does a 147 gr 9mm+p exist?

[MJRW]

I'm thinking about changing my carry ammo on my G19 from a corbon 115 grain +p to a 125 grain +p or a 147 grain round. What I would like to find is a 147 grain +p but I can't seem to find a manufacturer of such a round.

 

[45shooter]

I have a box of 147gr +P Corbon that I got few years ago. I carry it in my Hi-Power as a backup when hunting.

 

[jc2]

I believe Georgia Arms has a 147-grain load they advertise as +P. There doesn't seem to be any real need to go to higher pressure with the 147-grain bullets. They work just fine at standard pressures. Probably the top 9x19 load right now is the 147-grain Ranger T followed by the 147-grain Gold Dot, and both are standard pressure. Just because the box says +P doesn't mean it's going to go any faster or work any better.

 

[NMshooter]

jc2 is correct. That "+P" just means higher chamber pressures, not necessarily higher muzzle velocity. Since velocity is not as crucial due to improvements in JHP design don't worry about it. The Speer Gold Dot 147 is a good choice; the only other one I would consider is the Winchester Ranger Talon, and those can be a pain to find locally.

 

[Snowdog]

I believe you'd eventually stumble upon a few +P 147gr offerings if you searched long enough, but I'll go ahead and cast my vote for the 147gr Ranger Talon.

I switched to 147gr rangers after noticing my K9s propensity towards accuracy with 147gr loads. After some informal play dough / denim tests, I was sold.

typical 147gr Ranger results after 2 layers of denim from the K9's short barrel

(from my K9) Left to right: 127gr +P+ Ranger, 147gr Ranger, 115gr +P+ G-A Gold Dot

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Heavy 9mm bullets

The heavier the 9mm bullet the more accurately it carries over a distance of 50 yards.

I helped make and sold a bunch of California Saeco 135 grain cone nose 4 cavity bullet molds for Bullseye shooters wanting a long distance 50 yard bullet. The standard 120 grain bullet really did not do well.

A flat nose SWC or Cone nose has better stopping power than the standard ogive shape lead or FMJ bullets.

 

[Gabby Hayes]

The main reason you don't see much in the way of 147gr +P is that the 9mm cartridge is already pretty short. For its size it's highly efficient, but there isn't much spare room inside to add more powder. The 147gr bullet is a tad longer than the lighter loads, and has to be seated a bit more deeply in order to keep the overall cartridge length within spec. As others have mentioned, there are already several excellent offerings in standard pressure at this weight, the Ranger T, Gold Dot and Golden Saber being among the best. Pick one of these and save both you and your pistol from the extra battering of the +P and +P+ blasters.

 

[molonlabe]

Only the ones you build. I have pushed 147gr to 1150fps. The base shows a slight bulge so I don't reload them. I save them for my M68 which is more than capable of handling them even if I get a case rupture. So given that, I won't post the load here other than to say it is a slightly slower burning powder.