Gregorio K.
New member
- Location
- St. Catharines
What is the best 9mm(9x19mm) ammo available in Canada for target shooting and home defence? I mean producers and names.
The best 9mm ammo available in Canada
- Thread starter Gregorio K.
- Start date
What ever is on sale 
or better yet your reloads!
Different guns like different ammo so there is no answer to.your question. Home defense?? This is Canada - Someone brakes in you better make sure they don't trip and fall or they'll sue you!
or better yet your reloads!Different guns like different ammo so there is no answer to.your question. Home defense?? This is Canada - Someone brakes in you better make sure they don't trip and fall or they'll sue you!
As far as reliability is concerned the rule of thumb is the most expensive ammo you can afford. Competition Target shooting is likewise. Messing around just go with cheapest you can find. But test any ammo before stocking up to make sure it feeds reliably. IMO when you say home defence I think rural, and a coyote has gotten your cat or dog/ bear keeps returning to get in your garbage. In these scenarios 9mm is a useless "home defence" ammo.
Insofar as defence against burglars is concerned most seasoned gun owners will realize by the time you unlock and load a firearm (at least anything restricted) you're already dead. Locking your doors at night is my goto for home defence.
Insofar as defence against burglars is concerned most seasoned gun owners will realize by the time you unlock and load a firearm (at least anything restricted) you're already dead. Locking your doors at night is my goto for home defence.
Am I the only one who buy 9mm jhp just for practice lol I swear the paper targets at the range can tell the difference 
But seriously try some different weights some guns shoot good with 115 and other 124...or whatever is on sale. I prefer to try a new gun with a box or two of everything and then buy bulk
But seriously try some different weights some guns shoot good with 115 and other 124...or whatever is on sale. I prefer to try a new gun with a box or two of everything and then buy bulk
doesnt matter how quick u can dial 9-1-1, police cant teleport. the damage is done in 10 min or less and thats usually way before cops get there, just saying.
as for the ammo, my sigs and girsan love Blazer brass 115g or 124g and its well priced when its on sale or even regular price its pretty good bang for the buck for target shooting, otherwise i use Wartak and StacTactical which are both top notch reloads and a very low price. ive shots thousands of all those and rarely do i say any issue.
good luck
as for the ammo, my sigs and girsan love Blazer brass 115g or 124g and its well priced when its on sale or even regular price its pretty good bang for the buck for target shooting, otherwise i use Wartak and StacTactical which are both top notch reloads and a very low price. ive shots thousands of all those and rarely do i say any issue.
good luck
An interesting post I recently saw regarding match grade 9mm ammo, not sure if all are available in Canada, but again an interesting read.
I recently signed up for a new class, CSAT’s Extreme Pistol, where I’ll be shooting a pistol at 25, 50, 75 and 100 yard bulls (yes, yards not feet) I decided I wanted to use the best ammo possible. Taking a long-range class with cheap practice ammo seems like a waste of the class to me. I started researching options and quickly found there are many companies out there who claim their match ammo is the best, but I couldn't find any data supporting their claims. I certainly wasn't about to buy 500 rounds of expensive ammo without finding out which was the best bang for my buck.
Match ammo seems to be mainly centered around either 115 grain or 147 grain bullets with only a couple of manufacturers making 124 grain. I decided to go with 115 grain as I’ve never found a 147 grain round that shot well in any of my pistols.
I decided on Atlanta Arms, ASYM, Wilson Combat, and Nosler. I then got to thinking about my previous accuracy tests and how well duty ammo has performed. Given the cost of some of these match rounds if I can get the same performance from a less expensive duty round then I’d be a fool not to. To fill out the duty ammo manufacturers I went with Federal, Speer, Hornady, and Underwood. All known for making some of the best defensive rounds available.
