It struck me I have done a fair bit of load development for my rifles it barely any for my pistols, which are limited to 9mm right now. I’m currently using CFE Pistol and Hornady XTP or Berrys 115 gr PRN. Are there any bullet/powder combos I should try to find? My primary concern at this point is accuracy.
More Accurate 9mm Loads
- Thread starter DMW1116
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Charlie98
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You understand that what you are asking for is a phone book of 'pet loads.'
The XTP has always delivered excellent accuracy... in any cartridge/caliber I've tried them in; if you aren't getting the accuracy you expect, I would try a different powder... keeping the bullet the same. The list is long... so just pick one that you can find data for. I would not expect accuracy on par with the Berry's vs the XTP's, just saying.
One other thing to consider... is your pistol capable of a higher level of accuracy? My Kahrs are good pistols, but they are SD pistols, not target pistols... if you see what I mean, and I don't expect a supreme level of accuracy out of them.
For the record, I like Unique for 9mm, although I've got a can of TiteGroup that seems to work well enough with plated and jacketed bullets in 9mm.
The XTP has always delivered excellent accuracy... in any cartridge/caliber I've tried them in; if you aren't getting the accuracy you expect, I would try a different powder... keeping the bullet the same. The list is long... so just pick one that you can find data for. I would not expect accuracy on par with the Berry's vs the XTP's, just saying.
One other thing to consider... is your pistol capable of a higher level of accuracy? My Kahrs are good pistols, but they are SD pistols, not target pistols... if you see what I mean, and I don't expect a supreme level of accuracy out of them.
For the record, I like Unique for 9mm, although I've got a can of TiteGroup that seems to work well enough with plated and jacketed bullets in 9mm.
I've been on a long road trying to get smaller groups with my Glock 19.
I won't bore you with the details, but, as has been stated, a good bullet is important. For 9mm certainly sort by headstamp - 9mm brass is all over the place.
Last - all of my testing showed that increasing velocity tightened groups - powder puff loads just didn't perform. Also - avoid the Lee FCD - just a light taper crimp is good.
Just my observations.
I won't bore you with the details, but, as has been stated, a good bullet is important. For 9mm certainly sort by headstamp - 9mm brass is all over the place.
Last - all of my testing showed that increasing velocity tightened groups - powder puff loads just didn't perform. Also - avoid the Lee FCD - just a light taper crimp is good.
Just my observations.
Yes I know I’ll get all kinds of things. I’m not certain my pistols are accurate enough honestly. I recently redid my test for the Berrys and the most accurate was 5.6 gr of CFE Pistol with the 115. I don’t expect the same accuracy I get out of my SW22, but keeping all the shots in a 5” circle when using a rest doesn’t seem too much to ask. The best so far have been the 147 gr XTP. If I could find Unique that would be a good one to try. I’ve also considered Auto Comp and a couple other Winchester powders and Accurate No. 5.
I do use the Lee FCD but it’s very light. It doesn’t touch some of the cases.
Trying different powders for pistol is not the same as for rifles. One can will give me over 1000 rounds usually. It feels wasteful to keep trying and not use them up.
I also noticed improvement as powder charge goes up. My most accurate loads are at or near the top of the range for 115 and 147 gr XTPs. The 5.6 gr charge under the Berrys is only 0.2 grains from max with Hornadys data for FMJ, which I know Berrys is not. That’s why I didn’t go to max.
Trying different powders for pistol is not the same as for rifles. One can will give me over 1000 rounds usually. It feels wasteful to keep trying and not use them up.
I also noticed improvement as powder charge goes up. My most accurate loads are at or near the top of the range for 115 and 147 gr XTPs. The 5.6 gr charge under the Berrys is only 0.2 grains from max with Hornadys data for FMJ, which I know Berrys is not. That’s why I didn’t go to max.
Have access to a Ransom Rest? My range has one for memeber's use and I ran a bunch of different factory and reloaded ammo through some of mine guns. I was amazed at the difference in accuracy.
Mine all shot better with 147gr than with lower weights and the 124gr rounds were the least accurate. I didn't do any "load development" and I could possibly improved on the 124gr accuracy by trying different loads. Point being, if you are chasing accuracy, highly recommend getting the best rest you can find to use in your quest.
Mine all shot better with 147gr than with lower weights and the 124gr rounds were the least accurate. I didn't do any "load development" and I could possibly improved on the 124gr accuracy by trying different loads. Point being, if you are chasing accuracy, highly recommend getting the best rest you can find to use in your quest.
I have a couple rests but they are all hand held. They’re both solid, but one seems more so than the other. Bullets are becoming more available. Powder and primers are the limiting factor now. Perhaps it’s actually best of I go back to dry firing practice before chasing different loads through the weeds. I’ve been concentrating on rifles for a while. Maybe I just need to put that much effort into pistols for a bit.
Charlie98
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I think the lighter 9mm bullets need to be driven hard to get max accuracy. My Kahrs also like the 147's, but for SD ammo, it's too much of a trade-off of velocity. For target accuracy... I'd start with 147's if you can get them.
Soonerpesek
Member
Check out Ransomrest.com.
They now offer an affordable rest for about $150.00.
There is also a review of it in the July/August issue of American Hangunner magazine, pg. 12.
XTPs shouldn't be fussy about powder types or charges, you should get good accuracy with them all the time if you seat them straight.
