Test Gun: Sig P229, Beretta Nano.
Barrel length: 3.9 inches, 3 inches.
Ammunition: Winchester 147gr JHP (USA9JHP2)
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: PACT 1 XP with inferred sky screens.

The recent testing of the Winchester White Box 115gr JHP seemed to be very popular so when the opportunity came up to try the 147gr version I took it. Even though this ammo is considered a "bargain brand" it's hard to consider it a bargain when it was $22 for this box locally. Right now we live in a time of falling ammo prices and online HST's and Gold Dots can be found for less, so I have to wonder why one would pay more for this and "similar" brands. Maybe for some reason, someone is limited to what they can get at their local Wal-Mart.

The first shot into bare gel had a velocity of 908fps and penetrated to 17.75 inches with an expansion of .53 inches. Round two penetrated to 17 inches with an expansion of .54 inches and a velocity of 915fps.



In heavy clothing, the first round hit at 911fps penetrated to 15 inches with an "expansion" of .51 inches. As you can see it didn't expand so much as deformed a little. The bullet took a sharp downward turn at about the 12-inch mark in the block. I believe this is why the penetration was less than the others. Round two had a velocity of 948fps, penetrated to 17.75 inches and expanded to .48 inches.



Out of the short barreled Nano, round one in bare gel ran at 918fps for a penetration of 19 inches and expanded to .53 inches. Round two traveled 20 inches, also expanded to .53 inches with a velocity of 901fps.



I found it interesting that the bullets fired for the Nano had similar velocity and recovered diameter to the rounds fired from the P229 but penetrated slightly further.

http://www.general-cartridge.com

Another great test and review thanks for doing these tests..

Not a bad budget round to stack deep it seems.

I shot a few rounds of the 230gr 45 into gel awhile ago and was surprised at how well it worked both bare and with a clothing barrier. After that I said I was going to test some other "budget" stuff but I never got around to it. Glad to see someone is getting it done.

They must have changed the lead hardness.

This stuff was legendary for failure to expand 100% of the time in the past.

Did pretty good for an older style hollowpoint. Thanks for posting

I have to say I'm impressed with the performance.

That seems to be way the physics. Low expansion=deeper penetration. High expansion=shallow penetration.

Great test!

Paul Harrell does a lot of ballistic testing on his YouTube channel with "budget" SD rounds and the premium stuff. Honestly, there is not a lot of difference sometimes.

I carry HST, but really, if all I had was the basic Winchester, Remington, or Federal hollow point ammo in anything heavier than 115 grains, I would feel just fine.

Thanks.  I didn't know they made white box 147JHP. 

Pretty much the same results I got when I previously tested the WW 147 JHP.

Little more penetration then I'd prefer but it will work in a pinch.

YES! Some Paul H. love... That guy is awesome.

I'll take it. How's the performance through hard barriers?

Are my eyes playing tricks on me or does it look like an RA9T projectile to anyone else?

Winchester started cutting the skives a little deeper and longer on the WWB JHP a couple of years back, maybe that's what you're seeing.  The inside of the hollowpoint is still pretty much the same, a shallower hollowpoint than modern offerings with a long skinny cavity below that.  Not a terrible loading, but it's not cheaper than modern loadings by a wide enough margin to make me buy it in bulk.  Still, if it was all I had I wouldn't have any problems carrying it.

Great test. Thanks! I can't find the test for the 115gr WWB HP's mentioned in the OP. Anyone have a link?

https://www.ar15.com/forums/Handguns/Winchester-White-Box-9mm-115gr-JHP-in-Clear-Ballistics-gel-/20-179706/

Thanks!

I see this stuff at local Walmart frequently but cost $22 for box of 50 rounds.
Couple rounds I fired few years back had large fireball when fired at low light from short barrel.
Haven't see the 115gr JHP version for years around here.

For reference, the 115gr ammo is listed as  USA9JHP by Winchester. The thread listed above is archived, so I couldn't post there.
Also, saw a deal where you can get the 115 or 147gr rounds for around $15 a box after rebate. That's a steal for a proper SD round. I think I'm going to be getting a lot of this.

It wouldn’t be my first choice.  It’s a bit pricey for “bulk” but if it’s all I could find I wouldn’t fret.

I can buy 50 round boxes of HST federal for the same or less.   It’s a no brainer to go with the HST over a 15 year old design.

I bought a lot of variety for testing and break in of a new 9mm. I accidentally got some of this instead of some WWB 147FMJ I asked for.  The clerk simply grabbed from the wrong stack and I didn’t catch it when he rung it up amongst a few other types of ammo.   It is snappy for sure.  The speed lawman version was a better feeling cycle for getting back on target, same with the 147 and 124 HST. (Non plus P).

ETA there was a bit more flash with the wwb jhp too.  I was shooting out doors on an overcast day shooting from a covered firing line.

Agreed that the HST's are a much better design, but at $15 a box? If I can get HST's at that price, I'd be all over it.

It's not quite $15 but its close enough to make it worth it.

https://www.bonefroggunclub.com/collections/ammunition/products/9mm-124gr-federal-premium-tactical-hst-jhp-50rds-p9hst1

Worth the $2 a box extra, I'd say! Thanks.

Good test, good results.

Interesting that this stuff performs better than Critical Duty for 1/2 the price. Thanks.

Appreciate the info man, but your tests really should be through denim.

I just bought two of these right now at Walmart.

I went in for ammo since I ran out was shocked to see the price on these when I opened the box and saw that it wasn't just the hollow point but had the cuts in it that implied that somebody put at least a little bit of thought into this.

I know it's not Tier 1 or doc Roberts recommended, but I'm sure it's better than ball for self-defense.

As others mentioned, I go to Bone frog for my tier 1 bulk ammo, but good to know that when I run out like tonight I can run to Walmart and get this stuff.

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From what I've been reading, about $22 for a box of 50 decent hollow points, aint' too bad.
I haven't shot anything with them yet, but based on the reviews, I would carry them - if they functioned in my pistol and ar9. Should be devastating in the ar9 with a suppressor.

With the stunt that Federal/Vista is pulling regarding 50 round boxes, this may become my go to defensive load.

I bet that even a 16" barrel will not increase the velocity to 1100fps and performance should be darn good. Little more velocity, little more expansion, little less penetration...

147gr GS is $16.99/50 and on GKRs list..

The 50rd box situation is terrible now.  I can't believe those days are over.

The good news is that Winchester is having a rebate on WWB ammo, 10% off.  Buds is the price leader today on this stuff.

I was going to post this as well, and I also agree, I like his no-nonsense almost folksy style.

Local Wal-Mart lowered the price on all pistol ammo; presumably to get rid of it faster.

This stuff is now something like $19/box.

According to my friend who recently retired from Detroit police this was the issue ammo for their department for last couple years he was there.
He said it worked as well as anything else they used in past.

I just bought 2 boxes from Walmart at their close out price of $19 each. I’m planning on running it through my 8” barreled 9mm AR9 when I get my suppressor