I have a quick question about accuracy and bullet weight question and was wondering if anyone could shed some more light on the subject. Does 9mm become more accurate with heavier weight bullets such as 147gr RN or 124 or 115. Trying to get a grasp on a better load for a s&w M&P9 to make more accurate. Ordered Dawson sights to replace original but not sure if it's the load (power pistol @ 5.6 115 rn with an 1.100 oal) or its just the shooter. Any info is appreciated. Picked up some CFE Pistol and SR7625 and wondering if they work better with different bullet weights. Thanks in advance.
9mm bullet weight question
- Thread starter jkhammer
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CZ9shooter
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Only one way to find out.... try different things. That's half the fun of reloading. I personally get the best results with 125gr cast bullets. A lot of guys seem to like 147. And in my experiance PowerPistol does better at the high end of load data. Dont be afraid to go max if you have to, it is a pretty forgiving powder.
Artofgolf
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Welcome aboard, JKhammer 
In my experience (9MM w/Glocks), I've found the heavier bullets work well for accuracy. Even the Fiocchi 158g in 9MM is a nice round & accurate; softer shooting, too.
You'll have a lot of fun here - enjoy!
In my experience (9MM w/Glocks), I've found the heavier bullets work well for accuracy. Even the Fiocchi 158g in 9MM is a nice round & accurate; softer shooting, too.
You'll have a lot of fun here - enjoy!
1SOW
Member
Originally the 9mm was developed around bullets weighing around 122grs. The 124gr took it's place for the 1-10 (+/-) twist bbls..
Each pistol will show its preferences along with you being able to do your part easier depending on how they feel to you personally.
115gr will shoot very accurately , but has a snappier recoil due to needing more powder.
I like 124-130 gr bullets that have less recoil but still provide the faster action cycle.
Some prefer the 147gt bullets because of using even less powder and having less recoil due to using less powder.
ALL three can shoot accurately with the right load and pistol.
Each pistol will show its preferences along with you being able to do your part easier depending on how they feel to you personally.
115gr will shoot very accurately , but has a snappier recoil due to needing more powder.
I like 124-130 gr bullets that have less recoil but still provide the faster action cycle.
Some prefer the 147gt bullets because of using even less powder and having less recoil due to using less powder.
ALL three can shoot accurately with the right load and pistol.
The M&P 9 had some accuracy problems with lighter loads and at longer distances (beyond fifteen yards). They did better with 147gr. loads.
But that was back awhile ago and S&W made some modifications since then which supposedly corrected that problem.
The folks at G&R Tactical are knowledgeable about those issues and could better explain what took place.
But that was back awhile ago and S&W made some modifications since then which supposedly corrected that problem.
The folks at G&R Tactical are knowledgeable about those issues and could better explain what took place.
32_d3gr33s
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i shoot mostly X-treme plated 124gr out of my mp9c and have no accuracy issues out to 25 yards. Ive yet to try 147's. the 124's work great so i havent found a need to try anything else since switching to them
LiveLife
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I think many held the notion that heavier 124/125 gr bullets with longer bullet base engaged the rifling better for more rotational stability in flight than lighter 115 gr bullet with shorter bullet base. Over the years, many match shooters switched to JHP over FMJ of same bullet weight for similar reasons.
My reference 9mm load has been with 115 gr Winchester FMJ but when Berry's MFG released their 124 gr hollow based, thicker plated RN (HBRN-TP) bullets a few years ago (which not only provided hollow base for better sealing with the barrel but longer bullet base), I got better accuracy - Yes, better accuracy with plated bullet over jacketed bullet - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7217193#post7217193
More recently, I tested Berry's 115 gr HBRN-TP bullets and got even better accuracy than 124 gr HBRN-TP/115 gr Winchester FMJ bullets - www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=745656
So for same type bullets but different weights like FMJ/JHP or plated RN solid base bullets, I think you'll experience greater accuracy from heavier bullets with longer bullet base (bearing surface).
But if you factor in hollow based bullets like Berry's plated or Winchester's FMJ, then I would choose hollow based bullets over FMJ/solid based bullets.
YMMV
My reference 9mm load has been with 115 gr Winchester FMJ but when Berry's MFG released their 124 gr hollow based, thicker plated RN (HBRN-TP) bullets a few years ago (which not only provided hollow base for better sealing with the barrel but longer bullet base), I got better accuracy - Yes, better accuracy with plated bullet over jacketed bullet - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7217193#post7217193
More recently, I tested Berry's 115 gr HBRN-TP bullets and got even better accuracy than 124 gr HBRN-TP/115 gr Winchester FMJ bullets - www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=745656
So for same type bullets but different weights like FMJ/JHP or plated RN solid base bullets, I think you'll experience greater accuracy from heavier bullets with longer bullet base (bearing surface).
