Really light 9mm loads

[9MonkeyMonkey]

I'm loading up some really wimpy 9mm loads with 100gr WCP bullets and Titegroup. This is for a revolver for target and steel shooting. How low do you think I can go without having to worry about sticking a bullet in the barrel? I use 3gr of Titegroup with a 147gr WCP for a light load that will is reliable in all my semi-autos. Would 3gr be ok for a starting point to work up from with the 100gr bullets or should I move up a little more? Thanks.

 

[Sunray]

Don't go below the minimum in your manual. It creates a whole bunch of problems. It's far more important to have an accurate and reliable load for your pistol than a super light load. For anything.

 

[444]

Give it a try. Keep going lower until you stick a bullet. Getting it out is no big deal. Then you know.
Take into account whether the gun is dirty or clean when testing. Obviously a dirty bore will take more powder to push the bullet through than a nice slick clean bore.

I noticed that in the latest Dillon catalog, they are selling a neat looking rod to knock out squibs. I am going to get one. I have knocked out squibs with dowels, muzzle loader ram rods, screwdrivers, cleaning rods, and even one time a stick from a tree. But I am going to start carrying this Dillon rod in my range bag.

 

[Longbow]

' just wanna share....

My experience with super light load w/ the 9mm is very disappointing as far as accuracy goes! I loaded 2.5 gr of Clays under a 115gr Westcoast bullet and the accuracy was not too encouraging (3" @ 25 yards). I bumped my load to 3.2gr, its still below its standard velocity, but the accuracy had much improved(1" @ 25 yards). I don't know the reason why, its just how it was. Maybe Titegroup will give different performance. Good Luck!

P.S.
My gun is a built-up 9mm 1911 with a fitted Kart match barell.

 

[Fed168]

I think the lightest I have gone is either 3.4 or 3.6 grains of Titegroup behind a 115 grain FMJ. Definately don't want to limpwrist it. The load gives enough ummph to cycle the gun and that's about it.

Accuracy wise, it worked.

 

[Zak Smith]

Here's a thread on TFL that summarizes my experience with light 9x19 loads, but for an auto.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=137462

I settled on 3.2gr VV-N320 with a 115gr West-Coast PRN. Sorry, I don't have any accuracy data, since this was intended for a new shooter at 7 yards. This will run CZ's, but not a BHP or Glock.

-z

 

[9MonkeyMonkey]

Thanks for the ideas guys. Sounds like I'm going to have to experiment a bit. Will have to see if I can get it shoot accurately or not.