What is your favorite 9mm bullet weight?

[Carter]

For range use and SD/HD? I generally prefer 124 bullets, but I've only shot a handful of 147 gr bullets a long time ago. 115 gr bullets generally shoot lower than I like, that plus hyped up velocities in SD loads generally cause me to shoot a lot lower than I like. However, I am really tempted to give golddot's 115 gr +p+ HP a chance. They seem to be a little less aggravating to find than hst rounds.

Do you change bullet weights with different guns/barrel lengths?

I guess my main question is do you like the fast and light or the slower and heavier bullet (or the in the middle 124 gr)?

Also, why is there no 147 gr +p+ ammo? I'm not a reloader, but I was thinking maybe the heavier bullet is a little longer and the extra powder needed would cause unsafe pressure levels, but I really have no idea. I'd love to get a hold of the +p hst in 147 gr, but it always seems to be out of stock when I'm ready to buy.

Before it even comes up, I know any of the stated rounds will do its job if the shooter does. I'm just curious on everyone else's opinions/preferences.

 

[just in joy]

I reload so I reloaded roughly 2k in 115 rounds don't get me wrong i like them i love how they shoot and they are great for my wife and kids to Plink with and IMO the will do the same job in defense as any other round maybe not as good but that I am not wanting to find out...

But when i bought 124gr and reloaded them I feel a great difference the 124's feel like factory 115 ammo a little bit of a kick but still good to knock steel over at 25-35 yards with out issues. I love the better kick as the 115 loads I call fart loads got that name from a buddy out here.. shoot all out of my xd 9 service model. with AA #2 powder.

 

[zxcvbob]

I bought several thousand 135 grain bullets a couple of years ago before the price went up, so those are my favorites When those run out I'll start casting my own 120-somethings and then they'll be my favorites.

I really don't shoot 9mm all that much. I shoot more .38 Specials and 9x18 Makarov because that's what I carry and I need the practice.

 

[prickett]

I like 105 gr. SWC's. I cast these using the Lee .358" mold. Low recoil and lower cost than larger bullets. Unfortunately they don't feed in one of my 9's (SIG 239).

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

HST 147gr +P

 

[1SOW]

124/125 JHP:
I reload and shoot regularly so cost is a factor. The 147s are more expensive. The 124/125s shoot softer, faster and more accurately than 115gr for me in my pistol.

 

[GCBurner]

A 124 non +P at about 1100 fps shoots to the point of aim at 25 yards with my Walther P-1, and with my Taurus PT99 that I use for IDPA matches. It also meets the power requirement for IDPA competition, and knocks down the steel targets reliably.

 

[easyg]

I prefer either the Winchester PXT1 124g 9mm+P or the Speer Gold Dot 124g 9mm+P for self defense.

 

[easyg]

115 gr bullets generally shoot lower than I like, that plus hyped up velocities in SD loads generally cause me to shoot a lot lower than I like.

This is strange....lighter faster bullets tend to drop less than heavier lower bullets.

 

[MikeNice]

I go with 147gr rounds. From the tests and reports I've read they do everything a 124gr+p round will do. If they don't they usually give up less than .05" of expansion. Yet they cause less wear on the gun.

Plus I just like the way they feel when I shoot them. The 147gr in my CZ P-07 feels like a firm push against my hand. There is very little snap or rise if I do my part. It is just more pleasant.

 

[Carter]

This is strange....lighter faster bullets tend to drop less than heavier lower bullets.

The way it was explained to me...and this could be wrong so don't kill me...the lighter bullets shoot faster and flatter. The heavier bullets will have a little bit more "arc" to them. While at further ranges I'm not sure how this will all play out...in my experience the lighter and faster bullets shoot lower for me, especially out of my sr9c. I didn't notice so much with my cz 75 phantom (when using +p+ 127 gr talons. compared to regular 124 gr bullets.

 

[Telekinesis]

I use 124 +P but have a selection of standard velocity of 124gr from when my lgs was out of the +P variety and I needed some HD ammo.

