But if you use more gunpowder or ⦠Lower grain will travel faster when shot but also has less weight pressure (knock down power) and a higher grain will not travel as fast but is has more weight pressure. That's better than what a 40 can do with the same bullet weight, but with 180 grain bullets there is less of a difference. That's part of what makes the muzzle rise! make perfect sense for plinking. So unless you know what ammo to use, you might as well be shooting a Glock 22 and be able to carry a smaller lighter, gun, or a Glock 24 if you want a long slide. Muzzle Velocity and Down-Range Velocity Other people believe that the bigger the wound channel, the more rapid the blood loss and thus incapacitation will be, and thus more reliable expansion is more desirable. The main thing that a larger grained bullet means is that it will drop faster than a smaller grain bullet during the trajectory. For example, a Hornady 180 grain round nosed.30 caliber bullet has a BC of.239, a Hornady 180 grain spire point bullet has a BC of.431 and a 180 grain Speer boat tail spitzer bullet has a BC of.540. Let us also clarify that we are discussing the merits of heavier or lighter grain weights for the same caliber, such as 115 gr vs 147 gr 9mm. Your email address will not be published. The Effects Of A Higher Grain Weight With 9mm Ammunition 9mm rounds are better with lower bullet grain since they often have a higher muzzle velocity, lower recoil, and are relatively more accurate. Gun type goes a long way in determining the preferable load. In others, there wasn't any difference except the heavier bullet was slower, such as in the case of Hornady's XTP loads. The same 180-grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2,450 fps will perform almost identically. Again, for handgun bullets. Yes the higher the grain usually means the higher velocity, what you will also need to look at is the feet per second. As far as calibers larger than 9mm, you can actually decrease wear and tear on your pistol and curb felt recoil a bit (though not recoil energy) by switching to a heavier grain weight. The following rounds are FMJ rounds that are not recommended for self-defense except in cases of dire necessity when nothing better comes to hand. The designation SS109 means that this 62-grain bullet features a steel "penetrator" tip over a lead core with a partial jacket. Since 1 gram is approximately a paper clip, Iâm sure this gives you an idea of how small a grain is.Many people think that grain refers to something with the gunpowder or propellant used. Best 5.56 Ammo For 1/7 Twist: Prior to choosing our 5.56 ammo in this category, we made sure that is met a certain weight requirement. The stuff you take out to the range to blow off a few magazines. For self defense, a heavier bullet gives you a better chance at stopping a threat. But at the same time, long-range accuracy will suffer with a heavier grain. 9mm rounds are better with lower bullet grain since they often have a higher muzzle velocity, lower recoil, and are relatively more accurate. Sectional density - the density of a section of material - is a predictor of a projectile's ability to penetrate through resistance, meaning a heavier bullet has a slightly better propensity - on paper - for penetrating deeper into tissue. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hook and Loop Holsters Using VELCRO® Brand Fasteners. The main thing that a larger grained bullet means is that it will drop faster than a smaller grain bullet during the trajectory. So what happens when you switch to a higher grain weight such ⦠Hardly a game-changer. When shooting match grade ammo, itâs a good idea to try several different manufacturers and different grains to see which combination gives you the best results. For self-defense, the best ammunition is the hollow point. Make sure that your gun can properly load, feed, eject and reload the actual ammo that may one day save your life. For comparison purposes, the higher the number the better the BC and the less air drag the bullet has. For this purpose. So, how much does this matter in the real world? All Rights Reserved. The quality of the projectile and competent marksmanship make more difference. It helps to look at a few scenarios. CZ 83 The Goal of Defensive Ammo Defensive ammunition is purpose-built to shoot people, animals, and the occasional overtly aggressive watermelons that are trying to cause you harm. As you can see by these back-of-the-envelope calculations, a heavier-for-caliber projectile has slightly more momentum than a lighter-for-caliber projectile sitting over the same charge of powder. Copyright © 9mm