Optimizing Your Reloading: The Definitive Guide to Hornady 9mm 124 GR FMJ-RN Bullets

For any serious handloader or shooting enthusiast, the quest for consistent, reliable, and cost-effective ammunition is a continuous journey. Whether you're a seasoned reloader looking to perfect your competitive loads, a high-volume shooter aiming to reduce training expenses, or simply someone who appreciates the art and science of crafting your own cartridges, the choice of bullet is paramount. This in-depth look explores the Hornady 355771 9mm .355 124 Grain Full Metal Jacket Round Nose (FMJ-RN) bullets, an essential component designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern shooting. Available in convenient 500-count boxes, these projectiles offer an exceptional blend of Hornady's legendary quality and a design optimized for universal compatibility and performance.

Why Hornady 355771 Bullets Are the Choice for Discerning Reloaders

What makes a bullet stand out in a crowded market? For Hornady, it’s a combination of meticulous engineering, unwavering quality control, and a deep understanding of what shooters truly need. The Hornady 355771, identifiable by its UPC 090255355771, embodies these principles. It's not just a piece of lead and copper; it's a precisely manufactured component engineered to contribute to accurate, reliable ammunition every time.

These 124-grain FMJ-RN bullets are specifically crafted for the popular 9mm Luger (9x19mm) cartridge, one of the most widely used handgun calibers globally. Their .355-inch diameter ensures a snug fit within standard 9mm barrels, promoting optimal gas seal and projectile stability. The full metal jacket design, consisting of a lead core fully encapsulated by a copper jacket, offers several key advantages for the reloader and shooter.

• Consistency is King: Every Hornady 355771 bullet is manufactured to stringent specifications, ensuring minimal variations in weight, diameter, and jacket concentricity. This translates directly into more consistent ballistic performance, tighter groups on target, and predictable recoil characteristics – factors crucial for competitive shooters and those seeking to improve their shooting skills.
• Reliable Feeding and Function: The round nose (RN) profile is a classic for a reason. It ensures smooth, reliable feeding in a vast array of semi-automatic pistols, minimizing the risk of jams or malfunctions. This is particularly vital for high-volume training sessions or during competitions where every shot counts. The design also helps reduce wear and tear on your firearm's feed ramp compared to more angular bullet profiles.
• Clean Shooting Experience: The full metal jacket design helps reduce lead fouling in your barrel. By encasing the lead core, the copper jacket minimizes the amount of lead deposited in the rifling, leading to cleaner barrels, easier maintenance, and potentially longer intervals between cleanings without sacrificing accuracy. This is a significant benefit for anyone who spends a lot of time at the range.
• Cost-Effective High-Volume Shooting: Purchasing bullets in bulk, like these 500-count boxes, is a strategic move for any reloader focused on economy without compromise. When combined with bulk primers, powder, and reusable brass, reloading with Hornady 355771 bullets significantly lowers your cost per round compared to factory-loaded ammunition, allowing for more trigger time and more practice.

Delving Deeper: The Anatomy of a Hornady FMJ-RN Bullet

Understanding the construction of your components empowers you to make better reloading decisions. The Hornady 355771 features a traditional lead core. This core is then precisely formed and encased within a durable copper jacket. Unlike plated bullets, which have a thin layer of copper applied electrolytically, FMJ bullets have a thicker, mechanically applied jacket. This robust construction is what gives FMJ bullets their reputation for durability and consistent performance.

The round nose shape is arguably the most common bullet profile for pistol ammunition. Its smooth, curved profile is inherently stable in flight and excels at feeding reliably from magazines into the chamber. This makes it an ideal choice for a wide range of handgun designs, from compact carry pistols to full-size competition models. The specific 124-grain weight for 9mm is a popular choice for many shooters. It offers a good balance between manageable recoil and sufficient kinetic energy, making it suitable for general target practice, training, and even some informal competitive shooting scenarios.

Answering Your Questions: Real-World Applications and Benefits

Reloaders often ask, "What are the best bullets for range training?" or "How can I make my 9mm reloads more consistent?" The Hornady 355771 is designed to answer these very questions.

