9mm target / practice

125gr JHP over AA#7
125gr Lead TC over Bullseye

124gr Xtreme flat point over N350. When the N350 is gone I'm trying Power Pistol and, if I can ever get my hands on some, Silhouette. I might try them again with Universal too.

Frontier CMJ 115 gr with 4.5gr Titegroup.

DISCLAIMER: This load is posted for informational purposes only. I take NO responsibility for it's use.

115gr Plated Berry's bullet
5.0gr Unique
COAL 1.115

115 gr FMJ with 4.8 gr W231/HP-38 at 1.135" OAL - My reference 9mm target load. Works reliably in multiple pistols with good accuracy and clean burning.

124/125 gr FMJ with 4.5 gr W231/HP-38 at 1.135" OAL

124 gr plated RN with 4.2 gr W231/HP-38 at 1.135" OAL

124 gr Berry's HBRN-TP with 3.8 gr Bullseye, 4.0 gr Titegroup, 4.5 gr W231/HP-38 at 1.135" OAL - Very accurate target loads

125 gr Missouri Lead RN with 4.0 gr W231/HP-38 or 4.0 gr Promo/Red Dot at 1.080"-1.100" OAL - Economical target loads that burn clean and don't lead the barrel.

► Bullets. Most 9x19 Luger guns have a twist rate that prefers 124/125gr bullet length/weights. Bullet brand and ogive shape are up to you. An anomaly to this may be the Berry Mfg 115gr hollow base, which have the length of the 124gr without the added cost.

► Powder. I get excellent accuracy around 1030-1050 fps. IMHO, you therefore want a powder who's "max load" speed falls around 1060-1070 fps, so that the powder is still burning efficiently in the 90-93% range when shot at those target speeds, but without the "max load" pressures for the gun's sake.

► Putting it all together. In my mind, a large part of "accuracy" is nothing more than repeatability. IOW, the bullet flying in the exact same manner each time on its way to the paper. That means all the physical properties need to be keep as close to the same as possible for each cartridge. That is to say: same brand of brass, same OAL, same primer, exact same weight powder, same crimp, etc.

rfwobbly said:

"accuracy" is nothing more than repeatability ... bullet flying in the exact same manner each time on its way to the paper

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Yes, I agree. More consistent chamber pressures will translate to more consistent muzzle velocities with lower standard deviation (SD) numbers which then will produce more accurate shot groups.

IMO, for lighter target loads, since slower burning than Unique/Universal powders tend to produce more consistent burn/accuracy at high-to-near max load data, W231/HP-38 and faster burning powders are better suited for producing lighter target loads utilizing mid-to-high range load data.

115 grain LRN
4.5 grains Unique
1.110 OAL

Cheap and easy.

In my relatively new and limited experience with reloading, I have found that 147gr. FMJ Xtreme bullets seem to work better for my gun. ( Walther P-99) But now after reading rfwobbly's post, I am questioning that. I will be watching this thread closely to see what others like. I was going to buy a bunch of cast TC 150gr. for practice and IDPA, and try them. I may look into another direction.
Thanx for making this post!

124/125gr LRN bullet over 3.9gr to 4.4gr W231/HP-38 makes a great range load.
Hodgdon /IMR/ Winchester load data.

115 fmj over 4.9 grains of universal clays.

Whatever's cheap!! Usually some Win231 and some form of a 124gr bullet, plated or Precision delta FMJ.

173gr swc over 2.7gr AA#2

Thompsoncustom said:

173gr swc over 2.7gr AA#2

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A 173gr SWC in a 9mm, I don't think so!

115gr and hs6

124gr Bayou Bullets over 5.3gr of Power Pistol, 1.130" 1079fps

115 grain Berrys Plated RN
5.2 grains Unique
1.110 OAL

125gr cast lead bullet in front of 4.0gr of Green Dot. Nice easy target load.

A 173gr SWC in a 9mm, I don't think so!

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I didn't say it was for most but it is more than possibly and has been talked about on THR before also people have loaded heavier bullets in 9mm.

Heavy bullet plus fast powder are much more dangerous but yield a really low felt recoil bullet.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o77/danielthompson8588/Picture2018.jpg

I've also loaded bullets as little as 60grs in 9mm when testing different zinc/alum alloys.

A 173gr SWC in a 9mm, I don't think so!

Click to expand...

I didn't say it was for most but it is more than possible and has been talked about on THR before also people have loaded heavier bullets in 9mm.

Heavy bullets plus fast powder are much more dangerous but yield a really low felt recoil bullet.



I've also loaded bullets as little as 60grs in 9mm when testing different zinc/alum alloys.

124gr Armscor FMJ with 4.4gr of Universal and 1.09 OAL. I shoot these out of a Browning Hipower and a SA XD9.

124 gr berry's plated FNHB with 4.2 gr of universal
4.0gr of titegroup

Berry's 124 RNHB using WSF.
115gr Berry's or Rainer with 231.

147 gr Berry's
3.7 gr HP38