147 9mm bullets - true or false?
- Thread starter mr00jimbo
- Start date
Well... you can probably take that advice with a grain of salt.
I've used lots of different factory 147 gr. (Remington/UMC, Federal/AE, Winchester, and Speer) with different makes of 9mm pistols and I haven't had problems. I don't believe I have found any 147 gr. hollowpoints yet though. The 147 gr. bullets that I have used have been FMJ's with a flat nose that look a bit like a .40S&W.
The hollowpoints that I have used have been 115 gr. JHP from Remington, 115 gr. JHP (+P) from Remington, and 115 gr. JHP from Fiocchi.
If Vancouver retail supplies are anything to go by, you are unlikely to run across any 147g gr. JHP's anyway.
People seem to have different views about what is more accurate and what is more reliable. One of the Range Officers at my range is an ex-British Military guy that now works in the Armoured Car industry. He is of the view that if you really want to get serious about accuracy you have to go with 147 gr. and practice with that. I myself have always had the best results, other things being equal, with 115 gr. FMJ ball ammo.But, just like golf and other finicky sports, everyone is a little different with pistol shooting.
But, in terms of 147gr. being something to avoid like the plauge, no... I think they are fine. The only difference I notice is that they kick a little harder and I tend to shoot just a little less accurately with them in my pistols (but not much).
I've used lots of different factory 147 gr. (Remington/UMC, Federal/AE, Winchester, and Speer) with different makes of 9mm pistols and I haven't had problems. I don't believe I have found any 147 gr. hollowpoints yet though. The 147 gr. bullets that I have used have been FMJ's with a flat nose that look a bit like a .40S&W.
The hollowpoints that I have used have been 115 gr. JHP from Remington, 115 gr. JHP (+P) from Remington, and 115 gr. JHP from Fiocchi.
If Vancouver retail supplies are anything to go by, you are unlikely to run across any 147g gr. JHP's anyway.
People seem to have different views about what is more accurate and what is more reliable. One of the Range Officers at my range is an ex-British Military guy that now works in the Armoured Car industry. He is of the view that if you really want to get serious about accuracy you have to go with 147 gr. and practice with that. I myself have always had the best results, other things being equal, with 115 gr. FMJ ball ammo.But, just like golf and other finicky sports, everyone is a little different with pistol shooting.
But, in terms of 147gr. being something to avoid like the plauge, no... I think they are fine. The only difference I notice is that they kick a little harder and I tend to shoot just a little less accurately with them in my pistols (but not much).
Once again, this thread underlines the enigma that is the World Wide Web!
Some (self-proclaimed) 'expert' decides to make a unilateral proclamation on what's bad (or good) and everyone exposed to this 'gift' doesn't know whether to mount it high on a pedestal to admire, or take it out in a vacant lot,defecate on it and then douse it with gasoline and set it ablaze!
I'm sitting on several 1000 rounds of factory Remington Golden Saber 147Gr. JHP as well as Federal HydraShock's....and guess what....
It functions in EVERY 9MM unit I own...Glock, CZ, SIG,Para,H&K,etc, and, in 1000's of rounds downrange, has NEVER given a functional issue that I have attributed to the ammo. And, just for s**ts and giggles, it seems to be more accurate than the other 'better' ammo I have...
If the factory 147Gr. JHP weren't so expensive, and hard to come by, I would use it EXCLUSIVELY in my firearms.
Hey..You're reading this on the Internet...It must be true!
Some (self-proclaimed) 'expert' decides to make a unilateral proclamation on what's bad (or good) and everyone exposed to this 'gift' doesn't know whether to mount it high on a pedestal to admire, or take it out in a vacant lot,defecate on it and then douse it with gasoline and set it ablaze!
I'm sitting on several 1000 rounds of factory Remington Golden Saber 147Gr. JHP as well as Federal HydraShock's....and guess what....
