9mm & min recoill combination

[mbruce]

What lead bullet weight and powder combination have you found that provides the least amount of recoil for a 9mm?

Right now I'm using MBC 115gr with 231...has a mild recoil -- just wondering about other combinations that would produce less recoil. I've read the saying "heavier bullet, lighter load"....based on that a 147gr with powder x would produce a milder recoil than a 115gr? Will it even be noticeable? 124gr seems to be a clear favorite on the forum.

Only purpose is for knocking down reactive targets for fun...wife has a storm lake extended compensated...so her mp 5" already is a blast to shoot.

Thanks!

 

[TH3180]

I have not played with lead yet but here is what I have found. I was shooting Montana Gold 115 FMJ R/N. I tryed some Montana Gold 147g CMJ F/N. I think the recoil is different. The 147g has more of a thud and the 115g has more of a snap. I am still playing with powders, I am finding the 147g has better groups shooting off a rest then the 115g.
I have only been reloading for about half a year. I'm sure there are people on here that have a ton more experiance then me in this. I figured I would give my $0.02.

 

[NVMM]

Try
Solo 1000 or Clays
Very light recoil

 

[Olympus]

I use 125grain cast lead bullets with 4.3 of HP-38 in my Hi Power. It's just enough to cycle the slide and pretty much drops the brass at my feet. It's a little smoky though...

 

[wally]

The reduced muzzle blast and lack of the supersonic crack are the main reason the 147gr 9mm loads have much less apparent recoil.

Multiply it out, recoil is proportional to "power factor" = bullet weight X velocity

950x147 = 139650
1150x115 = 132250

Since we perceive these things "logarithmically" this difference is negligible but the greatly reduced muzzle blast makes the 147gr load feel "softer" to most folks.

 

[918v]

But there is soft and snappy, even at the same power factor.

147's on top of fast burning powdera are soft.

124's on top of medium burning powders are snappy.

The softest load I like is a 147 XTP on top of 3.6grs of 231, 1.115" OAL.

 

[gamestalker]

This is an interesting thread. I have been shooting a lot of weapons for a very long time and I have to say that the 9mm is one of the most uncomfortable recoiling handguns I've ever handled. They seem to really snap hard. I shoot a lot of magnum handguns with full house loads and they deffinitely let you knwo you've touched one off, but not with that same sharp snap the 9s produce.

 

[Quoheleth]

In my CZ, I love the Smallball (125gr) with ~3.5gr Win231 (I forget if I use 3.4 or 3.6, so I split the difference here). It's so soft the cases will sometimes fall inside my arms in a Weaver/Isocoles stance. Likewise, the start load of AA#5 (see the Accurate website) will do the same.

It's just a fun, fun load. We're talking just slightly more recoil than my Buckmark .22. You can shoot it all day with literally zero fatigue. I don't know if it will knock plates over, but it'll make them "ping".

Q

 

[RidgwayCO]

For light loads in my 9mm, I've found I need a 125gr lead bullet at moderate velocities. To get the impulse needed to function the action of a semiauto, I use the quicker-burning powders. I've had good luck with the following:

(All rounds fired in a Beretta 8000F with 3.6" barrel. Dardas 125gr LRN bullet, Fiocchi brass, CCI 500 SP primer, 1.140" COL, and light taper crimp.)

Powder ... Amount ....Velocity
-------------------------------------
AA #2 ...... 4.0gr ....... 995 fps
VV N320 ... 4.0gr ....... 975 fps
VV N330 ... 4.6gr ....... 1020 fps
VV N340 ... 4.7gr ....... 1015 fps
Unique ..... 4.7gr ....... 985 fps (not as clean, but functioned well)

My priorities with a light load in a semiauto are that:

1) The bullet clears the barrel upon firing every time
2) The load functions the action 100%
3) The load be accurate

These loads do this for me. YMMV.

STANDARD DISCLAIMER: These loads were safe in my gun, but may not be in yours. Never trust any load data from the internet including (especially) mine. Start low and work up slowly, looking for signs of excessive pressure. You are responsible for your own health and safety.

 

[PotatoJudge]

Only purpose is for knocking down reactive targets for fun...wife has a storm lake extended compensated...so her mp 5" already is a blast to shoot.

Sounds like she's good on her end. What sort of setup are you running that is giving you problems with recoil? There are things you can try to keep kick down without pushing the floor of light loads (compensators, grip inserts)? It might be that you could stand to use other recoil reducing devices also.

 

[ralph2]

Depends on what it takes to cycle the action. My Glock 17 starts failing below 1000fps with a 115 gr bullet while my Taurus PT111 will start failing below 900fps so for min recoil I load for 50fps above failure fps

 

[1SOW]

I load light for comp in a CZ75B--4.72"bbl. I lowered the weight of the recoil spring to 11# from 14# so the slide would cycle normally, ejections are normal and hit point of aim at 25yds.

My bullet preference (USPSA & Steel) is the Zero 125G JHP at 1035 -1045 ft/sec.
3.9 grs n320 @ 1.1".

Friends swear by the 147 gr bullet, but it costs more and my recoil is minimal.
I weigh 137# and am going to be a "super senior" this year; and can shoot this round all day with no recoil related problems.

 

[PO2Hammer]

147's with a medium speed powder seem to have the least recoil to me while still functioning the pistol reliably and giving good accuracy.
I use SR 7625 under a plated 147 bullet for my low recoil load in 9mm.

 

[CatsEye]

I agree with a lot of what has already been posted. A heavier 147gr bullet with a somewhat fast powder produces the least perceived recoil. I usually go with Solo 1000 or Titegroup. Eithe works well for reduced power loads.