9mm high performance ammo

[Tyrod]

Ok, so i don't keep up with the latest greatest ammo tests. What is supposed to be the current best reasonably priced commercially loaded 1 shot stopper in 9mm. I know 9mm isn't the best 1 shot stopper in the world, but I've begun selling off all my odd calibre guns and consolidating into more common calibres. 9mm is one. I need reasonably priced so I can bulk up on it. I already have a ton of ball ammo. Prefer non +P.

 

[youseemym&p]

no pistol unless pointed at the brain is a 1 shot stopper haha especially 9mm.

however so far the best i've seen boils down to a few.

Speer gold dot LE.

Corbon

Federal hydrashock

horniday critical defense.


all of these rounds scored very high on every test they have been put through.

all of these will cost you between $20-$30 per 20 round box. its a bit pricey but you pay for quality.

i personally only use Speer gold dot for self defense ammo. i dont expect it to drop a perp in one shot. but 2-4 and hes grass feed.

 

[WR Moore]

Given the advances in ammo design, you can't go far wrong with almost any of the products by major manufacturers.

While both Federal HST and Speer Gold Dot +P are very good, their standard velocity versions aren't anything to sneeze at. There's always the classic standard velocity Federal C9BP too (may also be seen as 9BP). I dearly love the Cor-Bon 115 gr +P JHP, but that is sometimes difficult to find and is +P. On principle, and testing results, I avoid +P+.

 

[pete950]

I just started playing around with Hornadys new 135 grain +P Critical Duty
not the critical defense. This stuff is so accurate and no muzzel signature.

 

[125JHP]

I've been chasing this goal too.
From what I read I have come to the following short list (124 & 147gr for 9mm, either std or +P)
Federal HST
Speer Gold Dot
Ranger-T

As I understand it, the Hydra-Shok is an outdated design that although one of the best in its day, is outperformed by the above.

The best price/performance deal I can find locally is Federal HST +P 50rd box for $21. Next best is Speer Gold Dot 50rd for $30.

These exclude the specialty rounds that only come in 20 rd boxes for the price of 50 rounds (I'd like to get my hands on the guy that came up with that marketing scheme)

 

[StatesRightist]

The only recommended HST is the 147gr, not the 124. The Federal 124 gr round that is recommended is the Federal Tactical HST, which is a LE load and not the same as the standard box Federal HST. The Federal +P 135 gr Tactical is also recommended, along with the above mentioned Rangers and Gold Dots.

Hornady Critical Defense etc failed the tests, I see people talking about it and I do not get it. It failed, period. The worst thing you can load is any kind of 115 gr round other than the Corbon DPX Copper round. The rest are too light to do the job effectively. I have no dog in the hunt, I'm simply sighting the latest FBI tests and results.

Two other cheaper rounds that passed was the Remington Golden Saber 147 gr, I've seen them at reasonable prices. The other was the Winchester Partition 124 grain.

My thoughts are based on Doc Roberts FBI tests....others are free to use different approaches of course.

 

[The Sarge]

All of the service calibers work or fail about the same. The modern, high tech bullet designs have leveled the playing field. And these newer bullet designs are not dependent on velocity alone to expand. Do not downplay the 9mm as it is combat proven the wold over. I carried the 9mm on duty for many years along with the larger calibers. Never felt "under gunned" with the 9mm. Put a quality bullet where it needs to go and the rest is out of your control.

Ammo and caliber selection is mostly based on personal choice highly influenced by gun writers, myths, rumors, and what makes us feel all warm and fuzzy. Some worship velocity alone and that is fine for them. As to "one shot drops" no one in mainstay law enforcement is keeping statistics as each shooting has too many variables to quantify. Choose the pistol/caliber that you shoot the best, ammo that functions well in your pistol that gives you confidence, and then practice, practice, and more practice.

Most of the modern bullets of any weight will work well. I favor the Federal HST, Winchester RangerT, and Speer Gold Dot, all of which can be found in 50 round boxes. When I carry a 9mm it is loaded with Federal HST 147gr standard pressure. Bill

 

[badge]

SG Ammo has two I like,...... Federal 115 grain Plus P Plus at 18 or so clams a box and the Winchester 127 grain Ranger Talon Plus P PLus for about 28 clams a box. Either one would serve you well.

 

[StatesRightist]

All of the service calibers work or fail about the same. The modern, high tech bullet designs have leveled the playing field. And these newer bullet designs are not dependent on velocity alone to expand. Do not downplay the 9mm as it is combat proven the wold over. I carried the 9mm on duty for many years along with the larger calibers. Never felt "under gunned" with the 9mm. Put a quality bullet where it needs to go and the rest is out of your control.

Ammo and caliber selection is mostly based on personal choice highly influenced by gun writers, myths, rumors, and what makes us feel all warm and fuzzy. Some worship velocity alone and that is fine for them. As to "one shot drops" no one in mainstay law enforcement is keeping statistics as each shooting has too many variables to quantify. Choose the pistol/caliber that you shoot the best, ammo that functions well in your pistol that gives you confidence, and then practice, practice, and more practice.

Most of the modern bullets of any weight will work well. I favor the Federal HST, Winchester RangerT, and Speer Gold Dot, all of which can be found in 50 round boxes. When I carry a 9mm it is loaded with Federal HST 147gr standard pressure. Bill

Good points in this post.

