Best defense load for 9mm?

[Bill92869]

Trying to get a .45 for defense but the budget is weak. So for the mean time I will have to rely upon the old Ruger P89 in 9mm. Having been away form the sport for some 16 years I have not kept up with the trends of the day on ammo choices for it. When I was last involved in the sport the 9mm was overshadowed by the new 10mm and 40 cal. Some efforts were made to make the 9mm competitive such as heavy (147 gr) and slow bullet which I think was at that time a law enforcement only load. I used to load a 90 gr JHP with Blue dot until it screamed. So what do the guru's preach today for the 9mm? Looking for reliable (subjective) stopping power. I will continue to wish for a .45, but until then.........

[Adonlude]

I don't have specific information but popular hollow points I hear alot about are Winchester Ranger SXT (modern better Black Talon) and Speer GDHP. I personally use and like Remington Golden Saber in my .40 and 9mm as they are generally cheaper yet highly regarded. Pick up some +P's in any of these and badguys beware.

[mvpatriot]

+1 for the sxt

[calidefector]

Remington Golden Saber. I've seen a 9mm Golden Saber ruin the entire back quarter of a deer, leaving a massive wound cavity while taking out the mechanics of the hip.

An inexperienced hunter I know also learned never to chase a fresh shot buck into the brush.

[cleanguy46]

Remington Golden Saber. I've seen a 9mm Golden Saber ruin the entire back quarter of a deer, leaving a massive wound cavity while taking out the mechanics of the hip.

An inexperienced hunter I know also learned never to chase a fresh shot buck into the brush.

Wow.....but the question is why would someone shoot a deer with a 9mm? Little inhumane and illegal unless it was a backup and his life was in danger.

[duck814]

Ranger T or HST in 147 is ideal imo

[Gryff]

Federal HST or Winchester Ranger SXT have both shown to open up nicely (or ugly, depending how you view it) and get appropriate penetration.

[SCMA-1]

If I'm carrying a 9, it's loaded with Ranger Talon (127gr SXT).

SCMA-1

[kato4moto]

You may wish to read the AR15.com article on self-defense ammo choices here: http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_De..._FAQ/index.htm

[Weasel]

I've heard good things about Cor Bon 115 grain JHP +P rounds...

[E. Fudd]

Winchester Ranger T 127 gr. +p+ JHP
Winchester Ranger T 147 gr. JHP
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr. +P

[pepsi2451]

Wow.....but the question is why would someone shoot a deer with a 9mm? Little inhumane and illegal unless it was a backup and his life was in danger.

Its hard to hold a spotlight and a rifle at the same time.

[cleanguy46]

Its hard to hold a spotlight and a rifle at the same time.

Right!......Kinda like using dynamite for fishing huh? Funny!

[calidefector]

Wow.....but the question is why would someone shoot a deer with a 9mm? Little inhumane and illegal unless it was a backup and his life was in danger.

Quoting my original post: "An inexperienced hunter I know also learned never to chase a fresh shot buck into the brush."

The buck was already shot and the inexperienced hunter didn't listen to me about giving the deer time to expire, and in his excitement he took off running into the brush right to it. He walked upon the deer and it stood up and in his mind, it was going to charge him. Scared, he drew his sidearm, and ruined a good part of the meat.

Even if it was the first shot, while I wouldn't personally hunt deer with a 9MM, it wouldn't have been illegal. CA DF&G 353(c) states "Pistols and revolvers using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles may be used to take deer, bear, and wild pigs." The limit on barrel lengths in (d) which states the barrel length has to be 4 inches only pertains to elk and bighorn sheep. Technically, one could use a .25 ACP for hunting deer, bear, and wild pigs as long as it had "softnose or expanding projectiles". But, I personally wouldn't recommend it and it would most likely lead to one becoming a potential Darwin Award candidate.

[Jonathan Doe]

I have seen all the premium duty type ammo from big name manufacturers perform well. However, when the bullet strikes a hard object or a bone before hitting the target, the performance is not guaranteed. I have seen the hollow cavity plugged up with clothing material, piece of wood, drywall material etc., and go through the body.