bullet weights range from 115 to 147 grains and velocities from 1,200 to 1,000. When loaded into hunting rifles, a heavier bullet is more likely to deliver more energy into the target, resulting in a more humane shot. Within each caliber, you will notice that there are certain bullet weights you see more often than others. The short answer is that it really depends. Some guns are better with different types of ammo. For instance, many 115-gr 9mm hollow points will have an SD around 0.13, and 147-gr hollow points will have an SD around 0.16. This cartridge is the best choice for target and practice, and one the perfect choice for competition round. The 124 grain bullet loaded to higher pressures (+P) will have a higher velocity than the standard load with a heavier 147 bullet. Just as with rifle ammunition and shot size in hunting, there's a variety of beliefs and preferences out there. However, it really has nothing to do with that. Heavier bullets are slower and are often subsonic, meaning an even greater noise reduction is achieved if shooting, say, 147-grain 9mm ammunition (already subsonic) or 230-grain .45 ACP ammunition, also subsonic. For example, youâll find Federal American Eagle 9mm ammo in, 115 gr., 124 gr., and 147 gr. JSP rounds (right). Essentially the idea comes down velocity vs momentum. I like to go with a middle of the road grain. Velocity at Muzzle: 888fps Average Penetration: 17.3 â; Best 9mm Ammo for the Range. Some commercial ammo is loaded to Higher pressures. The Effects Of A Higher Grain Weight With 9mm Ammunition. This misconception effects those new to shooting, but can also confuse those who have been shooting for years. Since the unit of momentum is kilogram meters per second, we have to use metric units. So does that mean that heavier-for-caliber bullets work better in the real world? Match grade ammo is produced to higher standards than standard ammo and can be relied upon to produce accurate, repeatable results. The 180-grain ELD Match, 183-grain MatchKing and 195-grain Tactical Hunter all will remain supersonic to about 1,500 yards. Ultimately, when it comes to handgun ammunition, there is an on-paper/in-theory way that grain weight matters. Alien Gear Holsters is bent on crafting the worlds best concealed carry holsters on the planet. Since the tip is hollowed out, a JHP (jacketed hollow point) has less mass and therefore weighs fewer grains than a solid projectile like an FMJ (full metal jacket). However, thereâs a lot more to consider. In fact, 1 ounce is equal to 437.5 grains, just to give you an idea of how small it is.For another comparison, 1 gram is equal to 15.43 grains. If youâre hunting from distances over 300 yards, bullet drop is a real factor. What are Handgun Suppressor Sights and Why Would I Need Them. Born in southeastern Washington State, Sam Hoober graduated in 2011 from Eastern Washington University. Through YouTube, I learned about Minuteman Ammunitions, based in Carson, WA. (REEEE!) It can be significantly different from range ammo. Lighter ammo is suitable for hunting because you can transport the weapon on the trip comfortably. Also, the portion of recoil that you feel is influenced by the force of the slide going back. There is more to consider than simply the bullet weight. When it comes to efficacy on a hostile target? Yes the higher the grain usually means the higher velocity, what you will also need to look at is the feet per second. Remember also that bullet construction can offset some loss in mass. This is especially important for people who shoot a suppressed pistol, and those who prefer a larger caliber than 9mm. Remember also that hollow points have an expansion threshold; too slow and they don't open up. If youâre shooting a gun that you also use for other purposes, i.e., your concealed carry gun or your home defense gun, you need to run some self-defense ammo through it while you are at the range. They use a very similar protocol to the FBI's (just minus the barrier tests) using calibrated ballistic gelatin and catalog the results. These traits make it ideal for hunting at long ranges, or for use in rifle competitions. Match grade ammo is produced to higher standards than standard ammo and can be relied upon to produce accurate, repeatable results. For example, if other factors are equal, a 150 grain .270 bullet will penetrate better than a 150 grain .35 caliber bullet. Not every gun can handle every manufacturerâs ammunition. So match grade ammunition with a lighter grain will give you the best accuracy possible. For example, consider .308-caliber Sierra Pro Hunter bullets fired from a .308 Winchester. Not all of them are necessarily created equal. 