Winchester 127 grain +P+ vs. 147 Grain

[Nathan]

From Winchester's LE catalogue:

Gelatin
147-gr. = 13.9 / .65
127-gr. = 12.3 / .64

4-Ply Denim
147-gr. = 14.5 / .66
127-gr. = 12.5 / .68

Heavy Cloth
147-gr. = 14.0 / .66
127-gr. = 12.2 / .68

Wallboard
147-gr. = 15.0 / .67
127-gr. = 12.1 / .66

Plywood
147-gr. = 14.8 / .62
127-gr. = 12.0 / .68

Auto Glass
147-gr = 10.8 / .52
127-gr. = 9.4 / .48

Very similar performance with the standard pressure 147 grain once again penetrating deeper every time over the lighter load, even at +P+ velocities. This means you get superior performance without the snappy recoil of the 127 grain +P+ load.

[samuelrp]

I prefer not to have "snappy" recoil whenever I can help it. Another bounus in the comparison.

[Nathan]

winchester.jpg (70.42 KiB) Viewed 1659 times

I keep reading all over other forums where the 127 grain +P+ is just the holy grail and is defended feverishly right up until you post Winchester's own statistics.

[Tye]

Awesome post. Validation of my choice of 147gr, although I prefer Federal HST.

... yeah, maybe I learned that here.

[Nathan]

I too prefer the HST; this was a perfect example of a standard pressure 147 grain load compared with a +P+ pressure of a lighter load from the same manufacturer.

[LWP]

Validates my preference for RA9T Win Ranger 147 gr for concealed carry. But I also have on hand most of the other good ones. I tend to load +P+ in my heavier, longer barreled pistols which can convert the load into velocity and absorb the kick.

[Tye]

I'd love to see how much better the standard 147 would compare out of a 3 inch barrel, not relying so much on velocity as I suspect the +p+ is. Dont these tests usually involve a 4.5 or 5 inch barrel?

[Nathan]

I'd love to see how much better the standard 147 would compare out of a 3 inch barrel, not relying so much on velocity as I suspect the +p+ is. Dont these tests usually involve a 4.5 or 5 inch barrel?

My personal testing has shown that both the HST and the SXT expand just as reliable out of my M&P Shield into a pork shoulder as they do out of my Glock 17 or 9mm 1911.