115 vs 147 Grain: Throwing 9mm Bullet Weights Around

Handguns chambered for the 9mm Luger, also known as the 9mm Parabellum, 9mm NATO, or the simple “nine,” are the most common type of pistol in the United States.

This is no coincidence. The 9mm and its handguns have achieved a nearly perfect balance between energy and manageable recoil, between magazine capacity and per-round stopping power.

It’s not the most overpowering cartridge, and there are alternatives with more capacity and lighter recoil. But, thanks in large part to well-crafted, easy-to-use handguns, the 9mm arguably sits at the pinnacle of the handgun and self-defense world.

115 Grain versus 147 Grain: Short Answer

If this round has a “standard” bullet weight, it would be 115 grains. This weight takes up, roughly speaking, about a third of the 9mm Luger market. But there are other options, including the heavier 147-grain bullet. Generally speaking, 115-grain rounds are faster out of the barrel than 147 grain. Because of that speed, 115-grain loads deliver more energy into a target at close range. However, once you hit about 25-yards away, the 147-grain’s weight helps it deliver more energy into your target. Many shooters say they feel more recoil firing the heavier 147 grain loads than the 115 grain.

Typically, 115-grain 9mm ammo is cheaper than 147 grain 9mm ammo.

So, which should you choose? Does the difference even matter? Let’s examine both weights in detail so you can make an informed decision.

Understanding Grain Weight

Before diving into the differences, it helps to explore “grains” and “grain weight.” A grain is a unit of weight measurement equal to 1/7,000th of a pound. (There are 7,000 grains in a pound.)

While 9mm Luger ammo ranges from about 53 to 165 grains, the majority are either 115, 124, or 147.

Knowing the bullet weight is important because it impacts trajectory, velocity, penetration, energy, expansion, and many other factors.

Note: Gunpowder is also measured in grains. However, when you see “grains” or “gr” on an ammo box, it refers to bullet weight.

Weight War: Pricing Differences

The 9mm is frequently used for personal protection, which means training is critical. Users need to go through hundreds, possibly thousands of practice shots, so even if you never fire a round in self defense, the cost of ammunition matters.

While the price difference is not massive, a 115-grain is usually cheaper. You’ll save about four cents per shot, which may not sound like much, but over a shooting lifetime could add up quickly. In reality, most won’t train this often, but USA Carry recommends training twice a week and shooting 50 rounds at each session. That’s 100 rounds a week, 5,200 rounds a year. Four cents means $208 in savings every year. If you shoot for five years at this pace, using 115-grain brings $1,040 saved on ammo.

115 and 147 on the Scale: Ballistics

Velocity

All things the same, a lighter bullet will have a faster muzzle velocity than a heavier round. However, heavier rounds often keep their momentum and have faster downrange speeds. Regardless, we see a predictable result in this comparison; the 115-grain rounds consistently move faster than their 147-grain counterparts.

Even downrange, the 115-grain cartridges are faster. The heavier round could, conceivably, catch up at 75 or 100 yards, but most shooters won’t be using their 9mm handguns at this range.

Bottomline: If you want velocity, go with the 115.

Energy

We might assume that the heavier round would deliver more energy, but this is not the case. At least, not entirely. The 147-grain ammunition actually has lower muzzle energy than the 115, which we can reasonably credit to the higher speeds of the lighter bullet.

But at 25 yards, it essentially becomes a tie, and at 50 yards the 147 round has the advantage. This suggests that the 115 may be better for personal defense, which almost always happens within 25 yards or less, while the 147-grain option is better for hunting, such as hog or varmint.

Bottomline: The speedier 115 delivers more energy to about 25 yards, but the 147 is stronger at 50 and beyond.

Watching Your Weight: 115 or 147?

In reality, it’s not an either-or situation. It’s a when situation.

The 115 has higher velocities and is often more accurate, so if you want to test your pistol skills at 75 or 100 yards, this is a fine choice. However, the 147-grain option is a heavy bullet that can be effective for self-defense and target shooting. Many users also report that the 147-grain brings a recoil that feels like a “push,” while the 115-grain “snaps.” Most prefer the push.

So, somewhat surprisingly, the heavier bullet actually has easier recoil according to many users.

115, 124, 147, and More! Find Your 9mm Rounds Here

There is no perfect grain weight, but when you need reliable ammunition for target, self-defense, and hunting, you’ll find affordable rounds right here! Visit our 9mm ammo page and place your order today!