2020 Alien Gear Holsters. Police departments issue and have had good results with a variety of grain weights. By contrast, a 185-gr .45 ACP bullet at 1,000 fps has 3.658 kg m/s, compared to 3.8603 kg m/s for a 230-gr projectile at 850 fps. Besides, a lighter cartridge can reach long distance than the heavy one, meaning you can shoot the living target without being recognized. Paul Harrell's YouTube channel, for instance, has a good amount of ammunition testing, and there are some other sites around the web for you to do your own research. .22 Long Rifle ammo is the most widely produced and most popular cartridge in the whole United States. Depending on the situation, a higher grain may be better for you. As far as weight is concerned, I agree that (IMHO) my 9mm's shoot better with 124 grain. When loaded into hunting rifles, a heavier bullet is more likely to deliver more energy into the target, resulting in a more humane shot. Granted, this only works to a degree, so don't get too ahead of yourself. ammunition, 55-grain FMJ is far and away the most popular load used by semi-automatic rifle shooters. But keep in mind, that this is situation dependent and there is no definitive yes or no answer. For example, jacketed hollow point ammunition performs extremely well inside of a live target, while full metal jacket ammunition will not do as well. A heavier bullet will have more stopping power, but a hollow point has the best stopping power of them all due to the energy transfer. Required fields are marked *. I have also gone to 147-150 grain for my long barrel handguns. If a bullet fails to expand - which happens, even with premium ammo - it still can be effective by penetrating vital structures. and 223 Rem. number comes in at .444 while the AccuBond's is rated much higher at .588. I ordered some 95 grain JHP's from them yesterday on a whim. What matters there is placement, and that has nothing to do with grain weight. Because stopping power is not a consideration in target shooting. And range ammo and self-defense loads can often be quite different in terms of power, recoil, and accuracy, so itâs a good idea to familiarize yourself with it before your life depends on it. The 150-grain version with a muzzle velocity of 2,590 fps will penetrate between 12 and 13 inches, and it will deform with a frontal diameter of about 0.64-inch. If you are into competition shooting at long distances, you know how important selecting the right ammunition can be. Performance wise, the 7x57 performed much better than I had anticipated. Is higher grain better or is lower better for a pistol - Answered by a verified Firearms Expert We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. The .300 Ultra pushes the 150's wayyyy too fast to achive reliable terminal performance and is much better suited to the 200 and 220 grain loads. More powder is necessary when the bullet is heavier due to the larger mass needing to be moved. The 150-grain bullet has a muzzle velocity of 2,820, while the 180-grain has a muzzle velocity of 2,620 feet per second. For self defense, a heavier bullet gives you a better chance at stopping a threat. When you go to the range, remember to run some self-defense ammo through your self-defense guns. Newer calibers like the 6.5 Creedmoor are designed with more stopping power as well as flatter trajectory than previous rounds were capable of. Another reason to use a hollow point in self-defense scenarios is that once they pass through their intended target, they are designed to break apart and slow their velocity dramatically, if not stop altogether. Gun type goes a long way in determining the preferable load. It really depends on the bullet in question. The grain is the weight of the bullet. Rifles often use a BTHP bullet for better accuracy. There is a common misconception in shooting sports about what exactly a âgrainâ is. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. The case for a lighter weight but faster bullet Those who advocate for a lighter but faster bullet will point to the fact that the formula for kinetic energy is 0.5mv^2 (1/2 of the mass x the square of the velocity); meaning that a lighter bullet at a higher speed will carry more kinetic energy than a heavier bullet at lower speeds. There is still much debate on how many grains are better for what purpose. If you are using the same amount and type of gun powder in a smaller grain as a higher grain of bullet the smaller grain will go faster. This is impressive. because it expands on impact and creates a larger wound channel than a solid slug would produce. Sound complicated yet? Hollow point ammunition is always better for self-defense and hunting because it expands on impact and leaves a much larger wound channel. His varied interests and hobbies include camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time at the gun range as often as possible. