Since I had 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. ASYM has a blog post here explaining why this is. 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 started a thread on 1911Addicts.com asking shooters for their input on what ammo I should select for my test. Between their suggestions and my own research 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 (Price per round $0.44)
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”
ASYM Precision – Action Match – 115 grain JHP Steel Challenge (Price per round $0.44)
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 – Match Grade Handgun – 115 grain JHP (Price per round $0.80)
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 – Bill Wilson Signature Match – 115 grain Hornady HAP JHP (Price per round $0.65)
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 Signature Jacketed Match 9mm load has been extensively tested in 1911 style and other high-performance firearms and is the most accurate 115 grain 9mm ammunition available. We guarantee the Bill Wilson Signature Jacketed Match to shoot 25 yard, ten-shot groups through a fixed barrel testing device of under ONE-HALF (1/2) INCH-GUARANTEED.”
The Duty Ammo
Federal – Hi-Shok (9BP) – 115 grain JHP (Price per round $0.30)
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 – Gold Dot – 115 grain JHP (Price per round $0.48)
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 – Critical Defense – 115 grain FTX (Price per round $1.12)
I dislike Hornady ammo. It’s incredibly expensive, only sold in 25 round boxes, and I don’t like how their rounds perform in ballistics testing. Nevertheless they are a main manufacturer and there are people who do like their ammo.
Per their website: “All Critical Defense® ammunition is loaded in nickel cases for increased visibility in low-light situations. Premium low fl ash propellants deliver proven performance, even in very shortbarreled 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 – Nosler – 115 JHP (Price per round $0.77)
Known mostly for making very hot rounds Underwood is a smaller manufacturer but with a dedicated following. Unfortunately it’s only sold in lots of 20, 100, 500 or 1,000.
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.”
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Originally Posted by ISiman/oh
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