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Old December 13, 2011, 10:54 AM   #1
Southern Shooter
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If you had to choose......Golden Saber 124 gr +P or 147 gr non+P

I have a choice of Remington Golden Saber 124 gr +P or 147 gr non+P ammo to add to my storage. Cost of each is equal.

These would be fired from my Glock 17 Gen 4 or my Ruger P89.

Which would you choose? Why?

Thanks
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Old December 13, 2011, 11:06 AM   #2
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I carry 147gr. Overall feedback seems to favor heavier, slower bullets, and I like subsonic ammo so that if I ever have to use it, the damage to my hearing might be a little less.

Otherwise I think the performance differences are negligible.
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Old December 13, 2011, 11:09 AM   #3
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Which shoots better from your guns?
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Old December 13, 2011, 11:11 AM   #4
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147s have more momentum and will have a slightly larger perminate wound channel, 124+p in a 4.5 to 5" gun are at the bottom of the energy level for temporary cavity to have some effect so in these barrels IMHO it's a coin toss. In short barrels 3-3.5" the 124s loose enough velocity that they just don't make enough temporary cavity to be any factor so I'd lean toward 147s. Usually 147s will shoot just a touch higher than 124+p. The one that shoots closest to POA would be my first choice.
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Old December 13, 2011, 11:34 AM   #5
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Looks like they are both pretty much the same. Unless you believe 64 foot pounds of energy will help you. I don't think it matters.

Both of them expand and penetrate 12+ inches so flip a coin. Or better yet, buy one box of each and see which shoots best in your gun and one feels best to you.
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Old December 13, 2011, 11:45 AM   #6
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I use 147 Remmy Golden Saber for two reasons:
  • 147 is more accurate in my Walther pistols
  • I am unwilling to stress my pistols with +P
    • especially given the minimal differences in stopping power between the two rounds
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Old December 13, 2011, 12:01 PM   #7
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I use 124's in 9mm as they seem to be the most accurate in MY guns - YMMV
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Old December 13, 2011, 12:22 PM   #8
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I'd go with the 147 gr. JHPs.

They produce greater penetration (necessary in today's environment where larger, heavier individuals are more frequently encountered) and will produce a bit less recoil than the 124 gr. +P JHPs making followup shots that much easier.
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Old December 13, 2011, 12:58 PM   #9
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My BHP can't run +P; it shoots best with 124std.

My PX4 SC slings anything lighter than 147 pretty low.

My PX4 compact thrives on 115 or 124 +P.

Again, what do your guns shoot best?
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Old December 13, 2011, 01:52 PM   #10
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I prefer the 124gr+P.
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Old December 13, 2011, 03:26 PM   #11
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Both are great rounds. I'd probably go with the 124 +P. Great expansion and good penetration. On the other hand being it's winter here in the North East I'd rather have a 147 grain load for this time of year. Guess my opinion wasn't a great help.
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Old December 13, 2011, 03:55 PM   #12
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I like the 147gr better. I like that they penetrate to right around 14" and expand in the .61" to .67" range.

In general the 124gr come up a little shorter - 12" to 13" penetration, although they expand a little more - .64" to .68"
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Old December 13, 2011, 05:13 PM   #13
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Whatever Golden Saber you choose make sure it is the bonded variety.

Happy shooting. Be safe.
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Old December 14, 2011, 03:29 AM   #14
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From my own informal tests the 147gr penetrates less and expands more. The 124gr+p penetrated more and expanded less through clothing. Both rounds penetrated well though and expanded consistently.

I carry 147gr in 9mm because they handle barriers a little bit better. Plus the standard pressure doesn't wear the gun as much.
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Old December 14, 2011, 12:20 PM   #15
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In my opinion the 9mm performs best with high velocity high energy loads.

From all that I have seen, heard, and read, 147g non-plus-P 9mm ammo does not have a good reputation for quickly stopping aggressive humans.
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Old December 14, 2011, 12:31 PM   #16
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I have golden savers 124gr +p in my SIG P226 and the other mag is speer gold dots. Don't think the 124gr GS is bonded though.

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Old December 14, 2011, 01:17 PM   #17
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124 +P
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Old December 14, 2011, 01:39 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peacefulgary
In my opinion the 9mm performs best with high velocity high energy loads.

From all that I have seen, heard, and read, 147g non-plus-P 9mm ammo does not have a good reputation for quickly stopping aggressive humans.
Where do you get high velocity, high energy loads for 9mm Parabellum?

I demonstrated in post #5 that there is only a 64 foot pound muzzle energy difference between the 124 grain +P Golden Saber and the 147 grain Golden Saber. Thats is not a significant difference.

As far as the bad reputation of the 147 grain 9mm goes, reality doesn't bare that out. Many police departments have issued it for years now, with good results.
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Old December 14, 2011, 01:47 PM   #19
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Quote:
As far as the bad reputation of the 147 grain 9mm goes, reality doesn't bare that out.
nate,

Lotta people who visit and read Chuck Hawks' 'site still believe that the 9mm 147 gr. JHPs are "bad" loads.

It serves as a reminder that even useless garbage put on the 'net stays there for an awfully long time.
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Old December 14, 2011, 03:13 PM   #20
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Quote:
147s have more momentum and will have a slightly larger perminate wound channel,
It's on paper, it must be tue.

I use GDHP 124g +Ps because thats what I bought from NYSP over stock.
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Old December 14, 2011, 04:17 PM   #21
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Which load shoots & functions best in your Glock & Ruger, being fired in your hands?

I used 147gr loads for many years (provided at no cost). I later switched to 127gr +P+ and then later still to 124gr +P (Golden Sabre non-bonded) ... again, because both were being provided at work.

I didn't lose any sleep over carrying any of them.

I was much more concerned about optimal feeding & functioning in my pistols, maintaining my pistols and practicing frequently.

FWIW, I won't get caught up in the whole bonded v. non-bonded debate, except to say that if I were spending my own money on Golden Sabre rounds for defensive carry, and both types were on the counter in front of me, I'd still buy and use the non-bonded variety. Suit yourself, if this is an issue for you.

Why not try a couple of boxes of each in your guns and decide which runs best, and shoots best, for you?

Whichever you buy, consider using them for practice in your guns at least periodically, and then test-fire some occasional rounds from random rounds from new boxes/cases (production lots) as you replenish them.

Just my thoughts.
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Old December 14, 2011, 04:23 PM   #22
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147 just me, I do not have any big reason just like the heavier bullet.
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Old December 14, 2011, 08:43 PM   #23
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I doub it really matters, but out of the two, I'd go with the 147gr.

I'm a believer in putting the most mass in your target and opt for mass over speed every time.
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Old December 14, 2011, 10:06 PM   #24
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Isn't the golden saber a little old-school compared to the newer rounds?
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Old December 14, 2011, 10:24 PM   #25
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I noticed I never said why the 124. Its because to me the recoil feels less with the 124 rounds. Not sure why, just feels better to shoot. Will take any advantage I can.
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