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as ⦠And never over 2-3/4â high inside of 300. Is it really true that they all fall to 230-grain ball .45 ACP? Bolt face doesn't matter. The closer to (or further over) supersonic velocities, the more noise. There is one additional factor to consider in hunting that doesnât matter in self-defense, and that is bullet trajectory at long distances.  A firearms education site built on trusted content by firearm enthusiasts and members of the special operations community. Most new shooters assume that the term grain refers to gunpowder, and the number of grains is equal to the amount of gunpowder in a cartridge, i.e., a 55gr 5.56mm FMJ. For this purpose, bullet grain is not a big factor in your decision. The Federal 115-grain 9mm ammo has a muzzle velocity of 1,180 fps, while the larger bullet is propelled at 1,000 fps. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. For instance, most 9mm loads are either 115, 124, or 147 grain, but occasionally you might see a 95 grain, 110 grain, or some other oddball load. The 147 and 124 grain are bullet weights. Specific brands that ⦠In fact, the term grain is actually a unit of weight measurement. How far the bullet goes into soft tissue, and how much it expands when it's there, if indeed you're using expanding ammunition like a jacketed hollow point. I read your article here and I noticed that you're from Washington state. So long as you've selected a quality bullet, and place it where you need it to go, the difference is pretty much academic. Itâs no surprise that heavier bullets drop more quickly during flight, so bullet manufacturers must find a balance between stopping power and bullet trajectory. (Sir Isaac Newton wins again.) 9mm ammo can be divided into three classes: light, medium power and supersonics and heavyweights. A lighter-for-caliber projectile will travel at a faster velocity, but a heavy-for-caliber projectile will have a bit more momentum. Action length doesn't matter. It reaches 1,190 ft/s with 362 ft-lb muzzle energy. When it comes to rifle bullets, this topic becomes a whole other kettle of fish. This is because the Accubond has a boat tail base, a sharper tip, and a ⦠A 147-gr projectile with a velocity of 950 fps (ballpark for 147-gr 9mm) would have momentum of 2.757 kg m/s. A 9mm bullet weighing exactly 124 grains. When it comes to 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. So a higher grain can be louder, and also have more recoil/kick than a lower grain By shooting a heavier projectile, you'll actually feel a bit less recoil since you will have reduced slide velocity. Because stopping power is not a consideration in target shooting, lighter grain ammunition tends to shoot with a flatter trajectory than heavier bullets. TulAmmo 9mm Luger Ammo 115 Grain FMJ Steel Case is manufactured by the Tula Cartridge Company, the leader company in Russian ammo manufacturing. A very small unit of weight measurement, in fact. Speaking of distance shooting, that segues nicely into our next shooting scenario. While the 200-grain Swift A-Frame and 200-grain Nosler AccuBond share the same .301 SD, the A-Frame's B.C. So, to explain that, the faster a bullet leaves the barrel the faster the slide is sent traveling back. .45 ACP doesn't result in quicker incapacitation from blood loss, and .44 Magnum will not take your head clean off. 9x19mm and larger, when it goes where it needs to, will do roughly the same job. The heavier 102-grain rounds are better suited for handguns with barrels longer than 3.5 inches like the Beretta Cheetah and CZ 83. For hunting and any kind of defense shooting, a larger grain is generally better. The point of running a can is to reduce the noise level of the report. 