Best bullet weight for 9 MM

[ptt811]

I want to load some self defense ammo for my 9MM carry gun. I have never really loaded much 9MM ,but I was thinking of using the Hornady Critical defense Bullets. I am stuck on weight...? Is it a fair statement to say that for Close range Defense AMMO a Heavier Bullet is best ???

 

[XtremeVel]

Not sure you could get that particular bullet for loading your own. I also have never seen federal's HST's available either.

Hornady does offer it's XTP line to reloaders at a very reasonable price.

Speer, while more expensive than the XTP's, also offers their Gold Dot line to load your own...

The best weight will be determined by what your guns likes best, in terms of BOTH function and accuracy. I'd work within the 115gr and 147gr weights for a SD load. If it was me, I'd try their 124gr first...

Lastly, work within the intended velocity ranges of whatever particular bullet you decide on... They are constructed for optimum performance within a certain range...

 

[hardhit]

124 grs works well for me in all of my 9mm guns

 

[CampingJosh]

Third vote for 124 grains.

 

[Mephitical]

I agree on 124 grain bullets. Both of my 9mm's shoot them very well.

 

[ptt811]

Hornady does offer it's XTP line to reloaders at a very reasonable price.

...[/QUOTE]
Thats the Bullet I was talking about ..I thought it was what the ammo used ..my mistake

 

[Skip]

Personally, I like the 147gr @ 1000fps BUT, it all depends on the firearm you are shooting them out of. Some semi-autos have a lower barrel axis than others. This means that the firearm has less "flip" recoil and more "in line" recoil. Some semi-autos have unsupported chambers and pushing the limit is not too wise.

So for me, in my Sigs, I use ligher bullets, 125gr is fine, while in our Glock's, I push the envelope with slow powders with heavier bullets. Just me. YMMV

 

[peberly400]

If your gun works properly with 147 grain bullets, I would go for them. Also, I am a big fan of the speer gold dots. Accurate, great expansion and reliability. I use them in all my sd guns

 

[Broom_jm]

The 9mm cartridge was designed around the 124gr bullet weight. Generally speaking, it still offers the best compromise of velocity and energy, plus there is little to no chance they won't work well in your gun. Personally, I've never loaded any other weight bullet for the 4 different 9mm's I own.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Personally, I like 115 grain out of my pocket pistol, and 147 grain out of my Fullsize pistols.

 

[sloughfoot]

Make the hit in the right place and bullet weight won't matter to the receiving guy.

I reload 115 and 147 JHP. I am confident in both. I have been issued the 124 GDHP in the past and I felt confident in that also.

Hits in the right places are far more important than bullet weight or style.

 

[Aszerigan]

Big fan of 124gn Speer GDHPs.

 

[Hiker1911]

124 grain.

 

[Jeremiah]

147 loaded to fly fast. For self defense or knocking around plates I like heavy for caliber bullets.

 

[SSGSAD]

115, 124, and 125gr. here...

 

[dtkw]

I have 115 for paper targets, 124 GDHP for home defense. Also have a magazine with Remmy Golden Saber. As far as killing go, I have no clue which would do what. However, I do not wish to find out unless it's the end of the world SHTF situation.

 

[TGUNTER]

I shoot 124 and 115. I like the 115s for the range.

 

[TGUNTER]

I shoot 115 and 124 but like the 115s for just shooting daily at the range.

 

[scsbronco]

115gr with 4.8grns of W231

 

[Kingpin]

I like 125 gr. had a tumble problem with cast 147gr. But as stated above find what you and your gun do best with.