Handgun Bullet Grains Explained: Choose the Right Ammo with Confidence

Introduction

Don’t overthink it. Bullet grains might sound technical, but understanding what’s better for your handgun is easier than you think.

And if you're asking about bullet weight, congrats—you’re already ahead of most new shooters.

Let’s get one thing straight—bullet grains don’t make you a better shooter. Skill does.

But if you’re serious about improving your marksmanship, there comes a time when you need to talk bullet weight. Because grain weight affects your handgun’s recoil, accuracy, stopping power—and yes, even your budget.

You don’t need to memorize every bullet weight out there. But knowing the difference between 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr will help you make the right choice for your 9mm. And since we like to keep things practical, we’ll also break down other ammo options worth considering.

That’s why we put together this handgun ammunition guide—to keep it simple. We’ll cover common bullet weights, their best uses, and how to choose the right grain for target practice, competition, self-defense, and tactical shooting.

So grab your heavy guns, and grab light guns. Let’s gear up and get started.

What Are Bullet Grains?

Bullet grains are how we measure bullet weight. Plain and simple, it's just a unit of measurement.

For a little more context, let’s compare grains, pounds, and grams:

One grain equals about 1/7,000 of a pound or 0.0648 grams. So, when you hear 115gr, 124gr, or 147gr, that’s telling you how heavy the projectile—meaning, the actual bullet—is.

And here’s the key: bullet weight affects shooting performance. Lighter bullets move faster but hit with less force. Heavier bullets travel slower but pack more stopping power.

But let’s back up for a second. A round of ammo isn’t just the bullet. It has four main parts:

• The bullet itself – The tip that flies out of the barrel.

• The case – Holds everything together. Usually brass, but sometimes steel or nickel-plated.

• The gunpowder – The fuel inside the case that ignites when fired.

• The primer – The small ignition source at the bottom. It’s usually stamped with the ammo manufacturer’s name.

Since this is a handgun ammunition guide, we’re focusing on 9mm Luger, the most popular pistol caliber in the U.S.

And when it comes to 9mm bullet grains, you’ll mostly see 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr on the shelves.

Next, let’s explain how bullet grain affects shooting performance.

How Bullet Grains Impact Performance

Accuracy & Speed

Lighter bullets tend to have flatter trajectories at shorter distances, making them easier to keep on target. Since they have less mass to move, they travel faster.

On the other hand, heavier bullets offer less drop over distance, making them a better choice for long-range shooting.

Recoil

A lighter bullet generally means less felt recoil, making follow-up shots faster and smoother.

Heavier bullets generate more recoil, but experienced shooters often prefer the extra weight for better stability and control.

Penetration & Stopping Power

Lighter bullets tend to expand and fragment more easily, helping to reduce over-penetration.

Heavier bullets hit harder and penetrate deeper—if you’re looking for maximum stopping power, heavier grain bullets are the way to go.

When to Choose Lighter Bullets

As we said, lighter bullets mean higher velocity, less recoil, and faster cycling. If you want speed, control, and affordability, lower bullet grains are your go-to.

Anything from 50gr up to 115gr is considered lightweight ammo. Let’s break it down:

115gr: The Best Handgun Bullet Grain for Practice

If you’re hitting the range for target practice, 115gr FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) ammo is your best bet. It’s the most affordable option, widely available, and runs smoothly in most 9mm pistols.

Since it’s lighter and faster, it also travels flatter over distance, giving you better control—especially if you're a beginner. Less recoil means better accuracy, so 115gr is great for high-volume shooting sessions.

Other Lighter Bullet Grains

Let’s explain what else you can find in the lighter bullet grain world, and what for.

If you're looking for lower recoil or compact pistol defense, some manufacturers offer 80gr, 90gr, and 100gr options. These rounds help refine shooting control while still delivering decent penetration.

You can also find ultralight bullet grains for specialty use. These range between 50gr, 65gr, and 70gr and are specifically designed for speed shooting.

