Grain Weights for Beginners

After spending a lot of time on the phone talking with new customers, I realized that there are a lot of people out there who are new to shooting! It’s a wonderful sport, and I am learning every day. 🙂

Let me share something useful for beginners!

Shown in this photo are two projectiles. On the left is a 124 grain hollow point. On the right is a 147 grain hollow point. Notice how the 147 is taller and therefore larger. These are our projectiles for our 9mm rounds, and also our top sellers!

Grains are a unit of mass measurement for extra small things. 1 pound is equal to 7000 grains. Grains were originally a measurement for the apothecary, and the term came from measurement of edible grains. Today, grains are still used in the apothecary, and also used in the ammunition field.

Why would someone want a 124 grain versus a 147 grain? I get this question on a full 50% of my sales calls!

The heavier the grain weight, the greater its penetration power and expansion power. Additionally, there is less likelihood for wind interference, and slower velocity which can bring the speed below the sound barrier, which creates a quieter shooting experience.

On the other hand, the lighter the grain weight, the greater its speed and accuracy. Additionally, there is greater ability for longer distance. Typically, lighter rounds are preferred for competitions because of the accuracy.

That said, the 147 grain hollow point shown here when loaded into our rounds produces a subsonic round.

What is subsonic? It is the term for anything that travels slower than the speed of sound. The speed of sound at sea level is approx. 1127 ft./s. The value of a subsonic cartridge is the noise reduction.

Supersonic ammunition, which is faster than the speed of sound will create a much larger bang, necessitating better ear protection. With every round fired that is supersonic, you are breaking the sound barrier, which is why there’s so much noise.

So is there a “right” grain weight?

Nope!

It comes down to preference and use. This is why I like to personally assist people over the phone to make the best choice for their purchase. My first questions are: what will you be using it for and what kind of experience do you want?

So that’s the lesson! I hope you enjoyed it. If you’re experienced, you probably knew all of this already. If you’re new, maybe you learned a lot. Let me know in the comments!

P.S. – Need dummy training rounds?  Check out this link – Our Favorite Dummy Training Rounds