What ammo do you prefer for 9 mm?

Just curious.

I have been using 115 Grain, Blazer Brass for the past couple of months.

Just wondering about making a switch to 147 Grain 9mm ammo. I like to buy 1000-2000 at a time. All I’m seeing online is Fiocchi, Sellier and Bellot, Remington, and American Eagle. I haven’t looked into Atlanta Arms yet, but there are a few different grades.

Any experience? Any recommendations?

Is there a difference between ammo for IDPA vs IPSC or USPSA?

I’m using a Glock 19 or 34, by the way.

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Some of my favorites

https://www.sgammo.com/product/magte...mmo-magtech-9b

https://www.sgammo.com/product/speer...53616-or-53651

https://www.sgammo.com/product/selli...-fmj-ammo-sb9b

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Originally Posted by BuzzinSATX

Some of my favorites

https://www.sgammo.com/product/magte...mmo-magtech-9b

https://www.sgammo.com/product/speer...53616-or-53651

https://www.sgammo.com/product/selli...-fmj-ammo-sb9b

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Thanks for the links.

No issues with bad primers on S&B? I had issues with 357 Magnum where 5 out of 50 in each box out of a case were bad. That made me nervous.

The prices are awesome. Thanks for the links.

I see you like 124 grain. Have you ever used 147 grain? How does it compare in your opinion across the grain ranges of 115-147?


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For accuracy and practice I use GECO 124gr, really a noticeable difference at distance.

For self-defense I use only Federal 124gr HST.

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Originally Posted by CDR_Glock

Thanks for the links.

No issues with bad primers on S&B? I had issues with 357 Magnum where 5 out of 50 in each box out of a case were bad. That made me nervous.

The prices are awesome. Thanks for the links.

I see you like 124 grain. Have you ever used 147 grain? How does it compare in your opinion across the grain ranges of 115-147?


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I tend to buy 124 mostly because it generally costs the same as 115 grain and I prefer heavier bullets, all things being equal. Carry rounds are mainly 147’s, although I’m really looking at the 124 XTP in +P by Underwood. When we go hiking, as we’ve run uncomfortably close to a sounder of hogs, my wife carries a G19 loaded with these:

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.ph...t_detail&p=388

Maybe I’ve been lucky, but I’ve really never had a bad box of any brand of new, centerfire ammo, and I’ve shot several cases of S&B without a bad round. I’ve had the very rare round in several brands that simply would not go ‘bang’, but nothing more than one in a case. Chalked them up to “stuff happens” and move on. Had serious issues with reman in .40 from Freedom Munitions on a enough occasions I’m done with that brand.

My absolute favorite range ammo in 9MM is 147 grain Lawman for several reasons:

https://www.sgammo.com/product/speer...nic-ammo-53620

It’s not always in stock, and I tend to hoard it and shoot up my other stuff first, because it costs a bit more, and I’m frugal. I find it’s quite accurate and much more versatile, as a heavy JFP is a deep penetrating round, but for my range and IDPA shooting, I really don’t need better at this point. Good woods/SHTF ammo for a 9MM round.

I’ve still got several cases of misc. 115gr stuff bought during the ammo drought that I’m mostly shooting up. My newer stuff is piling up in the closet at this point...

I’m not an ammo snob, other than I really prefer to avoid steel case when possible, mainly because it’s so dirty. I basically buy a few cases of ammo every month, but these days, I only shoot a couple hundred rounds a month max, so it’s building up on me. That works, as I’m 5-8 years away from retirement, my plans are to have pretty much all the range ammo I’ll ever need for myself, wife, and grandkids bought before I quit working. I’m slowly getting there...

I guess the main reason I don’t get too hung up on ammo is I don’t really care about “MOA” in pistols as long as I can hit a 4” circle at 25-35 yards more than not, and I own and shoot a lot of different 9MM guns, from subcompacts to long frames, and all shoot differently. If I was hunting with a handgun, or had a handgun caliber carbine, and wanted the lowest MOA, I’d probably care more.

I’m just a simple guy...others probably have much better advice, and there are lots of ammo threads. Good luck,

I use the cheapest stuff i can. The federal aluminum case will easily make a-zone hits out to 25 out if my guns with me shooting, and ive yet to encounter a smaller target than that at that distance in uspsa and idpa.

