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Old October 21, 2010, 07:08 PM   #1
Navy Seabee
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Best Grain for 9mm rounds

does anyone have any input on what the best grain round that works well with a 9mm. also what is a good brand to load? Thoughts??
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Old October 21, 2010, 07:11 PM   #2
David Hineline
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I like 147 for self defense, I shoot 150 for cheap practice, and 158 when I really need to knock down the steel in competition.
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Old October 21, 2010, 07:24 PM   #3
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Are you asking about loaded ammo or for reloading?
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Old October 21, 2010, 07:35 PM   #4
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I like 135's. Any heavier, and you start running out of room for powder.
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Old October 21, 2010, 07:49 PM   #5
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124 for SD, 115 for the range.
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Old October 21, 2010, 07:55 PM   #6
Naterstein
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Wheat?


All kidding aside, I prefer 147gr HST.
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Old October 21, 2010, 08:42 PM   #7
Misssissippi Dave
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115 gr. for the range. 124 gr. or 115gr. for SD. 147 gr. when suppressed. All factory ammo right now.
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Old October 21, 2010, 08:51 PM   #8
orionengnr
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Search much?

Start.
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Old October 21, 2010, 08:57 PM   #9
Chris_B
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Also depends on the pistol

My P226 will cycle 124gr just fine if I use Shooter's Gold on the rails. With 115gr, it will fail to load using that grease

With Lubriplate, that same pistol eats 115gr like popcorn

My P.38 needs 124gr to work properly- 115gr will cause at least one jam per mag. 124gr makes it run like a swiss watch
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Old October 21, 2010, 09:57 PM   #10
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it all depends on what you are using it for. I shoot ALOT of 9mm (2000/month) in competition. I chose (after a lot of testing) to shoot 125gr JHP from Zero in competition. I have also came up with a good load with the 147gr also. cant really go wrong with either one. If you are interested in the exact make up of my loads, shoot me a PM and I will fill you in!!!

-George
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Old October 22, 2010, 02:29 PM   #11
Mallard76
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9mm

Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P
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Old October 22, 2010, 03:11 PM   #12
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Testing under way! ^^^^124g Gold Dot^^^^

I will post results and maybe video of Gold Dot and XTP's.

Accuracy, Penetration and expansion. I know this has all been done by experts but, I work like to know how my ammo is performing out of my guns. I may have to go buy a Chronograph just for the occasion?
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Old October 22, 2010, 03:37 PM   #13
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Quote:
Search much?

Start.
+1. What weight of 9mm bullet is best for shooting a horse that's been beaten to death?
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Old October 22, 2010, 03:39 PM   #14
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Since I have a Glock and a Kel-Tec I shoot 115s in both. The Keltie is happiest with 115s and the G19 doesn't care. But I want ONE range round and ONE SD round. Not, oh wait that's not the ones I use in that gun. Simplicity.

Or Keep
It
Simple &
Straightforward

JMNSHO &, of course, YMMV
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Old October 22, 2010, 05:46 PM   #15
Deaf Smith
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Look the difference between such as 115 to 127 is not much. I would not loose sleep over it.

Since the 9mm as designed around the 124gr, I'd just stick with something near it and skip the ultra lights and ultra heavies.

BTW, I use the Winchester +p+ 127 JHPs for my Glocks but a DPX 115 or XTP 125 or just about any good JHP in those weights will do fine.

Spend your time and thoughts on shooting skills and street smarts. That is what really matters.

Deaf
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Old October 22, 2010, 06:06 PM   #16
Rampant_Colt
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there is no one "best" - only opinions

Quote:
Originally Posted by Navy Seabee
does anyone have any input on what the best grain round that works well with a 9mm. also what is a good brand to load? Thoughts??
Please read THIS

For self-defense i prefer:
147gr Remington Golden Saber
147gr Winchester Ranger T
127gr +P+ Winchester Ranger T
115gr Corbon DPX
147gr Federal HST
124gr +P Speer Gold Dot

your mileage may vary
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Old October 22, 2010, 06:44 PM   #17
Peachy
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Geesh..

"Search much?"

If he had searched, you would have been denied the opportunity to provide your smug response.

Things change, new ammo is always being developed, people are at diffent stages in their experience with guns.

BTW, I like Gold Dot 124 +P for defence. Georgia Arms has a good 124 grain +P hollow point as well. They used to call it a Gold Dot, but no longer.

Peachy
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Old October 22, 2010, 07:01 PM   #18
YARDDOG(1)
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AS stated before 124gr is MADE for the 9mm & I myself Load & shoot both 124/125gr Platted & lead Small Ball They are accurate as any factory IMO
Though I use Factory 124gr Gold Dots +Ps ; )
Y/D
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Old October 22, 2010, 11:07 PM   #19
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I prefer Ranger T 127gr and 147gr in my G19.
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Old October 22, 2010, 11:39 PM   #20
Water-Man
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Federal HST 147gr.
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Old October 23, 2010, 12:26 AM   #21
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Well now I can't speak as to their stopping power of the 90g XTP's I have been loading up at +P levels but, I can say that they are unbelievably accurate at close range all the way out to 75 feet.

I will be testing some next week to see how well they hold up when fired into wet newspaper in jugs.
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Old October 23, 2010, 02:00 AM   #22
sigxder
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I like the mid range 124-127gr. bullets in +P or +P+ configuration. Winchester Ranger, Gold Dots, Federal HST are all very effective street proven rounds. I usually carry the Winchester Ranger 127gr. +P+ rounds. They have a great reputation on the street. Actually have some of the 147gr. Ranger bonded ammo. The 147gr. HST is supposed to be a super round also. Wouldn't feel underarmed with these 147gr. 9mm loads. Getting high marks in th streets also. Much better than the early 147gr. loads. I have the 115gr. +P+ Gold Dots and Winchester Ranger ammo. They worked great for several LEO groups. I just think the mid weights are the best balance of penetration and performance.
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Old October 23, 2010, 06:02 AM   #23
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I don't cc a 9mm but have a few full size. I keep a Beretta 92f for one of my house guns and it's stoked with 124grn +P Speer Gold Dots.

I'm partial to either the 124grn - 127grn in the +P.

Rampant_Colt provides a nice starting list of proven 9mm SD ammo.

It may be an expensive suggestion, but you may want to sample a few of these different rds. to see what best cycles in your pistol. Also, what you shoot most accurate when shooting in a SD platform. I.E.- Double tapping, shooting one handed-off handed, night shooting(some ammo flashs more than others out of diff. length bbl's) etc.
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Old October 23, 2010, 08:44 AM   #24
dajowi
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I think the best grain for 9mm is "wry."
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Old October 23, 2010, 07:55 PM   #25
WVleo
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9MM round

At the present My only 9mm is My CCW Kahr PM9 and for carry I also use the Speer Gold Dot 124+P for plinking it's sort of like anything down the pipe . WVleo
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