But if you factor in hollow based bullets like Berry's plated or Winchester's FMJ, then I would choose hollow based bullets over FMJ/solid based bullets.
YMMV
Vodoun da Vinci
Member
What Murf said is true....mostly accuracy is matching things up with the barrel in the gun. That said I personally have achieved better accuracy with 124 gr. bullets probably because I have taken the time to tweak it and tweak it again.
They are the same diameter as the .356 115 gr. bullets I worked with. How fast you run them and how deep you seat them can have some influence on accuracy as well.
VooDoo
They are the same diameter as the .356 115 gr. bullets I worked with. How fast you run them and how deep you seat them can have some influence on accuracy as well.
VooDoo
gamestalker
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First of all, I don't load anything but jacketed, so anything I have to say will be based on jacketed bullets, and full tilt self defense data and results.
I load and shoot 90 gr. XTP's, 115 gr., 124 gr., and 147 gr.. Most all my loads consist of Longshot and CCI 500's.
I do most of my shooting at distances ranging from 15' to 15 yds., But the bulk of my practice is between 5 yds - 10 yds. with pistol. Slightly different story with my revolver practice routine though.
As for accuracy, I really can't see much, if any difference between bullet weights at those distances. Using a 6" target, I have no problem keeping most of my hits in the center portion of the target, regardless of the bullet weight I'm shooting.
The best way to tell what works for you, is to just start trying different load combinations, see what they do for you in terms of accuracy, or what ever criteria you are focused on. I personally love reloading, so trying different components has always offered an opportunity for me to load and shoot more. And even though I only load jacketed and mostly with Longshot, I have been reloading for more than 30 yrs., so that said, I have tried many different powders, load intensities, and firearms. And it's the result of all those years of different load developments that I have settled on Longshot. However, I do have other powders that I would use in a heart beat if L.S. suddenly became unavailable.
So as the great RC would say, shoot em Lizabeth, I think that's how he says it?
GS
I load and shoot 90 gr. XTP's, 115 gr., 124 gr., and 147 gr.. Most all my loads consist of Longshot and CCI 500's.
I do most of my shooting at distances ranging from 15' to 15 yds., But the bulk of my practice is between 5 yds - 10 yds. with pistol. Slightly different story with my revolver practice routine though.
As for accuracy, I really can't see much, if any difference between bullet weights at those distances. Using a 6" target, I have no problem keeping most of my hits in the center portion of the target, regardless of the bullet weight I'm shooting.
The best way to tell what works for you, is to just start trying different load combinations, see what they do for you in terms of accuracy, or what ever criteria you are focused on. I personally love reloading, so trying different components has always offered an opportunity for me to load and shoot more. And even though I only load jacketed and mostly with Longshot, I have been reloading for more than 30 yrs., so that said, I have tried many different powders, load intensities, and firearms. And it's the result of all those years of different load developments that I have settled on Longshot. However, I do have other powders that I would use in a heart beat if L.S. suddenly became unavailable.
So as the great RC would say, shoot em Lizabeth, I think that's how he says it?
GS
LiveLife
Member
As for lead bullets, I think factors that contribute to more consistent chamber pressure are what increases accuracy:
- Bullet to barrel fit with bullet diameter .001"+ than groove diameter of the barrel
- Length of bullet base/bearing surface
- Alloy type and hardness/softness (BHN)
- Lube quality
- Flat base vs bevel base
If you look at the comparison 9mm 124/125 gr lead bullet picture below, SWC bullets of same weight has longer bullet bases than stepped/RN bullets and IMO/IME attributes to greater accuracy over RN bullets, especially with flat base, in developing more consistent chamber pressures which produces more consistent muzzle velocities/lower SD numbers which results in smaller shot groups.
- Bullet to barrel fit with bullet diameter .001"+ than groove diameter of the barrel
- Length of bullet base/bearing surface
- Alloy type and hardness/softness (BHN)
- Lube quality
- Flat base vs bevel base
If you look at the comparison 9mm 124/125 gr lead bullet picture below, SWC bullets of same weight has longer bullet bases than stepped/RN bullets and IMO/IME attributes to greater accuracy over RN bullets, especially with flat base, in developing more consistent chamber pressures which produces more consistent muzzle velocities/lower SD numbers which results in smaller shot groups.
Potatohead
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147 factory rds absolutely suck in my sr9, I'd be better off drop kicking them at the target.
But lately, ive been cooking up some recipes with Auto Comp that have been pretty dadgum good. I really like the SPR 147 TMJ and Powder Valley usually has them.
