9mm bullet weight preference?

[fuzzymcnab]

This is strictly for competition use. Before I buy a bunch of 147 grain stuff (which I don't currently keep in stock) Will most of the S&W autos show much preference to these over 115's or 124's in the accuracy department?
thanks for sharing, fuzzy

 

[URIT]

My S&W 9's do better feeding on 124 than 115 (my range ammo). I've read in numerous postings that Gen3s like 124 over 147. That said, I keep my personal and HD 9's loaded with Federal HST 147gr.

 

[Valmet]

To be fair, I don’t shoot competition but I do shoot a lot and my 19s (Gen3, Gen4, and 19Xs) digest 115s, 124s and 147s flawlessly.

 

[Rock185]

Fuzzy, I've had a bunch of S&W 9s, to include some PC 9mms. The very best groups I've ever shot in a 9mm pistol were accomplished with some version of the 115 grain JHP. But that was in this or that particular pistol of mine, and I can't say other pistols would shoot best with 115s. Shooting carefully as I am able,from the bench over a rest, I could not absolutely, positively determine that 115s or any other bullet weight was superior across the board in all S&Ws or other manufactuer's pistols. I can say that the 147s in general have shot well/accurately in any manufactuer's pistol I tried them in. I suspect something like a Ransom Rest, or a better shooter than me, might be necessary to split some of these hairs a little finer.....ymmv

 

[M29since14]

I have two S&W 9mm pistols (a 1911 Pro and an M&P 2.0) that are exceptionally fond of Federal AE 147 gr FMJ. The Pro basically won’t shoot worth a xxxx with anything else I’ve tried.

I decided to do a bit more experimenting and recently fired some of this stuff in a standard M&P FS 1.0, a P210, a P226 (older version), a 92FS, and a 6906. The P210, 1.0, and 226 did about what they usually do. The 1.0 is a lousy shooter. Unfortunately, no improvement. The 92FS and the little 6906 both perked right up and shot the ammo exceptionally well. So, no negative results, and four of seven of my guns shot it better than any other economy-priced ammo I’ve ever used. I hope Federal keeps making it!

I also tried it in my Solo 9. It shot it accurately enough, but the gun did not care to feed it. My Solo is generally not fussy about ammo. I think the geometry of the Federal round and it just don’t care for each other. Obviously, I wouldn’t buy this stuff for the little Solo. For everything else, yes - without hesitation!

 

[ClaytonG]

My S&W 9's do better feeding on 124 than 115 (my range ammo). I've read in numerous postings that Gen3s like 124 over 147. That said, I keep my personal and HD 9's loaded with Federal HST 147gr.

I do believe that the HST 147 grain 9mm load was THE load that changed people's perceptions of the 9mm.
It's expansion and penetration surprised people in a big way.

I have a FN 9mm that I really like..............but I'm still mostly a 40, 45 cal. fan..........but HST 147 grain 9mm is probably one of the best pistol rounds ever developed.

 

[Kiwi cop]

About 18 months ago we started qualifying with Winchester 115 gn lwhite box” ammunition. I had some I was shooting in my Kimber 1911 and accuracy with the Kimber was definately lacking. But the G2’s we qualify with shot no different than the old American Eagle 147.

I like 125 gn in both my 9mm pistols, although I have not as yet tried either with 147’s.

I tend to the theory that pistols built prior to the mid 90’s have barrels rifled for the 115/124 weight while those built later on have barrels to stabilise 147 gn’rs. Right or wrong I can’t get that out of my head.

But every pistol is slightly different and will have it’s own favourite bullet weight, which may not be mine

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

I prefer 8 gram pills myself

 

[OKFC05]

The only accuracy issue with 9mm ammo I've seen is when competitors started loading 147gr to minor power for action pistol games, which resulted is very slow speeds that barely stabilized (or not) in the traditional 9mm twist barrels. If you get the new faster twist 9mm barrels, this is solved, and it makes little difference what bullet weight you use.
If you load the bullets to normal speed, instead of the "bunny fart" light loads in the 147gr, the slower twist works just fine with any bullet.
My 124gr 9mm handloads in my 2011 Paraord are more accurate than any M&P I've ever shot, so it is my opinion you really have to screw up a 9mm load for the cartridge to be the limiting factor in most popular competition other than precision pistol (bullseye).

 

[rockquarry]

As a one time project that will tell you all you need to know, get a variety of bullets / weights, develop some loads, and shoot enough ten-shot groups over a good rest at 25 yards to satisfy your requirements.

 

[yeti]

124 or 125gr JHP feed well and are accurate in several pistols.

 

[ContinentalOp]

The best answer is..."it depends."

