What is your favorite 9mm bullet weight?

[ku4hx]

124 grain exclusively. I've been a bullet caster for 40+ years and have been scrounging alloy and smelting for that same period. Having a half ton stash of cast-ready alloy makes bullet cost pretty much inconsequential. 124 in cast has always proven to be the best weight range/competition for the loads I favor. Your mileage may vary.

 

[NWCP]

Most all of my 9mm handguns like the 124 grain fodder. My HK USP works well with 147 grain ammo, but overall 124 gets the nod. For range days I shoot 115s and 124s. For self defense loads I tend to stick with Golden Sabers in 124 grain. The 147 grain I carry are Ranger SXTs and in fact that's what my HK USP9mm is loaded with as I type.

 

[918v]

I prefer 147's because they penetrate the deepest without tearing-up the gun. Also through and through wounds enable the Police to track assailants down the alleys and through the gulleys.

 

[psyshack]

I reload all my 9mm with xtp's. Spring, summer, fall I carry and shoot 124's. Winter it's the 147's.

 

[Mike1234567]

Why the seasonally differing weights?

 

[Carter]

Why the seasonally differing weights?

I'd guess penetration and heavier clothing. Although I've seen tests where +p 147 bullets penetrate less than regular 147, but the +p do expand more.

 

[918v]

but heavier clothing increases penetration

 

[Carter]

but heavier clothing increases penetration

Would that be from heavy clothing clogging the hollow point and causing it to act like a fmj?

 

[Mike1234567]

but heavier clothing increases penetration

I don't see how unless you're speaking of old-style hollow points that clog with material.

 

[Trahma Hownd]

147 grains. Once I get my 9mm can, I will practice pretty much solely with 147 grain anyway, I have read many favorable things about modern 147gr 9mm hollow points, and I plan on using the can for home defense (might as well protect my hearing as well as my life).

 

[918v]

I don't see how unless you're speaking of old-style hollow points that clog with material.

New bullet styles clog with material. What, you think a hollowpoint will never clog?

 

[Mike1234567]

New bullet styles clog with material. What, you think a hollowpoint will never clog?

No, I didn't intend to convey that. There are no "absolutes". However, some of today's HP ammunition is far superior than what was available just few years ago... Federal HST, Winchester Ranger T, etc. These nearly always expand even after passing through multiple layers of material.

 

[918v]

So do the "ancient" designs (well maybe not the Hydra Shocks)

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Fackler_Articles/winchester_9mm.pdf

 

[Onmilo]

I like European 124 FMJ ammo.

 

[MikeNice]

So do the "ancient" designs (well maybe not the Hydra Shocks)

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Fackler_Articles/winchester_9mm.pdf

Thank you for that post. It is one of the best articles I've read on the subject in a long time.

 

[Pilot]

For practice I reload with 115 grain FMJ's or LSWC's. For carry, its factory 124 grains JHP +p.

 

[heeler]

Since the best buys out there come in 115 FMJ that's what I practice with.
Now that my Kahr PM9 is fully broken in I tried out the other day a box of Gold Dot +P 124 gr Short Barrel and a box of the Winchester PDX1 147 gr.
I much preferred the 147 gr. over the snappy +P Gold Dots.
Those Winchester PDX1's were very accurate in my Kahr and the fast follow up shots much easier than the +P.