 

[amd6547]

For SD use, I prefer the Ranger T +P+ 127gn...mainly because it has proven very accurate in four 9mm's I have owned...Beretta 92FS, Browning HiPower, and Glock 17 and 26, and because it is highly rated by some sources I have read.
For standard pressure JHP's?...whatever is cheapest.

 

[ikor]

The FBI tests and DocGKR's tests are somewhat different. The Bureau adds several other criteria while the good Doc tests only in bare gel and with 4 layers of denim. The HST 124gr +P has now been tested and found to be GTG by him. I prefer either the HST or Ranger T standard velocity 147's myself.

ATK, who owns both Federal and Speer, has some interesting tests and results on their LE website. Check out their Wound Ballistics videos here...

LE - Wound Ballistics

 

[MichiganScott]

Given the advances in ammo design, you can't go far wrong with almost any of the products by major manufacturers.

While both Federal HST and Speer Gold Dot +P are very good, their standard velocity versions aren't anything to sneeze at. There's always the classic standard velocity Federal C9BP too (may also be seen as 9BP). I dearly love the Cor-Bon 115 gr +P JHP, but that is sometimes difficult to find and is +P. On principle, and testing results, I avoid +P+.

I agree that the Federal 9BP is probably a classic and my preferred carry round in three of my 9mm's. The bullet design may not be as advanced as some of the newest, but it did work well for a number of LE agencies for years. Most of the product development dollars are spent on the +P varieties because of the perceived need for an additional 150 fps muzzle velocity.

Black Hills ammo uses Hornady XTP bullets in their ammunition. The XTP was one of the first bullets designed to pass the FBI tests for handgun bullet performance. Black Hills quality is as good as any, and better than most. It's not necessary to spend $1.25 per round for good defensive ammo.

 

[spirit4earth]

Is short barrel ammunition really better for a 9mm with a 3.5" barrel?

 

[StatesRightist]

Is short barrel ammunition really better for a 9mm with a 3.5" barrel?

You are right on the edge of the barrel being too long. The SB makers pretty much state 4" barrels are too long for the ammo, it may come apart from too much velocity. SB is for 3" and down. I think I'd go with regular ammo or better yet Copper ammo. Copper does not need as much velocity as jacketed ammo does to expand. JMO.

 

[125JHP]

The only recommended HST is the 147gr, not the 124. The Federal 124 gr round that is recommended is the Federal Tactical HST, which is a LE load and not the same as the standard box Federal HST. The Federal +P 135 gr Tactical is also recommended, along with the above mentioned Rangers and Gold Dots.

That is the one I have been getting at the police supply store. Don't know about the std pressure 124.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I always wanted to try some of the Israeli Samson rounds that supposedly come out at around 2100 fps!

 

[Boge]

Firstly, no topic is surrounded by more hyperbole & outright BS than the much lauded 'stopping power'. People will then 'parrot' what they read on the Internet or in a gun rag ad nuaseum. Even professionals in the industry are susceptible. I'll give you an example. Years ago an engineer at Speer tried to sell me on the 9mm 147 gr. Gold Dot. I told him I preferred their 115 gr. +p+ as it worked. He then proceeded to tell me that the 147 gr. worked 'better'. So I then asked how he knew that. He said 'testing'. I then asked him if he had ever shot anyone with that particular load, seen someone shot with it or even attended an autopsy of someone shot with it. He meekly said "no." Realizing I had him I asked him then how he 'knew' that it was better. He never replied.

Engineers design planes, few fly them. If you want to know how a load works ask someone who has used it on the street. I lived through 80's and the BS that surrounded the 147 gr. debacle. Maybe the new 147 gr. load is better but I will never use it. Any 115 gr. +p+ is good to go as are the Speer 124 gr. +p & Win. 127 gr. +p+ T Series. I only know of five shootings with Corbon DPX and all were DRT, however they were great shots as well and any good modern HP may have worked just as well if I am to remain objective.

 

[TAKJR]

While I can't go into specifics here, I witnessed a shooting where the 127 SXT +p+ 9mm was used. One shot. A half-dollar-sized entry wound to the skull was present. No exit. The distinctive petal-cuts were present around the circumference of the wound.

While I read that this was an effective round, seeing the damage up-front sold me on using that round EXCLUSIVELY, whenever I use a 9mm for anything other than plinking or target use.

Nothing more can be said on the matter.

TAKJR

 

[MichiganScott]

While I can't go into specifics here, I witnessed a shooting where the 127 SXT +p+ 9mm was used. One shot. A half-dollar-sized entry wound to the skull was present. No exit. The distinctive petal-cuts were present around the circumference of the wound.

While I read that this was an effective round, seeing the damage up-front sold me on using that round EXCLUSIVELY, whenever I use a 9mm for anything other than plinking or target use.

Nothing more can be said on the matter.

TAKJR

As has been said many times before, it's placement that counts. In this case, I doubt that the +P+ stopped any faster than similar placement with a standard velocity 115gr FMJ would have.

 

[StatesRightist]

While "stopping power" is an overblown concept, bullet performance and research are factual observations. Shot placement is primary, but to say all bullets are created equal is as big a fallacy as "one shot knockdown %." It is a fine line between pure theory and observation, but a combination of both tells you something. That's why multiple hours of reading all of the various studies and anecdotal findings are needed and everyone ought to do it for themselves, it's your life you are gambling.