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Posted: 10/14/2023 9:36:32 AM EST
[#1]
Define "best".
FMJ is practice ammo, and the major players are all about the same. JHP has some differences, but there are plenty of choices that are more or less the same. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 9:39:45 AM EST
[#2]
For the most part if it’s FMJ buy whatever is cheapest.
I reload so I’ve shot very little factory ammo in the last couple years. It’s generally loaded to function in anything(AKA pretty hot). Blazer Brass is what i see a lot of guys using and everyone seems to have good luck with it. For defense ammo, pick one, they’re all pretty good. I like HST and Critical Defense. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 9:45:06 AM EST
[#3]
Quoted: Looking at picking up some more 9mm FMJ bulk packs and some JHP. Many of the FMJ are similarly priced between Federal, Blazer Brass, Winchester, UMC Remington, etc. Are there any real differences with one better than the other or do you think they are all pretty much the same? Most of the JHP are similarly priced also per 1000 rounds, although there are some Winchester/Remington JHP that are 50-100 less per 1000 rounds. Are there any real differences with one better than the other or do you think they are all pretty much the same? In the 20 years you've been on the board, you don't know enough on 9mm differences to buy 9mm ammo ?? Which begs the question.....how did you buy 9mm ammo over the past 20 years ?? . |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 9:48:32 AM EST
[#4]
Carry ammo I have 147gr HST. Practice ammo I have 147gr federal fmj because its so close to the HST I carry. I also have a bunch of other various fmj and jhp because why not.
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Posted: 10/14/2023 9:49:58 AM EST
[#5]
FMJ doesn't much matter. They're all basically the same. Many HPs are in this category too, just slightly more expensive. Their expansion is not as good and/or not as reliable as bullets intended for defense.
Good defensive ammo, You want HSTs or Gold Dots. Some of the copper monolith HPs (like Barnes XPB) have amazing expansion, but much less penetration. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 9:51:58 AM EST
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: In the 20 years you've been on the board, you don't know enough on 9mm differences to buy 9mm ammo ?? Which begs the question.....how did you buy 9mm ammo over the past 20 years ?? . 20 years ago a lot of people were still carrying fmj because of reliability and penetration plus many hollow points had been inconsistent performers. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 9:52:26 AM EST
[#7]
Any brass cased 9mm from a major manufacture for the FMJ ammo
For JHP: Hornady Critical Duty, Speer Gold Dot, Federal HST, or Winchester Ranger T. My personal choice for JHPs are Federal 124 gr HST |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 9:52:52 AM EST
[#8]
Accuracy wise...
Federal has always been a top pic. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 9:52:54 AM EST
[#9]
I use Speer Lawman for practice. Cleaner, more consistent or at least was back in the day. Powder charge to emulate carry ammo unlike weak WWB or Federal AE stuff.
Pretty much any quality JHP is equivalent: Federal HST, Speer Gold Dots, Hornady Critical Duty, Barnes XTP, whatever Winchester’s flavor is etc.. There are match JHP projectiles popular for reloading - you don’t want those for defensive carry. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 9:57:07 AM EST
[#10]
They all work.
I suggest looking at Fenix. I believe they still have free shipping in celebration of Feinsteins death. 
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:02:53 AM EST
[#11]
For the most part FMJ is FMJ. Blazer Brass QC and spec have gone down IMHO. They appear to now be making their brass thinner (see reloading section, some folks having problems), and the ammo is pretty weak - which can cause jams in some guns. My Stribog once jammed with the weak Blazer ammo (Roller delay action can be less forgiving with weak ammo). I personally don't actually recommend Blazer FMJ. Winchester is also known to have QC issues. If I were buying FMJ and it were all comparably priced, I'd probably buy imported, if I could. Eastern European brass cased, would be my top choice. I'd look hard at Turkish imports right now as well. For US, Rem or Fed FMJ would likely be my top choices. None of this is night and day, for your Glock 17, FMJ is FMJ.