The Match Ammo
Atlanta Arms — Elite — 115 grain JHP Match
ASYM Precision — Action Match — 115 grain JHP Steel Challenge
Nosler — Match Grade Handgun — 115 grain JHP
Wilson Combat — Bill Wilson Signature Match — 115 grain Hornady HAP JHP
I was turned onto Atlanta Arms as they make the rounds the Army Marksmanship Unit and Marine Service Pistol teams use. That’s their FMJ version though and I wanted to use JHPs across the board, which turned out to be fine. Their FMJ Match AMU accuracy requirement is 5 ten-shot groups at 50 yards with an average group size not to exceed 1.5 inches. Their JHP Match takes it a step further with the same requirements but with groups not to exceed 1.25 inches. Per their website: “This is the PPC match ammo used by the Homeland Security pistol teams, the Border Patrol Teams, and some of the best Police teams. This is also a great Bianchi Cup and Steel Challenge round averaging 1100 FPS±. Using a high quality match bullet, this is designed for extreme accuracy. Accuracy test requirement: 5 ten-shot groups at 50 yards, with an average group size not to exceed 1.25 inches. (Fired from a Match Grade barrel fixture) Minor Power Factor — 125 USE/SPORT: PPC Matches, Bianchi Cup, Steel Challenge, IDP”
Often talked about for superior accuracy ASYM was an automatic addition.Per their website: “All of our 9mm match ammo is loaded in our own match grade brass, custom made to our specifications. As with all ASYM PRECISION Ammunition, every round is chamber checked and hand inspected to ensure flawless performance. Match grade ammunition at its finest.”
Nosler - Per their website: “Loaded with a Sporting Handgun-Revolver 115 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet and Nosler Cartridge Brass To ensure our reputation for quality and consistency, powder charges are meticulously weighed and finished rounds are visually inspected and polished. Each piece of brass is checked for correct length, neck-sized, chamfered, trued and flash holes are checked for proper alignment.”
Wilson Combat - Per their website: “The new Bill Wilson Signature Jacketed Match Load delivers economical match-grade GUARANTEED Accuracy and peerless overall performance to handgun shooters looking for the practical edge over the competition. The Signature Jacketed Match uses the 115 grain Hornady Action Pistol (HAP) jacketed hollow point bullet-designed for X-Ring accuracy along with ultimate feed reliability. Low-flash, low-concussion powders and the HAP’s encapsulated base create less visible blast and smoke during shooting than a typical full-metal-jacket bullet-a great advantage in dim-light or indoor conditions. At a measured velocity of 1125 feet-per-second, the Bill Wilson Signature Match load is the ideal training or competition load for shooters seeking to achieve “Minor” power factor without excessive recoil, undue wear and tear on your handgun or impacting your accuracy.
The Duty Ammo
Federal — Hi-Shok (9BP) — 115 grain JHP
Speer — Gold Dot — 115 grain JHP
Hornady — Critical Defense — 115 grain FTX
Underwood — Nosler — 115 JHP
Federal - While not a ‘new age’ round it is well-known and I’ve seen it perform very well in other people’s accuracy tests. Per their website: “Our Classic line of ammunition has served law enforcement officers for generations. It has proven itself as a consistent, dependable performer at a reasonable price. Hi-Shok® bullets hit hard and expand reliably for effective energy transfer. You’ll find enhancements of bullets throughout our line of Classic ammunition, just as they have been for decades.”
Speer - A long time solid performer on ‘the street’ this seemed like a no-brainer to include. Per their website: “Designed to deliver the high performance today’s law enforcement officers demand. Each Speer® LE Gold Dot® bullet is individually engineered to provide shot-to-shot uniformity and ensure optimum performance when fired through a variety of barriers. The result is a cartridge that provides officers the ultimate defense in lethal force confrontations.”
Hornady - Per their website: “All Critical Defense® ammunition is loaded in nickel cases for increased visibility in low-light situations. Premium low flash propellants deliver proven performance, even in very short-barreled handguns, and won’t disrupt your vision. Reliable expansion and dependable terminal performance can be counted on for concealed carry/personal protection. Bullets are custom designed for individual loads. The most effective, consistent, and reliable concealed carry ammunition available today!”
