Are 124 grain loads less snappy?

[Shadowhawk012]

Sup ladies and gents. Been searching around for a good minute and cannot seem to find a definitive answer.

I've been shooting 9mm for about 4 years now and always picked the cheap 115 grain stuff for carry and range/class work. After researching ballistics and a few manufacturer of JHP, i decided to pick up 100 rounds of 124 grain hornady XTP JHP from freedom munitions to test it as my main carry load.

Went to the range last night and shot a few cheap 115 grain FMJ loads to get warmed up, then put a few mags of the XTP loads. To my surprise, the 124 grain loads were very mild in terms of recoil and muzzle flip (almost to the point where i thought i had a squib on the first shot).

This was my first time shooting higher grain 9mm loads so i have no prior experience.

My question is this: Are 124 grain loads that much lighter in recoil at standard pressures? Or did freedom munitions manufacture these with very light power behind them?

I really don't want to carry around unintentionally light loads for the defense of me and my loved ones. Thanks for helping!

Edit: pistols shot with these rounds were a glock 19, glock 17, m&p9, m&p shield

[CSACANNONEER]

Bullet weight is only part of the recoil equation. Powder burn rate and the amount of powder are two more large parts of the equation. Primers, seating depth, case capacity, neck tension, the amount of bullet bearing surface, type and amount of crimp all come into play too. Of course, the firearm and how the firearm fits the shooter are also factors.

As far as SD loads, there is no reason to have to use the hottest loads you can find. In fact, many times the hottest loads are less reliable, less consistent and/or harder for the shooter to manage. Carry what you can shoot the best, not what you think is the heaviest fasted load you can get.

[Shadowhawk012]

Are 124 grain loads less snappy?

Shot it out four different pistols, so lets put that variable to rest.

Assuming in a perfect world that a 115gr and 124 gr load were created by the same manufacture at standard pressures, would the 124 grain load affect the felt recoil that much? I just don't want to fall on a dud in a critical moment.

Just attached a photo for a shameless plug for accuracy. They cycled 100%

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1412294588.630944.jpg

[Shadowhawk012]

Carry what you can shoot the best, not what you think is the heaviest fasted load you can get.

I can go along with that statement, as long as these rounds pass the reliability test lol

[checkenbach]

You should try some 147's... Like shooting .22's.

[uhlan1]

Shot it out four different pistols, so lets put that variable to rest.

Assuming in a perfect world that a 115gr and 124 gr load were created by the same manufacture at standard pressures, would the 124 grain load affect the felt recoil that much? I just don't want to fall on a dud in a critical moment.

Just attached a photo for a shameless plug for accuracy. They cycled 100%

[ATTACH]358759[/ATTACH]

What makes you think you would "fall on a dud" shooting 124 vs. 115? Before I started reloading I shot only 124's. Now I load 115, 124 and 147 with no issues. And if I were to have an issue, the issue wouldn't be the weight of the bullet, the issue would be me.
147 is also the most common weight in competition.

[Shadowhawk012]

Are 124 grain loads less snappy?

You should try some 147's... Like shooting .22's.

I'll have to check some of those out.

What makes you think you would "fall on a dud" shooting 124 vs. 115? Before I started reloading I shot only 124's. Now I load 115, 124 and 147 with no issues. And if I were to have an issue, the issue wouldn't be the weight of the bullet, the issue would be me.
147 is also the most common weight in competition.

Primarily because i bought from freedom munitions and was worried. For cheaper JHP my main concern was quality control, and the light recoil with the 124gr was surprising for me, who has exclusively shot 115gr.

But since everyone is coming up with the same conclusion, i'll buy some more, run a few hundred for reliability and stick with them as my carry load.

[mnichols]

Do what makes you happy, but for me, using reloads for carry just doesnt seem right.
Cabelas has HSTs on sale right now...YMMV

[Snapping Twig]

All loads are not created equal, but within SAAMI specs, they're not too different.

I'm new to 9mm, but not reloading.

