How to choose the right 9mm bullet weight?

For whatever reason all my semi auto 9mm's just like 124gr bullets the best. They all shoot to POA, I'm guessing that the guns I own are calibrated possibly for this weight bullet. This is in a M&P 9, CZ P07, CZ75 SA, LC9S, FEG Hipower clone, Star BM9, and Taurus PT111 G2.
 
I shoot the 147 exclusively.

Virtually every ballistic gel test I have seen favors the 147 in the 9mm. They expand more, and penetrate the same as lighter bullets. In short barrels, they have some special loads on the market like the Gold Dot Short Barrel and the newer HST 150 for short barrels. But even with the standard HST or Gold Dot you will get a little better penetration from the 147.

I practice and train with 147 because it matches my carry load of 147 +P HST.

I like the Rainier 147 Plated HP or the powder coated 147 FP from ACME bullets. I use VihtaVuori n340 which can easily match the velocities of factory +p, burns cleanly, and is very accurate with good case fill. N350 is good for the 115 and 124g 9mm.
 
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"...this is for my wife's..." You ask her what she wants? Is she going to carry and practice with the ammo? She want cast or jacketed bullets? What bullet does she shoot now?
Note the repetition of the word 'she'. Has to be her choice, not your's.
Been shooting cast 121 grain TC's(Truncated Cone) with Bullseye (3.5 ,I think)for eons myself. It's out of an Inglis High Power. They're not up to great accuracy, but the TC feeds and cycles with 100% reliability and doesn't have much felt recoil.
 
Considering the typical use of a 9mm and the fact that most aren't "match grade accurate", any load that functions properly is adequate. I'd stick to the "common" 115-124 grain bullets with a shape that promotes feeding/function at a moderate velocity.
 
For your stated purposes I'd pick between 115-124 grain, as both are pretty easy to find, and to find recipes for. 115 is generally less expensive.
 
ERIK,
I have loaded both 115gr and 124gr plated bullets from both Berry's and Xtreme and in all honesty I can tell little difference in performance, function or POI. About the only real discernible difference I find is just like every other bullet, the more it weighs the more it costs!

If you are loading for range/practice use then just watch the sales and buy/load which ever is cheapest. From 0-25yards I find no practical difference and I shoot them in an XD Mod2 4" and a Taurus PT92C 4".

By buying bullets, powders and primers on sale locally I can load these 9mm for about 9 cents ea.
 
BombthePeasants wrote:
My question is, which end of the bullet spectrum should I focus on?
Click to expand...

First, read the translators preface to Mao Tse Tung's book on Guerilla Warfare for an apt commentary on your screen name.

Second, what are you trying to achieve with your bullet choice?

Third, in the West, the predominate loading for 9mm since the first part of the 20th Century has been a 115 grain bullet. See, for example, the Commonwealth Mk. 2 cartridge which was produced through the British Empire and its former colonies (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9×19mm_Parabellum). The current NATO standard uses a 108 grain bullet is an over-pressure round not practical for most reloaders.

Fourth, the 124 ad 147 grain bullets can be launched at lower velocities thus resulting in less perceived recoil than the 115 grain bullet, but at the cost of generally reduced terminal performance against animals and in self-defense situations.
 
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