Every gun is different. You could have two of the exact same make and model of gun, one manufactured right after the other, and each will demonstrate a different ammo preference.

As was said before, you're just going to have to experiment to see what works best in your gun. Once you find a gun/ammo combo that works, stock up on that ammo.

 

[Nevada Ed]

+1;
It depends on barrel twist, barrel length, fps of the load and.....
what each pistol likes for its best accuracy....... maybe even, knock down energy's?

I have one pistol that loves fast 115gr FMJ bullets where others
prefer the heavier 124 to 147gr bullets.

I tried the 135 Xtreme but it was only accurate at target speeds in my 3" to 5" pistols, for some odd reason.

You also have to try JHP vs Ball ammo for your final accuracy test.
Same thing....... good in some, lousy in others.
Most of my loads go from 118 up to 138 power factor.
Good shooting.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I have a variety of 9mm handguns, rifles and revolvers. I generally prefer and handload 124 gr jacketed or coated bullets and prefer a velocity of at least 1200fps. The exception is the S&W Models 986 and 929 which seem to prefer 147 gr bullets. I bought several cases of Federal 147 gr JTC ammo for my 929 and Ruger PCC. In my opinion the Federal 147 gr round is too underpowered and worst of all the stuff burns very dirty.

 

[fuzzymcnab]

Wow, didn't expect to get so much response. Believe it or not, that answers my question. Results vary widely, so a generalization can't be made. I will simply run comprehensive tests with all 3 bullet weights in the two guns I will be using. Thanks for the input on function, but i have no doubt that there will be little difference in reliability. Someone mentioned that their guns preferred 115 grain JHP's, and that echoes my years of testing 9mm pistols. I use the Federal 9BP, 115 grain JHP as the benchmark that few factory loads can best. It is interesting that there were no great accolades for the 147 grain, considering how common it is in match hand loads. Regarding the comment on mouse loads. Not to worry, I run full house ammo at all matches.
Thank you all so much for taking the time to chime in. Too bad, I guess I will have to spend more time at the range to form a conclusion. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.
Blessings to y'all,
fuzzy

 

[imcrazy]

I've been really pleased with 147 grain HST's for defensive use... I won't carry anything else in 9mm.

 

[Nevada Ed]

If you can do it, you might try my "short OAL" target loads out.

115gr JHP at 1.077" doing around 1151fps and a
124gr JHP at 1.11" doing around 1075fps......
for your shooting events, if they will function in your weapons.

For some reason, the 124gr ball plated ammo did not do well in
my weapons with a short 1.09" OAL. Accuracy started at 1.12"
but best accuracy came at the long 1.165" but the fps was too low
with the powders that I have on hand.

Good luck finding the right load.

 

[Screwball]

I had a decision to make when I converted my 642-1... being it is a .38 revolver shooting 9mm.

My main desire was more affordable ammo, which the 9mm can be (especially range ammo). But for carry, I prefer heavy bullets. I settled on the 147 grain, specifically the Hornady XTP. On par for accuracy with .38 loads I used to shoot, as well as identical POI as UMC 115 grain bulk. Hornady is also good to go regards to a reliable crimp.

For something larger (longer barrel), I will consider 124 grain as a defensive load... especially +P. Still prefer 147 grain, if not heavier. 115 grain... I strictly use on paper.

 

[fuzzymcnab]

Bob,
Thanks for the data. I was a little concerned at first because I am very careful not to shorten 9mm hand loads because there is so little extra space in the case, pressures can rise quickly. However, when I did a quick calculation, I found that your 1.077" OAL is only a 2% reduction in length. I will try this and test it.
Screwball, your conversion sounds interesting (considering I am a huge 2" revolver fan). Did you actually change the barrel? I know the diameter is very close, but I tested 9mm bullets (.355) in a standard revolver barrel (.357) once and had very inconsistent accuracy.
fuzzy

 

[Screwball]

Screwball, your conversion sounds interesting (considering I am a huge 2" revolver fan). Did you actually change the barrel? I know the diameter is very close, but I tested 9mm bullets (.355) in a standard revolver barrel (.357) once and had very inconsistent accuracy.
fuzzy

.38 barrel... accuracy is on par with .38s. Most people I’ve talked to with a similar conversion never had any issues with accuracy.

I’ve heard about issues with the barrel/bullet difference, which is why I bought a .45 Ruger New Vaquero Convertible over a .38/.357/9mm setup. But as with most ammo related stuff, if one doesn’t shoot well... try something else.

It is less of a difference than Victory revolvers converted to .38 Special (0.357” to 0.361”). Remember, the difference is equal on both sides of the bullet... so a 9mm only has 0.001” around it. That other example I gave (.38 Special in a .38 S&W barrel) is 0.002” all around.