PMC Bronze 124-grain FMJ is the median load of this group in nearly every column. It lists 1,110 fps and 339 ft-lbs, a power factor of 138 that sits about 13 points over the 125 minor floor for USPSA and IDPA. From a 25-yard zero it prints 1.4 inches low at 50 yards and 10.8 inches low at 100, still doing about 1,017 fps at 50. Estimated recoil in a 1.9-pound compact pistol is 4.4 ft-lbs.

Three loads sit above it and three below. Blazer Brass and Armscor 124 are 20 fps slower, and the PMC produces about 3 percent more recoil energy than either in the same pistol, too small to feel. Ammo Inc's Total Metal Coating load is 93 fps slower, and the PMC kicks about 16 percent harder than it. Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics and Maxxtech run 1,150 fps with about 6 percent more recoil and 25 ft-lbs more at the muzzle, and BPS at 1,210 fps kicks about 16 percent harder with 64 ft-lbs more. The spread across all seven is 0.5 inches at 50 yards and 3.4 inches at 100, with the PMC in the middle.

PMC Bronze is the pick when you want a 124-grain practice load that matches the feel of a standard-pressure 124-grain carry load and leans neither soft nor hot. Its 4.4 ft-lbs of estimated recoil sits within 3 percent of Blazer Brass and 6 percent of Maxxtech. If you shoot matches and want the biggest cushion over minor, BPS at a power factor of 150 is the better choice. If your range requires a fully plated bullet, or you want the softest 124-grain here, Ammo Inc's TMC at 1,017 fps is the one, though it clears minor by only about 1 point.