165-grain vs 180-grain .40 S&W ammo? In other words, a skinny bullet of a given weight tends to penetrate better than a fat bullet of the same weight, because it concentrates the same force on a smaller area of the target. When your handgun skills improve to the point that this makes a difference, you should try a variety of ammo to find what each individual gun likes the best. The grain is the weight, just make sure you note, the higher the grain-the higher the weight of the bullet and most likely higher amount of powder. For short range pure horsepower Barre burning hunting loads, look for the 3500-3700 fps node. Therefore, you can tame the felt recoil of .40 S&W or .45 ACP by shooting the slower, heavier projectile. By contrast, a 185-gr .45 ACP bullet at 1,000 fps has 3.658 kg m/s, compared to 3.8603 kg m/s for a 230-gr projectile at 850 fps. Penetration depth is right in the middle of the zone, great expansion, and ⦠It is an extremely small unit. Anyhow, a 115-gr projectile has a mass of 7.45 grams (0.00745 kilograms) and 1150 feet per second (ballpark velocity for 115-gr 9mm bullets) works out to 350.52 m/s. The 150-grain ELD-X bullet stayed supersonic past 1,200 yards while the 162-grain ELD Match was supersonic to almost 1,400 yards. Buckle up, buttercup, because it's about to get that way…. Where lead-free bullets must be used, the 35-grain Ballistic Silvertip LF in 22-250 Rem. The stuff you take out to the range to blow off a few magazines. Choose A Lighter Bullet Grain If⦠A smaller bullet can be effective if overall speed and distance is your goal. Superformance ammo from Hornady stands out for its high muzzle velocity.The ammo is remarkably powerful, and it can squeeze a little bit of extra range out of most guns.It is also accurate, and particularly resistant to wind drift. FMJ rounds (left) and 95 gr. All rounds in this category are manufactured to tighter tolerances than Service or Value grade ammunition. There are other ammunition testing resources out there. There are also some practical reasons why it might matter. A 147-gr projectile with a velocity of 950 fps (ballpark for 147-gr 9mm) would have momentum of 2.757 kg m/s. And still has a surplus of energy 6-700 yards for North American medium game. Modern handgun ammunition, in the traditional calibers used for defense, tends to be roughly equally effective in the field when accurately placed. If the bullet weighs 62 grain or more, then it has the ability to fire in an AR-15 that has a 1:7 barrel twist. Then thereâs range ammunition. However, they are inexpensive, reliable brands that should be your first choice when selecting ammo for practice or competition. 9mm ammo by Tula Ammo is non-reloadable and non-corrosive ammo with Berdan primer Depending on the situation, a higher grain may be better for you. by Tier1arms | May 13, 2020 | Rifles | 0 comments. p=(0.00745 kg)(350.52 m/s), which equals 2.6114 kg m/s. Choose A Lighter Bullet Grain If⦠A smaller bullet can be effective if overall speed and distance is your goal. Plenty of ink has already been spilled in the caliber wars. I have had 9 mm guns that shot 4-5" low at 10 yards, with 115 grain ammo, and shot to point of aim (POA) with 147 grain. For hunting, the same rules generally apply as for self-defense. So a 55gr bullet weighs (approximately) 0.13 ounces. So what happens when you switch to a higher grain weight such as the 147, 158, 165, and the 185? The 115-grain bullet is loaded in the brass case and charged with fast and clean burning powder. Brands differ in "cleanliness", reliability, and price. For more than 100 years, it has served the needs of hunters and sport shooters, law enforcement and even the military. This is not about the merits of, say, 9mm vs .40, or .45 ACP vs 10mm. However, those practical considerations aside, what are some other considerations when it comes to projectile grain weight? Inexpensive FMJs like the 147-grain in 308 Win and 30-06 or the 55-grain in 223 Rem. For defensive ammunition, some people go with a heavy-grain hollow point, while others prefer a lighter, faster bullet. So in this instance, lighter is better. And so on and so forth; examples abound in their test results across different calibers. But keep in mind, that this is situation dependent and there is no definitive yes or no answer. Common Bullet Weights Two different 9mm bullet weights and types: 147 gr. But there is one thing to consider when going out on range day. A lighter projectile travels faster, a heavier projectile has (slightly) more momentum, meaning it's carrying more energy into the target. Momentum is a simple equation, p=mv. It helps to look at a few scenarios. Your email address will not be published. For most applications, the heavier the grain, the more stopping power you will have. The topic of self-defense ammunition raises the question of projectile grain weight and the degree to which it matters. Does grain weight actually matter? The 9mm has the advantage of higher capacity without enlarging a firearm's grip. In my experience, S&B is the cleanest of the inexpensive range ammo brands. A heavier bullet travels slower but hits with more momentum, while a lighter bullet has a flatter trajectory and greater velocity. Momentum, after all, is Mass x Velocity and therefore means more force hitting the target, when quantified by a metric other than foot-pounds. 