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Writer's pictureGraham Baates

The Best Range Ammo Quest: Part 3

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In the third installment of our search for the best 9mm 115gr range ammo we add two more loads to our list of what's been tested bringing the total to six loads. Fiocchi's "9AP" 115gr and PMC Bronze. In the second installment we tested Blazer Brass and Blazer Aluminum and added them to our first results of Sterling Brass and Winchester White Box. This testing is made possible thanks to our Patrons, and we are open to your suggestions for loads to add to the next update.

Loads tested so far include offerings from Winchester, Fiocchi, Blazer, PMC, and Sterling
Loads tested so far include offerings from Winchester, Fiocchi, Blazer, PMC, and Sterling

What Is the best bang for your buck depends largely on your goals. As you see the chart below keep the following in mind:

  • More muzzle energy will have more felt recoil, but also be able to slog through a dirty gun or possibly help compensate for poor form (limp wristing).

  • Less muzzle energy will have less felt recoil, but going too light may not cycle your gun depending on it's basic design, your shooting form, and any added weight (red dots, etc).

  • Consistency (lower extreme spread and standard deviation numbers) is key if you seek the maximum in accuracy.

  • Forget having a favorite vendor. As you'll see below the best price for any aprticular load varies from shop to shop with some loads having up to a $0.27 per-round range in pricing!

The Raw Data:


Titles so far, Prices, and Sources:



Blazer Brass: Most Consistent

Blazer Brass Ammunition Test Video


Blazer Aluminum: Lowest Price Per Round

Blazer Aluminum has at least two different packaging setups. As far as we can tell they are the same product.


Blazer Aluminum Test Video


Winchester White Box: Most Muzzle Energy


Sterling Brass: Softest Shooting

Sterling Ammunition Test Video


Fiocchi "9AP" Middle of the Road

Fiocchi "9AP" Test Video


PMC Bronze Middle of the Road

Disclaimers:

  • Prices vary wildly with time. Prices posted are as of the date this article was written. Check multiple site for shipping rates, sometimes an extra cent or two per round at another vendor saves you a lot in shipping.

  • Our testing is based on a small sample size. Ammunition is produced in mass quantities and quality can vary from lot to lot.

  • Testing was conducted using a Grand Power K100. Grand power pistols have exceptional barrel quality, and the K100's 4.25" barrel produces higher velocities than a shorter barrel will. Results will vary from pistol to pistol.

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6 Comments


Ron Martinsen
Ron Martinsen
Jun 06, 2023

Norma Range & Training has been my go to because it’s accurate and reliable. Until recently it was always in abundant supply and could be purchased for less than Winchester or CCI, but lately it’s been scarce.


Its biggest negative is that it requires a special die to reload as there is something wonky that happens when depriming.


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Graham Baates
Graham Baates
Jun 06, 2023
Replying to

Yes, I've noticed after Beretta took over Norma selection and availability has gone down and pricies have gone up.

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Jim Neal
Jim Neal
Jun 04, 2023

I've had excellent results with Freedom Munitions in both 45acp and 9mm. Might be worth a look. Good series..

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Jim Neal
Jim Neal
Jun 06, 2023
Replying to

While not 115 gr., I see they have a brass plated steel case, 147gr., for around$24/100.

Might be worth a look.

I'm presently reloading the NS3 cases that I won from Loads of Bacon some time ago. Should be ok for 9mm for a while.

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Dave Knowles
Dave Knowles
Jun 04, 2023

Great series, of course my biggest issue up here in Canada right now is what do they have in stock. I would like to see Sellier & Belliot tested as at least for me tends to be one of the lower cost options available on a consistent basis.

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