Just know that ultralight bullets require gun modifications to avoid reliability issues. Usually, all these below 115gr, are for experienced shooters.

When to Choose Medium Weight Bullets

124gr: The Best Handgun Bullet Grain for Competition & Carry

If you want a balance of speed, accuracy, and recoil management, we strongly recommend 124gr ammo. It’s a favorite for self-defense, duty carry, and competition shooters, and it’s also the NATO standard.

124gr strikes the perfect middle ground between control and stopping power—fast enough for follow-up shots, but with a bit more mass to hit harder than 115gr.

Here is a pro tip: If you want to reduce muzzle rise and recoil, 124gr is also our recommended bullet grain for 45 Blast compensators. Our comps do an amazing job optimizing performance for a flatter shooting experience. You can check them out here.

When to Choose Heavier Bullets

If you’re looking for greater stopping power and deeper penetration, heavier bullet grains are the way to go. These bullets hit harder, making them ideal for tactical use, as well as home and self-defense.

Heavier bullet grains are subsonic, which means they travel at a velocity below speed of sound. So you also get a noticeable noise reduction than with lighter grains.

In handgun calibers, anything above 130gr is considered heavy, with common options ranging up to 150gr. Here is a quick breakdown:

147gr – The Most Popular For Tactical Shooting

When it comes to handgun ammunition, 147gr is the most popular heavy grain. It’s widely used in self-defense and law enforcement due to its stability and controlled recoil.

147gr bullets travel slower, and that’s exactly what keeps them more stable over distance—an advantage in certain tactical shooting scenarios.

Other Heavy Bullet Grains

Among heavy grains, 135gr is another solid option—it’s the FBI standard for their duty ammo, making it a great choice for defensive and tactical use.

Beyond 147gr, you’ll find bullets like 158gr, 165gr, and even 185gr. These are too heavy for 9mm and can damage your pistol.

But if you're thinking about going down this route, you're stepping into gunsmithing territory. And once you get started, well… let's just say it's a fun rabbit hole to dive into!

Handgun Bullet Grain Chart 101

By now, we’ve covered how bullet grains affect performance—from velocity and recoil to stopping power and penetration. So, going back to the essentials, here’s a simple  bullet grain chart breaking down the most common handgun bullet grains and what they’re best suited for:

How to Choose the Right Bullet Grain

The best way to find your ideal bullet grain? Don’t overthink it. Shoot with different grains and feel the difference. No need to guess—just run some drills and let the results guide you.

Here are some practical tips to help you pick the right bullet grain:

If you want to fine-tune accuracy, recoil control, and speed, test 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr in your shooting drills. Here we’ve covered some great pistol shooting accuracy drills for you to try.

Stick to a Trusted Ammo Brand

Not all ammo is the same. Once you find a reliable, well-known brand that cycles smoothly in your pistol, stick with it. Unbranded bulk ammo bags? Probably not a good idea—so don’t go there.

Store Your Ammo Properly

Ammunition is an investment, and how you store it matters. Keep it in a cool, dry place inside an ammo can or gun safe. Moisture and heat ruin performance—so protect your rounds.

FMJ vs. JHP: Know the Difference

When picking a bullet type, consider what you’re using it for:

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) goes through the target with minimal expansion. It can penetrate walls, making it a less ideal choice for self-defense. But it’s great for range training, competition, and high-volume shooting.

Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) expands on impact, delivering greater stopping power. That’s why it’s the better choice for self-defense and home defense.

Conclusion

There you have it. Simple. And really, it’s not numerology—it’s pure logic and shooting experience.

Bullet grains affect performance, sure. But at the end of the day, skills make the shooter, not the ammo.

If you want to choose the right bullet grain, it comes down to testing, practice, and personal preference. By now, you know the basics—115gr, 124gr, and 147gr—and really, a whole lot more.

Most ammo will work just fine—if you know how to shoot. That’s what really matters. But if you’re looking for that extra edge in accuracy and speed, you already know where to turn—45 Blast, the best comps for your pistol.

Til next mission—see you at the range!