Defense ammo question.

[Bushwack44]

Looking for a bit of education and advice.

I'm going to begin using a CZ PCR 9MM for home defense and not sure what ammo to get. Specifically, I see hollow points run from 115gr to 124 to 147 (have shot all three at the range so I am familiar with recoil management). Assuming in time of need, my target would be no more then 7 yards away. Wouldn't a 115gr hollow point be more effective then 147gr?

I'm trying to be realistic and think that should I need to defend myslef, my composure will not be as if I'm at the range. Heart will beat quickly, palms may be sweaty and might possibly wet the shorts. That being said, would 115 or 124 be the better choice then 147 (I'm thinking of managing recoil)? And for my own education, would I want a round to expand and pass thru the person or expand from within and stop (wouldn't a 115gr more likely expand from within and stop)? Thanks.

[Quiet]

Back in the late-1980s, when the FBI concluded that the 9x19mm cartridge was not effective and they went searching for a new cartridge, they were using Winchester 115gr Silver Tip JHP.

Last year, when the FBI concluded that modern bullet technology has now made 9x19mm an effective cartridge and they decided to adopt the 9x19mm cartridge, they are now using Speer 124gr Gold Dot JHP.

9x19mm ammo that passed FBI testing requirements:
•Winchester PDX1 124 gr +P JHP (S9MMPDB)
•Winchester PDX1 147 gr JHP (S9MMPDB1)
•Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
•Winchester Ranger Bonded 124 gr +P JHP (RA9BA)
•Winchester Ranger-T 127gr JHP +P+ (RA9TA)
•Winchester Ranger-T 147gr JHP (RA9T)
•Winchester Bonded 147gr JHP (RA9B/Q4364)
•Speer Gold Dor 124gr JHP
•Speer Gold Dot 124gr JHP +P (53617)
•Speer Gold Dot 147gr JHP (53619)
•Remington Golden Saber 124 gr +P JHP bonded (GSB9MMD)
•Remington Golden Saber 147gr JHP (GS9MMC)
•Federal Tactical 124gr JHP (LE9T1)
•Federal Tactical 135gr JHP +P (LE9T5)
•Federal HST 147gr JHP (P9HST2)
•Federal HST 124gr JHP +P (P9HST3)

9x19mm bullets that weighed less than 124gr did not consistently reach the required penetration depth (11"-18").

NATO approved 9x19mm ammo is currently 124gr FMJ.
The 115gr FMJ was found to be lacking in performance. (less learned from WW2)

[AreWeFree]

There are several very good people on youtube who have done performance testing on various rounds.
From what I've seen the Fed HST 147gr was the best performer. Specifically it had the least deformation when penetrating barriers and still expanded properly afterwards, is less susceptible to shedding it's jacket through barriers, very consistent and large expansion, rarely clogs, very good penetration, has low flash, and feeds reliably in everything I've tried it in. Oh and in the 50 rd boxes it's cheap and usually easy to find.

Take a look at some videos, here are two good channels, and also check Military Arms Channel as he's done some barrier testing in the past.

https://www.youtube.com/user/tnoutdoors9/videos

https://www.youtube.com/user/ShootingTheBull410/videos

[SacTown]

+1 for Federal HST 147gr. specifically the standard pressure.

[Citizen_B]

Quiet posted a good list of options that should get the job done if it cycles properly in your particular gun. I'm partial to 147gr. HST or Gold Dots.

I'm trying to be realistic and think that should I need to defend myslef, my composure will not be as if I'm at the range. Heart will beat quickly, palms may be sweaty and might possibly wet the shorts.

The best way to get ahead of this is to train as realistically as possible. Take a practical pistol course or 3 that has you running around, in different shooting positions, under stress. Another option is to try 'competing' in USPSA/IDPA. You don't really have to compete with other people, just train and try to improve your own scores.

[Bushwack44]

Thanks all for the input. I thought lighter the weight equals better results from short distance but I suppose not.

[Citizen_B]

Generally, all other things equal, the lighter grain bullets travel faster than heavier grain. This doesn't necessarily mean the terminal ballistics are "better" they are just slightly different. It's a package deal and a balance of a number of design factors. An important factor is if the HP cartridge as designed penetrates appropriately deep and expands consistently. Terminal ballistic performance between HP cartridge designs vary more.

Any in case looking at the big picture, there isn't a huge difference in handgun wound effectiveness between vetted HD cartridges. That said you'll want to avoid poor designs and the list Quiet posted doesn't have any.

[Carcassonne]

Looking for a bit of education and advice.

I'm going to begin using a CZ PCR 9MM for home defense and not sure what ammo to get. Specifically, I see hollow points run from 115gr to 124 to 147 (have shot all three at the range so I am familiar with recoil management). Assuming in time of need, my target would be no more then 7 yards away. Wouldn't a 115gr hollow point be more effective then 147gr?

I would go with 147grain bullets.


.

[EspoMan]

I really like HSTs but they are almost impossible to find these days. I'm switching to Gold Dots 124gr. Good ammo and much easier to find.

[sactoshootingsensei]

I like Federal Hydra Shoks. They come in 124 and 147. They seem to have excellent penetration and expansion. Nothing wrong with HST or Speer, either. Just my preference. HST is basically a HS without the "pin" that helps with both penetration and expansion.

[Citizen_B]

I really like HSTs but they are almost impossible to find these days. I'm switching to Gold Dots 124gr. Good ammo and much easier to find.

Yep. I setup email notifications at SGAmmo for when they had it back in stock. It took a little while but when it was up I bought a bunch and now all set. Just noticed they've lowered the box limit.

[TacticalChihuahua]

This is literally all you need to know!

[Squidward]

Another perspective

Call your local law enforcement agency and see what they issue for duty ammo. Granted, agencies often go with "low Bid" but that's usually not the case with ammo. What you get (should you choose this route) is that all of the ballistic "homework" has been done for you and it'll probably be well-within your parameters for HD use.

Additionally, should you have to use the ammo that the local cops use to defend yourself you'll leave little room for some defense attorney to make problems for you regarding your ammo choice.

[JohnCCW]

Low bid? LEO's bid in volume on premium ammo.
They don't buy the cheap stuff, it's not their money they are spending.

[BoJackUSMC]

For 9mm....
I tend to stay 147grains HJP by Federal or Winchester...