Eco vs Regular! Independent Testing, Real Results (GBGuns test)

No time to read for 2-3 minutes? Watch the full independent video instead:

GBGuns Runs EcoBullet 9mm 115gr TMJ!

When shooters talk about ammo, everything boils down to two questions: Does it run? Does it shoot the way it should?

Everything else- branding, buzzwords, and even good intentions- comes second.

That's exactly why independent testing matters. Not controlled lab claims. Not polished ad copy. Just ammo, a firearm, and a camera rolling.

Recently, Graham from GBGuns put our EcoBullet 9mm 115gr TMJ through its paces. He bought it like any other shooter, took it to the range, and shared his honest impressions, no script, no sponsorship gloss, no softballs. Just a real range session.

Why independent tests actually matter

We can explain what we designed this load to do. What really counts is what happens when someone else loads a mag and presses the trigger. Independent reviewers tend to zero in on the things that actually affect your range day:

• Feeding and function across real, unmodified firearms
• Consistency you can feel shot to shot
• Practical accuracy at realistic distances
• Recoil impulse and controllability
• Clear statements about what the ammo is, and what it isn't

If you've watched enough ammo reviews, you know good reviewers are picky. That's a feature, not a flaw. Being held to the same standard as every other brand is the baseline, not a favor.

What GBGuns actually tested, and what he found

One thing that sets Graham apart on GBGuns is how methodical he is. This wasn't a quick mag dump and opinion. It was a data-driven range session focused on consistency, velocity, and real-world use. Before getting into numbers, Graham lays out why ammo like this exists in the first place.

EcoBullet's 115gr 9mm TMJ is built around two practical concerns:

• Reduced lead exposure. Lead-free primers combined with a total metal jacket significantly cut down airborne lead, especially relevant for indoor ranges or ported firearms, where gas and particulate blowback are a real issue.
• Environmental considerations. Reused brass and a CO2-offset model are part of the company's approach, but the focus stays on function first, not messaging.

He also notes pricing sits slightly above average range ammo, but still below most fully lead-free alternatives: a middle ground between cost and health-conscious design.

How the test was run

Rather than chasing groups or marketing claims, GBGuns focused on raw velocity data and consistency across different barrel lengths.

To keep comparisons fair, he used a familiar reference setup and then expanded outward:

• 4.25" barrel (Grand Power Q100) as the baseline "equalizer"
• Additional testing with a 3" barrel (compact pistol), a 4" barrel, a 5" barrel, and an 11" barrel (PCC-style platform)

All shots were fired at 7 yards on a 1-inch target, keeping conditions consistent while observing how the load behaved as barrel length changed.

Velocity results, barrel by barrel

The numbers showed a predictable, well-behaved load:

• 4.25" barrel: ~1,087-1,119 FPS. Consistent velocities despite mixed brass, which is exactly what you want to see in training ammo.
• 3" barrel: ~1,040-1,057 FPS. No surprises, reasonable drop with shorter barrels.
• 4" barrel: ~1,080-1,127 FPS. Tight spread and solid performance.
• 5" barrel: ~1,126-1,165 FPS. Velocity scales as expected with added length.
• 11" barrel: ~1,275-1,297 FPS. Clear indication of a full, complete powder burn with no erratic spikes.

The takeaway: no odd pressure behavior, no preference for a "magic" barrel length, just consistent scaling.

The practical takeaway

Graham's conclusion wasn't framed around novelty or eco branding. Instead, he focused on risk management.

For shooters who spend time at indoor ranges, shoot frequently, or have family and pets exposed to contaminated clothing or gear, reduced-lead ammunition isn't a luxury, it's a health decision.

He describes the modest price premium as "cheap insurance" against long-term lead exposure and encourages shooters to consider reduced-lead or lead-free options where practical.

Not hype. Not fear-mongering. Just a pragmatic recommendation based on data and experience.

What we took from the review

We appreciate the time and attention GBGuns put into the test. We also read the comments, all of them. And that feedback matters.

Here's what we're doing as a result:

• Clearer product specs and test context on our site
• More straightforward, lot-based information where applicable
• Continued encouragement for independent testers to evaluate our ammo exactly like any other brand

If you care about performance first, that's the direction we'll keep leaning.

And yes, the sustainability piece is still real

"Eco" is part of who we are, but we're realistic about how shooters buy ammo.

For most people, sustainability is not the first decision factor. Reliability is. Accuracy is. Shootability is.

Our stance is simple: if we can't deliver reliable ammo, none of the rest matters.

So we focus on making ammo people actually want to shoot. Then we work to reduce impact where it's meaningful, measurable, and verifiable, without asking you to compromise function.

No trade-offs. No greenwashing.

Watch the review

If you want the unfiltered version, watch the full independent video on YouTube and decide for yourself.