9mm plinking ammo

Go with the heavier 124 gr bullet for lighter target/plinking reloads.

X-Treme bullets are sized at .355" and if your barrel is oversized (.356"+), you may have issues generating consistent chamber pressures with lighter target/plinking powder charges.

Also, if you have stiffer recoil spring semi-autos, you'll end up pushing the lighter 115 gr bullet to high-near max load data of W231/HP-38, even with .355" groove diameter barrels.

With the heavier 124 gr bullet, you'll get reliable cycling of the slide even with start-mid range load data.

For me accuracy is everything, even for plinking rounds. I use high-max load data to obtain acceptable accuracy with 115 gr bullets. With 124 gr bullet, I get accuracy from start charge.

I voted 124, although I shoot both.

I have a couple of fixed sight guns that shoot POA with 124's and low with 115's.

The higher cost of the 124 is somewhat off-set by the use of less powder with the heavier bullet.
Perhaps 0.5 grain less per round.
Or a free one every 7 rounds or so.

W-231 is a great choice for either one.

rc

Does Titegroup work OK with plated bullets? I have some Berry's 124 grain HP's that won't feed in my Hi-Power, and about 2 or 3 ounces of TG powders. Thought I'd use them up loading some practice ammo for my new Walther P1.

I normally load 135 grain LRN bullets with a +P charge of Bullseye, but I don't want to run anything that snappy in the P1. And with a 5" barrel it shouldn't need hot loads anyway.

Back to the original question, Bullseye and Green Dot work great, and 231 should also be a really good one but I haven't tried it yet.

zxcvbob said:

Does Titegroup work OK with plated bullets?

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Actually for me, Bullseye and Titegroup produced slightly more accurate shot groups than W231/HP-38. But I like the milder recoil of W231/HP-38 mid-high range load data loads over more snappier loads of even faster burning powders.

Green Dot worked well but required about .2 gr more powder charge than W231/HP-38 for comparable performance. If you are looking for economy plinking loads, Promo is hard to beat.

Also, if you slug your barrel and it turns out to be oversized, Berry's and PowerBond plated bullets are sized larger at .3555"-.356" and will help with any accuracy issue, especially at target/plinking load range.

For me, faster burning powders (Bullseye, Promo, Titegroup, Green Dot, W231/HP-38, etc.) have worked well for lighter target/plinking loads while producing very good accuracy.

I use 115's with Unique because they are the cheapest. $79/1000 at tjconevera.

For plinking and practice reloads, I generally use the 115 grain plated, just because it's cheaper.

dnmccoy said:

I just found Precision Delta has 1000 124gr FMJ for 84$ shipped, I may check into those!

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Huh? That's not what their website shows http://www.precisiondelta.com/product.php?indx=5

B-9-115-FMJ 9mm Luger 115gr FMJ .355 diam. $76.00 (Price Includes Shipping)

B-9-124-FMJ 9mm Luger 124gr FMJ .355 diam. $79.00 (Price Includes Shipping)

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Flat points have always seemed more accurate in my Glocks. (More bearing surface?)

I just use the Berry's 115 gr. round nose for plinking, over 5.0 gr. WSF. I used to use Unique but the WSF load is more accurate in my G19.

I you "plink" for accuracy or hitting bullseyes, I have better results with 124 gr in three 9mm steel/metal pistols.

Zero 125 JHPs and Berry's 124 HBRN have longer bearing surfaces and produce my best on-target groups. These two don't have to be loaded so short in my short-chambered CZ's. The Berry's can be loaded to any oal your mags will handle best.

I prefer the 125 lead (not plated to save even more money). They shoot great for me. MBC has a LSWC in 9MM that I have good luck with using 5 gr AA#5..

bds said:

Also, if you have stiffer recoil spring semi-autos, you'll end up pushing the lighter 115 gr bullet to high-near max load data of W231/HP-38, even with .355" groove diameter barrels.

With the heavier 124 gr bullet, you'll get reliable cycling of the slide even with start-mid range load data.

For me accuracy is everything, even for plinking rounds. I use high-max load data to obtain acceptable accuracy with 115 gr bullets. With 124 gr bullet, I get accuracy from start charge.

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I've noticed the same thing. I worked up a load with 115gr CMJ today, and the best accuracy was .2gr short of max.

I personally like 124gr bullets over 115gr bullets.

If you load plated bullets to lead bullet data you will get a really n1ce plinking load using 4.0gr W231. If you're looking for more velocity you can go up to 4.4gr W231.

I voted 115 gr because for me plinking = cheap. I don't reload 9mm as of now, but the manuals seem to all agree that 231 is a good choice. I'm a Bullseye fan for pistol handloading.

Does Precision Delta charge the $5.00 fee (for under 2,000) for the $18.00 sample packs?

dickttx said:

Does Precision Delta charge the $5.00 fee (for under 2,000) for the $18.00 sample packs?

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No they don't, I just received a sample pack of the 115 FMJ and 124 JHP's for a total of $36. No additional shipping.

I use 231 and AA5 for 115 jacketed in 9mm with good results.

I have just started reloading and I am currently using UNIQUE powder just to start off. I am getting 500 free bullets from buying a Hornady Lock N Load AP but i went out and got 250 115 grain hollow points. I did a video on them on YouTube my username is birdshot1911 if anyone wants to check it out. Hickok45 gave me a shout-out and my channel has been growing greatly ever since.

How many are in the sample pack? 100?

I've also had good luck with AA#5 in 9mm.

I tried Unique, Titegroup, HP38 and Bullseye also but AA#5 worked the best for me, YMMV.