Opinions on best bang for the buck 9mm 124gr range ammo, please.

[mikem]

I got a used S&W Mod. 915 recently that I will keep loaded with Fed HST 124gr JHPs. They work perfectly out of it.

As a matter of fact, I shot six different brands, types and weights out of it so far, maybe 200 rounds or so. No failures of any kind. I like this pistol a lot.

Now that I know the HSTs function fine in it, I still want to practice more with the pistol, say 500 or 1000 rounds more

I need some opinions on what is the best 9mm 124gr range ammo. At well over $1 per round, I can't afford to keep shooting the HSTs.

Thanks.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I plink with Speer Lawman.

1000 round case - 9mm Luger Speer Lawman 124 grain TMJ Ammo 53616 or 53651 | SGAmmo.com

 

[Fishinfool]

SGAmmo has 124 grain HST for under $20.00 a box of 50. They also have FMJ practice ammo by various brand names (all tend to work well) for around $180.00 per thousand.

SGAmmo.com | Family Owned and Operated Ammo Sales, Stillwater OK

Larry

 

[FifthWheel]

I like Lax ammo when they have free shipping which is often. Less than $10 for 50 and never had a problem. I think they may offer free shipping for new customers. I usually order 1000rds for $198. Brass case.

 

[hoc9sw]

SGAmmo again. They have quite a range available. They pack the ammo well and ship quickly. Vet-owned business.

I am still shooting American Eagle that I bought last year on the rebates at less than $10/50, but it is still less than $200/1000 in case lots.

Others that work well are the Speer Lawman 124g and Winchester NATO (black print on the white box).

There is still a bit of ZQI out there (also NATO, but 123g). It does have very hard primers, so don't go all out for it until you blow through a few boxes.

There was also a Bosnian BrassMaxx in tubs of 100 at WalMart during the drought. STAY FAR AWAY. It is very inconsistent, and has unpredictable light strikes. My range guy accused me of shooting reloads done by a novice when I pulled that out.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Speer Lawman is my go-to range ammo and SGAmmo is my go-to source, but for range ammo I'm not too picky. If I can't get any Lawman I have no problem using something else. My own personal preference is brass-cased ammo from the more well-established manufacturers, like PMC, Federal/American Eagle, Winchester/WWB, etc.

 

[Derosa]

One more for SG Ammo. Good people.

 

[mikem]

I found some Sellier&Bellot 9mm, 124gr FMJ on sale; 500rds for $89.99 total with coupon code for free shipping.

Anyone shoot this stuff? If so, how is it?

At 18 cents per round, I won't mind if it's a little dirty. I clean my firearms after range trips.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I found some Sellier&Bellot 9mm, 124gr FMJ at Brownells on sale; 500rds for $89.99 total with coupon code for free shipping.

Anyone shoot this stuff? If so, how is it?

At 18 cents per round, I won't mind if it's a little dirty. I clean my firearms after tange trips.

I've shot a couple of boxes of their 115gr FMJ through my Beretta 92FS without issue. I can't recall how clean they shot, though. I didn't have any problems cleaning my gun afterwards, FWIW.

 

[mikem]

333 looks and only one response from someone who shoots Sellier&Bellot 9mm?

Is there something wrong with it? Is it sub-standard somehow?

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

S&B makes ammo and brass for various US ammo makers when they have large orders to fill.
There's nothing wrong with S&B ammunition, I just tend to buy Blazer Brass or Speer Lawman if I'm going to buy 124 grain FMJ. In 115 gr I'll typically buy Winchester USA or Federal Champion(rebadged Blazer Brass) because it's readily available.

S&B is fine ammo made in Czech Republic. Sometimes European ammo is loaded a little hotter and sometimes with a brass jacketed bullet instead of copper. I would take S&B over other brands like Aguila or Magtech any day.

If you do buy some, make sure it shoots to the same point of aim as your carry load. This is why some people recommend Speer Lawman or Federal American Eagle 124gr FMJ.

 

[scoobysnacker]

333 looks and only one response from someone who shoots Sellier&Bellot 9mm?

Is there something wrong with it? Is it sub-standard somehow?

It's my go-to brand. If everything cost the same, I would choose S&B.

I guess in order of choice, I would go:
S&B White Box (milspec)
MEN White Box (milspec)
S&B in commercial
Yavex (Turkish, very hot, almost positive it's coming at +P)
Fiocchi
GECO
PPU
PMC
American Eagle
Magtech
Blazer Brass (very soft shooting, underloaded, but fine for the range)
Aguila (dirty as heck)
Winchester
Remington UMC

I really like the Yavex, but it is very hot indeed, and I will try to ration it out to guns that don't mind hot loads (CZ 75, Sig P226, Star 30MI). I think I'd prefer to go with a lighter load in my 915. The fireball can be blinding with a shorter barrel. I shot some out of a Star BM and got 2+ ft fireballs.

The Blazer Brass is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the Yavex, it's approaching underpowered loads IMO. But that's fine for high volume plinking.

 

[Shoo2tr]

I particularly like the Winchester NATO 124 grn for plinking. It has become my go to 9mm range round and I buy it when I find it on sale. Midway actually had a great deal on it about six or so months ago on sale with free shipping.
A few years back I bought a case of the ZQI NATO and had good luck with it although some people did not with the hard primers. The ZQI was a little dirty but it was loaded on the hot side, so I did have some fun with it while it lasted.