115gr vs 124gr

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  • CTBay

    Marksman
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    I have seen these little red boxes of Norma 9mm at Rural King and I have bought a few. No problems with it, its just expensive.

    I noticed yesterday some of it went from $23-25 down to $19.99. Then I noticed there was both 115gr and 124gr and the 124 was what was marked down. The 124 bullet is obviously heavier and thus moves slower. I know that much. What are the advantages/disadvantages to the different bullet weights? Does it all come down to how accurate it is in a specific gun? I heard it said some guns are more accurate with one than the other and you should get whats works best for you. Is there more to it than that? I could try them both but putting holes in paper targets at 25-50yds is going to come down to my ability more than a difference in the bullet weight. I don’t think I am accurate enough yet to notice what has to be a negligible difference in the accuracy of the bullet itself.

    Why do some of you more experienced guys choose or prefer one over the other? My better ammo, that I save, is 124 and the cheap stuff I shoot is typically 115. I thought it odd the 124 is what was marked down. I have little experience before this ammo shortage. Was 124 always cheaper before?

    I got both. Im going to compare today and see what difference I notice. Im expecting none.
     

    VERT

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    For most handguns either the 115 or 124 is interchangeable. Some guns may prefer one weight or load over the other. But 99% of shooters won’t notice a difference.

    You can sometimes find 124 grain cheaper because it is basically overrun stuff. Doubt that is what is going on here. Could be as simple as when RK purchased the product.
     

    russc2542

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    Most people won't notice a difference.

    115 is sometimes loaded on the lighter side because the general public thinks the lower numbers should be lighter. Who are manufacturers to argue with customers.

    124 is sometimes loaded hotter for the same reason: people expect it since 124gr is what the nato spec uses but the nato power level is a bit on the warm side.

    In reality semi autos only operate in a certain energy window regardless of bullet weight: the ammo has to have a minimum amount of energy to cycle the action and a maximum to keep the pressure in spec.
     

    Bigtanker

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    For ball/fmj ammo, nothing much of a difference. In a self defense load, 124 is generally considered the minimum weight as no 115 gr has passed the FBI tests. They just don't penetrate enough.

    There's a guy called Doc (something. Can't remember). He has a list of ammo he suggests for self defense. It's all 124, 135 and 147 in 9mm.
     

    BugI02

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    It has always seemed to me if you want 124 grains, just go 357 sig

    If you want 147, go 40 S&W

    Heavyweight 9mm just seems like running around your backhand

    YMWCV
     

    DadSmith

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    The heavier the bullet the deeper the penetrating power it has. I only load 124 -147gr bullets anymore. 124gr being the lightest. I actually like the 147gr for target practice in my firearms it has been the most accurate. The 124gr is accurate also I'm just talking 0.5-1" difference in group sizes at 25 and 50 yards. Doesn't really matter actually. The only thing you will find is penetration is always deeper with a heavier bullet if loaded to normal velocity for each weight.
     

    2in1evtime

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    The 124 is longer than 115 usually, so the more bearing surface you have to the rifling will give you better stability on your bullets going thru the barrel, i prefer 124 gr as they do shoot better for me than 115 gr. i quit even using 115 gr bullets myself. Every little bit you do to stabilize improves your shooting period!
     

    bgcatty

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    I know my Beretta 92FS always shoots better with 124 gr. ammo be it factory or reloads. Could it be that the pistol is "regulated" for 124 grain ball ammo?
     

    d.kaufman

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    Another one In the camp that prefers 124gr. It is more accurate for me as well than 115gr, especially with my reloads
     

    Timjoebillybob

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    The 124 is longer than 115 usually, so the more bearing surface you have to the rifling will give you better stability on your bullets going thru the barrel, i prefer 124 gr as they do shoot better for me than 115 gr. i quit even using 115 gr bullets myself. Every little bit you do to stabilize improves your shooting period!
    IMO there is a bit more to it than that. If just what you are saying is true, a .223 90 gr sierra match king in a 1 in 12 twist barrel would do better than a 45 grain varmint bullet. Twist rate, bullet design, bullet weight/length, etc all effect accuracy. Best bet is to try a variety until you find what works best for you in that particular gun.
     

    2in1evtime

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    IMO there is a bit more to it than that. If just what you are saying is true, a .223 90 gr sierra match king in a 1 in 12 twist barrel would do better than a 45 grain varmint bullet. Twist rate, bullet design, bullet weight/length, etc all effect accuracy. Best bet is to try a variety until you find what works best for you in that particular gun.
    was only speaking pistol in general and 9mm at that nothing to do with rifle
     

    Timjoebillybob

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    was only speaking pistol in general and 9mm at that nothing to do with rifle
    Different pistols don't have different twists? Would that not effect different weight/length bullets in 9mm? I was using .223 as an example. I've got 9mm pistols that have 3 different twist rates although 2 of them are real close. 1 in 9.8 and 1 in 10, the third is an outlier 1 in 18. Yes, 1 in 18 it's a S&W 39. And I'm going to guess that the difference in bearing length between 115gr vs 124 gr is more dependent on bullet design rather than just the 9 gr difference in wt.
     

    Born2vette

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    My CZ SP-01 seems to group better with 124 or 147. My defensive loads are +p 124 or regular 147 in my 9mm pistols. When I practice with my HP the 147s seem to have the tightest groups at close range (7-10 yards).
     

    clayshooter99

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    Almost all my 9mm's group better with 124's over 115. 124 is also less "snappy" in recoil. My preference would be to shoot 147's all the time as those seem to group the best overall with MUCH less "snappiness" of recoil.
     

    VERT

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    Recoil is all about individual perception. But a heavier bullet takes less powder to make power. This really applies more to handloading but most people feel that a heavier bullet with less powder is less “snappy” and has less recoil.

    I have been loading 135 grain round nose bullets. I guess I just have a problem making up my mind.
     
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