Best 9mm Ammo

[thejackbull45]

Its been awhile since Ive paid attention to the better/best 9mm ammo. What are the best rounds? Prefer +p over +p+. Whats current theory, heavy and slow or fast and light?

[Dandapani]

Originally posted by thejackbull45
Whats current theory, heave and slow or fast and light?

Yes, either. What do you prefer in other calibers?

What do you shoot in 45? 185 vs 230?
What do you shoot in 40? 155/165 vs 180?

Personally, I use 147 grain JHP in 9mm.

[Dandapani]

But over in another thread, you didn't seem too interested in 9mm effectiveness... Change your mind?

[thejackbull45]

Not at all. Like many niners you appear to feel that since one believes the 45 to be a better caliber that 9 is hated.

I believe that a 45 caliber bullet gives the shooter the edge.

First it doesnt need to rely on technology, its big already. Many niners will admit that with the 9 you must select the right round.


Second, it is much heavier and has the mo to continue on its way to the vitals. What good is hitting COM is the bullet is not going to reach the inards?

[GeorgiaGlocker]

I currently use Speer 124 gr GDHP.

[Pierre!]

Remington Golden Sabers, 124Gr... but considering the 147Gr carts.

Haven't been so pleased with the Golden Sabers lately... Used to be a laser outta my Glocks (G26, G19, G17) but lately no joy...

I appreciate all suggestions...

TIA!

[vafish]

Originally posted by dmobrien2001
Yes, either. What do you prefer in other calibers?

What do you shoot in 45? 185 vs 230?
What do you shoot in 40? 155/165 vs 180?

Personally, I use 147 grain JHP in 9mm.

I personally prefer lighter bullets and when I do carry a 9mm it's loaded with 115 Gr +P+. My .45 ACP is currently loaded with Corbon DPX 165 Gr +P all copper bullets. (but I have carried 230 gr JHP's as well) My .40 had 155's in it, but I rarely carry it.

But my recomendation to folks is if you are confused about which load to pick or don't know if you like slow heavy or light fast, then pick a middle weight bullet. The middle weights usually give enough penetration to keep the slow heavy guys happy and they have enough energy to keep the light fast guys happy.

The 124 gr +P Speer Gold dot seems to be working just fine for NYPD.

Last I heard Washington DC's MPD uses the 124 gr +P Hydrashok and are happy with it's performance.

[Carlson1]

Health has caused me after 40 plus years to go from .45 to 9mm. I have been using the Winchester Ranger 127gr +P+. Any of you 9mm veterans have any pros and cons on this round?

[SCmasterblaster]

is the great Speer GDHP 115gr +p+. 1350FPS out of my 2nd Gen G17. Recoil is light compared with my .45 M1911A1, a pistol that is 70% heavier and shoots a bullet over twice as heavy.

I just shot my G17 for the first time in 18 months, and I shot a fist-sized group at 50 feet. It is great to be carrying again.

[vafish]

Originally posted by Carlson1
Health has caused me after 40 plus years to go from .45 to 9mm. I have been using the Winchester Ranger 127gr +P+. Any of you 9mm veterans have any pros and cons on this round?

I would have no problems carrying that load if it functioned perfectly in my gun.

[LA_03HD]

115 gr. +p corbon in my G17.

[BrokenArrow]

Get what you like, or flip a coin and like what you get:

Info from Speer, through denim into gel:

115 +P+ GD 15.9/.53
124 +P GD 15.9/.56
147 GD 16.9/.54

[DocH]

Originally posted by Carlson1
Health has caused me after 40 plus years to go from .45 to 9mm. I have been using the Winchester Ranger 127gr +P+. Any of you 9mm veterans have any pros and cons on this round? It's a top tier defense load.I use them also,but also use some 147's.
the 127+P+ is issued to city P.D. here. Their shootings have been one shot downers.I've seen the result first hand. Good load.

[Deputydave]

Second, it is much heavier and has the mo to continue on its way to the vitals. What good is hitting COM is the bullet is not going to reach the inards?

No flame intended, but this is incorrect. The depth of penetration depends on the sectional density of the round i.e. it's caliber vs weight ratio. For example, a 185 grn .45 will penetrate roughly the same depth as a 115 grn 9mm. The 230 grn .45 similar to the 147 grn 9mm. It is the weight/sectional density and not the caliber alone that determines penetration depth.

Again, no flame intended but felt this clarification was necessary. Stay safe.
:)

[BrokenArrow]

From FBI tests:

Win 115/9 Silvertip 10/.63
Win 185/45 Silvertip 10.7/.78

Speer 115/9 GD 12.3/.67
Speer 185/45 GD 11.95/.68

On the other hand...

Rem 115/9 +P+ JHP 10.8/.63
Rem 185/45 JHP 16.2/.70
Rem 185/45 GS 14.4/.72

Fed 115/9 +P+ JHP 11.25/.53
Fed 185/45 JHP 13.3/.63

[Deputydave]

Thank you BA. The noticable deviations are the +P+ variants which usually produce less penetration than a similar round at standard velocities or perhaps even +P. Point being that a round doesn't good shallow or deep based on what caliber it is.

:)

[ffhounddog]

I carry HST 147 grainers in my G19 and G26. I also have WWB 147 grain JHP and Hordany XTP 147 grainers as backups. I got them cheaper than my 13.00 a box of 50 for HST.

