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What is the best self defense 9 mm ammo out there?

As I am reading this, it is summer here in the State of Jefferson. Varying opinions and directed discussion regarding the difference of target, light or heavy clothing gives rise to this thought.

Like gasoline in California, should a CCW or home defense firearm have its rounds rotated depending on the season? Winter or summer blend?

Of course, I'm asking for a friend. ;)
 
Several years ago, my CCW instructor/police sergeant and "designated shooter," told me the Winchester SXT was the same as the Black Talon but without the coating, He said SXT = same exact thing. LOL!

I carry Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P. That is what my friends in Federal Law Enforcement use.
 
I don't think there is any ballistic advantage to 147s, they aren't any wider as they are still .355 caliber but they cant be pushed with much powder before hitting pressure, thus you are gonna be running them at 1000 fps or so in the case of Federal HST 147s which have a muzzle energy of 326 ft lbs and 310 at 25 yards. Contrast that with the Federal HST 124 that run at 1150 fps and have 360 muzzle energy and 323 at 25 yards and is still running at 1100 fps at 25 yards. According to the Lucky Gunner tests the 147s did indeed expand at that lower velocity but the 124s had the same exact diameter and penetrated further. I load my own +p 124 grain hollow points running around 1300 fps, spicy!
 
My ballistics testing has shown the Winchester T-Series is by far the best. Same bullet as the Black Talon without the coating!! Total Buzzsaw!
 
From all the datapoints I have seen the HST 124gr +p performs the most consistent and really well in all conditions. The winchester SXT expands really well, but seems to have issues expanding in heavy clothing and inconsistent in various conditions and barriers.

This is interesting info for various barriers with HST

Law Enforcement - Federal Premium LE, Speer LE, BLACKHAWK!, Eagle - Handgun

Find your Federal Premium duty and training pistol rounds here. We offer several different training and duty loads.
le.vistaoutdoor.com le.vistaoutdoor.com
 
At this point, I think HST has reached the pinnacle of performance and reliability and perfect for use in just about every modern gun.
 
TheAverageShooter said:
From all the datapoints I have seen the HST 124gr +p performs the most consistent and really well in all conditions. The winchester SXT expands really well, but seems to have issues expanding in heavy clothing and inconsistent in various conditions and barriers.

This is interesting info for various barriers with HST

Law Enforcement - Federal Premium LE, Speer LE, BLACKHAWK!, Eagle - Handgun

Find your Federal Premium duty and training pistol rounds here. We offer several different training and duty loads.
le.vistaoutdoor.com le.vistaoutdoor.com
Click to expand...
A friend that used to work in an LEO forensics lab told me the 124+p HST were the best, although several others were close. Gold Dots being one of them, and the 147 too.
 
BillSmith said:
As I am reading this, it is summer here in the State of Jefferson. Varying opinions and directed discussion regarding the difference of target, light or heavy clothing gives rise to this thought.

Like gasoline in California, should a CCW or home defense firearm have its rounds rotated depending on the season? Winter or summer blend?

Of course, I'm asking for a friend. ;)
Click to expand...

Depends on your application/practical use. I can see a case for rotating maybe a 50g for summer, whereas 147g for winter (assuming you're wearing lighter clothing in summer, and heavier clothing in the winter).

I was taught to rotate carry rounds every 6 months if you're constantly chambering/cycling through your carry rounds. That way, the casing will not be all beat up and out of shape because you're constantly cycling it out every night. If you're carrying condition 3 and not chambering a round every time, I guess you can go longer than 6 months before rotating out.
 
atovar33 said:
I see a lot of Hornady 9mm 115 grain or Federal Defense 9 mm, what do you recommend ? Any other offerings?
Click to expand...
You want high grain for more power behind the bullet and a hallow point so it won't exit the target. Other than that, there are lots of options. I have used Hornady for years, but recently switched to a higher grain jacketed hallow point (JHP) for more stopping power.
 
DEADPOOL1977 said:
You want high grain for more power behind the bullet and a hallow point so it won't exit the target. Other than that, there are lots of options. I have used Hornady for years, but recently switched to a higher grain jacketed hallow point (JHP) for more stopping power.
Click to expand...
See my comment above, heavier bullet doesn't mean more energy because velocity is squared in the energy equation so has more effect than the mass of the bullet on energy.
 
DEADPOOL1977 said:
You want high grain for more power behind the bullet and a hallow point so it won't exit the target. Other than that, there are lots of options. I have used Hornady for years, but recently switched to a higher grain jacketed hallow point (JHP) for more stopping power.
Click to expand...
Yep. If you want stopping power, always go with heavy-for-caliber bullets in your defense rounds. I use 147 grain HSTs for 9mm and 230 grain HSTs for .45.

I use lighter bullets for USPSA, where I want velocity and a flatter arc with a relatively lower power factor (124 in pistols and 115 for PCC).
 
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