124 gr WWI or WII era loads are just as likely to be warmer than modern factory loads as 115 grain loads.

The data I have found for 9mm / P.08 Luger velocities with WWI and WWII military loads are as follows:

PP08 (lead core) 8 gram (124 grain) bullet 312 mps (1023 fps)

PP08 (lead core) 7.45 gram (115 grain) bullet 330 mps (1082 fps)

PP08 mE (for mit Eisenkern, or “with
iron core”) 6.35 gram (98 grain) bullet 395-410 mps (1295-1345 fps)

PP08 SE (Sintered Eisen or "solid Iron") 5.80 gram (89 grain)bullet 400 mps (1312 fps)

The lighter 115 gr lead core bullet was introduced to reduce the amount of lead required. The British did the same thing with their 9mm Parabellum loads. A 9 grain reduction doesn't sound like a lot but it saves 1286 pounds (583 kg) of lead per million rounds and it wasn't any less effective

However, since it only saved 1286 pounds (583 kg) of lead per MILLION rounds, the iron cored gilding metal jacketed PP08 mE load was developed early in the war, again to reduce the use of strategic metals. It was initially identified by a black jacket, but when it became the standard ball round in 1944, the black jacket was dropped.

The PPO8 SE was introduced in 1943 as a substitute standard round. it eliminated the use of lead entirely and was identified by the gray sintered iron bullet. These were pretty hard on barrels, but barrel life wasn't high on the Reich's list of problems from 1943 onward.

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In comparison:

115 gr standard pressure factory ammo available in the US falls in four ranges:

Lower than average - 1030 to 1050 fps:

Hornady and SIG

Average - 1130 to 1155 fps:

Back Hills Ammuniton, Hornady, Blazer, Magtech, PRVI Partisan, Remington, US Ammunition, PMC, TulAmmo and Wolf


(The 115 gr loads above are probably not going to beat up a P.08 with new springs, but do the masking tape test anyway. I would however not use any of the 115 gr loads below)


Higher than average - 1180 to 1185 fps.

Winchester, Federal, Browning, and SIG

Hot for standard pressure (probably closer to +P) - 1200 to 1250 fps

Aquila, BHA, Fiocchi, S&B, Speer, Winchester and Wolf.


In terms of 124 grain loads the ranges are:


Below average - 1090 to 1110 fps

Blazer, Hornady, Magtec, PMC, and Remington

(These are all 70 fps or so faster than the original military loads, but they are still the best 124 gr option in factory ammo)


Average - 1125 to 1150 fps

Aquila, BHA, Federal, Speer, US Ammunition, Winchester

(This are all at least 100 fps faster than the original 124 gr military load, and are not mu first choice, but should not beat up a properly sprung P.08. Again, you'll want to do the masking tape test to make sure the load isn't battering the pistol. And, again I'd avoid the loads below)

Above average - 1180 to 1200 fps

Fiocchi, S&B, and Winchester


An obvious issue is that a few of the companies that make Luger acceptable loads also make some hotter loads that are still claimed to be standard pressure, so be sure to read the box.

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The early P.08 124 gr loads used a 124gr truncated cone bullet and I've never had any (non magazine related) feed issues with that bullet shape in my P.08. I generally use a 124 gr truncated cone cast bullet in my P.08 loaded to the same 1025 fps range as the early standard 124 gr PPO8 load.

If you handload, that's my recommendation if you plan to shoot a P.08 a lot.