9mm...115 vs 124 vs 147

**Walleye Hunter** · March 10th, 2019, 07:20 PM

Which do you use for target practice? Is one any better than the other?

ETA: Forgive me if this is a beaten horse, I did look and didn't find anything on it.

**DucatiRon** · March 10th, 2019, 07:40 PM

I've recently switched to 147's. I think they have a definitely different recoil impulse then 125's. Mine are loaded to just above IDPA power factor. About 880 FPS. About 8 out of 10 people agree with me that 147's are nicer to target and competition shoot with.

**Yoder** · March 10th, 2019, 08:11 PM

I've shot thousands of all three. I don't think one is more accurate than the other. Also I couldn't tell the difference between 115 and 124 gr by recoil. I would load a mag with both and they both felt exactly the same. 147's I noticed a big difference in felt recoil. I think there is less muzzle rise and I think I can get back on target faster. If you aren't worried about speed or felt recoil I would save some money and just shoot 115 gr.

**DucatiRon** · March 10th, 2019, 08:18 PM

He's getting ready to not be reloading. He can save money and recoil.

**Carson** · March 10th, 2019, 08:39 PM

I carry a .40 on duty. And lately a Glock 43 off duty. Our 9mm duty Ammo I believe is 147’grain, but I always had 115 or 124 so that is what I buy, especially to introduce new shooters. I have read about the lighter faster vs. the slower heavier bullet, but I can’t tell any great difference. Usually just get a case of a name brand that is the least expensive.

**TooBigToFit** · March 10th, 2019, 08:43 PM

I shoot 147gr, both range and carry. I think it's less flippy, and it performs nicely when shooting suppressed.

I load my range ammo (with Ron's bullets) to around 910 FPS. My factory new ammo is usually American Eagle 147gr flat point since it goes on rebate several times a year. Carry ammo is 147gr standard pressure Federal HST.

**djeuch** · March 10th, 2019, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by TooBigToFit

I shoot 147gr, both range and carry. I think it's less flippy, and it performs nicely when shooting suppressed.

I load my range ammo (with Ron's bullets) to around 910 FPS. My factory new ammo is usually American Eagle 147gr flat point since it goes on rebate several times a year. Carry ammo is 147gr standard pressure Federal HST.

Identical here. I buy 147gr exclusively now, in usually large quantities in the same configuration (147 gr HST and 147 gr American Eagle flat nose). I shoot it both suppressed and unsuppressed in a variety of firearms.

**wanneroo** · March 10th, 2019, 09:11 PM

Having shot tens of thousands or more of 9mm, lately I have tended to prefer 147g. One issue I ran into at IDPA matches was the 115g bullets had a hard time knocking steel down to trigger flip targets and such and I tend to load my 115g towards the hot side as well. Didn't have as much issue with 124g or 147g.

But 115 is fine for plinking at home.

**R L Suehr** · March 10th, 2019, 09:48 PM

I try to shoot 124's, because I carry 124's. I have a pile if 115gr factory ammo laying around, so I shoot those when I'm out of anything else.

**Handyandy** · March 10th, 2019, 10:48 PM

I like 124 gr, it's a good middle ground for speed and power between the 115 and 147. If you can get nato spec, it's almost like 124+p at about 1100 fps. Most euro made 124 is nato spec, or Winchester has their nato line (nice stuff with sealed primers too, much cleaner than wwb) Definitely more snappy than the 147, maybe slightly less so than 115. I carry the 124+p hst though (faster for better bloom?) so I figure try to match that while training.