I plan to start stocking 147gr ammo once I can finally afford that suppressor I've been dreaming of

 

[Fishslayer]

My plinker of choice for the wife is either a 115 gr plated or 124gr Bear Creek TC.

I like loading up 147gr Bear Creek flat points for my own target shredding.

 

[Mike1234567]

My Kel-Tec P11 is only rated for "occasional" +P use and never +P+. So I only shoot 124gr standard pressure rounds. If I had a 9mm that could continuously handle the pressure I'd shoot 147gr... probably standard pressure because there seems to be far less benefit of hotter loads vs. heavier bullets.

 

[Sapper771]

I voted 127gr +P+ for carry. I like the Winchester Ranger SXT. It is Accurate and proven.

For range use, I cast my own 124gr TC bullets Pushed at 1050fps.

 

[Carter]

So it seems the 115 gr isn't getting much love.

 

[searcher451]

Most of my shooting is done at the range, and I normally use 115-grain Winchester WB because it's readily available and relatively inexpensive. I put more of that down the line with my 9mm pistols than just about anything else and have never had a hitch or hiccup of any kind -- thousands and thousands of rounds. I don't use it for concealed carry, but it makes for a terrific practice round, IMO.

 

[GCBurner]

So it seems the 115 gr isn't getting much love.

The 115 gr. is a nice, soft-shooting practice round. I buy it in bulk from Georgia Arms, when it's available and cheap. When I reload the brass myself, though, I go for 124 gr.

 

[JoeMal]

For plinking I shoot 115 gr. but for SD/HD I shoot 147 gr.

 

[R.W.Dale]

The way it was explained to me...and this could be wrong so don't kill me...the lighter bullets shoot faster and flatter. The heavier bullets will have a little bit more "arc" to them. While at further ranges I'm not sure how this will all play out...in my experience the lighter and faster bullets shoot lower for me, especially out of my sr9c. I didn't notice so much with my cz 75 phantom (when using +p+ 127 gr talons. compared to regular 124 gr bullets.

Actually the answer is much simpler.

In a handgun light bullets traveling faster tend to clear the muzzle faster than slow heavy ones.

This is important because the longer the bullet stays in the bbl the higher the muzzle climbs before the bullet exits under recoil.

You'll also notice the same phenomena magnified with lower velocity rifles at shorter ranges. For example my 357mag rolling block carbine at 50 yds will print a couple FEET high with 38's but be dead on with full house 357's


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[rhodco]

I consider the 9mm to be marginal as an effective man stopper so I want my bullets to be on the heavy side for maximum impact. I buy either Speer Gold Dot 124gr. +P JHP, or 115gr. +P+ JHP. Both will do the job, but the +P+ really beats up the slide and frame so I don't shoot it often.

 

[Carter]

Actually the answer is much simpler.

In a handgun light bullets traveling faster tend to clear the muzzle faster than slow heavy ones.

This is important because the longer the bullet stays in the bbl the higher the muzzle climbs before the bullet exits under recoil.

You'll also notice the same phenomena magnified with lower velocity rifles at shorter ranges. For example my 357mag rolling block carbine at 50 yds will print a couple FEET high with 38's but be dead on with full house 357's

Thank you for that answer.

I think I'm going to order 500 rounds of ranger 147 gr to play around with. See how I like it. I found it for $119 at sgammo.com. Should give me suitable brass to stockpile till I get a reloading press.


Can anyone answer why there is no 147 gr +p+? I gave a guess in the OP, but I doubt its correct.

 

[wow6599]

I consider the 9mm to be marginal as an effective man stopper

Based on what? :banghead:

Anyway, I like 124/127 +p. It seems like a good middle of the road round for the 9mm cartridge.

 

[spelsh]

115. It's what I have to reload with right now. But my next purchase will be 124 of some variety or another

 

[Chazo]

When I do shoot 9mm these days it's always 115 gr's for the range.

You might get a little more 00mph out of +p but, then again there is wear and tear on your firearm too.