This is a NATO-pressure load, which pushes the 124-grain FMJ to 1,200 fps and 396 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. That is a power factor of 149, well over the 125 floor for USPSA minor and IDPA. From a 25-yard zero the bullet is 1.2 inches low at 50 yards and 9.1 inches low at 100, still moving 1,095 fps at 50. In a 1.9-pound compact pistol it produces an estimated 5.0 ft-lbs of recoil energy.

Sellier & Bellot 124 and Norma Range & Training 124 both leave at 1,181 fps, 19 fps slower, with about 3 percent less recoil energy in the same pistol. Federal American Eagle 124 is 50 fps slower at 1,150 fps and produces about 7 percent less recoil. Drop at 50 yards is within a quarter inch across all of these loads, so none needs a different hold at pistol distances.

Buy this if you want range ammo that kicks at least as hard as your carry load. Speer Gold Dot 124 JHP, a standard-pressure carry load, runs 1,150 fps with about 7 percent less recoil energy, so a defensive round will not surprise you after a session with this. USPSA and IDPA shooters clear minor with margin even from a short barrel. Check your pistol's manual before running NATO-pressure ammunition through it regularly; some older designs and certain micro-compact pistols are not rated for sustained use at this pressure. If you want a milder session, Aguila 124 gives up 85 fps and about 12 percent of the recoil, and Winchester's own 115-grain WIN9S runs 1,190 fps with about 15 percent less recoil energy, though its steel case is not reloadable.