Underwood - Known mostly for making very hot rounds Underwood is a smaller manufacturer but with a dedicated following. Per their website: “Built to the tightest tolerances for peak performance rivaling and sometimes surpassing handloads in many guns. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.”
Testing Parameters
Two shooters each shoot 5 five-shot groups with each ammo at 25 yards. To eliminate the issue of loading from slide-lock and affecting the accuracy of the first shot, each magazine will be loaded with 5 rounds of match/duty ammo with 1 round of Fiocchi 115 grain FMJ on top. That will ensure that each top match/duty round is fired under the exact same circumstance. The targets will be placed at a measured 25 yards and shooting done from a Caldwell rest. The targets themselves are a 2 inch square printed on an 8.5″ by 11″ sheet of paper. The test pistol is my new SIG Sauer P226 SAO Legion.
This turned out to be a pretty interesting experience with some results I wasn’t expecting. Given the human element I was wondering how each of us were going to stack up with the same ammo. I was concerned that one of us may shoot a great group with a particular ammo and then the other shooter’s results end up being completely different with the same ammo. After breaking down all the data from 80 targets consisting of 400 rounds I found that our groups with the same ammo averaged within a half-inch of each other.
Top 3 Performers – Smallest Group
Coming in at number 3 is Speer Gold Dots with a group size of 1.38 inches.
Number 2 is Nosler with a group size of 1.08 inches.
Number 1, with a group size of just 0.89 inches, Atlanta Arms!
Bottom 3 Performers
Coming in at number 6 is Underwood with a group size of 1.76 inches. Number 7 goes to Hornady with its best group measuring 1.99 inches. Firmly and deeply planted in last place at number 8 is Wilson Combat with a disqualification. As the second most expensive of the match ammo I had high hopes for its performance. It bombed. Neither shooter during warm-up with practice or testing had any shots off paper, except with the Wilson ammo. Three of the ten groups only had 4 shots on target and one group only had 3. Since neither of us knew what ammo we were shooting at what time and we both had rounds missing from our targets I put this sorely disappointing result squarely on Wilson Combat. Since there was no way to compensate for how badly it skewed the data it was completely disqualified.
Here is the average group size between both shooters. There’s almost a perfect correlation between the smallest group and average group size. I’m sure someone just said “duh!” but just because a certain ammo shot a small group doesn’t mean it can do it consistently. ASYM turned in the 5th smallest group but is the second most consistent.
- S. Archer
I recently signed up for a new class, CSAT’s Extreme Pistol, where I’ll be shooting a pistol at 25, 50, 75 and 100 yard bulls (yes, yards not feet) I decided I wanted to use the best ammo possible. Taking a long-range class with cheap practice ammo seems like a waste of the class to me. I started researching options and quickly found there are many companies out there who claim their match ammo is the best, but I couldn't find any data supporting their claims. I certainly wasn't about to buy 500 rounds of expensive ammo without finding out which was the best bang for my buck.
Match ammo seems to be mainly centered around either 115 grain or 147 grain bullets with only a couple of manufacturers making 124 grain. I decided to go with 115 grain as I’ve never found a 147 grain round that shot well in any of my pistols.
I decided on Atlanta Arms, ASYM, Wilson Combat, and Nosler. I then got to thinking about my previous accuracy tests and how well duty ammo has performed. Given the cost of some of these match rounds if I can get the same performance from a less expensive duty round then I’d be a fool not to. To fill out the duty ammo manufacturers I went with Federal, Speer, Hornady, and Underwood. All known for making some of the best defensive rounds available.