Try rolling your handloads on a smooth table, watch for wobble.
Look carefully in the reflections on the cases for uneven bulging.
I had nothing but trouble trying to seat XTP's straight with the Lee die.
Not a Lee basher, I just think the Lee 9mm seating die is poorly designed and causes a lot of headaches for new loaders.
The seating stem (where the rubber meets the road) is poorly shaped for many bullets, but especially XTP.
And the FCD is completely unnecessary if you seat your bullet straight the first time.
My handloads with the Lee 4 die 'deluxe' set were just never as good as factory ammo.
I switched seating and crimp dies to another brand and WOW, instant accuracy improvement.
Try rolling your handloads on a smooth table, watch for wobble.
Look carefully in the reflections on the cases for uneven bulging.
I had nothing but trouble trying to seat XTP's straight with the Lee die.
Not a Lee basher, I just think the Lee 9mm seating die is poorly designed and causes a lot of headaches for new loaders.
The seating stem (where the rubber meets the road) is poorly shaped for many bullets, but especially XTP.
And the FCD is completely unnecessary if you seat your bullet straight the first time.
My handloads with the Lee 4 die 'deluxe' set were just never as good as factory ammo.
I switched seating and crimp dies to another brand and WOW, instant accuracy improvement.
Jim Watson
Member
I no longer have access to a Ransom Rest, but the best handheld accuracy I have seen in 9mm was with Hornady HAP and a bit less HP38 than factory equivalent.
Ok so I probably should start from the beginning. Next time I go to the range I’ll take some factory ammo and compare them to my current batch of hand loads out of both pistols. Then I’ll at least have a good starting point. I can test on the rifle range as long as I’m using a rest. It might even be worth it to try some new brass, which is available here. All my previous work was done with range brass, though much of it was from my own guns. I did match head stamps for testing purposes.
milsurpguy
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Cbc brass is bad about this.
I have an old H.A.M.M.R. pistol rest similar to a Ransom Rest, and it actually takes the same inserts. I have inserts for 1911s, & S&W J, K, & L frames.
I recently added a 3/8" polypropylene board to a rifle rest to use as a pistol rest, but I haven't tried it out yet. I do almost all of my pistol testing offhand, but a steady rest would be better. Not as good as a ransom rest of course.
I haven't tried my rest yet, but here it is.
I recently added a 3/8" polypropylene board to a rifle rest to use as a pistol rest, but I haven't tried it out yet. I do almost all of my pistol testing offhand, but a steady rest would be better. Not as good as a ransom rest of course.
I haven't tried my rest yet, but here it is.
fxvr5
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DMW1116, what kind of accuracy are you getting? What distance are you shooting?
Soonerpesek, Ransom's Multi Cal Steady Rest is not the same as their Master Rest, which is the Ransom Rest people are referring to.
Testing has shown that crooked bullets are not less accurate than straight bullets in the typical handgun at typical distance.
https://americanhandgunner.com/gear/crooked-seated-bullets-and-accuracy/
Using mixed brass is probably not a big deal unless you're chasing accuracy in a match gun.
The typical S&W M&P9 is not really a match grade gun. A Shield even less so. Here's a article or two on the accuracy of M&P9s. All testing was done in a (real) Ransom Rest at 25 yards.
https://www.shootingillustrated.com...mo-accuracy-15-loads-in-three-different-guns/
https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2018/12/26/review-smith-wesson-5-mp-m20-9mm/
https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2020/1/14/apex-tactical-barrels-for-smith-wesson-mp-pistols/
M&Ps, in my experience, are combat accurate. Expect 4-5" groups at 25 yards with ammo they like.
Soonerpesek, Ransom's Multi Cal Steady Rest is not the same as their Master Rest, which is the Ransom Rest people are referring to.
Testing has shown that crooked bullets are not less accurate than straight bullets in the typical handgun at typical distance.
https://americanhandgunner.com/gear/crooked-seated-bullets-and-accuracy/
Using mixed brass is probably not a big deal unless you're chasing accuracy in a match gun.
The typical S&W M&P9 is not really a match grade gun. A Shield even less so. Here's a article or two on the accuracy of M&P9s. All testing was done in a (real) Ransom Rest at 25 yards.
https://www.shootingillustrated.com...mo-accuracy-15-loads-in-three-different-guns/
https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2018/12/26/review-smith-wesson-5-mp-m20-9mm/
https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2020/1/14/apex-tactical-barrels-for-smith-wesson-mp-pistols/
M&Ps, in my experience, are combat accurate. Expect 4-5" groups at 25 yards with ammo they like.
It's not the brass.
fxvr5
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That sounds like typical M&P9 performance - even from a Ransom Rest according to those articles.
Using quality bullets, like the Hornadys and Zeros should keep the groups smaller than bullets the gun doesn't like. But the guns are the limiting factor. That's okay. Just don't expect great accuracy from a gun that is designed as a mass-produced service weapon. They're just like Glocks. They shoot well enough to do the typical job they were designed for.
Soonerpesek
Member
Didn't say it was the same, just said it looks like a solid rest that is affordable.
ParallelCode
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I ended up stopping my workup for the HAP w/ power pistol significantly below max (5.9gr). The accuracy was OK, but not great -- it looks like continuing to workup to max is worthwhile.
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