147gr problem?

Oklahoma Stronghold · 11-04-2009, 09:28 PM

I bought a box of Winchester 147gr JHP today at wal mart. Afterwards I was talking to a guy and he was saying that you shouldn't buy 147gr b/c it has problems. Have any of you had that experience? If so what's the problems did you have. I'm shooting a Glock 34.

RustyZX9 · 11-04-2009, 10:18 PM

I use 147's in all of my 9mm's with no issues. They are the easiest to make subsonic for use with supressors. In fact I just switched to J&K hardcast lead 147"s for competition. I like em a lot.

olyeller · 11-04-2009, 10:30 PM

I usually get my advice from folks from walmart too.

Nik · 11-04-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olyeller

I usually get my advice from folks from walmart too.

Glocktogo · 11-04-2009, 10:57 PM

147's are not my personal choice. I prefer the Winchester Ranger SXT 127 +P+ or the Speer Gold Dot 115 +P+.

The slow heavy bullet crowd prefer the 147's and the light fast bullet crowd prefer the 115-127 range. Any of them will work just fine if you do your part and place them well.

NikatKimber · 11-05-2009, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glocktogo

Any of them will work just fine if you do your part and place them well.

This about sums it up. I've shot just about every weight between 115gr and 147gr through my Sig, and it never cared. I've never noticed a functional difference between them. As far as down range performance... that's a whole 'nuther can 'o worms. There are positives to light and fast (think .223 rifle rounds), and there are positives to slow and heavy (more towards the .45 acp - flying bowling ball).

Oklahoma Stronghold · 11-05-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olyeller

I usually get my advice from folks from walmart too.

That's funny right there!
It wasn't a guy at wally world though. It was a family member who came over to my house.

paul0731 · 11-05-2009, 10:31 AM

147's didn't seem to run well in dirty mags while my 115's still would. This was in my xd mags after they went into the red dirt at okc gun club. No problems after I cleaned my mags.

Old Fart · 11-05-2009, 08:22 PM

Sounds like he may have had a problem.
There's always a couple who do with just about anything.
Doesn't make him wrong. Probably just his experience.

TonyT · 11-06-2009, 06:17 PM

I load 147 gr. FMJ's in muy 9mm at ca 900 fps with excellent results ina wide variety of 9mm semi autos -- Glock 17, S&W 99, S&W M&P9Pro, Sig 226. I prefer using either Bullseye, VV N-330 or WSF. WSF has become one of my favorites for 9mm loads.

oknavy · 11-07-2009, 12:43 AM

I have no personal experience with 147 grain 9mm bullets. However, the question reminded me of an internet article on self-defense ammo http://www.chuckhawks.com/ammo_by_anonymous.htm Quoting from the article:

"Now it is time to impart some crucial information: NEVER use 147 grain ammo in a 9mm pistol! There was a stupid fad for 147 grain hollowpoints a few years ago, and many were suckered into buying these weak, worthless and malfunction-prone rounds. I don't care what you've heard: never use any 9mm hollowpoint heavier than 125 grains. 147 grain hollowpoints often jam in many popular 9mm guns like the Browning Hi-Power, SIG, Beretta 92, S&W and Glock. Ignore the gun magazine hype and stick to what works. If you want to gamble, go to Reno. Don't gamble with your life. 147 grain ammo sucks."

This article might be the source of your friend's opinion. Please note: I'm just the messenger!

Oklahoma Stronghold · 11-07-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oknavy

I have no personal experience with 147 grain 9mm bullets. However, the question reminded me of an internet article on self-defense ammo http://www.chuckhawks.com/ammo_by_anonymous.htm Quoting from the article:

"Now it is time to impart some crucial information: NEVER use 147 grain ammo in a 9mm pistol! There was a stupid fad for 147 grain hollowpoints a few years ago, and many were suckered into buying these weak, worthless and malfunction-prone rounds. I don't care what you've heard: never use any 9mm hollowpoint heavier than 125 grains. 147 grain hollowpoints often jam in many popular 9mm guns like the Browning Hi-Power, SIG, Beretta 92, S&W and Glock. Ignore the gun magazine hype and stick to what works. If you want to gamble, go to Reno. Don't gamble with your life. 147 grain ammo sucks."

This article might be the source of your friend's opinion. Please note: I'm just the messenger!

Actually it is his source! I told him that I posted this question and no one on here so far said that they had any problems w/147 hp's. He said that he had read that on chuck hawks site. We concluded that it probably is one of those things that some people swear by and others swear against.

bratch · 11-07-2009, 09:57 AM

The chuck hawk site has some very dated info especially about the 147s. Originally the 147 gr bullets performed very poorly current production performs very well and has the wider variety of recommended loads than any other 9mm weight.

hd_rider13 · 11-07-2009, 06:21 PM

I can't find it, but I did read a terminal ballistic study on the 147. There were some issues with good expansion on some of the hollow points
tested. I can't remember what the brands were, but it was the lack of velocity that caused the problem. The fix? Load your own. I have loaded some plus
loads for my wife to shoot in her G19. Let's just say she has no problem shooting the .357 mag anymore.