I'm finally ditching my mediocre wwb and umc jhps for some premium stuff. The statement: "Only you can decide how much you and your family are worth" has been weighing heavily on me lately. Anyway I'm looking to buy the baddest jhp for my 9mm house and carry guns. I'm leaning towards Gold Dot, just because of the reputation. Any suggestions or insight would be appreciated.
What's your favorite Brand of 9mm JHP?
- Thread starter Ben86
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highlander 5
Member
FWIW see if any of the local LEOs carry 9 mm and ask what they use.
oldFred
Member
I read some in-depth info on the net about 9mm rounds for PD. After analyzing all the data collected I have to say to carry,
Heaviest JHP rounds in the summer.
Heaviest JHP +P rounds in the winter.
Edit: I'm new to hornady, the fit and finish says a lot about them.
I'm no expert, but I will "stick to my guns" opinion on this one.
Heaviest JHP rounds in the summer.
Heaviest JHP +P rounds in the winter.
Edit: I'm new to hornady, the fit and finish says a lot about them.
I'm no expert, but I will "stick to my guns" opinion on this one.
Federal Tactical HST 124gr +P
Getting a bit hard to find these days, but it's the best round imo. Gold Dots are a close second. I would trust my life to either.
Here's a fantastic writeup comparing various carry rounds. It doesn't cover the latest and greatest, but the pictures are worth the read.
http://frag.110mb.com/
Getting a bit hard to find these days, but it's the best round imo. Gold Dots are a close second. I would trust my life to either.
Here's a fantastic writeup comparing various carry rounds. It doesn't cover the latest and greatest, but the pictures are worth the read.
http://frag.110mb.com/
Guitargod1985
Member
For me it's Cor-Bon 9mm +P 115 gr JHP. It comes out at just under 1300 fps in my HK P2000SK.
I don't reload (yet), but I find the brass case an extra bonus because I've observed noticeable bullet setback in both Speer Gold Dots and Federal Hydrashoks after rechambering the same round a few times.
I don't reload (yet), but I find the brass case an extra bonus because I've observed noticeable bullet setback in both Speer Gold Dots and Federal Hydrashoks after rechambering the same round a few times.
jc650
Member
I picked Federal as I now carry the 124 gr +p HST's. I do also like the Winchester Ranger 147 gr. as well.I have had no reliability issues with the Rangers either and would also reccommend them.
CoRoMo
Member
I chose the Gold Dots, but you won't go wrong with Federal (carrying them today actually), Cor-Bon, or Hornady.
I don't know why I don't trust Rem or W with SD, I just haven't heard much of anything either way about them.
I don't know why I don't trust Rem or W with SD, I just haven't heard much of anything either way about them.
Deus Machina
Member
Most premium brands will do you well. Best bet, stop by your gun store and grab a box of what sounds good to you. Shoot the box. If it fires without problems, buy another box and keep that.
Like jc650 said, I'd suggest Rangers, too. The SXT's are an old standby, and even the standard 'Bonded' are supposed to be impressive, and are getting dirt cheap right now. That said, Ranger Bonded's in 124gr +P are the only thing that has ever jammed my S&W 469--they have a bit longer OAL and are nearing cylindrical--but I was feeding them out of a previously used, untried magazine. It may have been the mag.
Right now I'm carrying Federal HST's in 124gr +P, but my last box was 124gr +P Gold Dots. HST's are the newest and best IMO, but Gold Dots are shaped almost like FMJ's so should feed in anything.
IMHO, go Federal HST's, and if you can't find it, Gold Dots. HST's are cheaper, and absolutely devastating--more bang for the buck.
Like jc650 said, I'd suggest Rangers, too. The SXT's are an old standby, and even the standard 'Bonded' are supposed to be impressive, and are getting dirt cheap right now. That said, Ranger Bonded's in 124gr +P are the only thing that has ever jammed my S&W 469--they have a bit longer OAL and are nearing cylindrical--but I was feeding them out of a previously used, untried magazine. It may have been the mag.
Right now I'm carrying Federal HST's in 124gr +P, but my last box was 124gr +P Gold Dots. HST's are the newest and best IMO, but Gold Dots are shaped almost like FMJ's so should feed in anything.
IMHO, go Federal HST's, and if you can't find it, Gold Dots. HST's are cheaper, and absolutely devastating--more bang for the buck.
