Soft shooting factory 9MM ammo

[BlueHeelerFl]

What would be nice soft shooting (low recoil) factory 9MM ammo? I'm not set up to hand load so I would need to buy factory ammo.

I want to give my PT-111 Ti another chance, so I'm looking for something that would be more comfortable to shoot.

Would 147gr or 115 gr be better? Are there any taget 9MM loads like the 185gr target 45 ACP loads?

Thanks
Chris

 

[unspellable]

9 mm & recoil

l'm not sure what would be the softest recoiling factory load for the 9 mm Parabellum, but there won't be a geat deal of variation anyway. the 9 mm Parabellum's primary use is in recoil operated self loading handguns. Hence the recoil must be kept in the range that will properly operated the action.

The subjective recoil will vary more from one gun to the next than it will from one factory load to the next.

 

[Bear Gulch]

I thought all 9mm was!

 

[Gordon Fink]

Try the 147-grain standard-pressure loads from Federal and Winchester.

~G. Fink

 

[Zak Smith]

Walmart 115gr Value Pack.

 

[jem375]

try some UltraMax......I had some that would only turn the steel plates about half way to the other side..........

 

[rockstar.esq]

In general, hevier projectiles loaded to similar pressures will generate more perceived recoil. If your gun has a stronger than necessary recoil spring you might find that the second slap of the slide returning to battery is creating the impression of more recoil. You could try lower poundage springs until your gun won't cycle then go up a couple for reliable feeding.

 

[ChristopherG]

To find the softest shooting ammo in any given caliber, do the math competitive shooters do.

First, a lower power factor will shoot softer than a higher power factor. So look at velocity in fps x bullet weight in grains for low power factor ammo.

Second, though, comes the trick all the pros know. Since they're all shooting ammo of about the same power factor (within a given division or whatever), and they all reload, they've had plenty of time to figure out what shoots soft; and it's heavy bullets moving slow. The OVERWHELMINGly popular competitive load among top 9mm shooters in IPSC and IDPA is a 147 gr. bullet moving between 850 and 900 fps (850 fps x 147 grains = ca. 125000 = 125 power factor, the minimum power factor allowed by the rules of these games).

Heavy bullet moving slow shoot soft. I can't tell you what to buy, 'cause I don't buy ammo, but that's what you want to look for.

 

[Mark13]

I can't tell the difference between walmart 115gr value pak 9mm and corbon 115gr +P in my all-steel K9 and 92fs? Am I alone in this?

I can definitely tell the difference in walmart 165gr value pak .40 and whatever corbon .40 I'm shooting out of my G23.

I don't think there is that much difference to be found in 9mm.

 

[unspellable]

9 mm recoil

The actual recoil varies according to the weight of the gun. To compare cartridges without the variabilites introduced by the gun we use a number called the cartridge impulse. In a factory load, the impulse must be held within a certain range. Too little and you do not get reliable operation of the action. Too much and you start hammering the gun to death. So various factory loads will vary somewhat in impulse, but not by a huge amount.

This applies to cartrdiges meant for recoil operated guns. In the case of blowback operated guns you worry about the pressure rather than the impulse.

 

[Joe D]

Atlanta Arms and Ammo makes a soft 147 gr load. There is also a 147 gr load from Blazer.

 

[Krag]

PMC/Eldorado offers a 95 gr. JHP that is a pussycat to shoot.

Cor-Bon has a 147 gr. Match load that is super accurate, very light recoil - and expensive!

 

[Mulliga]

All 9mm is tame, but I've found the Blazer aluminum-cased stuff to be pretty soft.

 

[Sean Smith]

People perceive recoil differently. Some people find a long slow push more objectionable; others dislike a short, snappy recoil impulse. Futhermore, the type of powder used can create a greater impression of recoil that doesn't entirely match the external ballistics.

But the short answer is, take (grains x feet per second)/1,000 to get a power factor. Then take the lowest power factor at 115, 124 and 147gr and shoot them to see which one suits you best.

Me, I can't tell much difference between standard-pressure 115gr and 127gr +P+ in 9x19.

 

[George S.]

Given the relatively low price for 9mm, reloading may not necessiarily be cost-effective unless you want to create a specific load.

To me the perception of recoil is different between calibers. My Ruger P89 using Winchester White Box 115gr FMJ has a sharper feel compared to my 1911 which is more of a shove compared to the 9mm "slap". Neither pistol is hard to shoot and I can shoot hundreds of rounds from either one with no problems in getting tired or my wrists aching at the end of the day.

I cannot really tell the difference between 115gr and 124gr ammo in 9mm. I have not shot any +P in my 9mm but when I tried some 185gr +P ammo in my 1911 there was a tremendous difference compared to regular 230gr FMJ! The 185+P stuff really had a kick to it. But looking at the ballistics between the two types, the 185+P was about 1/3 higher velocity and 25% more energy.

Buying 9mm in bulk will also bring the cost of shooting down. I use a lot of Midway 9mm 115gr FMJ from Outdoor Marksman www.outdoormarksman.com and the cost is $49.95 for 500 rounds. It's as accurate as the WWB 115gr stuff and it comes packed loose in a nice plastic ammo box.