Posted: 9/24/2014 8:31:34 PM EDT
| So if I knew how to set up a poll on this forum I would have but im a dummy so for 9mm home defense rounds I have narrowed my choices down to 2. Either Hornady's 135 gr +p Critical Duty or Winchester PDX1 124 gr +p. This is for my beloved Glock 19. |
| I never shoot +p. Only have shot 20 rounds total to make sure they function properly. I usually shoot winchester white box 9mm for target practice. I like the +p for the extra power for better expansion, or so I am told. Why not +p? And I have tried gold dots but had an issue with set back. How come no on the Hornady's? See I have only done water jug tests just to see what they look like fully expanded. I have tested federal hst 124 gr, Hornady critical duty 135 gr +p flex lock, and the pdx1 124 gr +p. They all expanded very well. Federal hst 124 gr has beautiful expansion, like a flower. Same with the pdx1. I like +p for hd but I never shoot it. |
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Data for the 135g +p Critical Duty is 3.71 cu inch volume, 0.581" expansion and 14" penetration in bare gel. Decent round, but out performed by a lot of others.
I don't have data for the PDX. If you can get HST in 147g that is the best. Typically the 147g loads are going to outperform lighter loads. the chart was a real eye-opener in that a lot "modern hollowpoints" are pretty crappy and there are huge differences. Slightly larger expansion/penetration may not make a difference in an actual shooting situation, but it could. The lower perfroming ammo will at best be as effective as a better round. The better round (on paper) will at worst be as effective as a lesser round, but may be more effective. Give yourself whatever advantage you can. |
| Ok thanks a lot. Since were talking ammo here. I live in a damp area unfortunatly and until i can afford a dehumidifier im a worried about my ammo. well maybe not worried but curious, i keep my handgun ammo in the boxes in an ammo can (metal military one that seals) and also bought a huge bag of silica gel and put it in smaller bags and keep a bag of it in every can i have and a hug one in my safe. I HATE moisture. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for that chart that was nice of you to put that up. But if +p is no good then why is the ranger t +p+ 124 qualified as good in that graph. thats even more power than a stadard pressure and a +p, just curious. I think you mean the 127 grain +p+ Ranger T, Yes the +p+ only gives more force or energy, but this means very little in stopping power. To stop a bad guy you want penetration, expansion, and wound channel volume. Sorry a brief reply, but I'm tired and I'm going to sleep. |
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I like the Critical Duty line. I carry the 45 acp version but from the test Ive seen the 9mm is GTG The PDX1 might be a good round but I did see a test where it was not expanding with the 4 layers of denim all the time. I do know the Critical Duty will give you better penetration. All depends on what your looking for. |
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Quoted:
I didn't want to believe that +P ammo was not as good as standard pressure, But I was finally convinced. Short barreled pistols (3 inches or so and under) are the exception to this rule, and benefit from +P rounds. No, they really don't. You get a slight increase in velocity and a bunch more muzzle blast. Short barrel pistols benefit most from heavy for caliber bullets because they lose much less velocity with heavier bullets and because heavier bullets have a much larger design envelope. |