9mm Self Defense Loads: Your Choice?

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stonewall50

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I am just curious what others are using and what tests they have done and seen done. Currently my brand is:

http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?id=154

Speer short barrel gold dots in 124 grain. I have seen more 9mm popping up in the 147-150 range. I'm curious what the higher grain ammunition is for? I'm also curious about the feel and ballistics. I'm currently doing more reading on this now, but if anyone has some first hand knowledge on the ammo and performance out of their handguns (especially for a short barrel like a subcompact) I would be curious to find out if they like them.

I am going to start buying some and testing them to see what does what better. So I will share, but if anyone has done their own tests....what do you know?


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what tests they have done and seen done
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No idea about that. I use Federal HST 124gr+P and I use Speer Gold Dot 124gr+P and I use a "full size" Walther PPQm2 for EDC and I trust that I do my part and the ammo will do whatever it can/will do and I leave it at that.
 
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The biggest difference is wound channel size. Lighter bullet, going faster is going to create a larger cavity.

This test was to show that 45acp doesn't perform any better(in ballistic gel) than 9.same penetration.

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9mm is not known for awesome penetration, heavier bullets help with that.

I mostly use 40SW, but do carry 9mm without reservation and I use heavy Federal HST in all calibers I carry.
 
Lucky Gunner has a very extensive page with ammo testing that includes tables, pictures of the depth of the rounds in the blocks, and pictures of the expansion of the rounds. They used 5 shot groups across many different brands. Feel free to do it yourself but a lot has already been done.


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TunnelRat said:
Lucky Gunner has a very extensive page with ammo testing that includes tables, pictures of the depth of the rounds in the blocks, and pictures of the expansion of the rounds. They used 5 shot groups across many different brands. Feel free to do it yourself but a lot has already been done.


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Yep. I may do it myself after finding a few brands I like :)


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The 147-150 range bullets are mostly to try and meet the silly shooting game "power factor". Also gives a bit more felt recoil and you might have to change the return spring.
"...a short barrel like a subcompact..." Reduces velocity a bit. Not much else.
The only tests that matter is accuracy and reliability.
 
I am just curious what others are using and what tests they have done and seen done.
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9MM---Speer 124gr. +P Short Barrel
Then in other chamberings I carry.
380---Speer Gold Dot
38 Spcl.---Speer Gold Dot 135gr.+P Short Barrel
40 S&W---Speer Gold Dot 180gr. Short Barrel
44 Spcl.---Speer Gold Dot 200gr.
Seeing a trend here? :D

Most testing I have seen that influenced my decision is from the youtube videos by ScubaOz. Pretty interesting, and thorough tests.
 
9mm Federal HST 124 gr std pressure is what I carry the most. The second is 9mm Cor Bon DPX 115 gr +P.

The only test other than shooting into jugs of water is function testing in all of my guns.

Check out AmmoQuest on youtube for some good test video.
 
Underwood/HST Compare

Check out the test comparing Underwood vs HST @

https://youtu.be/0piGeTVMZWs

I carry both. Have used the underwood on a crippled deer and a couple of large snapping turtles with impressive results. Haven't had the opportunity to use the HST's on anything living but their history and ballistic test are very impressive.
 
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Check out the test comparing Underwood vs HST @

https://youtu.be/0piGeTVMZWs

I carry both. Have used the underwood on a crippled deer
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I do like the concept behind those bullets. The reliability of a ball round (it will penetrate) without over-penetration, and some cavitation more or less comparable to HP. I may be switching to the Lehigh bullets once I find a loading my pistol likes, and perform some testing.

Otherwise, Fed. 124gr HST, standard pressure.
 
T. O'Heir said:
The 147-150 range bullets are mostly to try and meet the silly shooting game "power factor". Also gives a bit more felt recoil and you might have to change the return spring.

"...a short barrel like a subcompact..." Reduces velocity a bit. Not much else.

The only tests that matter is accuracy and reliability.
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While I think the idea of "stopping power" is also silly when looking at a handgun...it is no different than searching for the appropriate hunting round. So if you have your caliber selected, you should be looking at the round that delivers the most damage consistently. Energy transfer is a factor. Size. Speed. Grain. That old adage of "always bring enough gun" is something that is true even with handgun rounds. We would all be carrying .22s and .25s if that weren't the case.


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Cheapshooter said:
9MM---Speer 124gr. +P Short Barrel

Then in other chamberings I carry.

380---Speer Gold Dot

38 Spcl.---Speer Gold Dot 135gr.+P Short Barrel

40 S&W---Speer Gold Dot 180gr. Short Barrel

44 Spcl.---Speer Gold Dot 200gr.

Seeing a trend here? :D



Most testing I have seen that influenced my decision is from the youtube videos by ScubaOz. Pretty interesting, and thorough tests.
Click to expand...



Yea. I'm leaning towards Speer, but I may get some 147 grain just for test purposes. I will do my research on my XDSC and that round though.


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