9mm Ballistics & Terminal Performance Guide.
Comprehensive Overview of 9mm Ballistics And Terminal Performance.
9mm Ammo: Ballistics and Terminal Performance
Understanding the ballistics and terminal performance of 9mm ammo is essential for individuals who use firearms for personal protection, sport shooting, or law enforcement.
By knowing the trajectory, accuracy, stopping power, and terminal performance of different ammunition options, individuals can make informed decisions and choose the best cartridge for their specific needs.
This article will give an in-depth look at 9mm ballistics. We'll cover the caliber's capabilities and offer velocity, energy, and bullet drop data for the most popular 9mm calibers.
If you are new to 9mm ammo, check our previous post to learn about the basics of 9mm, its history & how it is different from 45 ACP & 10mm.
Let's discuss 9mm ammo ballistics and terminal performance.
Importance of understanding ballistics and terminal performance
Understanding ballistics and terminal performance are crucial for individuals who use firearms for personal protection, sport shooting, or law enforcement.
Ballistics refers to studying a projectile's motion and behavior as it travels through the air and into a target. The information gathered from ballistics testing can help individuals make informed decisions regarding the trajectory, accuracy, and stopping power of different ammunition options.
Terminal performance refers to the ammunition's ability to transfer energy to a target and cause damage. Understanding the terminal performance of different ammunition options is essential to assess a particular cartridge's effectiveness in different scenarios.
By understanding ballistics and terminal performance, individuals can make informed decisions and choose the best ammunition for their needs.
9mm Ballistics & Terminal Performance
The ballistics of 9mm ammunition can vary depending on the specific load and manufacturer, but here is some general information about 9mm ammo ballistics:
- Muzzle velocity: The average muzzle velocity of a 9mm cartridge is around 1,200 feet per second (fps). Some loads can have speeds up to 1,400 fps or higher, while others may be slower.
- Energy: The energy of a 9mm cartridge is typically measured in foot pounds (ft-lb). A standard 9mm cartridge has a power of around 350-400 ft-lb.
- Penetration: The 9mm cartridge is designed to penetrate to a depth of around 12-14 inches in ballistic gelatin, a commonly used material to simulate human tissue. Some 9mm loads are designed for maximum expansion and shallow penetration, while others are designed for deeper penetration and less growth.
- Recoil: The recoil of a 9mm cartridge is generally considered to be moderate and manageable, making it a good choice for those who may have difficulty handling heavier recoil.
- Bullet weight: Typical bullet weights for 9mm ammunition range from 115 to 147 grains. There are huge difference between bullet grains.
9mm Ammo Ballistics Chart
Important Note: Ballistics can vary from the manufacturer and different types of loads. You need to check the ballistics & terminal performance to choose the best caliber.
To know the complete information about 9mm ballistics check here: http://www.ballistics101.com/9mm.php
| 9mm Bullet WEIGHT | Muzzle VELOCITY (fps) | Muzzle ENERGY (ft. lbs.) | Mid-Range TRAJECTORY (in.) | Barrel Length (in.) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet WEIGHT | Muzzle | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | Muzzle | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | |
| 88 Grain | 1500 | 1190 | 1010 | 440 | 275 | 200 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 4" |
| 90 Grain | 1360 | 1112 | 978 | 370 | 247 | 191 | n/a | n/a | 4" |
| 92 Grain | 1325 | 1117 | 991 | 359 | 225 | 201 | -3.2 | n/a | 4" |
| 95 Grain | 1300 | 1140 | 1010 | 350 | 275 | 215 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 4" |
| 100 Grain | 1180 | 1080 | n/a | 305 | 255 | n/a | 0.9 | n/a | 4" |
| 115 Grain | 1155 | 1045 | 970 | 340 | 280 | 240 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 4" |
| 123 Grain | 1110 | 1030 | 970 | 340 | 290 | 260 | 1 | 4 | 4" |
| 124 Grain | 1150 | 1040 | 965 | 364 | 298 | 256 | -4.5 | n/a | 4" |
| 125 Grain | 1110 | 1030 | 970 | 340 | 290 | 260 | 1 | 4 | 4" |
| 135 Grain | 1010 | 960 | 918 | 306 | 276 | 253 | n/a | n/a | 4" |
| 140 Grain | 935 | 890 | 850 | 270 | 245 | 225 | 1.3 | 5.5 | 4" |
| 147 Grain | 990 | 940 | 900 | 320 | 290 | 265 | 1.1 | 4.9 | 4" |
| 90 Grain +P | 1475 | n/a | n/a | 437 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4" |
| 115 Grain +P | 1250 | 1113 | 1019 | 399 | 316 | 265 | 0.8 | 3.5 | 4" |
| 124 Grain +P | 1180 | 1089 | 1021 | 384 | 327 | 287 | 0.8 | 3.8 | 4" |
9mm Ballistics By Brands
| 9mm Bullet WEIGHT | Muzzle VELOCITY (fps) | Muzzle ENERGY (ft. lbs.) | Mid-Range TRAJECTORY (in.) | Barrel Length (in.) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet WEIGHT | Muzzle | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | Muzzle | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | 50 yds. | 100 yds. | |
| Fiocchi 115 Gr. FMJ | 1200 | 1089 | 1009 | 368 | 303 | 260 | -3.8 | n/a | 4" |
| Federal Am. Eagle 124 Gr. FMJ | 1150 | 1049 | 977 | 364 | 303 | 263 | -0.9 | -8.8 | 4" |
| Hornady American Gunner 115 Gr. XTP | 1155 | 1038 | 958 | 341 | 275 | 235 | -1.8 | -11.7 | 4" |
| Winchester Ranger 127 Gr. JHP +P+ | 1250 | 1120 | 1030 | 441 | 354 | 299 | -1.6 | -10 | 4" |
| Hornady 100 Gr. FTX Critical Defense Lite | 1125 | 1003 | 922 | 281 | 224 | 189 | -1.9 | -12.5 | 4" |
| Federal Syntech 138 Gr. SJHP | 1050 | 985 | 934 | 338 | 298 | 267 | -1.2 | -10.5 | 4" |
| Barnes 115 Gr. TAC-XP +P | 1125 | 1039 | 975 | 323 | 276 | 243 | -1.9 | -11.8 | 4" |
| Fiocchi 158 Gr. FMJ Subsonic | 850 | 814 | 780 | 253 | 232 | 213 | -2.5 | -6.2 | 4" |
| Sellier & Bellot 150 Gr. FMJ Subsonic | 1001 | 955 | 920 | 333 | 303 | 281 | -1.6 | -12.1 | 4" |
| Blazer Brass 115 Gr. FMJ | 1145 | 1047 | 977 | 335 | 280 | 244 | -1.8 | -11.6 | 4" |
| Blazer Brass 124 Gr. FMJ | 1090 | 1014 | 955 | 327 | 283 | 252 | -2 | -12.4 | 4" |
| Federal Am. Eagle 147 Gr. FMJ | 1000 | 953 | 914 | 326 | 297 | 273 | -1.4 | -11.5 | 4" |
| Federal Am. Eagle 115 Gr. FMJ | 1180 | 1048 | 961 | 356 | 280 | 236 | -0.9 | -8.7 | 4" |
| Magtech 124 Gr. FMJ | 1109 | 1024 | 961 | 339 | 289 | 254 | -1.9 | -12.1 | 4" |
| Winchester 124 Gr. FMJ NATO | 1200 | 1095 | 1018 | 397 | 330 | 286 | -1.7 | -10.6 | 4" |
| PMC 115 Gr. FMJ | 1150 | 1057 | 988 | 338 | 285 | 249 | 0 | -7.3 | 4" |
Wrapping It Up:
To choose the right 9mm ammo it's important to know about its ballistics & terminal performance.
It's important to note that these are general ballistics and specific performance can vary based on the particular load and firearm used. Additionally, bullet weight and velocity can affect other ballistics such as bullet drop and terminal performance. Which can influence the effectiveness of 9mm ammunition for specific applications such as self-defense or target shooting.
