9mm SD ammo: School me

Federal HST or Speer Gold Dot in 124gr are my loads of choice. I usually use +P loadings as I don't find the extra recoil noticeable and I think from gel tests I've seen the extra velocity gives more reliable expansion and slightly better penetration.

Really, most of the
9MM JHP ammo from quality manufacturers will do the job these days. The real life differences between Federal and Speer and Remington and Cor-Bon etc. Are pretty small.
 
Thanks for all the input y'all! Keep it coming. I really like ShootingtheBull's YouTube tests but all I have found so far are tests with pocket 9s and I carry a duty-sized gun in just about every caliber. Never been a fan of tiny guns, I just dress around bigger ones.

I really want to find a SD load that hits that velocity sweet spot and gets reliable expansion and penetration without over penetrating or losing retained weight.

My picks for the moment are Fed HST, Speer GD, and Hornady Critical Defense.
 
After looking at a lo
t of tests over the years, both in ballistic gel and other medium, I've settled on Speer Gold Dot 124 gr or Federal HST 124 gr. i have a slight preference for the +P, especially in my Kahr CM9. But there are a number of other good loads out there.
 
I like Underwood's stuff. Haven't seen anything on their standard pressure rounds yet but they use a Nosler hollowpoint bullet. I use the +P+ but they also have a +P and both of those use Speer Golddots. The powders they use are flash suppressed to avoid low light blinding. The +P really doesn't have noticeably more recoil than the standard pressure rounds and the +P+ has a bit more kick, but nothing extreme.
 
I usually use +P loadings as I don't find the extra recoil noticeable and I think from gel tests I've seen the extra velocity gives more reliable expansion and slightly better penetration.
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Slightly more expansion and less penetration is the norm for +p. +p averages around 13in, standard averages 15in.

Seeing as penetration is more important than a little extra expansion, standard pressure is better I feel.

Tnoutdoors9 channel on YouTube has a lot of good tests. He even compares +p and standard in a couple videos.


My preference is 124gr standard pressure HST, or if none are to be found, one of the other good loads like GD or the critical line.
 
Tucker 1371 said:
Thanks for all the input y'all! Keep it coming. I really like ShootingtheBull's YouTube tests but all I have found so far are tests with pocket 9s and I carry a duty-sized gun in just about every caliber. Never been a fan of tiny guns, I just dress around bigger ones.

I really want to find a SD load that hits that velocity sweet spot and gets reliable expansion and penetration without over penetrating or losing retained weight.

My picks for the moment are Fed HST, Speer GD, and Hornady Critical Defense.
Click to expand...
Tucker, check this vid out. 9mm standard pressure testing of Speer Gold Dot, Federal HST, Hornady Critical Duty, and Hornady XTP, all out of a Glock 19.

[emoji106]

9mm Standard Pressure Ammo Test X 4: http://youtu.be/c8gm7ZTkDxc
 
tnoutdoors9 on youtube

Look on youtube for tnoutdoors9. He does all his ballistic testing with a Glock 19 which should satisfy your need for data from a duty size pistol. He does a good job and has tested many different manufacturers and all calibers.
 
Quote:
Step #1. Get a Shooting Log.

Step #2. Shoot them all, and keep "Good" notes.

Step #3. Review your notes and pick the "Best"

Only your testing of your weapon, can you determine which ammunition, will work best in your weapon.

I think he is asking about terminal performance, not reliable functioning or accuracy. Its the classical, "which round kills best", answered enthusiastically by persons who have never dug a bullet out of a cadaver, but are willing to share their opinions anyway.
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You maybe right, in that case, just dump the 9mm and get a 45acp (I'm 4 for 4, with the 45). The best 9mm, can't do half as well as a 230 gr, G.I. Ball.
 
HST and Gold Dot (in any flavor) are top performers and you get 50 rounds for the same price as 25 rounds of the "fancy" stuff. That means you can afford to work on your shot placement with your carry load.
 
You guys are giving me a headache with all this crap. Just pull the trigger again, and it will be 100% more effective.......I promise.
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Of course putting MORE holes in the target will increase effect. The question was about single wound effectivness and the merits of +P ammo.

The difference in ACTUAL wound mechanism between ANY of the quality JHP ammo is too small to measure. I dont think + P ammo is going to add to that effectiveness in any meaningful way (it might actually DECREASE depth of penetration).

So, if its not going to help...why deal with ANY increase in recoil or muzzle blast/flash??
 
You maybe right, in that case, just dump the 9mm and get a 45acp (I'm 4 for 4, with the 45). The best 9mm, can't do half as well as a 230 gr, G.I. Ball.
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Really dude... I'm the OP, read my sig, I HAVE a .45 ACP

The first half of your post is null since I bought my 9 after my .45 and I have serious doubts concerning the veracity of the second half.

If you want to start a caliber war go create a new thread

That said, thanks again y'all for the input. I've settled squarely on either HSTs or Gold Dots in 124gr and standard pressure. At this point it's just a matter if what's more adorable or available (Standard pressure 124gr GDHPs are freakin scarce!). Again, thank you all for the constructive input!
 
RAfiringline said:
Hornady Critical Defense.

The following channel on youtube has a series of tests on various types and brands of SD ammo.
I should add, that this channel's tests are oriented toward small guns w/ short barrels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKE4VKPRFTQ
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Shootingthebull410 is a great resource for ammo testing. It was his video on Winchester's Train and Defend ammo line that led me to choose it for my LC9. Great stuff!
 
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