What's Your Preferred 9mm Bullet? 115, 124 or 147?

[oldfrank]

I have never shot any of the Missouri bullets but have shot many thousands of the Zero bullets from Roze but availability ran me away.

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[Sidecar2]

124gr PD JHP, only becasue I can't get Zero 124gr JHP as cheaply or as easily !

Mr. Wobbly, I want to thank you for your treatise on determining OAL. It was very helpful.

As there are so many bullet shapes available -- and very few of them are called out by name in loading manuals -- I'm on my own as to OAL.

I bought 1000 Bear Creek .45 230gr Hollow Base, Hollow Point moly coated slugs initially for my Long Colt. But they work in a .45ACP too, so I loaded a few up. But how to determine OAL with a flat hollow point?

Sure enough, when I was at the range, my Commander refused to go into battery. Cartridge was too long.

I returned home and went through your "Test Cartridge" process to find where the bullet hit the rifling, then shortened it up by at least 0.015", as you suggest. They all fit the barrel now, with a satisfying "plunk" or "tink" and fall out on their own. .

I need to do this same process with my multiple varieties of 9mm pills: FMJ, coated cast, JHP, Flat Nose. And my wife shoots .380 ACP. Lots of different bullets to seat properly.

It really the only way to assure reliable feeding.

Thanks again.

[m1a_scoutguy]

YES!  That's the only 135 that I can get the accuracy from that I am accustomed to.

These bullets look interesting what do they charge for shipping for 1K, is it Flat Rate or based off your Zip?  I'm not gonna make an account unless I have too,LOL

[Wobbly]

Mr. Wobbly, I want to thank you for your treatise on determining OAL. It was very helpful.

I'm glad it helped. OAL can really stump some reloaders with their first CZ. Of course I can't take credit for the method. It was old as the hills when it was taught to me.

As there are so many bullet shapes available -- and very few of them are called out by name in loading manuals -- I'm on my own as to OAL.

You were already "on your own", you just didn't know it. The OALs mentioned in the manuals are simply a record of what the lab used for testing, and not a recommendation. Reloading manuals are merely saying 'Here's what we did and no one died. Now go make it fit your gun.'

 

[IDescribe]

what do they charge for shipping for 1K?

It's flat rate $14.00 up to 3000 bullets for bullets 150gr or less.  So 1000 of these is $14.00 shipping.  3000 is $14.00 shipping.  And 3500 is $28.00 shipping.

[larryflew]

I typically use 124 hvy plated except for 1 steel shoot I do with hvy poppers. I do 147 gold dots on those.

[m1a_scoutguy]

what do they charge for shipping for 1K?

It's flat rate $14.00 up to 3000 bullets for bullets 150gr or less.  So 1000 of these is $14.00 shipping.  3000 is $14.00 shipping.  And 3500 is $28.00 shipping.

Thanks for the info ! That's a decent price for 3K of 135grn bullets. Prices are in the ball park with other places so maybe worth a try sometime. Although I got 3300 from Galant & it was FREE shipping. Took awhile to get them but so far they have been great bullets. Thanks again ! 

[Moe Mentum]

another vote for 124 grain bullets.

[Bret]

124gr PD JHP, only becasue I can't get Zero 124gr JHP as cheaply or as easily !

My favorite bullet is the Zero 147gr JHP.  Unfortunately, it does seem that Zero has not lowered their bullet prices as the price of loaded ammunition has fallen.

[1SOW]

Bret,  unfortunately the Zero bullet popularity allows them to charge what the market will bear.  This is a goal for most successful businesses. 
  With this popularity, I always wonder why they don't expand so they don't have to shut down one type of bullet line to restart another.

[Wobbly]

With this popularity, I always wonder why they don't expand so they don't have to shut down one type of bullet line to restart another.

Harley-Davidson expanded big time, then the demand dropped like a lead balloon. Now they are shutting down factories and laying off employees. The stock price has taken a huge hit. They could easily go under.

[IDescribe]

124gr PD JHP, only becasue I can't get Zero 124gr JHP as cheaply or as easily !

My favorite bullet is the Zero 147gr JHP.  Unfortunately, it does seem that Zero has not lowered their bullet prices as the price of loaded ammunition has fallen.

Zero 147gr JHP are $110 for 1000, or $105/1000 when you guy 2000 or more.  That is in my opinion exceedingly inexpensive for high quality 147gr jacketed bullets.  It's basically the same they charge for their 125gr bullets, and only a doolar more per 1000 than Precision Delta charges for their 147gr RN and FP, and less than Montana Gold's 147gr bullets.  Zero's prices for their 147gr bulllets are pretty great IMO.

[1SOW]

Wobbly,  I agree in principle with your analogy;  but  for a very long time, I've never seen where ZERO could keep up with the demand for several of their popular competition bullets.

[The Guardian]

What's your preferred weight (115, 124, 147), shape (RN, JHP, FN) and type (jacketed, plated, lubed or acrylic coated) of 9mm bullet for reloading?

Inquiring minds want to know.

115g.....JHP......Jacketed (a little redundant  ) .   The 115g is the most prominent weight and is used most by LE, though in +P, +P+ variations.

[Joe L]

Looks like folks have found some good combinations.  The only reason I haven't reloaded my own ammo is that I couldn't survive the testing or the variations.  Once I found a box ammo supplier that was consistent and which shot well, I stopped looking and concentrated on learning to pull the trigger without moving the gun.  What I settled on was an Atlanta Arms 115 JHP which I think uses a Zero bullet, not sure.  That bullet was good for 1" at 50 yards from a wrist rest last Sunday in my backup 75B 9mm slide with a CGW 10x bushing.  I've shot maybe a dozen sub 1.5" 50 yard groups with that combination. 

The AA 115 JHP also works well in my P-09/07 pistols.  The limitation seems to be my eyesight and trigger control, never the ammo.  I can't duplicate the hold from one shot to the next well enough to distinguish any variation in the ammo, out to 200 yards. 

But I could buy another used truck for what I will spend on new ammo over the next few years.  I should learn to load my own, I know, I know.  Maybe after I retire.   

Joe