• Are these bullets suitable for breaking in a new 9mm handgun? Absolutely. Their reliable feeding and consistent dimensions make them an excellent choice for cycling through a new firearm, ensuring smooth operation and allowing you to focus on the pistol's mechanical function rather than ammunition issues.
• What's the advantage of 124 grain for 9mm? The 124-grain weight is often considered a "standard" or "mid-range" weight for 9mm, striking an excellent balance. Lighter bullets (e.g., 115 grain) can sometimes feel snappier in recoil, while heavier bullets (e.g., 147 grain) can have a softer, slower recoil impulse but might impact differently at longer ranges. The 124-grain bullet provides a versatile option that performs well across a broad spectrum of load data and firearm preferences. It's often favored for its good balance of velocity, energy, and felt recoil, making it comfortable for extended shooting sessions.
• How do these bullets contribute to accuracy? Hornady's commitment to precision manufacturing means that each 355771 bullet is highly uniform. This uniformity in weight, diameter, and jacket concentricity minimizes flyers and contributes to tighter shot groups. When combined with careful powder charge selection and proper seating depth, these bullets enable reloaders to achieve impressive accuracy potential from their handloads.
• Will these bullets work in my XYZ reloading press? Yes, the Hornady 355771 bullets are standard components compatible with virtually all modern reloading presses and dies designed for 9mm. Whether you use a single-stage, turret, or progressive press, these bullets will integrate seamlessly into your reloading workflow.
• Why choose FMJ over other bullet types for practice? For general range use and high-volume training, FMJ bullets are typically the most economical option. Their robust construction handles high velocities well, and the full jacket reduces lead exposure in indoor ranges. While they are not designed for expansion for defensive purposes, they are perfectly suited for punching holes in paper targets and ringing steel.

Building Topical Authority: Why Hornady Stands Apart

Hornady Manufacturing has built a formidable reputation in the ammunition and reloading industry since 1949. Their dedication to "Tenatiously Accurate" products isn't just a slogan; it's a philosophy embedded in every product they produce, including the 355771 FMJ-RN bullets. This long-standing commitment to innovation, precision, and quality ensures that when you choose Hornady, you're selecting a component trusted by competitive shooters, law enforcement, hunters, and recreational enthusiasts worldwide.

The quality of Hornady bullets comes from their advanced manufacturing processes. From the selection of raw materials to the final inspection, every step is rigorously controlled. This attention to detail means that the .355-inch diameter of each 124-grain FMJ-RN bullet is incredibly consistent, a critical factor for both reliable chambering and optimal bullet-to-bore fit, which directly impacts accuracy. The uniform jacket thickness and precise lead core seating further contribute to the bullet's balance and stability in flight. This level of manufacturing precision helps minimize the variables in your handloads, making it easier to identify optimal powder charges and seating depths for your specific firearm.

Where to Acquire Your Hornady 355771 Bullets

When sourcing your reloading components, choosing a reputable dealer is as important as selecting a quality brand. For genuine Hornady 355771 9mm .355 124 GR Full Metal Jacket Round Nose 500 Box bullets, DEGuns.com stands as a reliable and trusted online retailer. They specialize in providing a comprehensive selection of firearms, ammunition, and reloading supplies, ensuring you have access to the components you need to pursue your shooting passion. The Hornady 355771 (UPC: 090255355771) is readily available through their platform, ensuring a seamless purchasing experience for handloaders nationwide.

The benefits of purchasing from a dedicated supplier like DEGuns.com include a wide inventory, competitive pricing, and efficient shipping, allowing you to quickly get back to the reloading bench. By choosing Hornady bullets from DEGuns.com, you're investing in a partnership that supports your commitment to quality handloads and consistent shooting performance.

In conclusion, the Hornady 355771 9mm .355 124 Grain FMJ-RN bullet is more than just a component; it's an investment in your shooting journey. Its robust design, consistent performance, and the backing of Hornady's esteemed reputation make it an indispensable choice for anyone serious about handloading 9mm ammunition. These bullets empower you to achieve greater accuracy, enjoy cleaner shooting, and significantly reduce the cost of your favorite pastime, ensuring countless hours of enjoyable and productive range time.

Essential Specifications for Your Reloading Bench

To summarize the critical details for reloaders considering the Hornady 355771 bullets:

Characteristic	Detail
Product ID	Hornady 355771
Caliber	9mm Luger (9x19mm)
Bullet Type	Full Metal Jacket Round Nose
Weight	124 Grains
Diameter	.355 inches
Quantity	500 Bullets per Box
UPC	090255355771