For JHP, that's another topic - as there's been a lot of science improvement there, and cheap JHP aren't the same as quality JHP. I don't know really what the latest Hot-Shit JHP is today, but I'd personally look at a name-brand like Hornady. The topic of weight is a big one, and controversial. The thing that stuck with me the most is a conversation with an old cop (yes, I know, a cop - so who knows). "When we shot people with light fast bullets, they died there. When we shot people with slower heavier 9mm bullets, they didn't". That one kind of sticks with me. And another wise friends commentary one day "speed kills". |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:13:50 AM EST
[#12]
For FMJ I like 124gr.
For HPs I like anything over 115gr. Usually 124-135gr but 147s are fine too. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:16:08 AM EST
[#13]
My buddy says:
"I like the special Czech and German FMJs for reasons. I liked CorBon's defensive ammo, but it's fallen out of favor. They probably don't pay enough influencers to hype it, so everyone's forgotten about it." |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:18:39 AM EST
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: In the 20 years you've been on the board, you don't know enough on 9mm differences to buy 9mm ammo ?? Which begs the question.....how did you buy 9mm ammo over the past 20 years ?? This. I would have thought OP was an FNG. . |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:20:18 AM EST
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: For the most part FMJ is FMJ. Blazer Brass QC and spec have gone down IMHO. They appear to now be making their brass thinner (see reloading section, some folks having problems), and the ammo is pretty weak - which can cause jams in some guns. My Stribog once jammed with the weak Blazer ammo (Roller delay action can be less forgiving with weak ammo). I personally don't actually recommend Blazer FMJ. Winchester is also known to have QC issues. If I were buying FMJ and it were all comparably priced, I'd probably buy imported, if I could. Eastern European brass cased, would be my top choice. I'd look hard at Turkish imports right now as well. For US, Rem or Fed FMJ would likely be my top choices. None of this is night and day, for your Glock 17, FMJ is FMJ. For JHP, that's another topic - as there's been a lot of science improvement there, and cheap JHP aren't the same as quality JHP. I don't know really what the latest Hot-Shit JHP is today, but I'd personally look at a name-brand like Hornady. The topic of weight is a big one, and controversial. The thing that stuck with me the most is a conversation with an old cop (yes, I know, a cop - so who knows). "When we shot people with light fast bullets, they died there. When we shot people with slower heavier 9mm bullets, they didn't". That one kind of sticks with me. And another wise friends commentary one day "speed kills". A lot of the Turkish import ammo has hard primers. It works fine in hammer fired guns, but not so great with striker guns. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:23:41 AM EST
[#16]
Federal Am Eagle 147 Gn
Speer Lawman 147 Gn Winchester M1152 For JHP, HST 147Gn |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:25:34 AM EST
[#17]
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:29:10 AM EST
[#18]
which 9mm are you looking for? I'm going to assume 9x19mm Parabellum yes? Theres like a dozen 9mm's out there....
I'm no expert on 9x19mm Parabellum but I do read a lot on guns and ammo (not the mag) and I would bet Hornady Critical Defense or Critical Duty along with Speer Gold Dot is among the best. I'm sure there are others that are equally good. Learn more about 9mm here:  What Are All These 9mm Cartridges, And Why? |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:29:30 AM EST
[#19]
I like 124gr Norma or S&B for FMJ. Norma just doesn’t seem to have the good deals they used to, so I’ve been buying S&B.
I like 147gr HST, I don’t notice a massive POI shift, it isn’t going to matter under stress. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:32:18 AM EST
[#20]
To me, it's either or. They both will kill something.
Now that being said. JHP is best where over penetration can be a danger. Where as FMJ will work and is really great for shooting through walls. When I was in the service years ago. I carried an MP5SD as one of my issue weapons and used FMJ, and it got the job done. Now I'd rather use JHP, but if need be, FMJ will get the job done. Just be very aware of what's behind Target when using FMJ. We also used FMJ 45 acp ammo. But honestly, getting hit with a big slow-moving bullet JHP or not works great. Just my two cents worth. But there can be a huge difference between fmj and jhp ammo and of coarse jhp is best. But fmj will work also in a defensive situation. But honestly I do not want to be shot by anything. Including a pellet gun. If you can afford it get JHPs if not FMJ. I personally have both. But if I run into a deal on FMJ I'll buy it. I also do not consider FMJ just training ammo either. To me anything that can be fired and inflict damage works. I like 124 grain FMJ 9mm, especially the +p verity. I also buy only 124 grain JHP ammo also. But buy whatever makes you comfortable. Btw I reload 9mm, 45 acp, 5.56, .277 wolverine, 300 blkout and 308. Oh yeah, 124gr HST and 124gr Golddot |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:38:56 AM EST
[#21]
I try to stick exclusively to 124gr 9mm NATO loads for my FMJ blasting and practice ammo. And 124gr +P Gold Dots for carry. The Gold Dots because they're proven performers, and they have a neat little gold dot, that's how you know they're legit.
