I carry 9mm for self-defense. Specifically, I carry the Speer Gold Dots hollow points at 147 grains. I just subjectively chose 147 grains because I guessed that the heavier bullet will cause more damage against the bad guy than a lighter 115 grain bullet. For target & practice shooting, I fire 115 grain FMJ bullets due to availability and cost.
I know that shot placement/accuracy matters more than whether a bullet is 115 grains or 147 grains. I understand that the 32 grain weight difference in a bullet is not going to be some magical difference between saving my/my family's life or not.
But assuming all things (including shot placement) are equal, I'm wondering if I should just carry 115 grains Gold Dot hollow point for self defense rather than the 147? Between 115 and 147, do you think one bullet will cause more damage than the other to the bad guy? Or would both cause a similar amount of damage?
What about the fact that I shoot 115 grains all the time for practice at the range? Does that makes a difference? Is my gun or my shooting habits "used to" 115 grains and so that's what should use for self defense?
For what it's worth, I noticed that many of the online ballistic gel test results between 115 grains and 147 grains were similar. My research isn't comprehensive or authoritative by any means, but:
YouTube channel TNOutdoors9 tested 115 grain Gold Dot. It came in at 17.5 inches.
His Gold Dot 147 grains came in at 14.25 inches.
For what it's worth, TNOutdoors9 (whom I like and trust) recommended the heavier bullets for self defense. I wonder why since the 115 grains had more penetration according to his own tests?
Here is Lucky Gunner ballistic tests where the average 5 shot penetration depth for 115 grains came in at 16.4. The average 147 grain Gold Dot came in at 16.1.
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
I am sure that there's no way to know a definitive answer to this question and I'm OK with that. But I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject matter. Thanks in advance for all your answers.
I know that shot placement/accuracy matters more than whether a bullet is 115 grains or 147 grains. I understand that the 32 grain weight difference in a bullet is not going to be some magical difference between saving my/my family's life or not.
But assuming all things (including shot placement) are equal, I'm wondering if I should just carry 115 grains Gold Dot hollow point for self defense rather than the 147? Between 115 and 147, do you think one bullet will cause more damage than the other to the bad guy? Or would both cause a similar amount of damage?
What about the fact that I shoot 115 grains all the time for practice at the range? Does that makes a difference? Is my gun or my shooting habits "used to" 115 grains and so that's what should use for self defense?
For what it's worth, I noticed that many of the online ballistic gel test results between 115 grains and 147 grains were similar. My research isn't comprehensive or authoritative by any means, but:
YouTube channel TNOutdoors9 tested 115 grain Gold Dot. It came in at 17.5 inches.
His Gold Dot 147 grains came in at 14.25 inches.
For what it's worth, TNOutdoors9 (whom I like and trust) recommended the heavier bullets for self defense. I wonder why since the 115 grains had more penetration according to his own tests?
Here is Lucky Gunner ballistic tests where the average 5 shot penetration depth for 115 grains came in at 16.4. The average 147 grain Gold Dot came in at 16.1.
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
I am sure that there's no way to know a definitive answer to this question and I'm OK with that. But I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject matter. Thanks in advance for all your answers.