Which 9mm for self-defense?
With the partial relaxation of regulations surrounding the use of ammunition with "enhanced wounding effects" for self-defense purposes, our market has gradually become flooded with a wide range of such ammunition, both factory-produced and individual bullets intended for reloading. But which one should you choose?
In this article, we decided to test five projectiles with enhanced wounding effects in combination with 9x19mm Luger ammunition: three hollow-point bullets with lead cores—Berry’s HHP, Nosler ASP, and Sierra JHP—one monolithic copper bullet, Barnes TAC-XP, and a traditional semi-jacketed S&B SP. This is by no means an exhaustive list of all available options, but rather a representative cross-section of what the current market offers for reloaders.
All cartridges were reloaded while maintaining the standard overall cartridge length and loaded to approximately 10% below maximum pressure levels. However, it turned out that for firearms with tighter chambers, slightly deeper bullet seating was necessary to ensure reliable cycling. My Ruger MAX-9 fired all the rounds without any issues, but my colleague’s H11, which has a noticeably "pickier" chamber, experienced feeding issues with Barnes, Nosler, and Sierra bullets. These projectiles caught on the rifling before the slide could fully close. This was easily resolved by seating the bullets deeper, but at the cost of performance. In a 9mm Luger cartridge, there isn’t much space, and hollow-point bullets are inherently bulkier than full-metal-jacket RN bullets. When you have to seat the bullet even deeper, you lose significant performance. For example, the Sierra required seating to an overall cartridge length of 28.2mm, which is 1.5mm below standard, to function properly in the H11.
Title photo: tested bullets with their packaging
Test Procedure
For the shooting test, I briefly tested the rounds using a Ruger Carbine. All shots landed within a 10 cm circle at a distance of 25 meters without any significant deviation from the point of aim. Considering the typical distances and firearms used in self-defense scenarios, I did not focus further on accuracy. Instead, I moved on to testing how the projectiles perform in terms of penetration and deformation. Ideally, ballistic gel should be used for this type of test, but it comes with several significant limitations: it is expensive and/or difficult to produce in high quality, its properties are highly temperature-dependent, and each projectile requires a fresh block. Furthermore, its relevance depends on whether the bullet would encounter bone during impact.
I therefore opted to conduct the test using a much more accessible, less sensitive, and reusable medium: modeling clay. The shooting was conducted from a distance of 3 meters into blocks measuring approximately 20x20x30 cm (stacked two deep). I then cut the blocks open, measured the penetration depth, assessed the wound cavity, and examined the recovered projectile. Afterward, I used a mallet to "recycle" the blocks back to roughly their original shape and repeated the test with a new bullet. It is important to note that the size of the cavity does not accurately represent the temporary, let alone the permanent, cavity in actual tissue. However, comparing all five tested projectiles side by side gives the reader a general idea of what to expect.
For additional context, I also tested a standard full-metal-jacket (FMJ) bullet weighing 124 grains. This bullet was capable of penetrating all 60 cm of clay, leaving a narrow channel with a maximum diameter of around 7 cm, and only stopped when it hit a stack of books I had prepared as a backstop. It should be noted that I did not cover the blocks with any fabric. There is a school of thought that a thick layer of fabric can "clog" a hollow-point cavity, preventing it from expanding correctly. Personally, I lean toward the opinion that this effect is negligible, but I did test the Sierra bullet outside the main test using five layers of folded T-shirt fabric and did not observe any significant differences. However, this remains a debated topic.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the individual bullets. The performance data provided are based on tests conducted using Vectan BA ½ powder and a MAX-9 pistol with an 81mm barrel.
Sierra JHP
Let’s start with the Sierra JHP bullet from the renowned manufacturer Sierra. This projectile weighs 125 grains, is sold in boxes of 100, costs 11.5 CZK per bullet, and with a 5-grain powder charge, achieves a velocity of 296 m/s and energy of 354 J. The large hollow cavity exposes the lead core and features pre-cut "serrations" to enhance deformation. The bullet’s behavior in clay was remarkable. It appears to have undergone immediate deformation, as evidenced by the maximum cavity diameter of approximately 10 cm right at the entry point, gradually tapering over a distance of 20 cm. The total penetration depth was just over 30 cm. The deformed bullet weighed 88 grains, meaning it lost a notable portion of its mass but largely remained intact.
