In the great pantheon of deer-hunting cartridges, the 9mm Luger is hardly the first choice. Deer hunting ammunition consists of .30-06 Springfield, .30-30 Winchester, and the .308 Winchester loads. Perhaps the .357 Magnum, .45-70 Government, and a good 12-gauge slug are on the list. Even the .223 Remington has a respectable place in the discussion. […]
In the great pantheon of deer-hunting cartridges, the 9mm Luger is hardly the first choice. Deer hunting ammunition consists of .30-06 Springfield, .30-30 Winchester, and the .308 Winchester loads. Perhaps the .357 Magnum, .45-70 Government, and a good 12-gauge slug are on the list. Even the .223 Remington has a respectable place in the discussion.
But the 9mm Luger? A round used mostly for affordable target shooting and light conceal-carry purposes? Surely this is not a legitimate deer-hunting round.
Or is it?
Most hunters don’t take the 9mm seriously. But is it time to reconsider the 9mm Luger as a legitimate hunting round? Could it be an option for deer and other medium-sized game?
9mm Luger ammo may not be the best choice for deer hunting, and there are obvious limitations if using this round. However, hunters across the country are using 9mm carbines and even handguns to harvest deer. You can too, but you need to be smart, strategic, and selective if you hit the deer stand with your 9mm pistol.
Why Choose a 9mm Luger at All?
Whether using a pistol or a carbine, a 9mm Luger has one noteworthy advantage: low recoil. These cartridges are known for delivering light, manageable recoil, which makes them a popular option for conceal-carry purposes. With a low recoil, follow-up shots are more manageable and accurate.
The low recoil becomes less important for hunting, which should only require one shot, but it is a factor. Some hunters prefer the light recoil of a 9mm Luger, which could make it a useful option for high-volume hog hunts, prairie dog shooting, and other high-volume outings.
Limited Power and Range: The Downside to a 9mm Luger for Hunting
The downsides are more obvious. Namely, the 9mm Luger is not a highly-accurate round, so hunters need to be particularly careful when using the cartridge. Shots with a 9mm Luger should be limited to 100 yards or less, preferably 50 yards and closer, especially when using a pistol. Also, at distances above 100 yards, this personal-defense round significantly loses power, which is already low.
The limited accuracy and range severely limit how, where, and when a 9mm Luger can be used for hunting. But it’s still a potential option.
9mm for Hunting: How to Make the Best Choice
Stay within 100 Yards, Preferable 50 or Less
The main concern with a 9mm Luger is range. Even when using a carbine, which will give more distance than a handgun, you need to remain within the viable range of the cartridge. For the 9mm Luger, you are probably limited to 100 yards at the absolute most. Most would stay within 50 yards, especially if they are using a handgun.
Go with +P or +P+ Ammo
The 9mm Luger has significant power and speed limitations, which is why the distance capabilities are relatively low. To increase the power of your 9mm weapon, select “+P” rounds, which have higher internal pressures to deliver more speed and power.
Just be sure that your weapon can handle the increased power. Most can, but not all 9mm guns are made for the increased power from a +P load.
Know Your State’s Laws
Many states do have restrictions on full metal jacket ammunition. Other states, like Kentucky, limit you to a magazine that holds only 10 rounds.
These aren’t necessarily 9mm exclusive issues but one you should know if you choose to hunt with a round that’s primarily a handgun caliber.
Which Animals Can You Hunt with 9mm?
Most of this discussion has centered around deer hunting, mostly because deer are the most popular game animal in the country. However, there are other animals you can pursue with a 9mm Luger.
Deer Hunting with 9mm
Deer is probably the largest game animal you should pursue with a 9mm Luger. Black bear and other large, thick-skinned animals are probably too much for the 9mm. But, if you can get within range, the cartridge is certainly capable for coyote, feral hogs, and pronghorn.
Turkey Hunting with 9mm
Turkey hunting is an interesting prospect for the 9mm Luger. Most turkey shots are placed within the range of a 9mm Luger, but these birds have a thick layer of feathers that makes them one of the hardiest game animals in the country. They may be smaller than deer, but the thick feathers and chest muscles force hunters to aim for the head, usually with shotgun loads that amount to buckshot. Hitting a turkey directly in the skull with a 9mm handgun at 50 yards would require excellent marksmanship. Many states also have laws that only allow you to hunt turkey with shotguns – like during Texas’ Eastern spring season.
Small Game / Varmints with 9mm
You can potentially bag squirrels, rabbit and other small game with 9mm ammunition. There are likely better calibers out there to meet your needs but if you are in a pinch, 9mm can certainly help.
Bottomline: Not the Best Choice, But Not Awful
The 9mm Luger is not the best choice for hunting, but it may be a bit underrated as a hunting round. It certainly doesn’t deserve to be completely ignored as a hunting tool, especially when fired from carbines and other types of rifles.
9mm Luger: Hunting Ammo Suggestions
If you use the 9mm Luger as a hunting cartridge, select your ammo wisely. Here are a few suggestions that could fit your needs.
124-grain Hornady American Gunner +P
Designed for expansion that you might look for in a self-defense round, Hornady’s American Gunner 9mm ammo also brings traits that make it an intriguing option for hunting.
Hornady makes a load of American Gunner in both standard pressure and +P. In this case, we’d definitely urge you to go with the +P for the additional velocity and energy potential it’ll deliver downrange.
Get the Hornady American Gunner ammo here.
147-grain Solid Core +P (Federal Premium)
While not made for expansion, the bullets packed into this cartridge create maximum damage and penetration thanks to a solid-core construction. Federal advertises the round as a defense tool for dangerous animals as well as a hunting option for hogs and other game.
124-grain Penetrator +P+ (Buffalo Bore)
While not a household name like Winchester and Remington, Buffalo Bore has a strong reputation among the gun-owning community. They have created a variety of specialized rounds, including this 9mm Luger load that is made for maximum penetration. This round has an impressive muzzle velocity of 1,300 fps and a muzzle energy of 465 fps, making it one of the most capable 9mm Luger rounds on the market.
93-grain First Defense Solid Copper (Magtech)
While smaller than the typical 9mm round (the standard 9mm load is 115 grain), this is one of the fastest options available. The muzzle velocity for this round is over 1,330 fps, so it hits with a lot of speed, especially when used at 25 yards or less. With an all-copper design, which means no lead core that could separate from the jacket, this round will likely deliver some of the best penetration for 9mm Luger.
Find Magtech First Defense Solid Copper 9mm ammo here.
Find 9mm Rounds for Hunting, Target, and Personal Defense
The 9mm Luger may not be a long-range, high-powered hunting round, but, when used wisely, it can be an effective tool for close-range, mid-sized game animals.
To find the right 9mm Luger cartridge for your next adventure, visit the 9mm ammo page at AmmoToGo.com!