The Match Ammo
Atlanta Arms — Elite — 115 grain JHP Match
ASYM Precision — Action Match — 115 grain JHP Steel Challenge
Nosler — Match Grade Handgun — 115 grain JHP
Wilson Combat — Bill Wilson Signature Match — 115 grain Hornady HAP JHP
I was turned onto Atlanta Arms as they make the rounds the Army Marksmanship Unit and Marine Service Pistol teams use. That’s their FMJ version though and I wanted to use JHPs across the board, which turned out to be fine. Their FMJ Match AMU accuracy requirement is 5 ten-shot groups at 50 yards with an average group size not to exceed 1.5 inches. Their JHP Match takes it a step further with the same requirements but with groups not to exceed 1.25 inches. Per their website: “This is the PPC match ammo used by the Homeland Security pistol teams, the Border Patrol Teams, and some of the best Police teams. This is also a great Bianchi Cup and Steel Challenge round averaging 1100 FPS±. Using a high quality match bullet, this is designed for extreme accuracy. Accuracy test requirement: 5 ten-shot groups at 50 yards, with an average group size not to exceed 1.25 inches. (Fired from a Match Grade barrel fixture) Minor Power Factor — 125 USE/SPORT: PPC Matches, Bianchi Cup, Steel Challenge, IDP”
Often talked about for superior accuracy ASYM was an automatic addition.Per their website: “All of our 9mm match ammo is loaded in our own match grade brass, custom made to our specifications. As with all ASYM PRECISION Ammunition, every round is chamber checked and hand inspected to ensure flawless performance. Match grade ammunition at its finest.”
Nosler - Per their website: “Loaded with a Sporting Handgun-Revolver 115 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet and Nosler Cartridge Brass To ensure our reputation for quality and consistency, powder charges are meticulously weighed and finished rounds are visually inspected and polished. Each piece of brass is checked for correct length, neck-sized, chamfered, trued and flash holes are checked for proper alignment.”
Wilson Combat - Per their website: “The new Bill Wilson Signature Jacketed Match Load delivers economical match-grade GUARANTEED Accuracy and peerless overall performance to handgun shooters looking for the practical edge over the competition. The Signature Jacketed Match uses the 115 grain Hornady Action Pistol (HAP) jacketed hollow point bullet-designed for X-Ring accuracy along with ultimate feed reliability. Low-flash, low-concussion powders and the HAP’s encapsulated base create less visible blast and smoke during shooting than a typical full-metal-jacket bullet-a great advantage in dim-light or indoor conditions. At a measured velocity of 1125 feet-per-second, the Bill Wilson Signature Match load is the ideal training or competition load for shooters seeking to achieve “Minor” power factor without excessive recoil, undue wear and tear on your handgun or impacting your accuracy.
The Duty Ammo
Federal — Hi-Shok (9BP) — 115 grain JHP
Speer — Gold Dot — 115 grain JHP
Hornady — Critical Defense — 115 grain FTX
Underwood — Nosler — 115 JHP
Federal - While not a ‘new age’ round it is well-known and I’ve seen it perform very well in other people’s accuracy tests. Per their website: “Our Classic line of ammunition has served law enforcement officers for generations. It has proven itself as a consistent, dependable performer at a reasonable price. Hi-Shok® bullets hit hard and expand reliably for effective energy transfer. You’ll find enhancements of bullets throughout our line of Classic ammunition, just as they have been for decades.”
Speer - A long time solid performer on ‘the street’ this seemed like a no-brainer to include. Per their website: “Designed to deliver the high performance today’s law enforcement officers demand. Each Speer® LE Gold Dot® bullet is individually engineered to provide shot-to-shot uniformity and ensure optimum performance when fired through a variety of barriers. The result is a cartridge that provides officers the ultimate defense in lethal force confrontations.”
Hornady - Per their website: “All Critical Defense® ammunition is loaded in nickel cases for increased visibility in low-light situations. Premium low flash propellants deliver proven performance, even in very short-barreled handguns, and won’t disrupt your vision. Reliable expansion and dependable terminal performance can be counted on for concealed carry/personal protection. Bullets are custom designed for individual loads. The most effective, consistent, and reliable concealed carry ammunition available today!”
Underwood - Known mostly for making very hot rounds Underwood is a smaller manufacturer but with a dedicated following. Per their website: “Built to the tightest tolerances for peak performance rivaling and sometimes surpassing handloads in many guns. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.”
