WWB 9mm 147gr JHP

[RollingCode3]

What do you guy think about the WW 9mm 147gr JHP? Is it safe to use for home defense? I put around 200 rounds through my glock without any problem.

[delloro]

147s are generally considered useless as they don't expand. the only reason to give up velocity is if you must, e.g., to remain subsonic. unless you have a silencer, "fuggedaboudit."

[lazyman]

I use 147grain out of my PC-9 but for my sig 115 grain hollow points. I'd go with frangible for home use in my situation, 9 can still penetrate a bit. Thin walls, neighbors are litterally right next door.

[BigAL]

147s are generally considered useless as they don't expand. the only reason to give up velocity is if you must, e.g., to remain subsonic. unless you have a silencer, "fuggedaboudit."

Incorrect. Some of the more recent 147 grain JHPs are the top 9mm performers. The newer designs like Gold dots and Win Rangers all expend as reliably as the lighter rounds. And they penetrate more to boot. The problem with 147 grain bullets not expanding was a problem of poor bullet construction with the old designs.

This is what Dr. Gary Roberts had to say regarding current 9mm rounds:
"FWIW, the 147 gr Winchester RA9T remains the best performing 9mm load we have tested. If I was carrying a 9 mm handgun, I personally would choose the 147 gr Ranger Talon or 127 gr +P+ Ranger Talon followed by the 147 gr Remington Golden Saber, the 124 gr +P Gold Dot and the 124 gr Federal Tactical."

Notice how he did not mention any light 115 grain bullets. They rarely penetrate enough.

ETA: I am not familiar with the WWB 147 JHP or how they would stack up against the premium self defense stuff.

[bu-bye]

147s are generally considered useless as they don't expand. the only reason to give up velocity is if you must, e.g., to remain subsonic. unless you have a silencer, "fuggedaboudit."

Not true. Today 9mm 147gr rounds will expand just fine. 1000fps is fast enough for expansion. Heavy 45cal 230gr JHP rounds travel much slower (700-800fps) then the 147gr 9mm and they expand with deadly results. Its all in the design and not so much the speed anymore. I'm not siding with the heavy bullets, just saying either one will expand. The last thing we need is another heavy VS light topic.

EDIT: D'oh, didn't post fast enough. You win this round Al

[kantstudien]

I read somewhere (ammolab???) that the ballistics on WWB JHP are actually surprisingly good. I would have a case or two, but my go-to ammo would still be stuff like Gold Dot, Golden Sabre, Ranger, SXT, etc.

[RollingCode3]

I know WWB jhp is cheap, but i can buy a few boxes everytime i visit walmart. While Goldot, Golden Sabre bonded, SXT are kind of expensive. I have 150 rounds of Speer Golddot 124g, and 200 rounds of speer goldot 147gr. I haven't tested any of the goldot in my gun yet. Between 124 and 147gr, which one is better for home defense? According to a few article i have read, 147gr penetrates a few inches deeper than 124gr. Does that really make a different in a self defense shooting?

[bu-bye]

The bigger the bad guy the deeper your bullet must go. If he has on a thick leather jacket and is fat you will need the most penetration you could get. It is said that alternating bullets (heavy, light, heavy, light) in a mag is a bad idea. I personally don't see the problem if your gun shoots both without a problem. The recoil will feel different though.

[m1371]

147s are generally considered useless as they don't expand. the only reason to give up velocity is if you must, e.g., to remain subsonic. unless you have a silencer, "fuggedaboudit."

Hmmmmm. . . . . that's STRANGE. . . . . most of the best performing 9mm hollowpoint ammo on the market right now is 147grain.

Boy, all those ammo manufacturers are screwed up, selling us "useless" ammo that won't expand. [/sarcasm]

The info I've got from AmmoLab concerning the Winchester 147gr USA9JHP2 loading (which I'm 99% certain is the loading being discussed) is showing that it has more penetration than the comparable Winchester Ranger 147gr SXT RA9SXT loading but with less retained weight after recovering the bullet. Pictures of the two rounds after recovery from the geletin shows comparable expansion, with the RA9SXT being just a hair larger.

If you want to go off the data from AmmoLab, I'd say the WWB JHP stuff wouldn't be the worst choice you could make.

[BigAL]

I know WWB jhp is cheap, but i can buy a few boxes everytime i visit walmart. While Goldot, Golden Sabre bonded, SXT are kind of expensive. I have 150 rounds of Speer Golddot 124g, and 200 rounds of speer goldot 147gr. I haven't tested any of the goldot in my gun yet. Between 124 and 147gr, which one is better for home defense? According to a few article i have read, 147gr penetrates a few inches deeper than 124gr. Does that really make a different in a self defense shooting?

The extra penetration is why I tend to favor 147s. People tend to think in 2D when they envision shooting someone. But what if I turn 90 degrees? Then not only is there more meat between the bullet and vital organs but the bullet must also go through the arm. This is where the extra penetration can really come into play.

Also, I find the 147s tend to be more mild on recoil and noise since they are not +P like some of the lighter rounds.

[RRangel]

Actually some police departments carry 147gr 9mm that are working for them.

[saki302]

With the light clothing here in CA, I wouldn't worry too much about 115gr. for defense in short barreled guns. I would NOT use 147gr. in a subcompact- with the corresponding hit in velocity, you might just not have enough velocity to expand. Out of longer barreled guns, 115gr. goes too fast, and under penetrates somewhat, so the 125gr or modern 147gr. loads work a little better. I would not feel underarmed with a Glock 17 loaded up with 115gr +P+ ammo though. If an arm stops the bullet, I'll show you a useless arm

-Dave

[Teletiger7]

Backyard test of the WWB 147grain

Here's a link to some independent do it yourself test some guy did on this exact same ammo. I was surprised at how well this very affordable Walmart ammo did compared to the other premium hollowpoint. Good pictures of the bullets after they went through test medium:http://www.btfh.net/shoot/bullet-test-1.html

[artherd]

If it's reliable in your gun, and seems to expand well that's a plus.

That said I load RA9TA 127gr +p+ into my G34 'nightstand' gun.