 And the NATO because they feel and shoot extremely close to the Gold Dots for practice and because the NATO standard is atleast a consistent baseline for what you can expect out of them. Regular commercial 9mm range ammo can be all over the place as far as velocity, recoil, and POI depending on which manufacturer you happen to pick up that day. With the NATO stuff, atleast it's all basically loaded to meet the same standard so you know what you're getting no matter if it's Winchester or Federal or whoever else makes 9mm NATO. And since I generally carry duty-grade pistols from manufacturers that are always looking for military and police contracts, NATO is probably what most of them are designed around anyway. In short I like all my ammo to shoot the same, unless I specifically decide to have a different loading for some particular reason. Otherwise if I grab some 9mm ammo out of the stash, I want to already know how it will shoot, how it will recoil, and where it will hit. No matter if it's FMJ or JHP, Winchester, Federal, Speer. No guessing games. If I go to the store to get ammo because the internet apparently ceased to exist, and all they have are some weird brands I never heard of before, if it's labeled 9mm NATO, I already know it'll basically be the same as the stuff I'm already used to. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:43:39 AM EST
[#22]
Hollow point for carry and FMJ for plinking/training for me
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:44:08 AM EST
[#23]
First thing I thought of when reading this.... sounds like a good topic for Project Farms to do a review of 9mm.
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:45:06 AM EST
[#24]
I have been using Speer lately.
I like them.  |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:48:44 AM EST
[#25]
Everyone already answering OP but I’ll say I do stuff like buy Sellier & Bellot for my CZ or German ammo for my Sig and Walther. It’s my version of larping.
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Posted: 10/14/2023 10:54:31 AM EST
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: A lot of the Turkish import ammo has hard primers. It works fine in hammer fired guns, but not so great with striker guns. Yep a few guys have been using the Turkish stuff and have had a high percentage of light strikes. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 11:02:01 AM EST
[#27]
If you want blasting ammo, get whatever you want.
But, consider that some FMJs are “match” rounds. If accuracy matters, you might try some. Take Eley for example. I haven’t tested any bulk ammo that shoots as tight. These are 50 yard targets.  Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 11:09:49 AM EST
[#28]
philips bits
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Posted: 10/14/2023 11:10:12 AM EST
[#29]
You're too late, panic buy already happened.
Speed kills. Get whatever has high velocity. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 11:14:39 AM EST
[#30]
My favorite is Winchester 124gr. NATO. Iwould would not pay a big difference in price for it.
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Posted: 10/14/2023 12:56:52 PM EST
[#31]
I'm a fan of Gold Dots
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Posted: 10/14/2023 1:09:34 PM EST
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: My favorite is Winchester 124gr. NATO. Iwould would not pay a big difference in price for it. Great ammo I have 10k of that ammo. 100.00 per 500 rds |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 1:19:13 PM EST
[#33]
I buy different brands of FMJ and different weights.
For defensive use primarily 147g HST and Ranger T. A few weeks ago Winchester white box 147g HPs went on sale and I researched some videos and it performed well so I bought some to add to the stores. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 1:27:18 PM EST
[#34]
For fmj I just use regular blazer brass. For defense I use Sig Elite Performance.
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Posted: 10/14/2023 1:33:17 PM EST
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Carry ammo I have 147gr HST. Practice ammo I have 147gr federal fmj because its so close to the HST I carry. I also have a bunch of other various fmj and jhp because why not. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 1:40:10 PM EST
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: In the 20 years you've been on the board, you don't know enough on 9mm differences to buy 9mm ammo ?? 95% of this board are gun owners and collectors, not shooters. Shit like this doesn't surprise me. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 1:40:28 PM EST
[#37]
Speer Lawman FMJ is pretty hot. I like that stuff.