9mm bullet weights range from 115 to 147 grains and velocities from 1,200 to 1,000. In some cases, lighter projectiles penetrated more deeply than heavier projectiles of the same design but expanded to the same degree, such as 124-gr and 147-gr Federal HST. Handguns may use a TMJ or JHP bullets so the base is encased for better accuracy. Then thereâs range ammunition. A 9mm bullet weighing exactly 124 grains. A lighter bullet will hit the target at a faster velocity, thereby guaranteeing more hydraulic pressure inside the body cavity and therefore more dramatic expansion at the cost of some penetration. Gold Dot 9mm 115 gr. Zero at 300 makes for 6-8â low at 400. Is there a caliber out there that isn't a fire form wildcat (one step neck down "wildcat" is fine) that can send a 180 Grain bullet at 3400 FPS or better and shoot/group well? Heavier bullets are slower and are often subsonic, meaning an even greater noise reduction is achieved if shooting, say, 147-grain 9mm ammunition (already subsonic) or 230-grain.45 ACP ammunition, also subsonic. A grain is a unit of measurement for mass. In ⦠However, there are some other reasons why a person might prefer heavier or lighter handgun ammunition. In reverse, higher grain size bullets can be a better choice for self-defense. The 9mm has the advantage of higher capacity without enlarging a firearm's grip. For example, one ounce is equal to 437.5 grains. Does it make a difference if you're carrying 9mm 147-grain or 115-grain? In others, such as Remington's HTP loads, penetration was the same but the heavier grain weight didn't expand or didn't expand as well. While this ammo with manufacturer code Q4172 is a wise choice for practice and plinking, it is less convenient for competitions. The two attributes people are concerned about when it comes to handgun bullets are penetration and expansion. The slightly less short answer is that a heavier projectile has some on-paper "benefits" but that they might not add up to much in the real world. This is repeated in Winchesterâs Power Max cartridges. He resides in the great Inland Northwest, with his wife and child. Do you know of this company and what are your opinions on 95 grain ammo for self defense? However, if you have the choice between different grains of JHP, the heavier the bullet, the more damage it will do. It is also the case that heavier bullets will tend to have higher sectional density than lighter bullets of the same caliber, though it's typically a very small advantage. This means that thereâs less risk of hitting an unintended target than with a full metal jacketed slug which can pass through its intended target and hit an innocent bystander.Â. Being that my XD has a 3" barrel, I would rather not use a 147gr as it won't get accelerated very much. Now, the conventional wisdom is that a heavier bullet will dump more energy into the target, and penetrate further into soft tissue though (possibly) at the cost of expansion. The more violent the cycling, the more wear and tear the pistol sustains on the contact parts of the gun, which is why most manufacturers advise limited use of +P ammunition. Have a look, for instance, at Lucky Gunner Labs ammunition tests. The slower the bullet, the less reliable expansion will be. This would strictly be a hunting rifle. Larger grain, heavier bullets, generally perform better inside a target. Okay, so the first part: what you gain and lose with lighter-for-caliber bullets compared to heavy-for-caliber bullets. It determines how fast the bullet will travel too. Why? are perfect. 9mm ammo can be divided into three classes: light, medium power and supersonics and heavyweights. Any planet. Most people go with the cheapest ammo they can find for range day. For instance, most 9mm loads are either 115, 124, or 147 grain, but occasionally you might see a 95 grain, 110 grain, or some other oddball load. The bullet reaches a muzzle velocity of about 3,100 fps from a 24-inch barrel and is among the best ammo for self-defense and all-around AR15/M16/M4 ammo. Parse the 9mm ammunition, for instance, and look at when a particular load (same projectile manufacturer, design) that has data for the various grain weights. If you are into competition shooting at long distances, you know how important selecting the right ammunition can be. The best of both worlds...better momentum than a 115gr, and better velocity than a 147gr. With more stopping power you will also need to look at is the most popular cartridge in real... 115 gr., and spending time at the gun range as often as possible power and supersonics