But lately, ive been cooking up some recipes with Auto Comp that have been pretty dadgum good. I really like the SPR 147 TMJ and Powder Valley usually has them.
mgmorden
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I personally like 147gr for a few reasons:
1. I tend to load up rounds that are just above what will cycle the action. At that power level heavier bullets tend to have less felt recoil (ie, more push, less snap). As a result, I find I can shoot heavier bullets more quickly.
2. Heavier bullets tend to impact higher on the target. Most fixed sight handguns tend to impact low for me based on the sight picture I use (I use picture #2 in the image below - it seems a lot of guns are regulated for #3). 147gr bullets bring the point of impact up closer to where I'd like it to hit.
1. I tend to load up rounds that are just above what will cycle the action. At that power level heavier bullets tend to have less felt recoil (ie, more push, less snap). As a result, I find I can shoot heavier bullets more quickly.
2. Heavier bullets tend to impact higher on the target. Most fixed sight handguns tend to impact low for me based on the sight picture I use (I use picture #2 in the image below - it seems a lot of guns are regulated for #3). 147gr bullets bring the point of impact up closer to where I'd like it to hit.
After playing around with a number of bullet weights, shapes and compositions, I finally settled on Precision Delta 124 gr FMJ or Precision Delta 124 gr JHP. Both shoot equally well in my XD9SC. My accuracy suffers a bit when going down to the 115 grain bullets and I've never found a 147 gr load my pistol seems to like.
That's just my experience, though. Pretty much any of the 115 gr or 124 gr bullets (lead or jacketed) can be loaded to be more accurate than I am, but I like the 124 gr best.
That's just my experience, though. Pretty much any of the 115 gr or 124 gr bullets (lead or jacketed) can be loaded to be more accurate than I am, but I like the 124 gr best.
Potatohead
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Dont want to start a beef but that's the first Ive heard heavier bullets tend to impact higher on the target.
mgmorden
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I'm surprised. It's a pretty well known phenomenon. The explanation I've heard is that the heavy bullets are moving slower and so the barrel has been under recoil for longer, and as such is tilted slightly higher, by the time the heavier bullet leaves the barrel.
I'm not sure of the validity of that particular explanation, but the real world results are pretty easy to compare. When shooting large Classic USPSA targets the difference isn't so much that I care. If I have to make headshots or shoot plates though then I have to adjust my aim higher if shooting 115gr vs my normal 147gr bullets (both loaded to 130-132pf).
Arkansas Paul
Member
At first thought it doesn't make sense. It didn't to me. But I have noticed that it is true. Have no clue why.
Another addict I see. Don't worry, you're among many others here. Just don't expect any help quitting.
I only have one 9mm and it's my CC weapon. Its obviously a short barreled model and its not picky about bullet weight. They all shoot consistent and it has adjustable sights so I can adjust according to impact.
The only thing that gives it a hiccup is light bullets. The 90 and 95 grain stuff won't cycle the action. I don't know if it is the tight recoil springs in the short gun or what, but I've heard that the light stuff is made for .380 and commonly gives issues in 9mms.
Potatohead
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Fair enough. Thanks guys
If you want accuracy only, you won't find very many 147gn bullets on any Bullseye competition line. 121-125gn bullets tend to be most accurate in my guns. JHP or L-SWC tend to be most accurate in my guns.
Finally, accuracy is not as good in my guns at low velocities as it is at higher velocities and faster powders tend to be less accurate than slower powders.
Best powders I have found are Power Pistol and Silhouette. I just can't find any Power Pistol.
Finally, accuracy is not as good in my guns at low velocities as it is at higher velocities and faster powders tend to be less accurate than slower powders.
Best powders I have found are Power Pistol and Silhouette. I just can't find any Power Pistol.
Potatohead
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Can you find Silhouette?
22250Rem
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While we're on the subject of 9mm bullet weight; I've got a bunch of 124 gr FMJ's, a pound of Power Pistol, and a Glock 19. Anyone have thoughts on what would be a nice combination of 124's & Power Pistol? Have already loaded up some 115 gr. bullets with some HS-6 but haven't been to the range with them yet. I've heard good things about Power Pistol in the 9mm but have zero experience with it in anything.
Artofgolf
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I shoot a G19 and have used PP for 115g HAP's. Never loaded 124's for the Glock. Lots of loads for the 147's & 158's over VV powders if you ever move to a heavier bullet.
oldreloader
Member
What bds said. I've had good luck with the MBC and Zcast offerings. Haven't tried Dardas but I'm sure they are good too. I think when I shoot up what I have I'll go to the 147 . I like the way it shoots.
Schwing
Member
This has been my experience as well. In all 3 of my 9mms, the POI is consistent regardless of the bullet weight. Sizing them .001 to .002 over bore diameter is the only factor that has has made any noticeable difference in accuracy that I have seen.
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