Im zeroed for 147 at 25 and the poi is close enough.
If i came across more challenging targets, is switch to 147gr, and see what load shoots best.
I also carry hst and the group size is about 30% better than the aluminum. 2.5” vs 3.5” at 25yd, if i do everything right.

For practice I buy whatever is cheap. Try to stick with 124 because that's what I carry but 115 is usually easier to find. Typically avoid steel case if there is a good deal on brass but otherwise I'm not against using it. I have a variety of manufacturers stashed from when some we're offering good prices. Geco, S&B, SVS, Blazer, Fiocchi, S&B Euro contract over runs, Aguila, PPU, Magtech, German M.E.N, WWB, Brown Bear. I'm probably forgetting some. I can't remember ever having a bad round from commercial ammo except for once when a few Russian 9mm needed a second strike from a G19 but even those were few and far between.

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It seems like a good idea to have similar weight/ballistics for carry and practice ammo.

The very best carry loads tend to be the 147 grain, which close the performance gap between 9mm and larger calibers.

Specifically the federal 147gr HST is excellent.

The previously mentioned speer lawman 147 is a nice match for the HST.

Aside from that, 124gr is a good second choice and was the original design.

Whatever is cheapest! I’ve been shooting remanufactured 115 from freedommunitions with zero issues for a few years, often winning matches in the North Texas area, which has a high concentration of Master shooters.

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Originally Posted by CPM

Whatever is cheapest! I’ve been shooting remanufactured 115 from freedommunitions with zero issues for a few years, often winning matches in the North Texas area, which has a high concentration of Master shooters.

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I’ve bought and shot thousands of rounds of Freedom Munitions, new and reman. Their 9MM was flawless. The .223 was decent but dirty. The .45 was terribly dirty and threw sparks everywhere...like holding a dang sparkler. But my biggest issue was their .40. I had two kabooms and last range visit I had a squib load. Thank God it lodged in rear of the barrel so another round would not chamber...as I was shooting plates fast and never felt the difference other than I thought I’d missed the target. That last issue was with 165 reman bought a few years ago.

I started shooting FM back in 2010, and was a big fan. Great folks. I’d stop in the Houston store and buy a few cases every time I passed through that town.

But I’m disappointed with the last few lots, and their prices can’t compete with SGAmmo.com so I’m pretty much done with them




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Originally Posted by CDR_Glock

Just curious.

I have been using 115 Grain, Blazer Brass for the past couple of months.

Just wondering about making a switch to 147 Grain 9mm ammo. I like to buy 1000-2000 at a time. All I’m seeing online is Fiocchi, Sellier and Bellot, Remington, and American Eagle. I haven’t looked into Atlanta Arms yet, but there are a few different grades.

Any experience? Any recommendations?

Is there a difference between ammo for IDPA vs IPSC or USPSA?

I’m using a Glock 19 or 34, by the way.

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When I was doing a lot of IDPA, Winchester White box was always the GTG ammo in .45 and 9mm, followed by Remington, then American Eagle. I found Winchester the most trouble free, but tended to cost a tad more then the two others, and as ammo costs went crazy, I tended to buy cheapest.

I carry 147, so that’s what I shoot. Lately, I’ve been in love with Aguila 147 FMJ FP. It has a wide, flat nose, so it cuts nice round holes in the targets. This appeals to my laziness because I can score my practice targets without going downrange or moving the targets. I can clearly see the hits out to about 15-20 yrds. Its accurate enough and I have had no failures to ignite in several thousand rounds while using it. I have had some failures to lock back on an empty mag, but it occurs predictably with certain, marked mags. Zero stoppages of any sort with vetted mags. It also shoots pretty softly and makes power factor comfortably from a 4.7” barrel. No flash issues. I buy it by the case at a local dealer for a reasonable price. Its not the cheapest ammo available, but its among the cheapest brass cased 147 FMJ FP.

Almost everyone else I compete with/against brings handloads, and thats almost certainly the best option.

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Most of the 147gr stuff marketed as subsonic will make power factor through a full size gun and be more pleasant to shoot.

My recommendation would be to reload, of course.

I prefer the snap and fast-return impulse of 124/125 bullets pushed by a fast powder like Titegroup or Sport Pistol, etc.

I shot a lot of WWB 115gr before I reloaded and it's fine. It runs, but it's hot, snappy, and loud. As are most of the 115gr factory offerings.

