115gr, 124gr,147gr In 9mm - Page 2

TunnelRat · February 1, 2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

there's just not many 147gr practice loads... I've never seen any.

American Eagle does, but I get your point.

481 · February 1, 2013, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueOvalFitter:

Each grain has a different characteristic. Which do you use and for what purpose?
I use 115gr FMJ for target practice and a 147gr HP for home defense. Every now and then I will use 124gr FMJ for target practice.

Pretty much what I do.

115 gr and 124 gr FMJs for prectice; premium 147 gr JHPs (Rangers, PDX1s, HSTs, Gold Dots) for SD.

Pilot · February 3, 2013, 06:51 AM

I gravitate to bullets in the mid-range weight for the specific round, whether it be pistol or rifle. I shoot mostly 124 grain bullets for practice, and that's what I carry. I will also use 115 grains just for plinking and practice as well.

Pond, James Pond · February 3, 2013, 07:51 AM

Legally I am prohibited from buying HPs and the loca market really only offers FMJ so, surprise-surprise, I buy FMJs...

I have shot 115gr for competition but will soon be moving up to 124gr. Legally, I can not buy and store more than 1000 rounds per gun. So, local shops often do 1000-round bulk buy discounts.

So I will be buying 1000 Fiocchi 124 FMJs just as soon as the shop with the best price gets new stock. Why 124gr for comps, when I could shoot the lighter recoiling 115s? Well, because I also bought a box for 158gr Fiocchi sub-sonics.

I decided they'd (the 158s) be the best SD load (same premise as .45ACP: relatively slow, but heavy bullet is probably more effective than the zippy light one), and shooting comps with 124grs is closer to that heavier bullet than 115...

So short answer: previously 115 for comps, not onto 124 and 158 for SD...

spacecoast · February 3, 2013, 07:55 AM

I've reloaded thousands of 115 gr. plated bullets for practice, but have recently decided to try 147 gr. lead bullets because they are at least a penny less expensive. I think they should work fine with minimal leading as long as I keep them to moderate (<1000 fps) velocities.

wpsdlrg · February 3, 2013, 08:05 AM

I shoot a mixture, though I haven't tried any 147 grainers. I do shoot 115 grain, in the form of FMJ range loads, but overall I lean toward 124 grain. All my cast bullet reloads are 124-125 grain. My hollow point SD loads are 124 grain. My pistols seem to like both 115's and 124's equally well, especially with the charge weight I use for jacketed loads (my 115 grain FMJ and 124 grain HP loads use exactly the same charge weight of powder).

SnowTrekker · February 3, 2013, 08:26 AM

I shoot almost exclusively 115gr FMJ out of my Glocks because they are what I find to be the least expensive and the most readily available. For defense, I have Cor-Bon 124gr JHP.

American Rifleman had an article in the past year that looked at penetration of all the different handgun rounds. I found that to be a very interesting article in how it discussed velocity and penetration. If memory serves, it concluded that some rounds did not have the velocity to achieve the 12" of penetration the author felt was necessary.

FairWarning · February 3, 2013, 10:22 AM

In the early days of my 9mm experience (early '90s), I stocked up on 115 gr and had a few 147 JHPs. But since the '00s, I've settled on various 124s for basically everything going forward. With the best 124s, I don't think it's necessary to have +P for excellent results, although it is probably the best SD formula.

February 3, 2013, 06:51 AM	#28
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	I gravitate to bullets in the mid-range weight for the specific round, whether it be pistol or rifle. I shoot mostly 124 grain bullets for practice, and that's what I carry. I will also use 115 grains just for plinking and practice as well. __________________ Pilot

February 3, 2013, 07:51 AM	#29
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Legally I am prohibited from buying HPs and the loca market really only offers FMJ so, surprise-surprise, I buy FMJs... I have shot 115gr for competition but will soon be moving up to 124gr. Legally, I can not buy and store more than 1000 rounds per gun. So, local shops often do 1000-round bulk buy discounts. So I will be buying 1000 Fiocchi 124 FMJs just as soon as the shop with the best price gets new stock. Why 124gr for comps, when I could shoot the lighter recoiling 115s? Well, because I also bought a box for 158gr Fiocchi sub-sonics. I decided they'd (the 158s) be the best SD load (same premise as .45ACP: relatively slow, but heavy bullet is probably more effective than the zippy light one), and shooting comps with 124grs is closer to that heavier bullet than 115... So short answer: previously 115 for comps, not onto 124 and 158 for SD... __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

February 3, 2013, 10:22 AM	#33
FairWarning Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: GA Posts: 1,149	In the early days of my 9mm experience (early '90s), I stocked up on 115 gr and had a few 147 JHPs. But since the '00s, I've settled on various 124s for basically everything going forward. With the best 124s, I don't think it's necessary to have +P for excellent results, although it is probably the best SD formula. __________________ Mauser Werke, Schmidt-Rubin, Colt, Walther, HK, Weatherby, Sig Sauer, Browning, Ruger, Beretta, etc, etc....a few friends of mine

February 3, 2013, 07:55 AM	#30
spacecoast Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Location: Sunshine and Keystone States Posts: 4,461	I've reloaded thousands of 115 gr. plated bullets for practice, but have recently decided to try 147 gr. lead bullets because they are at least a penny less expensive. I think they should work fine with minimal leading as long as I keep them to moderate (<1000 fps) velocities.

February 3, 2013, 08:05 AM	#31
wpsdlrg Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2009 Posts: 826	I shoot a mixture, though I haven't tried any 147 grainers. I do shoot 115 grain, in the form of FMJ range loads, but overall I lean toward 124 grain. All my cast bullet reloads are 124-125 grain. My hollow point SD loads are 124 grain. My pistols seem to like both 115's and 124's equally well, especially with the charge weight I use for jacketed loads (my 115 grain FMJ and 124 grain HP loads use exactly the same charge weight of powder).

February 3, 2013, 08:26 AM	#32
SnowTrekker Member Join Date: September 1, 2012 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 32	I shoot almost exclusively 115gr FMJ out of my Glocks because they are what I find to be the least expensive and the most readily available. For defense, I have Cor-Bon 124gr JHP. American Rifleman had an article in the past year that looked at penetration of all the different handgun rounds. I found that to be a very interesting article in how it discussed velocity and penetration. If memory serves, it concluded that some rounds did not have the velocity to achieve the 12" of penetration the author felt was necessary.