DAdams
Member
Just curious, why no 147gr?
oneounceload
member
Hornady, Corbon, Speer GD's - all great factory loads....surprised to not see an option for folks that roll their own
Personally, I prefer 124 JHP's....IMO 147's are best left to longer barrel guns like a MP-5 or carbine...JMO, YMMV
Personally, I prefer 124 JHP's....IMO 147's are best left to longer barrel guns like a MP-5 or carbine...JMO, YMMV
Deus Machina
Member
Some 147 grains' performance is off.
From the tests I've seen, cheap 147 grains don't expand well (lower velocity) or feed as well (longer OAL), or things like gold dots either penetrate as deep or slightly deeper without expanding as well, or expand and don't penetrate.
Again, just from my limited observation. YMMV. These are all from pistols--they should do well in carbines.
On the other hand, 147gr HST's are at the very top of my list. It's just that they're more expensive than 124 +P's and my source didn't have them. Appears not to have the 124's any more, either.
From the tests I've seen, cheap 147 grains don't expand well (lower velocity) or feed as well (longer OAL), or things like gold dots either penetrate as deep or slightly deeper without expanding as well, or expand and don't penetrate.
Again, just from my limited observation. YMMV. These are all from pistols--they should do well in carbines.
On the other hand, 147gr HST's are at the very top of my list. It's just that they're more expensive than 124 +P's and my source didn't have them. Appears not to have the 124's any more, either.
Deanimator
Member
I use nothing but the Winchester White Box 147gr. JHPs they have a Walmart.
They're accurate, reliable and very reasonably priced, especially compared to some of the "premium" ammunition.
They test well for penetration AND expansion.
They're accurate, reliable and very reasonably priced, especially compared to some of the "premium" ammunition.
They test well for penetration AND expansion.
When I can carry 12+1 JHPs in a 9mm package smaller than my hand AND can put all 13 on target, I buy what is cheap.
The WWB @ wally world 147 is cheap enough so that both me and my wife can practice with what we protect ourselves with. Find what you feel works best for you. If you can't sleep well carrying cheaper JHPs, then buy what makes you feel comfortable.
The WWB @ wally world 147 is cheap enough so that both me and my wife can practice with what we protect ourselves with. Find what you feel works best for you. If you can't sleep well carrying cheaper JHPs, then buy what makes you feel comfortable.
Deus Machina
Member
Also, as another poster suggested, find out what your local PD issues, and buy the same stuff.
It's likely to be pretty darn good, and it's a great explanation if you ever have to use it and explain yourself.
It's likely to be pretty darn good, and it's a great explanation if you ever have to use it and explain yourself.
Gun Slinger
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Hornady 9mm 147 gr. XTP JHP
41 magnum fan
Member
My first choice is Federal 147 grain HST.Second choice is the 124 +p HST.Gold Dots are good also.
Where are you buying HST that charges you more for different weights of the same caliber? You shouldn't be paying anything different for them until you buy a different caliber or the price of all of them changes.
My favorite is the 147 HST or 147+P HST. 124+P HST is nice as well, but the 147 is the better performer of the two.
franconialocal
Member
Ahhhhh.....inter-caliber wars!!
I'm hesitant to say Federal because many would see that as a vote for Hydra-Shock which is some pretty outdated stuff.
Federal HST is definitely the best stuff around. I'd say 147 grain for a full-size pistol and 124 grain for a compact. HST has amazing expansion but still maintains penetration. I think the 147 grain was expanding to 0.89" and still penetrating 11.5" after going through 4 layers of denim. On top of that, it costs about half as much as Hornady and other high-end JHP.
Cor-Bon DPX is certainly awesome, too. I think some ridiculous test I saw had it going through both sides of a car door and still penetrating 5" into gelatin -- although it had very minimal expansion.
Ahhhhh.....inter-caliber wars!!
Don't you mean intra-caliber?
Federal HST is definitely the best stuff around. I'd say 147 grain for a full-size pistol and 124 grain for a compact. HST has amazing expansion but still maintains penetration. I think the 147 grain was expanding to 0.89" and still penetrating 11.5" after going through 4 layers of denim. On top of that, it costs about half as much as Hornady and other high-end JHP.
Cor-Bon DPX is certainly awesome, too. I think some ridiculous test I saw had it going through both sides of a car door and still penetrating 5" into gelatin -- although it had very minimal expansion.
Ahhhhh.....inter-caliber wars!!
Don't you mean intra-caliber?
orionengnr
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Currently--Winchester Ranger 127 gr +p+
Testing--CorBon DPX 115 gr
Testing--CorBon DPX 115 gr
ByAnyMeans
Member
Federal 124+p or 147 gr HST for me.
heavyshooter
Member
I voted Speer/Gold Dot, by I am also a fan of the Federal Hydrashock. You can't go wrong with either of them.
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