Well you already have the good stuff lol. I did a poll awhile back and the consensus seems to be Federal.

http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=142124

 

gold dots would hurt/stop

 

The absolute best is Winchester 127gr +p+ Ranger loads.... Having said that there many great loads for the 9MM.
I shoot and carry Remington 124gr +p Golden Sabers which I personally consider the next best.

 

In my XDM I carry Speer Gold Dot 124 gr. +p

 

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I second this, Law enforcement is using this to.:thumb:

 

I also like Gold Dots. Never any feeding issues. I use them 100% of the time in my .380.
But... most of the time, I use FMJs in my 9mms.

 

Speer Gold Dot...

 

Hard to go wrong with any of the modern HP ammo. I would try them all to see which is the most accurate in your gun. a FMJ between the eyes beats the latest "Super Shredder" that just grazes the shoulder in my opinion.

 

There is no one absolute best. The cartridge that positively feeds and is most accurate from your pistol is the best choice.
The ammo choice issue is made even more complex by the lack of credible research and the wealth of uninformed opinion regarding what is commonly referred to as "stopping power".


Having said that.

There are many excellent self-defense 9mm choices available:

• Federal 124gr & 147gr HST (NOT Hydra-Shok)
• Federal 124gr & 135gr Tactical Bonded JHP
• Hornady 115gr FTX
• Hornady 147gr and 124gr TAP/XTP
• Remington 124gr & 147gr Golden Sabers and Golden Saber Bonded
• Corbon 115gr DPX
• Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
• Winchester Ranger-T 127gr JHP +P+ (RA9TA)
• Winchester Ranger-T 147gr JHP (RA9T)
• Winchester Bonded 147gr JHP (RA9B/Q4364)
• Speer Gold Dot 124gr & 147gr JHP

Please read THIS, THIS, THIS and THIS for excellent terminal ballistics info


The 147gr Golden Saber, Gold Dot and Ranger T all feature excellent feed profiles, excellent terminal ballistics with deep penetration equal to 124gr and 127gr bullets weights, and the 147gr bullet weight is typically most accurate(YMMV)

 

There is no one absolute best. The cartridge that positively feeds and is most accurate from your pistol is the best choice.
The ammo choice issue is made even more complex by the lack of credible research and the wealth of uninformed opinion regarding what is commonly referred to as "stopping power".QUOTE]

Can't beat that advice right there. I use handloads with Sierra 115 JHP bullets. They shoot straight and should make ugly wounds. I underlined should because I've never shot anybody or any living thing with it. Haven't shot any ballistic gel either but I feel confident it will positively feed in my weapon by virtue of experience. Not much else to say that might help. Good luck!

 

Not a big fan of the 147 gr 9mm rounds, seems to take too much of the velocity away from the bullet. Again though, this is merely my opinion, YMMV.

That being said, I would have to give the nod to Speer Gold Dot. I am impressed with their performance, and the way which they are manufactured gives me confidence in their ability and consistency of expansion.

http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/gold_dot_const.aspx


hick

 

Federal 124gr & 147gr HST (NOT Hydra-Shok)

This, really like it.

 

I wonder why speer did so poorly in the poll.

 

I carry 147gr Golden Sabers in my full size XD9 and have Magnatech 115's in my spare mag, but they're about to be replaced with 127gr Rangers when I go to the range next (haven't bought the Rangers, maybe today.)

Magnatech's are nice and cheap and I haven't had one problem with them, I just prefer the Golden Sabers shape compared to them. The Sabers actually start to hurt after you load a few mags worth......

I'm supposed to be able to "upgrade" to an XD40sc (Don't want an M, believe it or not) in Feb and can't wait, just for the smaller footprint.

 

Any modern SD ammo is good to use. There is no need to use only expensive ammo. You will be fine with most of the JHP stuff available today.

Just remember, practice with what you will carry. I practice and carry a $20 for a box of 50 JHP ammo. I can shoot it well and I know how it shoots in my gun. That is more important to me then a $28 for a box of 25 ammo.

 

I sure appreciate all the help ! This really brings me up to speed, I think. At the time, I really liked that Black Talon ammunition, but in my mind, shot placement is probably the most critical factor. Those links were awesome, I had to book mark them ! Again, thanks everybody. TP

 

Good read!!
http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm

 

Mine likes 124gr Fiocchi best. It doesn't hurt that they come in 50 rd boxes either.

 

I have Federal HST's 147.

 

I carry Speer Gold Dot 124 gr. +p

 

My prefered right now is the Corbon DPX, the reason is copper jackets tend to deflect far more when in contact with barriers like windows etc. Essentially the copper makes the round pivot, because the lead core is trying to keep going, but the copper stays. Also bonded jackets don't always mean they are going to stay bonded, so with a full copper slug you have a lot less of this action.

Most of the other rounds, especially Filthy's list are fine as well.

 

147 hst....

 

~ d-e-e-p ~

 

I have always been a fan of 115.