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Old December 3, 2014, 10:27 AM   #1
Pert316
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Advice on 124 grain 9mm

Is there any reason to order the flat nose bullets v's round nose. I am looking at both in 124 grain 9mm. Is there a accuracy or performance difference. Any advice on why I should load one over the other. I've read where some say that flat nose punches better holes in paper but is there any thing else?
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Old December 3, 2014, 10:50 AM   #2
Jim Watson
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I recommend starting out with the roundnose for assured feeding.

The original 9mm Luger bullet was a truncated cone but it was more tapered with a smaller nose flat than what you see on current US bulk plated and jacketed bullets.
Some of the cast and coated bullets are closer to the old Lyman mould and the 1903 shape. I am using the BBI coated 125, for example.
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Old December 3, 2014, 10:55 AM   #3
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I believe they are popular with match shooters because they do punch a nice, easily scored, hole in paper. From what I have read, there will not be a noticeable difference in accuracy in most pistol shooting scenarios. As with any bullet, make sure they will feed properly in your guns before you stock up.
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Old December 3, 2014, 11:43 AM   #4
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I find that the flat noses punch a cleaner hole in paper. My Glock 19 and Glock 34 love them. However, my Glock 26 has failures to feed about 20% of the time with flat noses. With round nose, it is 100% - go figure. My advice - if you want to try flat nose, start with a small amount and make sure they'll feed reliably in your guns. The flat nose that I've used has a rather broad "flat" which probably contributes to my 26 not feeding them as well (and it could be specific to my individual gun).
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Old December 3, 2014, 12:43 PM   #5
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Precision delta non-self-defense jhp are only about 99$/1000 if you order 2k
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Old December 3, 2014, 05:47 PM   #6
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The flat nose more emulates a hollow point profile; thus, will feed more like you're running hollow point ammo. That can be good or bad - depending on your point of view.

The flat point will punch a slightly better hole in paper than the round nose. Otherwise, I don't see a lot of difference. Either one is going to accomplish the goal of getting in (relatively) economical practice.
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Old December 3, 2014, 06:11 PM   #7
riflemen
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whats the ammo for, target, defense???
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Old December 3, 2014, 06:20 PM   #8
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My wife's G19 likes Zero 115gr FMJ RN. It's range fodder. Holes in paper are a bit ragged but I can tell where they impact.
EDIT: apologies.....wrong bullet for this thread. My Alzheimer's reared its ugly head.
I meant 124gr FMJ-RN.

Last edited by jrobin3360; December 3, 2014 at 06:26 PM.
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Old December 3, 2014, 08:32 PM   #9
Average Joe
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I like the round nose, never had a feeding issue, and aim to keep it that way.
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Old December 3, 2014, 08:53 PM   #10
mmb713
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I've shot both round nose and flat point 124gr plated bullets (Xtreme) in my 9mms. The flat points do punch a nicer hole in paper but I did have a few feeding issues with my pistols. I assumed they would be more accurate than round noses but didn't see any difference. I did need to seat the flat points deeper than the round noses so that the bullet base was deeper inside the case, reducing case capacity. I needed to reduce powder charges compared to the round noses to stay safe. With the round noses published data for 124gr or 125gr FMJs can be used safely. The round noses feed more reliably and are just as accurate so that is all I load now.
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Old December 3, 2014, 09:01 PM   #11
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most guns run either fine. but I have a carbine that won't feed the flats. since your new to the game, just go with the round-nose, just to take one more thing out of the equation of you have feeding problems.
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Old December 4, 2014, 12:55 AM   #12
Pert316
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Thanks

Thanks to everyone for the reply's that's the info I needed to here. I feel confident to order some round nose in bulk. I do think I will order 100 rounds of hornady HAP for curiosity sakes. They seem to be a interesting round.
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Old December 4, 2014, 01:58 AM   #13
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12 years ago I had someone with a Dillon load a large quantity of hot 9mm for me [hotter than factory +P+].
Kel-Tec PF9 3.1" barrel:
1) 124 gr FN Hornady bullets Power Pistol. 1336 fps
2) 100 gr Hirtenberger +P+ 1275 fps

Accuracy with the 124 gr is good... if I wanted to shoot holes in the chronograph.
But it kicks so hard I have not used it up yet.
Recoil is much easier in a Beretta 92. More slide mass. More hand contact area.
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Old December 4, 2014, 11:11 AM   #14
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Those flat nose 124 gr. are better used in .357 Sig or .38 super. Helps out cartridge overall length.
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Old December 4, 2014, 04:19 PM   #15
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A round nosed bullet of equal weight may have a slightly better ballistic coefficient than a flat nosed bullet of the same weight. This may help slightly at longer ranges, especially if there is wind.
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Old December 4, 2014, 06:19 PM   #16
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I prefer flat noses for range fodder due to nicer holes in the targets only. None of my guns are picky about nose profile.
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Old December 4, 2014, 06:29 PM   #17
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124 RN lead or plated - ragged holes in paper
124 hollow back flat nose plated - better holes in paper
124 semi wad cutter lead - best holes in paper

Fun I've had to date with 124 grain bullets - 130 tested loads with 5 different bullets.

In my pistol the 124 grain Berry's hollow back flat nose had the best group at 0.409" average to group center at 50 feet rested, second runner up was 124 grain Hornady XTP at 0.428", third in line was MO Bullet Co. 125 gr. SWC Hi Tek coated at 0.477". Three different powders under those bullets - W231, Unique and VV N340 - yet each particular bullet was tested with at least three differing powders.

This indicates absolutely nothing because the testing was in MY Springfield XDm 4.5 - NOT YOUR PISTOL.
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Last edited by serf 'rett; December 4, 2014 at 06:36 PM.
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Old December 6, 2014, 10:50 PM   #18
fire4606
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Beancounter,

What is your overall length ??

I run Extreme 124 FPs in my Glocks all the time with no issues, G26, G19, and G34....
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Old December 6, 2014, 11:50 PM   #19
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Flat Point, Full Jacket, Round Nose Lead, Hollow Points, XTP, Critical Defense, It all does not matter. Use what you can shoot the best with and give you the best results.

The saying goes "Practice with what you are going to use to defend yourself". Most of us do not get live targets to shoot at, so what you practice with should be the same as what you will need if you should have to defend yourself.

Each type of bullet will preform a little differently both in velocity and accuracy so pick the one that works best for you and your gun and stick with that bullet both for practice and when you may need it.

Personally, I shoot the Remington 124 grain hollow points the best, and while a little more cost then some of the others, I always use them even just shooting targets, makes for one way to always be accurate when shooting.

Just my 2 cents, good luck, stay safe and shoot straight.

Jim
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