9mm bullet weight/shape preference

[jyc]

What is your preference in terms of cost, availability, and performance?

I tend to shoot coated 125 gr round nose but am considering switching to 115gr for the very slight savings. Am I being a scrooge or is there little difference between the bullet weights?

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[anonymouscuban]

There is savings but its marginal. You should consider that more powder is required with lighter weight bullet. Again, marginal but you need to factor that in to get a true measure of savings.

Honestly, I think you're splitting hairs. How the bullet performs in your gun and which you shoot better should drive your decision.

You're better off waiting for sales and buying in bulk to save money. That's where you're gonna get the most bang for your buck.

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[jyc]

There is savings but its marginal. You should consider that more powder is required with lighter weight bullet. Again, marginal but you need to factor that in to get a true measure of savings.

Honestly, I think you're splitting hairs. How the bullet performs in your gun and which you shoot better should drive your decision.

You're better off waiting for sales and buying in bulk to save money. That's where you're gonna get the most bang for your buck.

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That's why I'm looking for input. Why the 124gr versus the 115gr for a general plinking load that performs well in most 9mm pistols?

Cost isn't the main focus, but an extra 75 bullets is an extra 75 bullets. It adds up over 10,000 rounds. In other words, what does the 124gr do better than the 115gr? Is it worth the slight increased expense?

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[anonymouscuban]

That's why I'm looking for input. Why the 124gr versus the 115gr for a general plinking load that performs well in most 9mm pistols?

Cost isn't the main focus, but an extra 75 bullets is an extra 75 bullets. It adds up over 10,000 rounds. In other words, what does the 124gr do better than the 115gr? Is it worth the slight increased expense?

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If all you're doing is plinking, 115g is fine. A heavier grain bullet allow one to play around with powder charge weights to lessen perceived recoil for applications like USPSA competition.

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[J-cat]

That's why I'm looking for input. Why the 124gr versus the 115gr for a general plinking load that performs well in most 9mm pistols?

Cost isn't the main focus, but an extra 75 bullets is an extra 75 bullets. It adds up over 10,000 rounds. In other words, what does the 124gr do better than the 115gr?

Penetrate stuff.

[oddjob]

OP,

What kind of shooting do you do? I shoot USPSA and like the 124/125 grain bullets. They are accurate, make USPSA power factor easily (weight times velocity), relatively inexpensive and easily obtained. The cost savings between 115 vs 124/125 is minimal and I would just go with the 124/125. You'll find more savings in which vendor you buy bullets from rather than the bullets themselves. Most vendors sell sample packs if you need them.

I've shot 124's, 130's, 135's, 147's, 150's, 160's and even 170's. I'm back to 124's. They are very accurate for my needs.

[baranski]

Have you tried 147's?

[the86d]

I used to just buy Xtreme's 124gr plated FP, but came across Acme's red lipstick rounds and their regular price is about the same as Xtreme's, with a sale, AND Vet discount combined.

I think I stuck with 124gr because they are the mid-weight, the USMC's go-to is 124gr projectiles, and they tended to knock down plates better than 115gr at my range.

I opted for their 124gr polymer coated for .38 SPL SWC and 9mm RN.
I have yet to load them as of yet.

[Cowboy T]

General purpose plinking, 115gr is just fine. As an example, we do most of our marksmanship practice with .38 Special, using a 105gr (cast) bullet and a light charge of Bullseye. Ballistically, it's the same up to at least 25 yards as the factory loads, so it's a good practice load. Makes for more range time, which is the biggest factor in improving one's marksmanship.

For "business" ammo, I'd prefer the 124's or 147's for the added penetration.

[randomBytes]

FWIW I like 124gr JHP from precision delta, been very happy with them.
When I started reloading, all my USPSA friends used and recommended Montana Gold, but I could never catch them in stock, so tried PD and have stuck with them.

I'd try 147 if I could find a JHP at reasonable price, the heavier bullets make for a less snappy recoil impulse.

[sammy]

For the best VALUE in 9mm an SNS Casting 147g, coated flat point over 4.4 grains of power pistol is simply amazing in every 9mm barrel I have tried. There is a lot of garbage bullets out there the don't properly seal. A "quality" 124 grain Zero ball keyholes in both a Glock 19 and 17 at 15 yards. These are about double the price.

https://www.snscasting.com/new-9mm-147-grain-flat-point-red-coated-1000ct/