What's Your Preferred Grain in 9mm for range and s.d.?

[maverick2076]

Mostly 115 gr. for range and SD ammo in my pistols. 147 gr. in my AR-9 for both, because it stays subsonic in the 4.5" barrel.

[SigM4]

Up until a couple years ago it was all 115 gr for me. Now that I shoot some suppressed pistols and more so rifles (CZ Scorpion SBR) I typically shoot 147 and even 158 at the range. Big fan of the Speer Lawman 147 gr round, good suppression and easy enough to find in bulk.

124 Federal HST is my self defense load across all pistol platforms.

[lowdogtx]

Federal Premium HST 9mm 147 Grain JHP
like the them heavy bullets

[Soccerdad1995]

Federal Premium HST 9mm 147 Grain JHP
like the heavy them bullets

I use this same SD bullet for all my 9mm guns

For practice I try to use 147gr just to be consistent with my carry ammo, but it is sometimes hard to find in bulk at low prices.

[Abraham]

lowdogtx,

Have you shot the 115 gr and/or 124 gr to detect a noticeable difference in felt recoil vs. shooting the 147's?

Assuming you're shooting them out of the same gun of course...

Supposedly, ( I haven't had a chance to find out for myself yet) when shooting a sub-compact 9mm there is a difference in felt recoil shooting the 147 gr. What I haven't heard is: Is the felt recoil difference a. barely noticeable b. fairly noticeable or c. really noticeable?

Thanks!

P.S. I just bought a 1000 rounds of Speer Lawman 147 gr range ammo from SGA - if you haven't looked at their sight, they often carry them and a lot of other ammo at below retail store prices. No tax, but of course you'll pay freight.

I also bought 150 rounds of Federal HST L.E. 147 gr. JHPs with the same shipment: Freight cost $20.00 for all 1150 rounds, but man, that container was mucho heavy. So, sure the freight cost is going to be painful...

[MechAg94]

I have gone through a case of the Speer Lawman 124 grain practice ammo. Worked and shot well. I am getting started on a case of the Blazer Brass 124 grain. SGAmmo has some great prices and very prompt shipping.

[lowdogtx]

lowdogtx,

Have you shot the 115 gr and/or 124 gr to detect a noticeable difference in felt recoil vs. shooting the 147's?

Assuming you're shooting them out of the same gun of course...

Supposedly, ( I haven't had a chance to find out for myself yet) when shooting a sub-compact 9mm there is a difference in felt recoil shooting the 147 gr. What I haven't heard is: Is the felt recoil difference a. barely noticeable b. fairly noticeable or c. really noticeable?

Thanks!

P.S. I just bought a 1000 rounds of Speer Lawman 147 gr range ammo from SGA - if you haven't looked at their sight, they often carry them and a lot of other ammo at below retail store prices. No tax, but of course you'll pay freight.

I also bought 150 rounds of Federal HST L.E. 147 gr. JHPs with the same shipment: Freight cost $20.00 for all 1150 rounds, but man, that container was mucho heavy. So, sure the freight cost is going to be painful...

yes I do and its the same guns ,I try to use the same weight for practice if i'm just going to shoot for fun its the lighter weight . The heavy gun its not so much as the lighter glock vs hi-power ]

[HadEmAll]

Over the years I've used mostly 115 grain FMJ for the range, and 115 +p+ or 124 +p for self defense, but now, due to reviews on YouTube and elsewhere, I have decided to standardize on Federal HST 124 grain +P for all my 9mms, short or long barrel. I bought 1000 rounds of it. Thus I have acquired, and am going to use exclusively, 124 grain FMJ, Federal and Winchester for the range.

[MaduroBU]

A bit different since I shoot a .357 Sig, but same idea. I use 115 Hornady HAP for the range and 147 Hornady XTP for SD. The 115s move at around 1350 for minimum reliable cycling and the 147s move at 1425, both from a 5.7" barrel.

[ghostrider]

124gr for S.D. (XTP, Gold Dot, or Sig/Sierra V-crown)

124gr handloads for range use. (lead, XTPs and Montana Gold)

I have 147gr for 38 Super, so I may try loading some in 9mm as well.

[SpringerFan]

Range: Cheapest crap I can find, usually 115 grain steel or aluminum cased.
HD/SD: Carry and nightstand 9s are stuffed with 124+p Gold Dots. Flawless and accurate in both my G43 and P-09.