9mm 127gr +P+ Ranger shooting results

[QuietShootr]

Unfortunately, I had to shoot a dog that attacked my wife two days ago. This thread is not about the merits of dog shooting but the performance of the ammunition.

The gun was a Glock 19, and the dog was approximately 50#. The first two shots were fired as a hammer, from above into the dog's back at a range of about two feet, and the third was fired transversely through the brain when the dog failed to release its grip on my wife's leg.

The first two bullets remained inside the dog and were not recovered. The third bullet completely penetrated and exited the skull, leaving a dent in the tile floor. There was a complete core separation, leaving the jacket lying on the floor next to the dent, and the core was recovered lying on a desk approximately six feet away (apparently it bounced off the floor with just enough energy remaining to loft it over to the desk).

The dog was more or less DRT after the first two shots, but when he refused to relinquish his grip I decided a head shot was indicated. He still had to be pried off my wife's leg even after the brain was destroyed.

I'm a little curious/concerned that the first two rounds did not exit. I didn't take measurements, but a 50# dog is not THAT thick in its vertical aspect. It would be interesting to know if those rounds experienced core separation as well.

I'm now considering the 147gr Ranger, and perhaps the new bonded 127gr +P+ Ranger as well. I think I'd like a little more penetration than what I got.

Opinions, Doc?


Wife is ok, btw. Broken toes and puncture wounds, but ok.

[KhanRad]

I'm now considering the 147gr Ranger, and perhaps the new bonded 127gr +P+ Ranger as well. I think I'd like a little more penetration than what I got.

Looks like you got to experience handgun terminal effects first hand. I'm glad that your wife is not too badly injured, a strong dog bit can do quite a bit of damage. I've shot my share of dogs. The only dog I've shot that dropped quickly on the first shot was with a .308 155gr AMAX. Myself, and other officers using 9mm, .40, and .45 have not dropped dogs on the first shot unless it was in the head or a flank shot through the heart and lungs.

I would go with the 147gr loading. There is no need for the 127gr load other than for those who feel more confident using a 9mm load that makes a bigger boom, "feels" like it does more damage due to recoil, and/or want to shoot through steel. I am issued 124gr+P Gold Dots, but I prefer the heavier standard pressure 147gr loading.

I guess the energy dump and pressure wave of that 127gr+P+ load didn't knock the dog on its ass?

[BullittBoy]

I have an absolutely different story of the same ammo and similar dog attack.
I was walking my dog and took my P7M8 and Ranger 127+P+ loads.
We made it 100 yards from my house when I noticed two dogs about 50 yards away with no leashes and no dog collars on them.
They approached my dog at a rapid pace and started growling.
I grabbed her and sat on top of her as I didn't want her to get bit and to keep her still.
I pulled out the P7 with my other hand and took a bead on the lead dog as the other dog started to circle around the side of me.
I pulled the trigger and heard "click"-the worst sound ever. I then realized I was using this for a nightstand gun and forgot to chamber it.
I did a tap rack and put it on his chest and pulled the trigger. He did a complete flip backwards and started howling loudly. The other dog froze and I swung around to him-he freaked out and ran over to his buddy as the first dog expired.
All this took about 20 seconds from start to stop. I went back the next morning and the bullet started on left front shoulder and exited in the right rear hindquarters.
It was close to dark and I retreated back to the house with my dog as I thought someone would call the cops but they didn't.
The bullet performed for me.

[gun71530]

Glad to hear that your wife is ok.

[QuietShootr]

I don't think I'm going to dump it. It worked fine - I was just surprised that it didn't exit the thorax. It expanded perfectly, and the jacket separation is incidental, I guess. I'd prefer it if it was bonded, but you really can't argue with the results.

[Fail-Safe]

A couple of years ago, I was just getting in to shooting water to see what pistol bulletss did. Zhukov and I were at an event when I shot a 127gr +P+ Ranger Talon into some jugs. It didnt fragment, and the core didnt separate, but it grossly over-expanded and only penetrated into the second milk jug.

I took some pictures of it, but lost them. I gave the bullet to Zhukov, but I dont know what ever became of it.

[Jake'sDad]

I guess the energy dump and pressure wave of that 127gr+P+ load didn't knock the dog on its ass?

[Jake'sDad]

Looks like you got to experience handgun terminal effects first hand. I'm glad that your wife is not too badly injured, a strong dog bit can do quite a bit of damage. I've shot my share of dogs. The only dog I've shot that dropped quickly on the first shot was with a .308 155gr AMAX. Myself, and other officers using 9mm, .40, and .45 have not dropped dogs on the first shot unless it was in the head or a flank shot through the heart and lungs.

I've been on warrants where guys have shot dogs, (sometime for no good reason if you ask me..), and it took multiple .223's or multiple .38's/9mm's to put them down. Pretty horrific scene. Not good memories.

[Generalpie]

Nobody told dogs they are supposed to stop when shot. I've seen some drop like stones and others just run around yelping. Nearly all of them have stopped attacking or threatening when they happened so I guess it worked.

Only one I have had to shoot and that was with a 62 grain TBBC .223 and that worked as would be expected. It is never the dogs fault and I always feel bad when it has to happen. It is a shame all around.

Glad your wife is OK.

[BufordTJustice]

I'm glad your wife is okay.

I wonder if the core-jacket separation happened due to impact with the floor as opposed to encountering the dog's skull.

Most benefits of the jacket's expansion largely disappear if the core separates from the jacket while in the body.

I have had good experiences with small FL feral hogs using GDHP 124gr +P, HST 124gr +P and now HST 147gr +P.

I've never personally experienced a core-jacket separation with the HSTs, despite their non-bonded construction.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Please give your wife our best wishes.