Sellier & Bellot's 124-grain FMJ runs 1,181 fps and delivers 384 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, a power factor of 146 that clears the 125 floor for USPSA minor and IDPA by about 21 points. From a 25-yard zero the bullet is 1.2 inches low at 50 yards and 9.5 inches low at 100, still moving 1,070 fps at 50. In a 1.9-pound compact pistol it produces an estimated 4.9 ft-lbs of recoil energy.

Only Winchester NATO 124 runs harder here, leaving at 1,200 fps and 396 ft-lbs, 19 fps and 12 ft-lbs ahead, with about 3 percent more recoil energy in the same pistol. Federal American Eagle 124 is 31 fps slower at 1,150 fps with 20 ft-lbs less energy and about 4 percent less recoil. Speer Lawman 124 TMJ is the mild end at 1,090 fps, 91 fps slower with about 13 percent less recoil. Norma Range & Training 124 matches its 1,181 fps and recoil, 2 ft-lbs behind at the muzzle. Drop at 50 yards is within a third of an inch across all of these loads, so none needs a different hold.

This load works best for shooters who want range ammo that feels like their carry ammo. Its recoil sits only about 3 percent under Winchester Defender +P and about 5 percent above Speer Gold Dot 124 JHP at 1,150 fps, so grip, sight tracking and follow-up cadence transfer to either defensive load. Competition shooters clear minor with margin to spare. Anyone who wants comfort over a very long session should look elsewhere: Speer Lawman 124 TMJ gives up 91 fps for about 13 percent less recoil, and MaxxTech 115 cuts recoil about 18 percent while keeping muzzle velocity within 31 fps of the S&B.