What weight slug for 9mm?

[oldcoot]

Have reloaded for over 50 years, Just decided to reload for the 9mm, Could use some advice on what weight slug to load. thanks in advance

 

[hardheart]

124 is standard

 

[Skgreen]

115, 124, and 147 are the most prevalent.
115 and 124 are my usual faves.

 

[Charlie98]

The best bullet weight is the one you can find on the shelf these days... ...but, as was mentioned, 115 and 124grn are the generic bullet weights. I used to like 147's, but not so much anymore... with faster powders the pressures can spike if you don't watch your OAL and bullet seating depth.

 

[.308 Norma]

I like cast 147s.

 

[fxvr5]

What type of shooting will you be doing?

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I prefer 147 or 124.

 

[Average Joe]

The 9mm was designed around the 124 grain projectile.

 

[Walkalong]

I mostly shoot 124s these days, while I used to shoot nothing but 115s because they were cheaper. But I also like to load 90/95 Gr JHPs at high velocity for pistols.

My "plinker" load is a 124 at 1050ish from a 5" 1911 barrel with a fast pistol powder.

 

[BLACKFIN]

115 for plinking, 124 for range/self defense, 147 for self defense

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

I mostly use 124gr for range.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I used to load 115s just because I had a ton of them. But now 124 is my favorite. No real reason, except they feel nice in my 9s.
If I wanted to stay sub-sonic, I’d use 147.

 

[jmr40]

I don't load for 9mm, but until things got crazy could easily pick up 115 gr FMJ factory loads for around $8/box of 50. If 124 gr were available at anywhere near that price I'd buy some of those given the option. I prefer 124 gr, but for range use the 115's at such a cheap price is close enough. I have enough put back to get me through for a while.

For defensive purposes I've traditionally carried 124 gr HP loads at around 1250-1300 fps. But the 147 gr weight has my attention. The FBI seems to think that a147 gr bullet @ around 1000 fps is the best option. And I've seen the 147 gr hardcast bullets be very effective stopping large predators. When gun and ammo supplies get back to normal I may move to 147 gr for defensive use.

 

[sfl_gunner]

115 or 124 for me. I tried 90 and didn’t particularly care for it.

 

[Dudedog]

My pistols prefer 124/125s over 115s.
They like 147s better than 115s also.
Partly a matter of feel 115/124/147 but your guns may like one better than another of may not care.
95 or 100s can be fun loaded light for new shooters or cranked up to MAX for fast vels.

For a start some 124 MPRs or 124 MatchWinners from RMR would be a good choice. (may be back ordered but they will ship when they get them made, made in house by Rocky Mountain Reloading-RMR)
RMR offers THR members a 5% discount with a code.

My "plinker" load is a 124 at 1050ish from a 5" 1911 barrel

I am a little slower 1030-1040, but a 124 at that vel makes nice range fodder/match ammo.

edit: Fix typos, was having an I can't type day...

 

[wgf]

Does any weight seem to have an accuracy edge? Feed better? Or are those characteristics more of a shape factor?

 

[Demi-human]

With a handle like Old Coot, and looking for slugs, I was hoping to see a Flobert...

I prefer the 125 grain HAP from Hornady.

 

[lordpaxman]

My preference order is 147, 124(125), 115. The competition crowd I shoot with favors 147s with a fast powder for a lower felt recoil, but they can be loaded to SD or hunting loads with a slower powder.
The gun(s) will tell you what they prefer, but I’ve found a slightly different POI may occur with different weights. It may or may not be important depending on your range and intended use. I prefer to carry with the same bullet weight I train with the most, but that’s just me. Good luck!

 

[kerreckt]

I like 95gr JSP for my SD load. Minimal fear of over penetration (always a concern) and quick to get back on target. Other than that, I like 115 and 124's. My PC9 really likes the 124's. I carried 115 and 124 until I discovered the 95's for SD. I shoot better with the 95's. Quick and accurate. You need to see what work best for you.

 

[Otto]

Since you use the term "slug" I assume you cast. Are you looking to buy a mold or bullet? If it's the latter, you should expect extended wait times.

 

[fxvr5]

Does any weight seem to have an accuracy edge?

Accuracy is, generally, a specific bullet combined with specific gunpowders. Bullseye shooters lean toward specific 115 grain bullets, but others are also using 124/5 and 147 grain, so it's hard to nail down based on just weight. A competitor, Doug Koenig, prefers 110 grain JHP bullets, and has even started his own line of products available at Atlanta Arms. Most 9mm bullets mentioned on the Bullseye website (https://www.bullseyeforum.net/) are made by Hornady and Zero, and are JHP designs. JHP and JFP tend to be more accurate than RN designs, but it depends on which bullets you compare.

Feed better? Or are those characteristics more of a shape factor?

Shape and OAL.

 

[mdi]

When I start reloading for a new to me cartridge, I usually go with the bullet design and weight that the cartridge/gun was designed around. For 9mm I started with 124 gr FMJ and soon went to 124/125 gr JHP. Tried 115 and 147, but my 4 pistols all work quite well with 124 gr JHPs...

 

[AK Hunter]

For target plinking 115 gr & for personal protection 147gr

 

[snuzzo29]

I like to load 124gr for range ammo. I'll load 115gr as well when I cant find 124gr bullets.