147 gr JHP from a 3" Barrel

[Oakwood]

After reading all the recommendations for 147gr JHP in 9mm for self defense purposes, it makes me wonder if there are any numbers for a standard pressure load and performance tests out of a 3" barrel. Most of the tests I've seen have been for a full-size gun. I'm wondering if the velocity of the heavier load would suffer enough in a 3" barrel to justify using a 115gr JHP load.

More specifically, I'm looking for info on the WWB loads. Being that they are inexpensive enough for extensive testing and target shooting, they make for good test subjects. While I understand the benefits of +p and +p+ loads, I find the prices of these to be prohibitively expensive.

Thanks for any info..

[MPG1737]

I wish I had some numbers for you, but I can tell you that the 147gr loses much less velocity than you may think. I'm sure somebody will chime in with some more detail. Suffice to say the 147gr Ranger T performs admirably from short barreled guns, as do a few other 147's. The tests I saw were with done with a Kahr, and I was impressed with the expansion.

The performance window for most 147gr JHP's is pretty wide these days.

[Vigilant]

Before you give up on finding top quality ammo at a price you can afford, go to georgia-arms.com, and have a look at their Shear Power Plus line. It's new, top quality ammo with Gold Dot bullets. I believe I pay about $24.50 per hundred, plus shipping. The 124-grain is rated at 1200 fps. I believe they also have a 115-grain rated at about 1300 fps, but I'm not sure. I would have a look and see.

When you are carrying ammo that could potentially save your life, why cut corners?

Vig

[MPG1737]

deleted.

[itgoesboom]

Oakwood,

Never seen any details out of a 3" barrel, since I think the XD is the only one with a true 3" barrel (I could be wrong about this, maybe Kahr has one too.....), but I think that ammo labs had details of WWB coming out of a glock 26.

Thats how I picked out the WWB 115gr JHPs for my carry in my XD9c, since the WWB did very well in that weight in the ammolab tests.

I don't feel that I am compromising in the least.

Lets put it this way, I have 2 boxes of the original Black Talon 147gr sitting around, and I don't really feel the need to load those instead.

I.G.B.

[Dr. J Frame]

I have 4 boxes of WWB 147gr JHP and a 3" Kahr PM9. The soonest I can get them through the chronos will be Saturday. I'll also test them through my 3.5" G26. Will post afterwards.

I can tell you that they feel considerably faster than my Rem Golden Sabers. I had one lot of these that averaged 1008fps. More recent lots are in the 980's. This is with my G26.

The 3" Kahr is only a week old. I haven't checked speed on any loads yet. Just reliability firing.

[Oakwood]

I'll have to try to find some of the ammolab numbers this weekend. I wasn't previously aware that that resource was out there. And yes, Dr. J, that would be great to get some chrono results from a 3" Kahr. I wish I had a chronograph.

[MontanaMarine]

Here's some good data recorded with KelTec P11, 3.1" bbl.

http://www.geocities.com/goldenloki2/9mm/gel9.html

[fastbolt]

You never know what a bullet is going to do when fired into a target medium.

One time we used a 3" barreled CS9 for a gel test session, just to see what happened with the short barrel. We had been told by the Winchester folks that the latest versions of the T-Series loads were offering better potential performance out of shorter barreled pistols and thought we'd try a few shots.

The results I have listed in my older notes are:
Federal 9MS (Classic 147gr JHP) - 896fps/18+"/No expansion
W-W RA9T 147gr - 884fps/14.25"/.47
W-W RA9TA 127gr +P+ - 1151fps/11.75"/.48

The Federal 147gr bullet looked undeformed, and aside from the obvious rifling marks it appeared 'unfired'.

The T-Series bullets are displayed in the attached images. The 147gr bullet is on the left & the 127gr bullet is on the right.

I carry the 127gr load because it's issued, but I'd carry the 147gr load just as easily. A bit less wear & tear on both the shooter and the pistol, if nothing else ...

The 4" barreled service pistol we used had almost similar results in the limited testing, FWIW ...

Fed 9MS 147gr - 945fps/18+"/No exp
RA9T 147gr - No Vel rec/14.5"/.50
RA9TA 127gr +P+ - 1215fps/11"/.53

3" Barrel images:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/fastbolt/th_3inchbarrel9mmtopview2.jpg (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/fastbolt/3inchbarrel9mmtopview2.jpg)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/fastbolt/th_3inchbarrel9mmsideview2.jpg (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/fastbolt/3inchbarrel9mmsideview2.jpg)

4" barrel:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/fastbolt/th_4inchbarrel9mmtopview2.jpg (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/fastbolt/4inchbarrel9mmtopview2.jpg)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/fastbolt/th_4inchbarrel9mmsideview2.jpg (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/fastbolt/4inchbarrel9mmsideview2.jpg)

Who knows what similar testing done on another day, using another production Lot of each type of ammunition, in different pistols, would reveal ... let alone using a different target medium ...

[Bannack]

fastbolt

Thanks for posting the pics and information. ^c As I'm getting my G19 this next week as well.

[Warp]

Originally posted by Dr. J Frame
I have 4 boxes of WWB 147gr JHP...I'll also test them through my 3.5" G26. Will post afterwards.

I look forward to your results. My G26 is currently loaded with 147 WWB JHP's.