I have been carrying HST 124 for a while and many people that I have talked to recommend a heavier round for SD. Why is that? Would I be better off going with the 147? Now with the heavier round is there issues with failure to feeds? Any information would be helpful. Thanks.
-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
HST 124 or 147
- Thread starter Gorris
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
ContinentalOp
Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2009
- Messages
- 6,315
- Reaction score
- 12,811
124gr HST is fine, so long as it's reliable in your gun and you can shoot it well.
But to answer your question, as a general rule (there are always exceptions) heavier bullets will penetrate deeper than lighter bullets within a given caliber, and penetration is generally accepted as the most important parameter when it comes to bullet effectiveness, after shot placement. However, it's usually only the lightest bullets in a given caliber that tend to lack sufficient penetration. In 9mm, 115gr and lighter tend to have shallower penetration (rounds using the Barnes all-copper 115gr HP seem to be the exception).
My own personal preference, based on research I've done, is for medium-to-heavy HP loads for SD, whether standard pressure or +P. I use 147gr HST, but 124gr HST is good-to-go if that's what you have and are comfortable with it. I see no reason for you to change unless you just want to try something different.
FWIW, the 147gr HST I use in my Beretta 92FS has never malfunctioned, even when I attempted to induce a limp-wrist failure.
But to answer your question, as a general rule (there are always exceptions) heavier bullets will penetrate deeper than lighter bullets within a given caliber, and penetration is generally accepted as the most important parameter when it comes to bullet effectiveness, after shot placement. However, it's usually only the lightest bullets in a given caliber that tend to lack sufficient penetration. In 9mm, 115gr and lighter tend to have shallower penetration (rounds using the Barnes all-copper 115gr HP seem to be the exception).
My own personal preference, based on research I've done, is for medium-to-heavy HP loads for SD, whether standard pressure or +P. I use 147gr HST, but 124gr HST is good-to-go if that's what you have and are comfortable with it. I see no reason for you to change unless you just want to try something different.
FWIW, the 147gr HST I use in my Beretta 92FS has never malfunctioned, even when I attempted to induce a limp-wrist failure.
Last edited:
dubshooter
Member
I used 147 because that’s what the range master gives me haha
My LCR 9mm shot the 124gr more accurately, so I carried those when I had it. My Glock 17 and XDs shoot the 147 true to aim and reliably. So I use those when I use this guns.
Think either will do you just fine
My LCR 9mm shot the 124gr more accurately, so I carried those when I had it. My Glock 17 and XDs shoot the 147 true to aim and reliably. So I use those when I use this guns.
Think either will do you just fine
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
I use the 147HST over the 124HST because it expands more, but they are both good.
iPac
Member
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2015
- Messages
- 1,155
- Reaction score
- 1,398
Really?
Any HST round I have tested expanded completely every time. These are the most reliable HPs in my opinion. Unless you mean it expands more because of the larger mass of the bullet, but I have never had a round fail to fully open.
Can't say the same about GoldDots.
I use 124gr for 9mm. I would not want hit by one of them, of any weight.
Last edited:
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Yes, that's what I meant. The post from Brasky preceding yours shows the difference in expansion.
I prefer the 124gr standard pressure. It works fine in both of my 9mm pistols. Check this chart for both loads.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm
Texas Star
US Veteran
The 9mm relies on higher velocity for much of its effect over a .38 Special.
I use 124 grain HST and Gold Dot. I have confidence in both.
A .357 SIG might perform well with 147 grain bullets. Has anyone here chronographed one? But its rep is based on hot 125 grain ammo.
If I wanted more bullet weight than 124 grains in a 9mm, I'd carry a bigger gun.
I use 124 grain HST and Gold Dot. I have confidence in both.
A .357 SIG might perform well with 147 grain bullets. Has anyone here chronographed one? But its rep is based on hot 125 grain ammo.
If I wanted more bullet weight than 124 grains in a 9mm, I'd carry a bigger gun.
Last edited:
Westie1
Member
Another HST option that you don't hear much about is the 150gr Micro HST. Designed to give the expected HST performance out of short barrelled 9's like the Shield, LC9, etc. In my SD9VE, it shoots to POA at 7yds. The wife likes it because of the softer recoil vs the 124's.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
In 9mm, my husband and I use the standard pressure HST 147's exclusively. I've never had a feeding issue with 147gr HST in any of my 9mm pistols, but as always you should trial shoot a bunch of it to be sure.