For defense, I have the Cor-Bon hollow points. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 1:42:53 PM EST
[#38]
Blazer brass is not FMJ, don’t be fooled.
Depending what you shoot it out of, rifling will peel the electroplated trash apart, lead up your barrel and leave garbage copper in your suppressor and about to baffle strike. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 1:46:22 PM EST
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Blazer brass is not FMJ, don’t be fooled. Depending what you shoot it out of, rifling will peel the electroplated trash apart, lead up your barrel and leave garbage copper in your suppressor and about to baffle strike. ? That’s the first I’m hearing of this. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 1:55:16 PM EST
[#40]
Right now, it depends on what your local business
has on hand The basic Winchester white box ammo seems to be a good place to start Both the fmj and hollowpoint seem to work in about every gun If you can find the Winchester nato round, it is worth the money (However, whatever you buy, make sure it will cycle and fire in your firearm) Also remember, we are going into winter Depending on temperature in your area, how much clothing the criminal has on, there is a good chance your hollow point rounds may clog up and fail to expand Last but not least, www.ammoseek.com |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 1:57:31 PM EST
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: ? That’s the first I’m hearing of this. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Blazer brass is not FMJ, don’t be fooled. Depending what you shoot it out of, rifling will peel the electroplated trash apart, lead up your barrel and leave garbage copper in your suppressor and about to baffle strike. ? That’s the first I’m hearing of this. Even Berry's doesn't do that, and they state outright they're plated. Besides that, properly electroplated bullets should have a better bond between the copper/lead than normal swaged bullets, but the material is thinner. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 7:00:21 PM EST
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Blazer brass is not FMJ, don’t be fooled. Depending what you shoot it out of, rifling will peel the electroplated trash apart, lead up your barrel and leave garbage copper in your suppressor and about to baffle strike. Most of the FMJ on the market is plated and I've seen the plating strip, but I've never seen it cause significant leading. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 7:03:47 PM EST
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Even Berry's doesn't do that, and they state outright they're plated. Besides that, properly electroplated bullets should have a better bond between the copper/lead than normal swaged bullets, but the material is thinner. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Blazer brass is not FMJ, don’t be fooled. Depending what you shoot it out of, rifling will peel the electroplated trash apart, lead up your barrel and leave garbage copper in your suppressor and about to baffle strike. ? That’s the first I’m hearing of this. Even Berry's doesn't do that, and they state outright they're plated. Besides that, properly electroplated bullets should have a better bond between the copper/lead than normal swaged bullets, but the material is thinner. I checked a handy box of Blazer Brass 124gr after reading that; it is definitely better (thicker) than Berry’s plating. Edit: and I’ve never had an issue with Berry’s. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 7:05:41 PM EST
[#44]
Is Winchester NATO 124 RN still a thing? I haven't shopped for 9mm in five years.
Edit: Yes it is. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 7:06:14 PM EST
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted: In the 20 years you've been on the board, you don't know enough on 9mm differences to buy 9mm ammo ?? Which begs the question.....how did you buy 9mm ammo over the past 20 years ?? Yeah, he's panic buying and hasn't bought any 9MM in the past 20 years… nor any other ammo… 
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Posted: 10/14/2023 7:06:45 PM EST
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 20 years ago a lot of people were still carrying fmj because of reliability and penetration plus many hollow points had been inconsistent performers. Only idiots were. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 7:09:52 PM EST
[#47]
FMJ - Winchester 124gr NATO
JHP - Federal 124gr HST +P |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 7:22:56 PM EST
[#48]
Personally,
I like Blazer brass 124, 147gr FMJ. HP, Speer Gold dot 124+P, Fed HST 124+P $$. G9 External HP 80gr +P |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 7:25:31 PM EST
[#49]
I like HSTs. I’ve carried Ranger and Gold Dot too, never any issues with them.
Non carry, FMJs almost always 147gr whatever was decent priced when I bought it and similar ballistics to my carry ammo. |
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Posted: 10/14/2023 7:53:47 PM EST
[#50]
M1152 is pretty close to my preferred flavor of 357 Sig
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