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Originally Posted by wtturn

Most of the 147gr stuff marketed as subsonic will make power factor through a full size gun and be more pleasant to shoot.

My recommendation would be to reload, of course.

I prefer the snap and fast-return impulse of 124/125 bullets pushed by a fast powder like Titegroup or Sport Pistol, etc.

I shot a lot of WWB 115gr before I reloaded and it's fine. It runs, but it's hot, snappy, and loud. As are most of the 115gr factory offerings.

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First time I ever heard of Winchester White Box discribed as "hot" and "snappy". Most I ever hear is ....it's underpowered, fails to cycle...etc...

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Originally Posted by Arik

First time I ever heard of Winchester White Box discribed as "hot" and "snappy". Most I ever hear is ....it's underpowered, fails to cycle...etc...

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I haven't shot it in a while, it may have changed.

The bulk of my WWB shooting was of 2008-2009 vintage and it never chronoed less than 139PF for me through a G34.

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Originally Posted by wtturn

I haven't shot it in a while, it may have changed.

The bulk of my WWB shooting was of 2008-2009 vintage and it never chronoed less than 139PF for me through a G34.

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Don't know. Never chrono'd anything. I've bought them off and on since forever and they didn't feel any different than any other range ammo. However, I've read compliants upon complaints over the years of problems cycling

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AE9DP, 115g American Eagle. I’ve run it in glocks and my shadow 2 for years. Never an issue of reliability, accuracy, or chrono at bigger matches. I’ve been down the 115-124-147 match ammo rabbit hole. But ultimately I just went to a load I could always get at a great price allowing for much more practice.

CCI BLAZER BRASS 115 gr is fine with me......

Practice-Mostly 115 g WWB or Fiocci. But I will shoot anything that is brass cased from a decent manufacturer 115-147g
Carry- 124+ P Gold Dot or 147 G Bonded Golden Saber
Reload 4.3-4.4 W231/HP38 with a 124 Berry or Rainier FP.

YMMV Greatly

I use Speer Gold Dots for carry and Lawman for practice. Two reasons. It's good ammo and if ever there is a legal situation where I'm under scrutiny, it's the same stuff the Police use. Not so called "killer" ammo.

Underwood defenders or Speer gold dots.

I've been using a lot of the 115gr Federal RTP (RTP9115) ammo for 3-gun because my local gun shop usually has it in stock at a good price. I've gone through a couple cases with zero problems. I will use 147gr if there is a MGM spinner on the stage though. the 115gr just don't move it much and I'm not good enough to get multiple fast hits like the big guys. I use 124gr Speer Gold Dot in my carry gun.

I have to address my previous comment.
The accuracy difference is enough to matter.
American eagle red box, or geco is produces groups about half of the federal champion stuff.
It will only matter on far partials or headshots, but the price is about the same so I no longer recommend the champion.

My 9mm carry ammo is 124 JHP; G. D. or HST.

My range/practice and match ammo is handload with 124 gr Zero JHP and VV n320.
The combo of n320 which burns clean, and the encapsulated bullet base/no exposed lead- of the JHP, keep the Red Dot screen substantially cleaner than other combos I’ve used.
When shooting a couple hundred rds. practice session or match, this has become a consideration.

Agreed, American eagle red box

I recently did an interwebz search for accurate 9mm ammo. I forget where but Browning 147gr was mentioned as particularly accurate. I have always favored 124/125 grain bullets for my 9mm needs. I can get good velocity with a heavier bullet for knocking down steel.
Last year in my search for a load that would make an impact on a pistol spinner I did my own non-scientific test of ammo and bullets on two 8" steel plates hung back to back for extra weight. I would shoot one shot then watch to see how much swing the bullets imparted. 115 factory was the least able to get some swing going, barely moving both plates. I didn't have any 147 unfortunately. My 124 IDPA match load was a little better. Factory 124's slightly better. What ultimately led to me choosing to use my comparatively low capacity Colt .38 super was the impression it made on the steel plates. This test was purely for my own needs for a specific match.
Your own needs should dictate your choices. For paper punching any accurate bullet should do, for shoving steel around one may need more power. I never got to use my super on the pistol spinner, I timed out just as I drew my pistol but I am convinced that with good hits I could get it over with one magazine.

Thanks for tip on American Eagle red box. I'm going to try some.