also noted that the above like to Speer's site doesn't list the 9mm GD round as suitable for anything more than Small Game Hunting. Why is that, do you think?

Lastly, in a recent online talk with David DiFabio of Ammolab, he stated repeatedly that there is no discernible difference in the wound tracts of the 9mm and .40 caliber rounds. He also stated that in a given length of bore (my CZ has 4.75" of bbl length) you do not have time for the powder charge of a +P or +P+ round to burn and produce more velocity/power. I can't say if this is at all accurate, but he is something of an expert on the matter...I think.
 
Interestingly, I've been more concerned about accuracy and reliability than I have been with end-power.
Click to expand...

Excellent point! I just assumed we were talking terminal ballistics.

Reliability is a forgone requirement.

I find accuracy to be less of a requirement. 4" at 25-yards is more than accurate enough for me. With regard to POA/POI, I would adjust my sights based on my ammunition, not select ammunition to suit my sights.

I also noted that the above like to Speer's site doesn't list the 9mm GD round as suitable for anything more than Small Game Hunting. Why is that, do you think?
Click to expand...

I am not sure. I did note there is no "self-defense" use listed and the .45 GD enjoys the same small game recommendation. :confused:

He also stated that in a given length of bore (my CZ has 4.75" of bbl length) you do not have time for the powder charge of a +P or +P+ round to burn and produce more velocity/power.
Click to expand...

The Speer site lists the test barrel length as 4" for the standard 124-grain and 124-grain +P. Velocities for the 124-grain +P chronographed out of my SIG P-228 were at or just under Speer's numbers. I can not comment on velocities for the standard 124-grain GD.
 
Take Dr. Roberts' recommendations, pick a round you like and run 200+ rounds through it every way but Sunday to verify reliability. Then stick with it (one of the reasons I like the Winchester Ranger-T stuff is that is usually alot cheaper than the other 'premium' ammo, so you can shoot alot of it, and it is a top performer). Take anything from Marshal & Sanow and throw it in the trash.

Dr. Roberts runs the Terminal Performance forum at tacticalforums.com If you want to make a decision as to why M&S is B&S, all you have to do is read some of the debate there. It becomes obvious quickly who is full of crap and who is on the up and up.

- Gabe
 
9mm: 115 grain +P Gold Dot JHP

40 S&W: 155 grain +P Gold Dot JHP

45 ACP: 230 grain Ranger SXT JHP
 
My choice is 165 or 180 grain Gold Dots in .40S&W

Bullet weight would vary depending on how the gun liked it. Lighter ones for the smaller gun perhaps.
 
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