Any opinions on 147gr vs 124gr+P? There's a thread in Billy Bob's section about Speer 147gr at a good price, but I don't understand why 147gr is popular. Comparing Speer-to-Speer, their 147gr generates 326 pounds energy at the muzzle, while their 124gr +P puts out over 400 pounds.

Why would you want the 147gr over the 124gr+P? Seems to me, if you compare knock-down power, the 124gr should be better. Is the 147 better against barriers? Better penetration?

I’d guess penetration. Lighter bullets traveling faster lose velocity faster in tissue and don’t penetrate as deeply. Also, recoil is most likely less with the 147 grain.

But the lighter bullet has nearly 100 pounds more energy to start with, so I'm not sure. I should look for a Youtube video, maybe somebody already did a comparison test. I prefer answers here on SigForum, I trust them more, though.

Thanks for the reply.

Lucky Gunner did a comparison test:

https://www.luckygunner.com/la...ballistic-tests/#9mm

As far as ballistic gelatin, there was little difference between the two or any of the other Gold Dot models. I've read that heavier bullets carry more momentum and therefore are better for shooting through barriers.

Thanks for that Lucky Gunner link, iron chef, I'll read it tonight. There were no Youtube videos that I could find comparing the two rounds (or any similar rounds by other manufacturers, either).

Ammo Quest/ShootingTheBull is a good one to watch for comparisons, although his emphasis is on performance out of short barrels.





He has a blog too.
https://shootingthebull.net/bl...mmo-test/ammo-quest/

Heavier projectiles tend to penetrate hard barriers better than lightweight projectiles that are traveling faster.

Additionally since the 147 grain projectiles are subsonic they suppress better than the 124 +Ps

I use 147gr in short barrels like an Sig P365. Just my thinking is that a short barrel isn’t going to take advantage of the higher velocity of a lighter bullet.

Generally speaking, 147's tend to be "easier shooting" (recoil, snap, blast) which can be a factor for some folks.


Someone might choose the 147's for more penetration, say you live way up north and come winter targets have a lot more layers on.

I like bigger heavier bullets personally. Got a great deal on some 147 +P so that’s what I’m running now.

What brand? How much and where did you get it?

A while ago, like 20 years ago, I tested a lot of different self defense ammo in my P229. As a result, I carry 124gr +P most of the time, when humans are the most likely predator I might have to stop. When animals may be an issue, such as back country camping, I carry 147gr +P due to slightly better penetration.

For me, the 124gr +p shoots more accurately in terms of matching my sight height. For humans, a psychological stop is generally likely, and the penetration is enough for typical humans. For animals, there is no psychological stop expected, so penetrating potentially deeper bodies is primary.

Lighter projectiles tended to fragment and not penetrate as well.

But something I've learned with age is that technology changes. I'd expect my results to remain generally true but out of date for specific brands. Any major brand of high quality sd ammo in 124 +p or 147 +p is probably very good at stopping threats. I would prioritize accuracy in your own gun over someone else's gel testing.

Just a random comment, besides bullet weight we have the particular makeup of the bullet. Various HP bullets perform differently, depending on target medium, fps & the rest.

Besides FMJ you have hardcast or the copper offerings from Lehigh Defense, and others.

In general, one can get the lighter bullets going faster. I happen to be a fanboy of the offerings from Lehigh Defense, some types are not designed to mushroom at all, allowing deeper penetration.

I checked some comparison videos on the Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST 147gr loads, neither being +P, but the Federal ammo showed better penetration and expansion through a couple layers of denim into ballistic gel.

Federal BPLE load. 115 GR +P+ has been around forever and has good history even though dated design. It replicates ball in its profile and is a good choice for those old High Powers and P6 rigs still running around. There are better designs out there. (Gold Dot, HST). but as a duty load it still works. Not trying to hijack the conversation. I am a sucker for the HST 147 out of a full size duty pistol.

I picked up a bunch of BPLE a while back, but due to range time limitations (stupid place is only open about four hours on Sat and Sun, closed the rest of the time) and other commitments, I haven't checked it out, yet.

As you said, it has a good history. These days, too, it's pretty cheap.

I was thinking of starting a separate thread but this one is close to my inquiry…

I watched a video from Buffalo Bore regarding loading your magazine and they mentioned loading a +P 147 grain load for the first two rounds out of the barrel then loading the rest with hard cast +P rounds…

The thinking was two fold; if you are in the woods then a +P hard cast will have better performance with bigger game should you find yourself in that situation. Also, if the target is human and you haven’t brought them down with the first two rounds they are possibly hiding behind a barrier and a hard cast bullet will give you better penetration…

Any thoughts?

Any consideration for the OP question wrt barrel length? Say a 17 vs 19 vs 26?

Not much. There's always an increase in velocity with increase in barrel length, of course, but at self-defense ranges I doubt there would be much difference in performance.

Heavy for caliber loads are always going to be more "efficient" in shorter barrels. The difference is always slight, but there.

Had a friend that liked to say "Seven grains of powder is seven grains of powder." Meaning, in the common defense calibers and bullet weights, it's only ever going to go so far.