Pig Hunter
Member
What is the current feeling as to the best load that has actually been used in shootings. I have some Winchester 127gr +P+. Is there anything better.
Best 9mm SD load
- Thread starter Pig Hunter
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
LVSteve
Member
Winchester USA Ready 124gr +P did really well in a recent Youtube gel test. The guy was using a 5" M&P so the velocity was well up there, about 1275 fps from memory.
venomballistics
Member
I think the data set you inquire from isn't necessarily secret, but I certainly doubt that it's widely publicized. The best we have, without the legal complications of field testing, is high speed video and a blob of jello. Full30 should be stacked ten deep with such test vids where you can take your best guess and place your bets accordingly.
I carried a Browning HiPower for over 40 years and mostly used the 147 grain with more than adequate results when needed.
One of the range officers at my range was a retired homicide detective with the Dallas Police Department. He interviewed officers who had to shoot bad guys. He always asked how the bad guy reacted when hit. He found that 9mm hits did not disrupt the bad guys' behavior as much as did hits from .357 mag, .357 SIG, or .45 acp rounds. Based on his experience, I changed my carry caliber to either .357 SIG or .45 acp.
That information from the DPD's actual shootings is now over five years old. Some 9mm rounds now approach .357 SIG rounds in muzzle velocity, so they may have nearly as much disruptive impact. I know they're only gel tests, but check out the findings on the Lucky Gunner website to see if there are now 9mm SD rounds that approach the performance of .357 SIG rounds.
That information from the DPD's actual shootings is now over five years old. Some 9mm rounds now approach .357 SIG rounds in muzzle velocity, so they may have nearly as much disruptive impact. I know they're only gel tests, but check out the findings on the Lucky Gunner website to see if there are now 9mm SD rounds that approach the performance of .357 SIG rounds.
Doug M.
Member
Go find Dr. Gary Roberts' testing and recommendations. Pick a load that you can shoot, buy as much as you can afford, make it sure it works in your pistol(s) - 200 minimum, preferably 500 consecutive malfunction free rounds, and train.
Understanding where to hit and becoming capable at doing so, along with mindset, will mean at least as much and probably more than magic ammo.
I had some of that ammo and it passed testing; I carried it with confidence for years on duty and off.
Understanding where to hit and becoming capable at doing so, along with mindset, will mean at least as much and probably more than magic ammo.
I had some of that ammo and it passed testing; I carried it with confidence for years on duty and off.
AJ
US Veteran
What is the best self defense ammo for a 9 MM? Anything that you can reliably shoot accurately and hit your target with. Bullet placement is about 99% of the battle.
I feel pretty confident with 15 rds. Federal HST 124 gr ammo. Then again I haven't had to use it in a self defense situation. Hope I never need to evaluate it's performance either. Joe
AJ
US Veteran
As state bullet placement is 99% of the fight.
When I was in Marine Corps Security Bn. We used HK MP-5's that were suppressed and the round we used was a 147 grain FMJ that was subsonic.
When I was in Marine Corps Security Bn. We used HK MP-5's that were suppressed and the round we used was a 147 grain FMJ that was subsonic.
OP
Pig Hunter
Member
There are so many people who just repeat second and fourth hand information. I have been working at this since the late '70s. I carried a .45 ACP for years and would still prefer to do that, but a bad back keeps me from doing that except in a shoulder holster in cool weather. I am pleased with the Sig 365 I can carry comfortably. But it is just a 9 so I want the best I can shoot. The info I found on those Winchester rounds was several years old. I just wondered if there had been newer rounds that have a good track record. I understand that just center mass isn't good enough, the nipples and nose triangle the target to stop a threat as soon as possible. The various theories and proven systems including using the pelvis when forced to use 38 rnl, that head shots can actually bounce off depending on angles. The central nervous system is a sure thing but a small target protected by lots of fat meat and bone. Depletion of the "hydraulic" or circulatory system works but can take 8-10 seconds. The best weapon is your brain figuring out when to beat feet before something happens. If you can't get out being willing to bring down as much violence as you can muster. Then being able to shoot accurately and then a decent bullet. Just looking for that round.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
I use the Winchester Ranger 127 +P+ in a Glock 26 and the Winchester Ranger 147 JHP for my Glock 19 and Glock 17.
The Police Department I retired from has been using Winchester for the last 20 years. Previously we issued Federal and Remington.
It all does the same thing essentially. As others have stated, any modern SD 9mm ammo will do fine as long as you put rounds on target. SD ammo is easy to overthink.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
There is no such thing as best.
All name brand ammo from reputable manufacturers will.do the job IF you do your job.
Make good hits, hit what you aim for and you will stop the attack.
Now for the real test, the ammo you choose must be 100% reliable in YOUR gun, not someone else's gun. Find an ammo which is reliable and accurate in your gun and go with it. That is the best advice I can give.
All name brand ammo from reputable manufacturers will.do the job IF you do your job.
Make good hits, hit what you aim for and you will stop the attack.
Now for the real test, the ammo you choose must be 100% reliable in YOUR gun, not someone else's gun. Find an ammo which is reliable and accurate in your gun and go with it. That is the best advice I can give.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
That is why professional training is so important like Thunder Ranch, Gunsite Academy or similar.
People need to be prepared for their "first" gunfight because that is the toughest one.
Gee...
...I was told by a member here that Lucky Gunner was on Youtube, which meant it was worthless info.
Here's what I think. Good advice. I question the use of +P+ unless I know what it's being shot from. My S&W Shield EZs say no +P or +P+ and my Shield 9mm says no +P+.
I generally use standard ammo that tests well on penetration and expansion reliability and size.
The Winchester +P+ on Lucky Gunner is the Ranger T-Series and tends to overpenetrate 25" and beyond without any expansion at all. I don't think any departments or agencies use this round as it is the the old 'Talon' that they changed the name and the color and repackaged it.
PS: I'm waiting for an answer from SGT ROCK about using 'Ranger' ammo in his department.
...I was told by a member here that Lucky Gunner was on Youtube, which meant it was worthless info.
Here's what I think. Good advice. I question the use of +P+ unless I know what it's being shot from. My S&W Shield EZs say no +P or +P+ and my Shield 9mm says no +P+.
I generally use standard ammo that tests well on penetration and expansion reliability and size.
The Winchester +P+ on Lucky Gunner is the Ranger T-Series and tends to overpenetrate 25" and beyond without any expansion at all. I don't think any departments or agencies use this round as it is the the old 'Talon' that they changed the name and the color and repackaged it.
PS: I'm waiting for an answer from SGT ROCK about using 'Ranger' ammo in his department.
Last edited:
Is the Winchster......
Is the Winchester ammo your department uses the Ranger type?
If it is I'm going to have to revise my last comment. On Lucky Gunner the Ranger looks really inconsistent. The PDX-1 type looks very consistent.
Is the Winchester ammo your department uses the Ranger type?
If it is I'm going to have to revise my last comment. On Lucky Gunner the Ranger looks really inconsistent. The PDX-1 type looks very consistent.
Last edited:
nra jim
Member
I know some of our local and state l.e.o.s, that carry 9mm are using GoldDots 124gr +p
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
Similar threads