Results of the test Sierra JHP
Nosler ASP
The ASP, or "Assured Stopping Power," is structurally similar to the Sierra JHP but has a smaller hollow cavity and a lower weight—115 grains. Again, this is a high-quality bullet, reflected in its price of 9.2 CZK per round in packs of 250. Its compact size allowed me to load 6 grains of powder, achieving a velocity of 337 m/s and energy of 423 J. In terms of target damage, the ASP lives up to its name. Upon impact, it created an enormous cavity with a diameter exceeding 15 cm, which I would simply describe as "violent." The total penetration depth was 27 cm, with the second half of the trajectory forming a relatively narrow channel. The recovered bullet barely held together but retained 92 grains of its original weight.
Barnes TAC-XP
The TAC-XP is a monolithic copper bullet weighing 115 grains and containing no lead. Despite its relatively low weight, its composition and large hollow cavity make it quite a bulky projectile, which reduces the available powder space and thus the performance. A 4-grain powder charge propels it to a velocity of 294 m/s and energy of 318 J. At a price of 27.5 CZK per bullet, it is the most expensive projectile in this test and is sold in boxes of forty. According to the manufacturer, the bullet maintains its trajectory even after penetrating obstacles and is prone to massive, uniform expansion and weight retention—something I can confirm. The recovered bullet weighed 114.8 grains, almost unchanged. The penetration depth was approximately 25 cm, with a large cavity expanding immediately upon entry, reaching a maximum diameter of 10 cm.
Results of the test Barnes TAC-XP
Results of the test S&B SPS&B SP
This is a classic semi-jacketed bullet weighing 124 grains, featuring an exposed lead core and a rounded nose. Priced at an affordable 5.8 CZK per bullet, it is sold in packs of 100. A 5-grain powder charge propels it to 305 m/s and delivers 372 J of energy. Among the tested bullets, this one was the most surprising, albeit in a negative sense. In clay, it behaved more like an armor-piercing bullet than a semi-jacketed one. After approximately 25 cm, the jacket separated and stopped, while the core continued to penetrate up to 50 cm with minimal deformation. The alloy used is simply too hard, and I would even question the manufacturer’s claims about its low ricochet potential. While it is somewhat unfair to compare the deformation of a semi-jacketed bullet to hollow points, this projectile is not suitable for self-defense and cannot be recommended.
Berry's HHP
The abbreviation HHP for these 124-grain bullets stands for Hybrid Hollow Points. This is an uncommon combination of a heavy lead core with a hollow cavity, which is further enhanced with “serrations” for improved deformation. The entire bullet is electroplated with a thick copper layer. With a 5-grain powder charge, it reached a velocity of 291 m/s and energy of 340 J. It is the most affordable bullet in this test, costing just 4.6 CZK per bullet in packs of 250. Unfortunately, while I generally appreciate Berry’s bullets for sport shooting, this self-defense model was disappointing. The bullet completely fragmented; the heaviest remaining piece—a crumpled jacket with some lead inside—weighed only 56 grains. The bullet was also traveling below the recommended velocities (320–350 m/s). Penetration was 16 cm, and the cavity had a maximum diameter of 12 cm.
Results of the testBerry’s HHPVerdict
In terms of weight retention, deformation consistency, and overall performance, I would lean toward the TAC-XP. However, its high price, the need for meticulous reloading, and the likelihood of high ricochet potential in a missed shot are drawbacks. The S&B SP completely failed, while Berry’s HHP produced a nice cavity without the risk of over-penetration, but its excessive fragmentation is a disqualifying factor. In my opinion, Sierra performed very well, but its design means it will require deeper seating in most firearms. The Nosler ASP, in my view, had slightly better terminal performance, offering slightly less penetration but a larger and more aggressive wound channel. Additionally, the ASP is slightly cheaper. For me, it’s the winner.
All of the tested bullets are available for purchase at STROBL.CZ s.r.o. For more information, visit strobl.cz.
Photo Sources: Author's archive
Author: Tomáš Prachař
The article originally published in the magazine Lovec, published by Extra Publishing.