What is a popular 9 MM defense slug? I have a fairly wide choice of slugs from 90 grain to 147 grain. Bored and looking for something to load.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I like the 124 Hornady bullet, not as light as the 115 and faster then the 147.

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SWHF #595

I would use a hollow tip round of some kind. Very effective.

Hornady XTP and Speer Gold Dot are accurate in all my 9s. Both are usually pretty easy to find. Every once in a while Federal HST or HydraShock will show up at RMR.

I just started reloading 9mm. I've tried 124 and 115. The problem with the 124's is I had to load them way to short. So I made them 115's by drilling the 124's down to 115(what a PITA)!!!! I have found a bullet sold by SNS Casting that have a redesigned nose so they can be reloaded to longer OAL's. They are 135 gr. and coated and reload to a OAL of 1.150 like a dream!! They are also pretty accurate.

Whats a slug?

What he said!

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Jorge

chunk of lead? Sometimes with some copper?

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

It’s a snail without the shell. Also fun to pour salt on and watch them shivel up.

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213th FBINA

Add Remington Golden Sabers and you have all of my favorites.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

147 hollow point, pick your flavor.

I load Nosler 124gn. JHP, drive them at 1250 fps, but you don't have to.

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...and I just load them to where the bullet shank is just peeping over the case rim. I don't understand being too short. You can load a bullet outward from the minimum length and only lose a little velocity. If you can check your velocity, add a few tenths of grains of powder to make up the deficiency. The main problem is not to make them shorter than the minimum length as it will increase pressure, especially in cartridges like the 9mm.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Some pistols have chambers cut with very short leades/freebore.

The COAL" & bullet nose profile can combine in these so that the desired loaded COAL" doesn't pass the plunk test.

At that point all you can do is reduce your initial desired COAL" to something that passes the plunk test using that bullet (& pick a different bullet profile next time, which sounds like what hotshot357 did).

I like to load my 9x19s (actually all my auto pistol ammo) as long as possible (but still pass the plunk test & feed properly in the magazine) because I like full loads in them.

Obviously the longer COAL" gives you more powder space & less pressure than the same charge weight in a shorter COAL".

All my 3rd Gen S&W have generous leades which don't restrict my desired COALs".

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Waiting for the break of day

I just hope that you have better luck with the tiny little 90 grain bullets in you 9mm pistols, than I did.
I tried them in three different pistols and could never get them to group well and finally gave up on that light of 9mm bullet.

Now the 115 gr bullets are a different story but........
I have found out with my 9mm pistols that ALL of my bullets, no matter what
weight, design or shape, will shoot to a different POA and have different group sizes with changing
fps and types powders, used.

I have yet to find "One" Factory loading that is VERY accurate in all of my 9mm pistols but I do have a load that will work in each pistol, which is the main goal.

I do have a Berry's plated HP that works in all my weapons but it is not rated as a SD bullet............ but it does a great job killing paper !!

?? I guess I don't understand how lightening a bullet will enable it to be seated shallower/longer. Pressure worries? If so, using recommended powder charges is a better solution...

Just about any 115 gr or 124 gr JHP will work well for SD if driven fast enough for the bullet to preform properly (open up, expand). I believe the 9mm was originally designed around a 125 gr bullet so I chose to use 124 gr JHPs for my "Just in Case" ammo. I have used Nosler, Hornady and RMR 124 gr. JHPs loaded to bullet manufacturer's specs. with good results in 3 9mm pistols.

My Ruger LC9s Pro has the sights regulated for 147 grain bullets so I have a stash of 147 Grain XTP's and Speer Gold Dots. Also have a bunch of 9mm ball for range loads. Found that 124 grain loads are close enough in POI for practice.

Most 9mm pistols should shoot the 124-125 grain bullet well.....

since the pistol was developed around the 124-125gr Ball (FMJ) bullet style when it was introduced.

My old 9mm Radom pistol shot the 124gr FMJ bullet quite well with powders from Bullseye to the slow burning Unique, at different speeds and OAL. that I tried.

I am a 124gr +p guy but don't load my own. HST is about as good as it gets for 9mm 124gr +P. Their 147gr +p is also very good. I like the +P loads because I carry a g26. THough I wish there were a HST 135gr +P load. Possibly the best of vel and expansion/penetration.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

...124 gr Speer Gold Dot. NYPD uses them in Speer +P cartridges (so I was told).

My 1st choice for anything carry or home.

critical defense in all my carry guns..

Gold Dot & HST if you can find 'em. I'm told pulled HST show up from time to time.

Federal 147 grain HST.

Here's what I load for my Glock 17 Gen 4 (Alpha Wolf Barrel). It's a few tenths over Speer's max so it's +P!

Bullet: Speer 115 gr. Gold Dot HP
Powder: Hodgdon CFE Pistol 5.95 grs.
Primer: Winchester Small Pistol
Case: Federal (2-Dot)
LOAL: 1.125
Average Velocity: 1199.69 fps
ES: 36.00
SD: 11.21
Recoil Spring: ISMI 15 lb. recoil spring and Jager Polymer Guide Rod.

I don't often carry a 9mm for SD in favor of the .38 Special but when I do I like the 124gr GDHP bullet. They are very popular around here.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

124 Gr. HST is about perfect in all of my 9mms. no reloads. wish the bullets were available for reloading, but apparently Federal isn't interested in selling just the bullets.

I would wager more 124 & 147gr in usecby LEA than 115. I prefer 124gr for SD but also like 147gr HST.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO