115,124,147 grain 9mm

[InspectorBob]

I am new to the shooting sport. I would greatly appreciate any insight to the differences in 115 grain, 124 grain, and 147 grain 9mm ammo as far as acurracy at the firing range. I shoot a Glock 19. Thank you for any info you give me.

[What Just Happened?]

Some people say that since the Glocks and CZ's have a tighter twist rate, you should use the 125 or 147 grain bullets.

I've not done any testing myself. I'd like to now that I'm getting into reloading, but I'm just not that good of a shot.

[ar15barrels]

The larger the number, the heavier the bullet.

[What Just Happened?]

Oh and the heavier the bullet, the less likely it will be affected by wind and other external factors (it will stay truer to it's trajectory), but heavy means gravity will affect it more. But at typical pistol distances (<40 yards) that shouldn't matter too much.

Oh and the accepted wisdom is that the heavier bullet will produce less felt recoil than a lighter bullet, both with a given power factor.

[Paradiddle]

I'm just about to start reloading 9mm for IPSC and IPDA. I've been doing a ton of reading on www.brianenos.com/forums - they have a fantastic reloading section broken down by caliber.

From what I've read this is what I've learned. The 147 was THE competition bullet a few years ago, but it seems many competitors have switched to 125 grain. This seems partially due to cost, and partially due to being able to get closer to the minor PF while still having enough recoil to operate the gun.

The majority of people who shoot Major 9mm are shooting 147 as it's more difficult to load up to major in 125 grain.

Universally most seem to poo poo the 115 grain as just too flippy for fast shooting.

With this in mind I've purchased a 125 grain lead and 125 JHP bullets to give a try.

Now - if you are purely shooting for fun, the 115s are the cheapest bullets you can buy.

Jeff

[thomasanelson]

Interesting???? I always thought heavier bullets meant slower velocity and lighter bullets meant faster velocity because of the amount of powder that could be loaded and the chamber pressures being the same for equal parts powder regardless of bullet weight.

[ar15barrels]

Interesting???? I always thought heavier bullets meant slower velocity and lighter bullets meant faster velocity because of the amount of powder that could be loaded and the chamber pressures being the same for equal parts powder regardless of bullet weight.

You have it right.
Heavier bullets don't have to go as fast to get the same power factor.

[Jicko]

G19, 4" barrel, there is almost NO WAY to make Major even with 147gr bullets.

Major/9mm, generally are shot out of G34, 5.3" or G17L, 6" barrels.

So for your G19 (which is also my IDPA/IPSC gun), you just have to stay Minor.

In general, 115s are snappy... and 147s are punchy.... accuracy wise, IMHO, they are all about the same.... it is generally how you shoot rather than the ammo.

People can talk about bullet wt. effect all they want; but the bottomline is... you got to try it out yourself (and feel them), to see how they shoot in your gun. Just get a whole bunch of different ones, and try them out. Here are my tests a while back:



And you probably will go into reloading if you are REALLY into the sport...

Personally, since I have to stay "minor", I like to load my rounds SLOW (~900fps).... my favourite is still 147 Zeros JHP, loaded with VV powder... and loaded SLOW.... to almost no recoil nor muzzle flip... with a light backward push....

[InspectorBob]

Thank you all for the input. I got some real good info from you. Very much appreciated.

[1911su16b870]

Jicko, which loading(s) were the most accurate in your tests?

[Vectrexer]

.... Just get a whole bunch of different ones, and try them out. Here are my tests a while back:

Funny,,, I did just that after I bought the P6. basically I did the one-of-everything Miwall booth. The box flaps are nice for range notes since I have yet to complete a whole box of 9mm (several boxes go to the range each time).

[Franksremote]

...Major/9mm, generally are shot out of G34, 5.3" or G17L, 6" barrels...

No reason the even think about major 9 in a Glock unless it's an open gun.
1. It's unsafe - lack of a supported chamber and loading only to factory lengths without barrel porting is asking for a KABOOM before you ever come close to major.
2. No Division recognizes 9 major except Open

You need 1331 fps from a 124gr bullet to make major (1435 from a 115gr); super hot ++P++ stuff is barely over 1150 fps in a 6" gun.

A 115gr bullet is snappier, the 147gr is pushier. 147gr minor loads are often thought to be the bee's knees. I know of no one that pushes a 147gr bullet to major even in open as the heavier bullet causes too high of a pressure spike before it makes its journey through the barrel.

YMMV, remember, any load can be shot out of a gun once...

[InspectorBob]

Please explain what is Major and Minor when used in shooting context. Again please excuse my ignorance as I am very new to this sport. Also what is meant by Open.Thank you for the info.

[ar15barrels]

Please explain what is Major and Minor when used in shooting context.
Also what is meant by Open.

Power level as determined by multiplying bullet weight x velocity and dividing the result by 1000.
Example: 230gr bullet going 850fps makes 195.5 power factor.
Minor power floor is 125 and major power floor is 165.

Limited class guns run iron sights and don't have compensators.
Open class guns can have compensators and red dot sights.

[InspectorBob]

I got alot to learn!! I need a good book. Can anyone recommend a good book on the science of shooting?