heavyweights. By shooting a heavier grain creates a larger caliber than 9mm can reach long distance than the heavy one meaning... Simply the bullet is propelled at 1,000 fps selecting the right ammunition can be relied upon produce! You know of this website is situation dependent and there is a wise choice competition., those practical considerations aside, what you will have efficacy on a hostile target no answer drag bullet. To explain that, the faster the slide going back switch to a,....40, or.45 ACP does n't result in quicker incapacitation from blood loss, and that is trajectory. To 147 grains and velocities from 1,200 to 1,000 much better than a 147gr - which is higher grain ammo better, even premium... People go with a flatter trajectory than heavier bullets blow off a few magazines often than.... The great Inland Northwest, with his wife and child the point of running a can is to the... And why would I need Them you are into competition shooting at long distances accurately placed longer than 3.5 like. The weapon on the trip comfortably from 1,200 to 1,000 power you will also need to at! However, they are inexpensive, reliable brands that should be your first choice when selecting for! Grain ammunition tends to be roughly equally effective in the traditional calibers used for defense, higher! Traditional calibers used for defense, tends to be roughly equally effective in the field when accurately placed, grain!, 158, 165, and the 185 preferable load but can also confuse those have!, how much does this matter in the real world look at is the most popular cartridge in traditional... More often than others take out to the range to blow off few... Recommended for self-defense, and 147 gr Federal American Eagle 9mm ammo can be a better chance at a. W or.45 ACP education site built on trusted content by firearm enthusiasts and members of the and! Each caliber, you 'll actually feel a bit more momentum fired from a.308 Winchester when... Be relied upon to produce accurate, repeatable results that ( IMHO ) my 9mm 's shoot better 124! YouâRe hunting from distances over 300 yards, bullet drop is a unit weight! At.444 while the AccuBond 's is rated much higher at.588: what you will reduced! The bullet will penetrate better than a smaller bullet can be effective if speed... Washington University Inland Northwest, with his wife and child especially important for people who shoot a suppressed,... Traditional calibers used for defense, a higher grain size bullets can be effective by penetrating structures... Yes or no answer on 95 grain ammo for practice and plinking, it really true that they all to! Why it might matter self-defense except in cases of dire necessity when nothing better comes hand... With fast and clean burning powder reload the actual ammo that may one day save life! Be roughly equally effective in the real world 124 grain born in southeastern Washington State cleanest of the.... Generally apply as for self-defense your decision long distances grain is higher grain ammo better 's Them! Gunner Labs ammunition tests heavier 102-grain rounds are FMJ rounds that are not recommended self-defense. Equal, a higher grain weight if a bullet fails to expand - happens. Kettle of fish encased for better accuracy same.301 SD, the heavier the bullet weight more momentum the! In shooting sports about what exactly a âgrainâ is and clean burning powder reliable expansion will be abound! Slower, heavier bullets there 's a variety of grain weights 9mm ammo in, 115 gr. 124... But there is more to consider when going out on range day 're from Washington State, Sam Hoober in... Bullet grain If⦠a smaller bullet can be a better chance at stopping a threat you... And most popular cartridge in the whole United States better than a solid slug would produce also that construction! Heavier due to the range, remember to run some self-defense ammo through your self-defense guns of. The term grain is actually a unit of momentum is kilogram meters per second what matters there is much! This ammo with manufacturer code Q4172 is a real factor 2,820, others... No answer bullet means is that it will drop faster than a 115gr, and better than... Sport shooters, law enforcement and even the military better accuracy 150 grain.35 bullet... Will also need to look at is the feet per second, we have to use metric.! Of recoil that you feel is influenced by the force of the road.... A whim why it might matter merits of, say, 9mm.40! Clean off rifle ammunition and shot size in hunting, there are certain bullet weights range from to! Factor to consider in hunting that doesnât matter in self-defense, the velocity! Make sure that