Going to buy 1000 rds of 9mm...which to get

[whatever]

I'm about to pull the trigger (no pun intended) on 1000rds of FMJ practice ammo for my PM9. I want it to be 124gr ammo as that is what I plan on carrying. It's hard to find 124gr in stock locally, so I'm going to buy online in bulk.

I've narrowed it down to the following choices - your info is appreciated:
1. Fiocchi Truncated FMJ - $239
2. Speer Lawman - $239
3. Federal American Eagle - $279

I'm leaning toward the Speer Lawman as I use the Speer Gold Dots as my carry ammo, but I'm not married to it at all.

Any experience with any of these? Which would you suggest?

 

[valorius]

The Fiocchi will most likely be loaded much hotter than the other two. Euro pistol ammo typically is loaded much hotter than US ammo, all across the board.

 

[joeq]

If you carry the gold dots I would go with the speer lawman. It's supposed to give near identical recoil as the gold dots. Should be perfect for training. I've shot both the lawman and the American eagle. They both performed well for me. I haven't shot any Fiocchi ammo. I wouldn't pay 40 dollars more for the American eagle.

 

[jfrey]

+1 on the lawman ammo.

 

[BigDeesul]

I wouldn't go with any of those. I'd go with Sellier and Bellot. Check out Sportsman's Guide. They have the best prices, and very fast shipping.

 

[Manco]

Since you use Gold Dots, you might as well use the ballistically-matched Speer Lawman. There's no reason not to because it's good stuff (as are the other two, but you have to choose). I use it quite a bit myself, and have had no issues with it.

 

[valorius]

That fiocchi truncated cone has the side benefit of being loaded to +P like velocities though, and would make an excellent trail defense or SHTF round, as well as a great practice round.

 

[Chicken-Farmer]

Missouri Bullet Company 125gr Small Ball bullets: $55.00 per thousand
Small Pistol Primers: $35.00 per thousand
Bullseye pistol powder: $20 per pound. (if loaded to 3.5 grains of powder, enough powder for 2000 rounds!)
9mm Brass: $45 per 1,000 easily found on Gunbroker.

Grand Total:$155 and a leisurely afternoon spent reloading. Even if you have to purchase a reloading press the cost savings justify the savings.

Chicken-Farmer

 

[Nasty]

Buy and evaluate 100 of each *before* placing your bulk order. If you get a tie, select the cleanest of them.

Then buy the one that functioned 100% with the best accuracy.

 

[Lucky Derby]

lawman

 

[Manco]

The Fiocchi will most likely be loaded much hotter than the other two. Euro pistol ammo typically is loaded much hotter than US ammo, all across the board.

Like everything else, it can vary by the specific caliber or load, though. Looking up the published specs, we get:

1. Fiocchi Truncated FMJ - 1200 fps
2. Speer Lawman - 1090 fps
3. Federal American Eagle - 1150 fps

However, the Fiocchi load is tested out of a 5" barrel while the others are tested out of a 4" barrel, which probably puts it about even with the Federal load. I'm kind of surprised that the Speer load is so light because the .40 S&W Lawman loads are among the hottest practice loads for that caliber, which I primarily shoot. I guess the same is not true of 9mm. See what I mean about variances among calibers and loads?

For comparison, the standard-pressure Speer Gold Dot 124 grain load has a muzzle velocity of 1150 fps (coincidentally equal to that of the Federal practice load), and the +P Gold Dot load is at 1220 fps.

 

[oldbear]

I have been very happy with the all of the Fiocchi 38 special and .357 ammo I have used. Never had a chance to Crono. any of it but it does not "feel" any hotter than the Speer Gold dot ammo

 

[valorius]

1. Fiocchi Truncated FMJ - 1200 fps
2. Speer Lawman - 1090 fps
3. Federal American Eagle - 1150 fps

I would think that 1200fps for a 124gr is +P type velocity.

 

[Manco]

I would think that 1200fps for a 124gr is +P type velocity.

It's only 50 fps faster than the Federal load, which could very well be entirely accounted for by the extra inch of barrel length used to measure the velocity of the Fiocchi load. If you shoot the Federal load through the same 5" barrel, then I bet that it would get up to about 1200 fps at standard pressure, too. Such effects are typical, as you can see at the following page:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/9mmluger.html

That said, the Fiocchi load is less expensive, of equal quality, and has truncated-cone bullets that I also favor over round-nosed bullets, so it would be a good choice. It's just not necessarily higher-performing despite the published specs because it's not measured equally. The +P Gold Dot load has a muzzle velocity of 1220 fps, but that's out of a 4" barrel and would be even faster out of a 5" barrel.

 

[Silvanus]

I've had nothing but good luck with Fiocchi ammo in several different calibers. Since it's usually also reasonably priced, that's what I'd choose.

 

[MikeNice]

Depending on the gun you might need to test the Fiocchi for feeding issues. I have seen a few cheaper guns have issues with the truncated bullet.

 

[HappyHunting]

I shoot loads of Fiocchi and I get much better groups than Wolf and WWB with a 4 inch barrel. Can't speak for the others though.

The best round is the one that will go bang instead of click when you expect it to... and vice-versa.
HH

 

[Guns and more]

I thought Speer lawman was +P.

I wouldn't go with any of those. I'd go with Sellier and Bellot.

Me too. Except I'd shop Natchez or Cabelas first for fast service.
I also like PMC Bronze a lot.

 

[Mags]

Just go to Wal-mart and get 20 boxes of Federal Champion red box for 180 bucks.

 

[Manco]

Depending on the gun you might need to test the Fiocchi for feeding issues. I have seen a few cheaper guns have issues with the truncated bullet.

That's one of the things I actually like about truncated-cone or any flat-nosed type of bullet--it might help reveal reliability issues that a particular gun has with hollow-point bullets used for defense. Obviously this is neither necessary nor desirable in a range-only target pistol, but it's ideal for defensive pistols.

I thought Speer lawman was +P.

Evidently, some of the Speer Lawman loads are as hot or even hotter than defensive loads, while others are kind of wimpy for some reason. Only the 158 grain .38 Special load is +P.

Just go to Wal-mart and get 20 boxes of Federal Champion red box for 180 bucks.

The OP can't find any 124 grain target loads in stock locally.

 

[whatever]

I went ahead and bought 100 lawman rounds, 100 fiiocchi rounds, and I picked up 100 winchester ranger rounds. Whichever performs best will be what I buy in bulk. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Manco]

I went ahead and bought 100 lawman rounds, 100 fiiocchi rounds, and I picked up 100 winchester ranger rounds.

I've seen a lot of Winchester Ranger FMJ ammo on the market lately. I read that California couldn't pay for all the practice ammo they ordered, so now it's getting dumped on the general market. They have no FMJs for training? Let them shoot JHPs!

 

[ShootALot523]

Has anyone shot the winchester 147 FMJ encapsulated and the winchester Ranger FMJ? I shoot the 147 but was curious how the Ranger shoots. Also, does the Speer Lawman run clean?

 

[TriTone]

I've shot all three. I would go with the fiocchi or the lawman. I dislike the american eagle.

If you're going to be shooting indoor, go wit the lawman, it is loaded with non toxic primers and TMJ bullets.

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

If its for practice you should be able to get Winchester white box 100cnt for 19.95 a box at wally world. Take that times 10 and you got 199.50. If it must be 124grn get the Speer.