Good for target use
The 147 grain ammo is often the most accurate in the 9m.m. caliber, but it is the least effective ammo. It penetrates well, but unless you are using a premium bullet, it will have an effect more like a .38 Special round than a 9m.m. It will have less expansion than the 115 or 124 grain ammo.
The FBI was the big push behind the 147 grain ammo after the fiasco in CORAL GABLES, FL when a team of agents got shot up. The blamed it on lack of penetration and started pushing the 147 grain ammo, but the 147 grain ammo from most companies is moving 100 to 150 feet per second slower than the 124 grain ammo and will expand less.
An exception to this rule is the high velocity ammo loaded by some of the boutique ammo companies and the +P versions. They about equal the velocity of the 124 grain standard pressure ammo.
The original round that caused everyone to proclaim the 147 grain as the savior of the 9m.m. for police work was a round made for the Navy SEALS and used in a sub machine gun. It had many 1 shot stops, but many of these were fired by SEALS, not your average shooter. It was reported to be frequently used for head shots as well.
This particular round rarely, if ever expanded and had the hollowpoint to enhance accuracy.
Jim