[TWS G26]

When first shooting/carrying 9mm several years ago, I was into the hyper-velocity lighter rounds, 115 gr, etc. I slowly moved into 124gr +P, but I'm now sold on the 147gr variety, either standard velocity or +P with the GA Arms Gold Dot. I've shot well over 15,000 rounds of 9mm in the past 5 years since I began CCW, so there's been ample opportunity to develop a comfort zone.

Why 147gr? I shoot better with the heavier loads, as in quicker back-to-target on followup shots, if the bore line even moves at all. I seem to be more accurate with a heavier, slower load. My reading and personal testing indicates deeper penetration, on average, through all types or barriers or just clothing. Sure, the energy dump isn't as great with the 147 compared to 115 or 124 +P, but I've learned to prefer penetration to vitals over expansion. As I mentioned, the Gold Dot is my preference, being bonded, but I'm giving the Federal HST's some consideration as well.

My primary carry gun is the G19, followed by the G17.

[Scouse]

TWS G26

The 147g gives you more bearing surface, hence more stability, so accuracy is great, akin to the .45 bullet, again more bearing surface, 147g longer, .45 ACP fatter.

My problem is availability, I like the 127g WW Ranger, but have a problem procuring same, try to take the carry G19 out and shoot the carry load, once a month at least.

[steel]

Originally posted by TWS G26
Sure, the energy dump isn't as great with the 147 compared to 115 or 124 +P, but I've learned to prefer penetration to vitals over expansion.

I'm with you. Penetration is key.

[Eric2340]

How about Speer's new short barrel GD line? Anyone try that in 9mm yet?


It's supposed to be one of the best round for .38/.357 snubbies out there right now (what is was primarly designed for). I just ordered two boxes worth to try out of my Kel Tec P11, I figured that was close enough to qualifing as a "short barrel" gun. :)

I use the regular GD's in all my other handguns, I've been real happy with it in .40 and .45. Recoil is controlable, very little if any muzzle flash in low light.

Thanks -

Eric

[Paun45]

147gr Rangers. Oh and some good shot placement. 2 in the chest 1 in the head (=dead). Oh hell just buy Wal. 115 ball.:banana:

[J T]

147 grain Ranger T for me.

Anybody know where 147 grain HST is available? Haven't been able to find it in stock anywhere.

[hotpig]

Originally posted by J T
147 grain Ranger T for me.

Anybody know where 147 grain HST is available? Haven't been able to find it in stock anywhere.

May be availible again in early March. That is if the production run happens and enough is made to cover everything and dealer stock also.

[Mr. S]

Originally posted by J T
147 grain Ranger T for me.

Anybody know where 147 grain HST is available? Haven't been able to find it in stock anywhere.

Streichers has it in stock last time I checked.

[MOHAA Player]

Originally posted by thejackbull45
Not at all. Like many niners you appear to feel that since one believes the 45 to be a better caliber that 9 is hated.

I believe that a 45 caliber bullet gives the shooter the edge.

First it doesnt need to rely on technology, its big already. Many niners will admit that with the 9 you must select the right round.


Second, it is much heavier and has the mo to continue on its way to the vitals. What good is hitting COM is the bullet is not going to reach the inards? I own 9mm/40cal/45acp/10mm and I mostly carry my Taurus PT99 9mm(15+1)I also agree the 45acp will do slightly more damage,but all service calibers will do the job with proper shot placement.My choice of carry is because of how accurate my 5" 9mm is and it's capacity.I would love to see Beretta or Taurus make a M92 chambered in 45acp :thumbsup:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h27/Mohaaplayer/20265-1-1.jpg

[craig_o]

124 Speer Gold Dots.

I plan on shooting some 147 to compare soon.

The way I look at it is you select your caliber, then the ammunition manufacturer, then pick whatever you are most comfortable with shooting. Unscientific, absolutely; practical, absolutely.

[Carlson1]

Originally posted by craig_o
124 Speer Gold Dots.

I plan on shooting some 147 to compare soon.

The way I look at it is you select your caliber, then the ammunition manufacturer, then pick whatever you are most comfortable with shooting. Unscientific, absolutely; practical, absolutely.

Does anyone know where you could pick up some Rangers in 147gr here in the DFW area?

[hotpig]

DFW shooting club used to be one of my Ranger accounts. I passed them off to another dealer a few months ago.

[J T]

Originally posted by Mr. S
Streichers has it in stock last time I checked.
Thanks!

[Carlson1]

Originally posted by hotpig
DFW shooting club used to be one of my Ranger accounts. I passed them off to another dealer a few months ago.

Thanks. I bought some 127gr +P+, but they did not have the 147gr. Maybe they will get some in soon.

[J T]

Originally posted by Carlson1
Does anyone know where you could pick up some Rangers in 147gr here in the DFW area?
If you don't mind paying shipping, one of our fellow GTers has 9mm 147-grain.

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=646582

Luckily for me, Jerry only lives a couple miles away. :supergrin:

[Carlson1]

Thanks JT.

[Scouse]

Move back and forth myself, 147g Ranger, then back to 127g+P+ same Ranger. No idea why I do, but at this time there is 16 rounds of 127g+P+ in the G19, and 17 rounds of same in the spare magazine.

[happyguy]

When I carry my G19 it is loaded with Federal Tactical Bonded 135+P. It seems to have a pretty good balance of penetration versus expansion in the jello. My understanding is that the real world performance is OK too.

Regards,
Happyguy :)

[hotpig]

I carry the RA9T but my duty belt does have one mag of the Fed Tac 135+P most all of the time.

[Scouse]

Fed Tac 135+P? I have not heard anything about that round, seems like a happy middle ground though.