Testing Parameters
Two shooters each shoot 5 five-shot groups with each ammo at 25 yards. To eliminate the issue of loading from slide-lock and affecting the accuracy of the first shot, each magazine will be loaded with 5 rounds of match/duty ammo with 1 round of Fiocchi 115 grain FMJ on top. That will ensure that each top match/duty round is fired under the exact same circumstance. The targets will be placed at a measured 25 yards and shooting done from a Caldwell rest. The targets themselves are a 2 inch square printed on an 8.5″ by 11″ sheet of paper. The test pistol is my new SIG Sauer P226 SAO Legion.
This turned out to be a pretty interesting experience with some results I wasn’t expecting. Given the human element I was wondering how each of us were going to stack up with the same ammo. I was concerned that one of us may shoot a great group with a particular ammo and then the other shooter’s results end up being completely different with the same ammo. After breaking down all the data from 80 targets consisting of 400 rounds I found that our groups with the same ammo averaged within a half-inch of each other.
Top 3 Performers – Smallest Group
Coming in at number 3 is Speer Gold Dots with a group size of 1.38 inches.
Number 2 is Nosler with a group size of 1.08 inches.
Number 1, with a group size of just 0.89 inches, Atlanta Arms!
Bottom 3 Performers
Coming in at number 6 is Underwood with a group size of 1.76 inches. Number 7 goes to Hornady with its best group measuring 1.99 inches. Firmly and deeply planted in last place at number 8 is Wilson Combat with a disqualification. As the second most expensive of the match ammo I had high hopes for its performance. It bombed. Neither shooter during warm-up with practice or testing had any shots off paper, except with the Wilson ammo. Three of the ten groups only had 4 shots on target and one group only had 3. Since neither of us knew what ammo we were shooting at what time and we both had rounds missing from our targets I put this sorely disappointing result squarely on Wilson Combat. Since there was no way to compensate for how badly it skewed the data it was completely disqualified.
Here is the average group size between both shooters. There’s almost a perfect correlation between the smallest group and average group size. I’m sure someone just said “duh!” but just because a certain ammo shot a small group doesn’t mean it can do it consistently. ASYM turned in the 5th smallest group but is the second most consistent.
- S. Archer
Gregorio K.
New member
- Location
- St. Catharines
Thanks everybody for answering my questions and giving me advices. The question about a home defence was obviously asked just to tease you guys. I wouldn't even try to load my gun in case of a home invasion. The answer about 911 call was the best.
The top 9mm ammo out there from best to worst is;
9mm Luger
9mm para
9mm NATO
9x19mm
Seriously though unless you're a exepert shot you won't notice the difference between a 1moa and a 2moa ammo. Mastering trigger control and sight alignment should be your primary concern at this stage.
9mm Luger
9mm para
9mm NATO
9x19mm
Seriously though unless you're a exepert shot you won't notice the difference between a 1moa and a 2moa ammo. Mastering trigger control and sight alignment should be your primary concern at this stage.
Good write up BillD. I enjoy taking 100 pistol shots on occasion, I am usually pleasantly surprised by the result. I will have to track down some of the Atlanta Arms stuff. It would be good to have, for baseline accuracy on a new pistol.
Bigrounds8mil
CGN Regular
- Location
- Winnipeg, MB
I've taken quite a liking to S&B 9mm, works flawlessly and you get to stockpile great quality brass for reloading. Goes on sale from time to time on cases of 1000 for cheeep
The shared post OP above is fixing to do similar testing with 124gn ammo. I fell down a bit of a rabbit hole after reading the above info too; a couple other takeaways from that tumble is 1) 124 doesn't seem to be the preferred bullet weight for accuracy and 2) JHP seems to be preferred over ball for it's supposedly better aerodynamics. Both points are related to longer range pistol shooting and I use the words "seems" and "supposedly" because I haven't found any concrete testing evidence to either, just anecdotal.