It functions in EVERY 9MM unit I own...Glock, CZ, SIG,Para,H&K,etc, and, in 1000's of rounds downrange, has NEVER given a functional issue that I have attributed to the ammo. And, just for s**ts and giggles, it seems to be more accurate than the other 'better' ammo I have...
If the factory 147Gr. JHP weren't so expensive, and hard to come by, I would use it EXCLUSIVELY in my firearms.
Hey..You're reading this on the Internet...It must be true!
I'll go along with Foxbat.
I've fired many 1000's of 147 gr 9mm rounds from several manufacturers in my pistols (S&W, Browning, Glock) with never a problem. I can't recall the last time I had a dud round and misfires due to dirt were my fault. As for accuracy, they are probably more accurate than I am. I find they kick less than the lighter rounds like the 115 gr FMJ.
I've fired many 1000's of 147 gr 9mm rounds from several manufacturers in my pistols (S&W, Browning, Glock) with never a problem. I can't recall the last time I had a dud round and misfires due to dirt were my fault. As for accuracy, they are probably more accurate than I am. I find they kick less than the lighter rounds like the 115 gr FMJ.
About 10 to 15 years years ago, all the gun magazines were extolling the 147 grain 9MM. It was the flavor of the day. Then it fell out of grace and got replaced by another round ( 40 S&W). Then these same magazines wrote bad reviews of the 147 grainer.
Usually, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Usually, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
I believe some of the anti-hype surrounding 147 grain 9mm ammo started with a writeup or two by folks describing less than satisfactory performance from some of the first hollow point designs used with this bullet weight. This was likely due to lesser velocities (than 115) and tougher HP's...
Someone has obviously taken this to mean that all 147 grain bullets in .355" diameter as no good, regardless of bullet style. What a freakin' retard.
In my experience, the 147 grain 9mm factory ammunition I've used is great.
Someone has obviously taken this to mean that all 147 grain bullets in .355" diameter as no good, regardless of bullet style.
What a freakin' retard.In my experience, the 147 grain 9mm factory ammunition I've used is great.
- Location
- In the clock tower!!
1000's of rounds of 147gr Remington Golden Saber through my smith, not a single stoppage.
Its a 9mm, its easy to shoot period.
Its a 9mm, its easy to shoot period.
I did a bunch of terminal ballistics testing with a number of different 9mm bullets of different weights, configurations. Without exception the 147gr 9mm JHP's performed the best. They expand and penetrate better than anything else I came across.
Self defence ammo requires both expansion AND penetration. One without the other leads to reduced performance.
Self defence ammo requires both expansion AND penetration. One without the other leads to reduced performance.
FWIW, I've put both lots (i.e thousands) of 147gr and 135gr 9mm handloads through my CZ85. Never had any problems. Mind you, I've never had to shoot at anything more dangerous than a paper target, so I can't account for the terminal ballistics. However from a functional point of view, no real problems feeding and going bang.
"147gr bullets tend to penetrate farther then 115gr and even 124gr..."
And therein lies the tale.... The 147 gr bullets were an attempt at making the 9mm a more reliable penetrating round, for LEO use against vehicle glass and people with parkas on. Perhaps this gent had bad experiences with a certain brand of ammo in a certain brand (or two) of gun, but it is an oversimplification, at best. 147 gr ammo has a place and a purpose, and you should test all self defence ammo extensively in the gun you plan on using it in, period. FWIW - dan
And therein lies the tale.... The 147 gr bullets were an attempt at making the 9mm a more reliable penetrating round, for LEO use against vehicle glass and people with parkas on. Perhaps this gent had bad experiences with a certain brand of ammo in a certain brand (or two) of gun, but it is an oversimplification, at best. 147 gr ammo has a place and a purpose, and you should test all self defence ammo extensively in the gun you plan on using it in, period. FWIW - dan
i couldn't help but notice that he mentioned the beretta 92- i've fed mine just about every bullet config you can think of over the years( it's an sb) and only ever had trouble with full wad cutter 38 158 grains( it's got a REAL sloppy 357 barrel- i miked it) -
