When you’re heading to the range for target practice or plinking, you want 9mm ammunition that is reliable, accurate, and affordable.
The best 9mm range ammo will feed smoothly in any pistol, shoot consistently, and keep costs low so you can train often. At Ammunition Depot, we stock a wide variety of 9mm range rounds from trusted brands, so you can focus on sharpening your skills.
In this guide, we’ll cover the top 9mm ammo options for range and target shooting and share tips on choosing the right practice rounds.
Top 9mm Ammo Picks for Range Training
A customer favorite and one of the most in-demand loads for training, 124-grain Blazer Brass offers just the right balance of recoil, accuracy, and affordability. It’s reliable, clean-burning, and made in the USA with reloadable brass. This is the round many shooters use for their day-to-day practice, and it’s often available in 50-round boxes and 1000-round cases.
Federal American Eagle 124gr FMJ
A classic choice for range work, Federal’s American Eagle is known for consistent quality and clean shooting. These 124-grain full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds offer mild recoil and dependable feeding, making them ideal for high-volume target practice. They mimic the feel of premium self-defense loads at a budget-friendly price, and their brass cases are reloadable for those who save spent casings.
Italian-made and highly respected, Fiocchi’s 124-grain FMJ rounds are praised for their precision and soft recoil. These are a go-to for serious shooters who want smooth feeding and tight groupings at the range.
Sellier & Bellot 147gr FMJ
Sellier & Bellot’s 147-grain FMJ ammo is a heavier, subsonic-friendly option that’s ideal for suppressor use or shooters who prefer a softer recoil impulse. These rounds produce a slower, steadier push compared to lighter loads, making them easier to control in full-size pistols. They’re especially popular for training that mimics the feel of self-defense ammunition. Made in the Czech Republic, S&B is known for its consistent quality and reloadable brass cases.
Winchester White Box 115gr FMJ
Winchester’s USA White Box ammo has earned a solid reputation at ranges nationwide. This 115-grain FMJ load is valued for its reliability and value. It’s manufactured to deliver consistent velocities and accuracy, round after round. Whether you’re breaking in a new pistol or punching paper targets on the weekend, Winchester White Box provides a dependable, economical choice that’s widely available in bulk packs.
Magtech 115gr FMJ
A reliable and budget-friendly option for range sessions. Magtech offers clean-burning ammo that runs well across all major firearms. It’s a trusted choice for range days where quantity matters.
CCI Blazer Brass 9mm 115gr FMJ
Blazer Brass offers one of the best bangs for your buck in 9mm practice ammo. These rounds use standard-weight 115gr FMJ bullets and brass casings (not to be confused with CCI’s aluminum-case Blazer line). Shooters appreciate Blazer Brass for its low cost per round and reliable performance. It’s a great option for long range sessions or training courses where you might fire several hundred rounds. The ammo burns clean and has consistent recoil, helping you stay on target.
PMC Bronze is a popular 9mm range load made by a quality-focused manufacturer. This 124-grain FMJ ammo is loaded to NATO specs and offers slightly heavier bullets, which can closely match the feel of common defensive rounds. PMC is known for rigorous production standards, so you get dependable ignition and feeding with every round. It’s a favorite for those seeking affordable practice ammo that doesn’t compromise on consistency or accuracy.
Remington UMC 9mm 115gr FMJ
Remington’s UMC (Union Metallic Cartridge) line has long been a go-to for range ammunition. These 115gr FMJ rounds are made in the USA and designed for volume shooting. UMC ammo is praised for functioning well across various 9mm firearms, from full-size handguns to compact pistols and pistol-caliber carbines. It offers a good balance of reasonable price and trustworthy performance. Many shooters pick up UMC in bulk packs to stay prepared for regular practice sessions.
(All of the above options are typically in stock at Ammunition Depot, where you can find them by the box or in bulk case quantities to save even more per round.)
Range Ammo Buyer’s Guide and Tips
Bullet Type & Weight: For target shooting, full metal jacket bullets (FMJs) are the standard. They are non-expanding, lead-core bullets with a copper or brass jacket, which makes them feed smoothly and keeps barrels cleaner.
FMJs are perfect for range use since they’re cheaper to produce than hollow points and you don’t need expansion for punching paper or ringing steel. Most range ammo comes in common bullet weights like 115 grain, 124 grain, and 147 grain.
Lighter 115gr bullets have a bit less recoil and can be very affordable, while 124gr bullets offer a middle-of-the-road recoil impulse and often mirror the weight of popular defensive rounds. Heavier 147gr loads are subsonic and provide a softer shooting feel, making them a great choice for suppressor use or training that mimics the recoil of defensive JHP rounds.
All three are excellent for practice, you might choose to train with the bullet weight that matches your carry ammo (for example, practicing with 124gr or 147gr if that’s what you load for defense).
Either way, stick to standard pressure loads for less wear on your gun during high round-count practice.
Reliability: Reliability is king. The brands listed above are well-known for quality control, which means fewer misfeeds or duds during your practice. Brass-cased ammo is generally recommended for practice because it extracts smoothly and is accepted at all ranges.
Steel-cased ammo (from makers like Wolf or Tula) can be cheaper, but it may not be allowed at certain indoor ranges and can be a bit harder on extractors. If you do opt for steel-case to save money, ensure your range permits it and test it in your firearm beforehand.
Otherwise, brass-case ammo from reputable manufacturers (Federal, Winchester, CCI/Speer, Remington, PMC, Magtech, etc.) will give you the most hassle-free experience.
Value and Bulk Savings: One of the main priorities for target ammo is value – you want to get plenty of practice for your dollar. Buying ammo in bulk is a smart way to reduce your cost per round. Ammunition Depot offers bulk 9mm packs and case quantities (500 or 1000 rounds) for many of the ammo brands above, often bundled in handy ammo cans or boxes.
Bulk packs not only save you money but also mean you won’t run short on ammo halfway through a range day. Just be sure to store your ammunition properly (in a cool, dry place) so your surplus rounds stay reliable over time.
Clean Shooting: While all ammo will dirty your gun eventually, some rounds use cleaner-burning powders and primers. Federal American Eagle and CCI Blazer Brass, for example, are often noted for leaving less residue, which means less time cleaning after the range.
This isn’t a make-or-break factor, but if you’re putting hundreds of rounds downrange regularly, a cleaner ammo can reduce maintenance effort. No matter what, plan to wipe down and lubricate your firearm as needed during extended practice sessions to keep it running smoothly.
Consistency and Accuracy: Lastly, good practice ammo should shoot consistently so you can accurately gauge your skills. All the top picks listed have a reputation for stable velocities and decent accuracy for general practice.
Keep in mind that range ammo is built for volume and reliability more than match-grade precision, but you should expect it to hold a steady point of impact. If you notice one brand of ammo prints significantly differently on target than another, stick with one type for serious practice to build consistent muscle memory.
Many shooters simply find a favorite brand that runs well in their gun and stock up on it for all their training needs.
Summary
The best 9mm ammo for range and target practice is one that functions flawlessly, hits where you aim, and fits your budget.
All of our recommended practice rounds check those boxes. By choosing quality FMJ ammunition from trusted brands, you’ll set yourself up for successful, safe, and cost-effective training sessions.
Load up on a few boxes (or a case) of any of these options from Ammunition Depot and enjoy your next range day with confidence that your ammo won’t let you down.
