Protected One
Member
That's the round that I carry in my Shield 9mm also. The reduction in recoil vs 147gr is very noticeable, and would make accurate follow up shots easier.
HST 124 or 147
- Thread starter Gorris
- Start date
That's the round that I carry in my Shield 9mm also. The reduction in recoil vs 147gr is very noticeable, and would make accurate follow up shots easier.
REM 3200
US Veteran
I had the same problem with both 124 & 147gr. bullets.
Turned out changing the magazine spring to a MUCH stronger one
solved the problem in both the 10rd. and the 14rd. (For a CZ 2075 RAMI).
I am now at slightly over 2000rds. without a malfunction of any kind.
It is now my EDC pistol with HST 124+P.
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amd6547
Member
My Glock 26 is loaded with HST 147gn +P, which it seems to like very well.
Previously, my round of choice was the +P+ 127gn load, but I haven't seen any for sale lately. I found that round to be very accurate in several different nines.
Previously, my round of choice was the +P+ 127gn load, but I haven't seen any for sale lately. I found that round to be very accurate in several different nines.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I'm a fan of using the bullet weight that was used when the cartridge was developed. I load a 124/125gr bullet in the 9mm, a 158gr bullet in the 38/357, a 250/255gr bullet in the 45 Colt and so on. It's just what I feel is right.
Fishinfool
Member
I am probably behind the times, but I don't care for the 147 grain weight in a 9mm. I remember back when the first generation of this bullet weight was a poor stopper compared to the 115 and 124's in the 9mm.
Personally, I carry +P 124 Rangers and HST's in my Glock 26 for social use. BUT, as others have said, reliability is more important than bullet weight.
Larry
Personally, I carry +P 124 Rangers and HST's in my Glock 26 for social use. BUT, as others have said, reliability is more important than bullet weight.
Larry
PPS1980
Member
6 of one, half-a-dozen of the other. Comparisons say that one penetrates a bit better and the other expands a bit better. Number crunching shows them both to be excellent choices. Choose the one that you and your weapon handle best and be confident you have a proven stopper.
ContinentalOp
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Current generation loads, like the 147gr HST, perform very well, both in gel and in actual shootings.
But, as you said, other factors, like shootability and reliability, are more important. It's mostly personal preference with modern loads.
Cal44
Member
Not based on a big analysis, but I tend to hit the middle of the road for each cartridge:
100 for .32 revolver cartridges
125 for 38/357
124 for 9mm
240 for 44 Special and Magnum.
40 gr for 22LR and 22Mag.
I figure the mid range of what the gun can handle will give the least problems. No desire to push the envelope.
I don't always hit it exactly (e.g., I sometimes use 135 gr in 38), but I don't vary too far from the mid range.
100 for .32 revolver cartridges
125 for 38/357
124 for 9mm
240 for 44 Special and Magnum.
40 gr for 22LR and 22Mag.
I figure the mid range of what the gun can handle will give the least problems. No desire to push the envelope.
I don't always hit it exactly (e.g., I sometimes use 135 gr in 38), but I don't vary too far from the mid range.
Try some and see how you like them and how your firearm likes them. I used to go for 115 grain +P or +P+ loads. The faster the better because that means more foot pounds of energy! Problem with many hollow point bullets is that when pushed really fast, the expand dramatically, but that rapid expansion means less penetration. If the bullet does not reach vital organs, it's a waiting game based on how long it takes to bleed out.
Many people poo-poo the 147 grain JHP in 9mm and I did too. Back when the 147 grain load was introduced, it was designed for military special ops in sound suppressed weapons. Those loads were not designed for expansion, they were designed to be subsonic. Modern 147 grain JHP's tend to expand quite well even in standard pressure loads and allow for adequate penetration. That being said, the modern 124 grain JHP's are probably equal in terms of penetration and expansion.
So, don't go on 20 or 30 year old data. Try some 147's and see if you like them better than the 124's.
Bill Lear
Member
9mm 124 grain FMJ at 1,250 fps is an amazing round. Velocity has a major impact on temporary wound cavitation.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNfp2LtfTHc[/ame]
And this is from people who aren't "playin" to use a common phrase.
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rickyc
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Did you notice an appreciable difference in recoil from the 124 or 147? Also, do you carry a G-26 and like it. Thinking about one for my wife.
One more - does anyone know what HST stands for?
Thanks!!
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cybermgk
US Veteran
Barrel length makes a difference.
For 3" CC sized 9s, with those 3 inch barrels
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lGqdMdbir0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lGqdMdbir0[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3VfWkWMzOI&t=2s"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3VfWkWMzOI&t=2s[/ame]
Little more penetration and velocity for 124, little bigger and more expansion with 147.
For 3" CC sized 9s, with those 3 inch barrels
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lGqdMdbir0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lGqdMdbir0[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3VfWkWMzOI&t=2s"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3VfWkWMzOI&t=2s[/ame]
Little more penetration and velocity for 124, little bigger and more expansion with 147.
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For defense, I think you are ok with any of these:
Federal 9BPLE
WW Ranger 127 gr +P+
Gold Dot 124 +P
Federal HST 124 or 147
WW RA9B
Speer G2 147 gr
Federal 9BPLE
WW Ranger 127 gr +P+
Gold Dot 124 +P
Federal HST 124 or 147
WW RA9B
Speer G2 147 gr
I'd use it.....
My 'issue' SD ammo is 125 grain, but I feel that a 147 grain round still has the velocity plus a little mass and I'd rather go that way than using lighter bullets. I feel that a 115 gr can do a great job, but my preferences just go in the other direction.
I'll take any of the three.
I'm pushing this theory with some experiments with 9mm bullets heavier than 147 gr. So far lack of reloading data limits me to not so great velocities, so it's still just a theory.
My 'issue' SD ammo is 125 grain, but I feel that a 147 grain round still has the velocity plus a little mass and I'd rather go that way than using lighter bullets. I feel that a 115 gr can do a great job, but my preferences just go in the other direction.
I'll take any of the three.
I'm pushing this theory with some experiments with 9mm bullets heavier than 147 gr. So far lack of reloading data limits me to not so great velocities, so it's still just a theory.
That's like saying you don't care for cars or airplanes because the first ones were junk
The 147s we have today are not even a comparison to the 147s you reference
fiasconva
US Veteran
Try both and then go with whichever is the most accurate in your particular firearm. Every one is different.
Bill Lear
Member
If you study the gelatin tests over at Luckygunner.com the results are quite interesting. I was never a fan of the 147 grain 9mm load beyond subsonic use, but after seeing it compared to other weights in gelatin I'm impressed.
I like the HST 124 grain as well, and I don't think you'd be going wrong at all to use that for carry.
One thing you'll notice from the actual gel tests is the line between bullet weights and velocities has become quite blurred as manufacturers load their ammo to "pass the gel test" so to speak. You'll see 124 grain loads going no faster than 147 grain loads, and from what I can tell this seems to show up as a variance in penetration with the lighter bullets penetrating less though with an impressive initial temporary cavity.
Other than the HST 124 grain which is a top performing load, I'd give the overall edge to Winchester's Ranger and "Train and Defend" line.
ShivasIrons
Member
The difference between the 124 HST and 147 HST is splitting hairs.. Use whichever is convenient if they both function reliably in your weapon.
Self defense handgun rounds are marginal fight stoppers at best. There are no magical rounds.
Self defense handgun rounds are marginal fight stoppers at best. There are no magical rounds.
