Prefered 9 mil bullet weight for Idpa

[iblong]

I've been loading 45cal lead bullets for Idpa.and would like to start loading for my 9 mil.Ive never loaded for a 9 and was wondering what is the most used bullet weight used for comp.Do you prefer plated or lead bullets.
If you keep velocity down around a 1000fps with lead can you avoid leading with a hard cast bullet.Im shooting an M&P 9.Id like to use lead if its doable to help keep the cost down.
Thanks for your help.
Bob.

 

[loadedround]

I have fired the 9mm handgun extensively but never shot it in IPSC competition however, but would like to pass on my experience in reloading my two 9 mm pistols. I would suggest hard lead bullets in 124 gr weight to achieve your 1000 fps velocity. I have found my two 9mm's to cycle sluggishly with 147 gr bullets w/o changing recoil springs. Lead bullets are less than half the cost of jacketed bullets and have never caused leading in either my Browning HP or Sig 226. I would recommend the Laser Cast bullets made by Oregon Trail. They are the hardest cast bullets around and I have never had them lead any of my pistols or magnum revolvers.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I don't compete except in informal steel plate with buddys but have loaded 124gr cast tc's from mastercastbullets over Red Dot at 1000 fps with great results. clean burning and very little fouling.
shot from a S&W 5906

 

[Remo-99]

I don't own a 9mm myself, so I don't fully know the true reason why alot of shooters are loading 147gr lead bullets for it, but I suspect it maybe to keep velocitices lower to minimise any leading issues with their 9mm's.

 

[1SOW]

I'm not an IDPA shooter; but I believe IDPA has a minimum power factor of 125, just like USPSA. If so, 1000 fps with 124 gr won't make PF.

Bullet wgt X velocity / 1000 = PF
124 X 1000 / 1000 = 124 PF
147 X 1000 / 1000 = 147 PF

To have a safe margin with 124gr, you would need at least 1050ish fps.

Plated bullets make life simpler, but good lead bullets under 1100 fps shouldn't be a problem.

 

[D. Manley]

Prefered 9 mil bullet weight for Idpa

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I've been loading 45cal lead bullets for Idpa.and would like to start loading for my 9 mil.Ive never loaded for a 9 and was wondering what is the most used bullet weight used for comp.Do you prefer plated or lead bullets.
If you keep velocity down around a 1000fps with lead can you avoid leading with a hard cast bullet.Im shooting an M&P 9.Id like to use lead if its doable to help keep the cost down.
Thanks for your help.
Bob.

I'd say 147 grain are most prevalent since they can be loaded to the same power factor with softer recoil than the lighter weights. Some prefer the faster slide speed or a little more "snap" and choose the 124 grainers as a good compromise. Most tend to avoid the 115's.

 

[Tom609]

I would suggest hard lead bullets in 124 gr weight

Another good source for hard cast is Missouri Bullet Company. There's a thread going here somewhere on them. They're BRN 18 and reasonably priced. I find that I have to seat them a little deeper to chamber properly in my 5906. They're not as tapered at the tip as a FMJ. No problem with normal seating depth in my Beretta 92. Work up a test dummy round first and try it in your gun before cranking them out.

 

[jfdavis58]

I shot IPSC with a 9mm for several years (Beretta 92fs). It didn't care for lead bullets-not stable past about 40 yards. I loaded and shot tens of thousands of 115gr jacketed hollow points bought bulk from Winchester through various distributors. I consistently made power-factor plus 10 with Win 231, the now discontinued Action Pistol and a Vihtuvouri powder (I could go look up the number if needed).

 

[iblong]

Thanks for the input guys,I really like shooting lead and find them verry accurate in my 45,38/357.but have not loaded them in a 9.for those of you that shoot lead in a 9 do you find them to be as accurate as jacketed or plated.I shoot on average about 2-300 hundred rounds a week, year round so cost is a factor.
Thanks,Bob.

 

[Howard B]

The bulk of my IDPA ammo is with 115 fmj. What steel there is, if hit well, goes down, and they are cheapest of the fmjs. I only use other weights as experimental/just something different loads.