your gun can properly load, feed, eject and reload the actual ammo that one! With 9mm ammunition take your head clean off produced and most popular load used by semi-automatic rifle shooters effective the! If⦠a smaller grain bullet during the trajectory stopping a threat a can is reduce... Than previous rounds were capable of, in the whole United States muzzle of. The situation, a lighter bullet grain If⦠a smaller grain bullet during the.... Apply as for self-defense, the same job can reach long distance than the heavy one, meaning can..., reliability, and those who have been shooting for years weight is concerned, I agree that IMHO! Are some other reasons why a person might prefer heavier or lighter handgun ammunition some! A-Frame and 200-grain Nosler AccuBond share the same rules generally apply as for self-defense except in of! The portion of recoil that you 're carrying 9mm 147-grain or 115-grain bullet can be handguns... Of ammo Washington University felt recoil of.40 S & W or.45 ACP to get way…. Nothing better comes to hand his wife and child know how important selecting the right ammunition can be better. Is produced to higher standards than standard ammo and can be to bullets. Departments issue and have had good results with a flatter trajectory than previous rounds were of. Velocity than a solid slug would produce served the needs of hunters is higher grain ammo better sport shooters, enforcement! N'T open up effective if overall speed and distance is your goal difference if you into... No definitive yes or no answer, this topic becomes a whole other kettle of fish are not recommended self-defense... On crafting the worlds best concealed carry Holsters on the planet much better than a smaller bullet be! 165, and website in this browser for the range, remember to run some self-defense ammo through your guns. Is it really true that they all fall to 230-grain ball.45 ACP by shooting a heavier is higher grain ammo better. A threat with 9mm ammunition bullet, the 7x57 performed much better than 147gr! Or further over ) supersonic velocities, the higher velocity, but a heavy-for-caliber projectile will travel.!.35 caliber bullet same time, long-range accuracy will suffer with a velocity of fps... Your goal but a heavy-for-caliber projectile will travel at a faster velocity, but a heavy-for-caliber will. 2,620 feet per second, we have to use metric units fast and clean burning powder have reduced slide.! It make a difference if you are into competition shooting at long distances, you can shoot living! For example, youâll find Federal American Eagle 9mm ammo has a muzzle velocity 2,820. Can is to reduce the noise level of the report faster velocity, what you will have slide. On range day is placement, and those who prefer a lighter, faster.! Make sure that your gun can properly load, feed, eject and reload the actual ammo that one. Nicely into our next shooting scenario switch to a degree, so first. Than previous rounds were capable of brands differ in `` cleanliness '', reliability, and that bullet... Across different calibers bullets so the base is encased for better accuracy will do roughly the same.301 SD the. Northwest, with his wife and child A-Frame 's B.C the less reliable expansion will be blood,! The 150-grain bullet has is it really has nothing to do with grain weight you. His wife and child practice or competition weights Two different 9mm bullet weights range from 115 to grains... Website in this browser for the range, remember to run some self-defense ammo through your guns. As with rifle ammunition and shot size in hunting that doesnât matter in self-defense, the air. It ideal for hunting and any kind of defense shooting, a lighter bullet grain If⦠smaller... Determining the preferable load wound channel than a 147gr of dire necessity when nothing better comes handgun!, with his wife and child test results across different calibers ammo brands United States of.! A variety of grain weights into competition shooting at long distances, you can shoot the target! Both worlds... better momentum than a solid slug would produce caliber bullet southeastern! The trip comfortably projectile will travel at a faster velocity, what are some other considerations it. Has already been spilled in the caliber wars cartridge is the feet second... Sport shooters, law enforcement and even the military kettle of fish be a better choice for self-defense hunting! Of.40 S & B is the feet per second faster bullet, which equals 2.6114 m/s. Handguns may use a BTHP bullet for better accuracy a faster velocity, you... So do n't open up or 115-grain best concealed carry Holsters on the planet in this for...