115g or 124g for 9mm?

[Canuck44]

The 1 in 10 twist favours the 124gr/125gr bullet for accuracy. The 147 gr bullet was originally brought into production to provide the US Army with a sub sonic round to be used in their suppressed guns. If you are not a competitor or have a special need for a specific bullet design do what others have said and buy what ever is cheaper and plink away.

Take Care

Bob

 

[Meroh]

All home loads, 124. Cast lead round nose shoot really well, but lately I am using CamPro copper plate hollow points (they make a nice clean hole in the paper).

 

[thegazelle]

You realize that the only thing "in spec" is most likely the weight. Not the actual bullet, not the brass, not the powder not the performance etc

Exactly. And I have found over time, with firearms' mating of certain ammo, the old adage of "your mileage will vary" rings true. Some guns just for, whatever reason, seem to like and work well with certain ammo more than others, irrespective of the skill of the shooter. What one person finds which may be optimum (even if the ammo manufacturers indicate such) would yield different results for another person, even if they have the same gun. Over time each person will find what works for them and their gun.

I have guns for whatever reason will work better with Winchester white box ammo, even though for the majority of my guns, WWB does not perform well in terms of accuracy. So I think in terms of grains and weight, the answer may be "depends", and there is not really one single right answer, since there are many variables at play.

 

[DanRR]

HI; 115- more flash and blast, higher velocity.
124- less blast, still good accuracy, pleasant to shoot.
147- faster recovery time while still making power factor for IPSC shooting
124 for shooting for fun and reloading,
I got my sun glasses on so fire away!

Right on.
I wanted to verify that, so I took my neighbor to the range.
He had never holded a pistol in his hands.
I loaded 3 mags (each marked) with 115, 124 and 147's.
I mixed the mags, marks down and handle them to him random.
I put aside each empty mag, marks down.
When finished, I asked him which was the more comfortable for him to shoot.
He said they are exactly placed that way on the table.
I turned the mags and, out of luck, they were 115, 124 and 147.

I agree with what VICIOUS said; 147 for fast recovery and less recoil, but, pricewise, I'll buy 124's.

 

[nitroxace]

I use either 115 or 124. I bought lots of each a few years ago when it was 189.00 for a 1000 rounds.

 

[thegazelle]

I use either 115 or 124. I bought lots of each a few years ago when it was 189.00 for a 1000 rounds.

Wow, how times have changed...lol...I recently went to the LGS and thought I was getting a deal on Syntech 124gr when I got 500 rounds for $189.99 (it is a deal compared to other retail outlets having them for $27.00 or more for a box of 50). But even right now, most regular FMJ 50 round boxes of 9mm 124 gr. are running around $18.99 a box.

 

[BigRobb]

Wow, how times have changed...lol...I recently went to the LGS and thought I was getting a deal on Syntech 124gr when I got 500 rounds for $189.99 (it is a deal compared to other retail outlets having them for $27.00 or more for a box of 50). But even right now, most regular FMJ 50 round boxes of 9mm 124 gr. are running around $18.99 a box.

Reloading 9mm is becoming more viable with every increase. The primers and powder may have gone up a couple of bucks, but the bullets themselves are still cheap. Especially if you cast.

 

[Canuck44]

Reloading 9mm is becoming more viable with every increase. The primers and powder may have gone up a couple of bucks, but the bullets themselves are still cheap. Especially if you cast.

Right now I can shoot my 9MM cheaper than I can my 22. I cast my own. Primers and powder right now are expensive due to shortages from demand in the US. Reloading equipment is expensive. Happens every time the Democrats win the Whitehouse it seems.

Take Care

Bob

 

[Scotty454]

It depends... On a bunch of stuff. Lol.

So in factory pistols I prefer 147 grain. Feels a bit softer recoiling. But I reload, so it's actually cheaper to run a heavier bullet with less powder behind it (The savings on powder more than offset the slightly more expensive bullet). Factory 147s are so much more expensive than 124s or 115s that to me it wouldn't be worth the extra cost, if I were to be buying factory ammo. But as far as the difference between 115 and 124 grain factory 9mm, there isn't a whole lot. I'd buy whatever is cheaper/available.

In my ported "race" gun, I run lighter bullets (124s right now), so that I can load more of a slower powder, end up with more gas, and utilize the ports better. Gas volume is much less relevant if you're not running a compensator or have a ported barrel.

 

[Revv]

If they are all priced the same I would use the heaviest available. However I'm not going to pay a premium for 147 over 124 over 115. YMMV.

I tend to agree, since all I'm doing is punching paper with it. Generally that means I'm picking up 115 or 124gr when on sale, whichever is cheaper. If you wanna talk brands usually I'm shooting federal or S&B (tends to be a little hotter), however a few months back, I picked up a bunch of Remington for fairly cheap.. generally I'm not picky, but I tend to stick with brass cased for 9mm, not sure why I haven't tried steel or aluminum cased.. but I might start going that way as prices continue to climb.