SGAmmo has had good prices and availability. 50 Round Box - 9mm Luger Federal HST 147 Grain Hollow Point LE Ammo P9HST2 | SGAmmo.com
Last edited:
REM 3200
US Veteran
I use HST +P 124s because I want to keep the velocity at around 1100+ fps.
I have a 3" CZ RAMI and use HST 124+P and get an average of 1109 fps
( that is a running average of around 175 rounds fired.)
My friend has a 4" 9mm and asked me to pick his ammo.
I told him to use HST 124 standard pressure as Federal stats show 1150 fps from a 4".
I have a 3" CZ RAMI and use HST 124+P and get an average of 1109 fps
( that is a running average of around 175 rounds fired.)
My friend has a 4" 9mm and asked me to pick his ammo.
I told him to use HST 124 standard pressure as Federal stats show 1150 fps from a 4".
Last edited:
gwpercle
Member
The truth is , with proper placement , they both work.
Shoot both,
Chose the one that has the best reliability , 100% is preferred ,
and the one you can shoot best.
Accuracy is critical but the gun must feed fire and eject.
Guns that jam and misses will get you killed.
Gary
Shoot both,
Chose the one that has the best reliability , 100% is preferred ,
and the one you can shoot best.
Accuracy is critical but the gun must feed fire and eject.
Guns that jam and misses will get you killed.
Gary
I'm working on a theory......
....that a 147 gr. bullets is better (especially a GOOD bullet like the HST) would be better for SD. But my SD guns have 125 gr. in them because I KNOW that's a good SD round.
....that a 147 gr. bullets is better (especially a GOOD bullet like the HST) would be better for SD. But my SD guns have 125 gr. in them because I KNOW that's a good SD round.
Thanks everyone for their replies. Like I said I mainly carry the 124gr but lately the LGS has been out of them so I was thinking of stepping up to those because they always seem to be in stock. I will put a few boxes through my 2.0 compact and see how they work.
Valmet
Member
Agree with ContinentalOp. If it's reliable in your weapon and you shoot it well, it doesn't really matter when it comes to modern SD ammo. I've always preferred 124-gr bullets as its a compromise between 115 and 147.
Tradewind36
US Veteran
My Shield 9 doesn't like the HST 147, last range visit I had a10% failure to feed, hollow point was catching on the feed ramp. Not sure what the problem was. I haven't tried the 124.
The 147 works fine in my FS 9.
The 147 works fine in my FS 9.
Last edited:
147 Grain Bullets
I'm breaking in a brand new Kahr Arms T9 (their largest pistol). By any method of slide release, the gun balked at chambering the first round from the magazine and I believe it is the wide meplat of the bullet. Hornady Critical Defense chambered without incident. I was using Federal first generation 147 grain rounds which I need to use up.
I suspect that some of the smaller 9mms may have chambering issues with 147s depending on bullet shape. For that reason, you need to test your selected rounds in your hand guns, especially if the bullet looks like a miniature shot glass.
I'm breaking in a brand new Kahr Arms T9 (their largest pistol). By any method of slide release, the gun balked at chambering the first round from the magazine and I believe it is the wide meplat of the bullet. Hornady Critical Defense chambered without incident. I was using Federal first generation 147 grain rounds which I need to use up.
I suspect that some of the smaller 9mms may have chambering issues with 147s depending on bullet shape. For that reason, you need to test your selected rounds in your hand guns, especially if the bullet looks like a miniature shot glass.
It all boils down to what works and personal preference. There is a great ballistics chart put out by Lucky Gunner that is quite comprehensive and can be found with a search for "Lucky Gunner handgun self-defense ballistic tests".
Old Corp
Member
Guess I'm odd man out, but after reading some articles some years ago about some LE agencies in the Southwest using the WW Ranger 9mm 127 gr. +P+, I began trying them.
Excellent accuracy, reliable, great expansion and penetration (clay as a medium). Yes, they're hot - probably not too far from .38 Super.
I don't shoot a lot of them anymore.
I'm confident it's a great round and carry it in several of my 9mm's.
Excellent accuracy, reliable, great expansion and penetration (clay as a medium). Yes, they're hot - probably not too far from .38 Super.
I don't shoot a lot of them anymore.
I'm confident it's a great round and carry it in several of my 9mm's.
Depends a lot on the weapon you are shooting.
Of the two loads mentioned I know which one I would use in my
C9 and which one I would use in my 5" barrel 9mm, through test.
Of the two loads mentioned I know which one I would use in my
C9 and which one I would use in my 5" barrel 9mm, through test.
