S&W M&P 9 mm ,115 gr vs 147 gr

[Radar 377]

I Have S&W M&P 9 MM i shoot 115 gr FMJ bullet and the hole is torn in the paper target, and shooting a 147 gr FMJ bullet it leaves a perfect round hole in paper target at 10 to 15 yards. Factory ammo Remington and Winchester in the 115 gr FMJ. Winchester in the 147 gr FMJ. It looks as if the 115 gr bullet is tumbling/oscillating as it goes through the paper target. Is there a preference in bullet weights for the M&P 9 mm. Even reloads in the 115 gr FMJ perform the same way(torn holes). Any ideas?

If You Haven't missed you haven't shot much!:

 

[Dave Lively]

The 147 grain bullets have a flat nose and punch a cleaner hole through paper. They are as close as you can get to a wadcutter in 9mm.

I normally buy 147 grain because it knocks down plates a little bit better than lighter bullets, leave cleaner holes in paper and costs about the same. If there was a big price difference I would go with whatever was least expensive.

 

[LVSteve]

Last time I went shooting I tried some 147gr JHP in my LC9s. They made holes that looked laser cut compared to the mess left by 115gr and 124gr round nose ball ammo.

 

[jbtrucker]

Thin paper targets will tear , I use sticker targets on cardboard. 115 gr-147gr should perform well with M&P. I usually shoot 115 gr but prefer 124gr and stock up whenever on sale.

 

[stavey]

147g zero tcfp truncated cone flat points + titegroup ,with apex barrel shoots about 1" at 25 yards. That is in the ransom rest . 124/125 jhp will do a little better with accurate 2. Otherwise I would shoot the 147's. As I mentioned these were shot in 4 and 5 inch Apex barrels.

 

[OKFC05]

Put your paper targets on cardboard backer or use cardboard targets. There is nothing wrong with your gun or ammo. Only flat nose bullets cut clean in just paper.

 

[Rastoff]

I Have S&W M&P 9 MM i shoot 115 gr FMJ bullet and the hole is torn in the paper target, and shooting a 147 gr FMJ bullet it leaves a perfect round hole in paper target at 10 to 15 yards.

Do you have a picture of the target? Can you tell us what kind of paper they are?

 

[RGVshooter]

If you're at a indoor range and you're just clipping a paper target on the holder then yeah, it's gonna tear. I've been using my M&P 9mm for the past couple years in IDPA/USPSA matches and I shoot, a lot. Cardboard targets leave a nice clean hole but I've seen torn paper targets if they're just being held on top and allowed to hand free. I reload my own ammo for competition and I use Hornady 115gr HAP bullets.

 

[Radar 377]

Thanks guys, I shoot at a police training center, paper targets are good heavy quality paper, we also use heavy card board backing. Yes, it is possible the the round nose bullets do tear a hole and the training ammo is 147 gr with a partial flat nose giving a more perfect hole.
If you haven't missed you haven't shot much!

 

[forrestinmathews]

As far as preference to bullet weights...it would seem that most of your night sights are regulated to heavier bullet weights for 9mm. Everything seems to be in the 135-147 range. My M&P loves the 147 pushed by 3.2 of Titegroup at 1.135 OAL. That said I am using up the last of my 115's and having a time of it finding an accurate load with Titegroup.