Slimdelight
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Or possibly the cheapest that's worth actually using...
Best 9mm for home defense, and the cheapest place to get it?
- Thread starter Slimdelight
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There's no such thing as cheap self defense ammo.
Most of today's self defense ammo will do the job as long as you do yours. Don't get caught up with "the best". Keeping up with the Jones when choosing ammo is a waste of time. And there is much more to the equation than ammo selection.
Find a brand that appeals to you. Make sure it functions in your gun and is accurate.
Big Fred
Member
I am in no way recommending this ammo to you, I'm only stating what I use. I use Federal 9bple. It's a +P+ rated 115 gr. jhp. It can usually be found on the net for somewhere around $20 per 50 round box. If you want something a little lighter look up Federal 9bp, it can be found for around $18 per 50.
OP
Slimdelight
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I'm not sure that I've seen 50 count boxes of any self defense rounds, where are you finding these?
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Marketing plays a big role here, because you'll mostly find the "premium" branded defense ammo in 10-25 round boxes. Ever notice how some people will pay more for ammo that has is the newest and best, until the next newest and best comes along?
As the other posters mentioned, find an expanding round that functions 100% and is accurate for you and the gun and call it good. The Federal 9BP is a great example of this.
As the other posters mentioned, find an expanding round that functions 100% and is accurate for you and the gun and call it good. The Federal 9BP is a great example of this.
mesinge2
Member
I like Fiocchi SD ammo personally. For example, Hornady TAP which is their nickel cased XTP Line sells at CTD for $18.46 for a box of 25. So, its ~$0.74 per round. Fiocchi Extrema uses Hornady's own XTP bullets and their nickel cases and at CTD they sell a 50 round box for $24.15, which is ~$0.48 per round.
I have literally used thousands of Fiocchi Extrema in 38 SPL, 357 Mag, 9mm, 45 ACP, and 44 Mag and I have never had one issue with them.
I have literally used thousands of Fiocchi Extrema in 38 SPL, 357 Mag, 9mm, 45 ACP, and 44 Mag and I have never had one issue with them.
Arik
Member
Winchester Ranger ammo comes in 50 round box of SD ammo.
I like the Ranger 124gr +p. Gold Dot 124+p or +p+ are excellent.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
I like the Ranger 124gr +p. Gold Dot 124+p or +p+ are excellent.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
This is where the advertisers get to you. They have the public hoodwinked into the mindset that if it doesn't say "Self Defense" on the box it won't serve that purpose. And that burns my biscuits!
Hogwash - if it were me? I'd find a round that cycles reliably through my gun, practice putting rounds where they are intended, and never look back.
Starting with Winchester White Box, or Remington UMC.
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JJEH
Member
I use Black Hills, Win Ranger and/or Federal...
bp231986
Member
cycles through the weapons and shoots well it works for me and right now what working is Gold Dot but i know there are plenty of others that work as well. Buy ya a box shoot it and make sure it works.
"Best" is a difficult term to define and endlessly arguable. Suggest you focus on what self defense ammunition gets consistently good results in objective ballistic tests, has proven effective on the street, and generally gets good word of mouth.
I'd discard the search for "cheapest", although there's nothing wrong with finding a good deal on quality, established ammo.
Another factor to consider is what weapon you're running it through; that affects performance and so choice.
There are many good options. I suggest Speer Gold Dot. Unless you're using a short barrel (under four inches), suggest you get yourself a supply of their 9mm in 115 grain, 124 grain, 124 grain +P, and 147 grain, and shoot a couple magazines of each to determine how your individual weapon in your individual hand responds to each one (accuracy, reliability, felt recoil).
Whichever one you like the most, make that your self-defense ammo of choice.
Ammunition To Go has the law enforcement 50 round packs of these at excellent prices.
As a back up, although I've never used it I've researched CorBon's DPX line of self defense rounds and am convinced of their efficacy.
I'd discard the search for "cheapest", although there's nothing wrong with finding a good deal on quality, established ammo.
Another factor to consider is what weapon you're running it through; that affects performance and so choice.
There are many good options. I suggest Speer Gold Dot. Unless you're using a short barrel (under four inches), suggest you get yourself a supply of their 9mm in 115 grain, 124 grain, 124 grain +P, and 147 grain, and shoot a couple magazines of each to determine how your individual weapon in your individual hand responds to each one (accuracy, reliability, felt recoil).
Whichever one you like the most, make that your self-defense ammo of choice.
Ammunition To Go has the law enforcement 50 round packs of these at excellent prices.
As a back up, although I've never used it I've researched CorBon's DPX line of self defense rounds and am convinced of their efficacy.
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There is NO magic bullet.
That being said, find what works in your individual weapon with good reliability and the rest is up to you.
If you can't hit the target your SOL, I don't care what your loaded up with.
That being said, find what works in your individual weapon with good reliability and the rest is up to you.
If you can't hit the target your SOL, I don't care what your loaded up with.
Big Fred
Member
ammunitionstore.com
This is not the latest and greatest, wiz-bang, zombie attack, overpriced 20 rounds to a box ammo. It is old school proven ammo.
GregoryJ
Member
Just picked up two 50 round boxes of Federal 147 grain 9MM JHP's at amunitionstore for $35. (17.50 each) plus tax. The plain white boxes are marked 9MS. The ammunition is listed as "Hi-Shok" on their web site. I was surprised to find out they are located about 5 minutes from my house. At that price I can afford to practice with them.
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Nephrodoc
Member
SGAmmo.com has gold dot, golden saber, and ranger ammo at less than $25 box of 50. I think these are all good 9mm self defense rounds, depending on what feeds reliably for you.
Sometimes they have government contract overrun ammo at even better prices.
Sometimes they have government contract overrun ammo at even better prices.
There's really no such thing as "the best 9mm," but in terms of overall value, 50 count boxes of LE ammo sold by places like Ammoman, SGAmmo and G&R Tactical will give you the most for your money. You can even see if your local firearms store has some LE ammo in stock.
Oh, and FWIW, my personal choice in 9mm has always been Ranger RA9T. It's accurate in all the pistols I've fired it in, very controllable, and has a solid reputation for "doing the job."
Oh, and FWIW, my personal choice in 9mm has always been Ranger RA9T. It's accurate in all the pistols I've fired it in, very controllable, and has a solid reputation for "doing the job."
David White
Member
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
There is nothing at all wrong with Remington 124gr UMC ammo. It costs a lot less than the designer brands and it uses a good bullet.
Accuracy and 100% all the time function is more important than the name on the box! The best bullet in the world loaded in the best ammo will do you no good unless you hit what you aim at!
Just my 2 cents...
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