Newton's Law and all that, recoil differs, but it's my understanding that Euro 9mm is 124g and hotter than American ammo - Lapua for example.

Haven't tried it, but that's my understanding.

I have tried 147g subsonic as well as Magtec and Fiocchi 115g and the recoil wasn't too different among them.

If the specs are what I understand them to be, 124g loads @ 1100fps put the 9mm into the 38 super range of performance. I could be wrong, but it's exciting to me and I plan on reloading with this in mind once I accumulate enough published information.

Half the fun is getting there. Enjoy your journey.

[KahrGuy9]

For the same power floor (velocity times bullet weight) the heavier bullet will have less felt recoil. That's why 147's are popular in USPSA to meet the 125,000floor. So my 125's have to go 1,000 fps where the 147's only need to go 850fps. The difference for the major floor (165,000) is alot less recoil. Guys are running 200 gr 40S&W's going 825fps and they are much softer than 165's goin 1,000fps. Looks like a .22LR goiing off.

[CSACANNONEER]

Do what makes you happy, but for me, using reloads for carry just doesnt seem right.
Cabelas has HSTs on sale right now...YMMV

The only difference between factoy reloads and factory new is the brass. Personally, I would rather carry proven brass than factory ammo loaded with new brass. Several years back, a number of calgunners blew up their guns with factory new ammo without flash holes. At least reloaded brass is proven to work.

[JDW67]

Yes, they are less snappy, but not that much more. I like shooting 115 for target because it's cheaper then 147, which is my carry.

[SoGetThis]

FM's 124gr 9mm does seem to shoot softer than their 115gr. To some people the difference is more prominent than to others.

For a carry round I'd go with Federal HST in 124 or 147 gr though the later is very difficult to find.

[bwhited]

Blew up their guns based on no flash hole?
How does this happen?
With no flash hole the round does not fire. It is just a Failure to Fire, rack in a new round and be on your way.

I have also seen this same type of situation with reloads. Garbage plugging up the flash hole and not getting cleaned out in the reloading process. In fact, the reloading process can cause this with tumbler media plugging up the hole and the decapping pin either being broken off or pushed out of the way so that the flash hole is not cleared.

Not picking on you but just do not see this is a valid argument. Educate me if I am missing the point.

The only difference between factoy reloads and factory new is the brass. Personally, I would rather carry proven brass than factory ammo loaded with new brass. Several years back, a number of calgunners blew up their guns with factory new ammo without flash holes. At least reloaded brass is proven to work.

[Shadowhawk012]

For whats its worth, i bought freedom munitions NEW jhp, not the reloaded units.

All loads are not created equal, but within SAAMI specs, they're not too different.

I'm new to 9mm, but not reloading.

Newton's Law and all that, recoil differs, but it's my understanding that Euro 9mm is 124g and hotter than American ammo - Lapua for example.

Haven't tried it, but that's my understanding.

I have tried 147g subsonic as well as Magtec and Fiocchi 115g and the recoil wasn't too different among them.

If the specs are what I understand them to be, 124g loads @ 1100fps put the 9mm into the 38 super range of performance. I could be wrong, but it's exciting to me and I plan on reloading with this in mind once I accumulate enough published information.

Half the fun is getting there. Enjoy your journey.

Good stuff! I'll have to do more research into certain 9mm recipes once i start reloading.

For the same power floor (velocity times bullet weight) the heavier bullet will have less felt recoil. That's why 147's are popular in USPSA to meet the 125,000floor. So my 125's have to go 1,000 fps where the 147's only need to go 850fps. The difference for the major floor (165,000) is alot less recoil. Guys are running 200 gr 40S&W's going 825fps and they are much softer than 165's goin 1,000fps. Looks like a .22LR goiing off.

This is the info I was looking for. Looks like i might want to borrow a chronograph and see what FPS these are moving at. I should probably try some of the 147's to see if it makes that much of a difference, because these 124gr loads are so controllable its silly. It felt like shooting a pellet gun (which was why i was so surprised).