What powder & bullet weight for your pistol?

[zenshootist]

Wondering what people prefer for shooting - I started out loading for cheap - so I'd buy the cheapest bullets I could find, match that up with something on the shelf at my local gun shop that is also listed in my reloading manual and knock out as many rounds as I could.

As I become a (slightly) better shooter, I'm looking at what makes a better shooting round - I want to get tighten my groups (15-25 yards) and up the quality of my reloads.

I shoot 9mm. I've mostly used cci and winchester primers. WSM has been the powder and I've been using 115 grain bullets. (primary gun is a CZ P-01).

Again, components have mostly been what's cheapest and available - but if I wanted to up my game, what would some of you more experienced shooters recommend?

 

[wanderinwalker]

Welcome to the affliction!

First off, and I say this at risk of being tarred and feathered, banned by the mods and ostracized by the rest of the shooting fraternity, here's a secret about handgun ammo: most bullet and powder combinations can be plenty accurate. Some will require a bit of fine tuning on things like OAL and powder weight range, but odds are pretty good you'll find something ranging from acceptable to excellent.

Second, how are you shooting right now? Are your fundamentals strong and well-ingrained? I ask not to be mean, more so you can establish a baseline. If you're currently shooting 6-8" patterns at 10-yards slow fire, it helps to identify if the problem is ammo, pistol or shooter. This way you can address the issues and have a reference to measure progress.

In 9mm specifically I usually use 115gr Berry's plated bullets through my Glocks, powered by Winchester 231 powder and a Winchester small pistol primer. I've also had good luck with WSF, Alliant Unique and Power Pistol and Hodgdon Universal. All with the same 115gr 9mm Berry's bullets.

After having said all of that, I can only think of a couple of cartridge/bullet/powder combinations I've tried that have been real dogs in pistol calibers. Sadly, I didn't write them down so I just have to hope I don't stumble on them again.

Good luck and hope this helps some.

 

[cfullgraf]

For handguns, I buy and shoot bullets that have a good reputation, are reasonably priced and are available via a method that I am happy with.

Currently, for me, that is Berry for plated bullets and Missouri for cast for handgun. I buy in bulk to keep the costs as low as possible. (my postman fusses every time I get a "box of rocks" in a flat rate shipping box. )

I might do something different if I shot competitively, but I do not. As is, my guns shoot better than I do. But, even when I shot revolver class IHMSA Silhouette several decades ago, I used good bullets. If I did my part, I could hit the 200m ram every time.

There are lots of good powders that will serve you well. I have my favorites. Over the past 5 or 6 years or so, I have started working on alternate powders to my favorites so that i can more easily find powders during times of shortages.

Of course, many folks enjoy working on reloads that give the ultimate performance in their firearms. It is a hobby unto itself with the reloading hobby. But, suggestions from others are just that, suggestions. Not all firearms shoot excellently with the same load data, good maybe. It takes tweaking the load to get the best.

hope this helps.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

For any CZ the 124gr bullet work very well as that is the weight they were designed for. Casting you own bullets will do two things give you cheap bullets and if you do your part better bullets than you can buy.

Of course like others had said you still have to find your load by testing OAL and velocity.

 

[zxcvbob]

in 9mm, I shoot mostly 135 grain round-nosed cast bullets with a very stout charge of Bullseye. But I only have a few hundred of those bullets left and am going to start casting my own 120 grain bullets -- and probably switch to WSF powder.

OTOH, a few hundred 9mm bullets will last me a pretty long time because I mostly shoot .38 Specials.

 

[tyeo098]

I use 3.5gr Bullseye is just about anything

38 Spl - 158gr LRNFP - 3.5 Bullseye
9mm - 124gr RN(plat)- 3.5 Bullseye
9mm - 120gr LTC - 3.5 Bullseye
9mm - 124gr LRN - 3.5gr Bullseye

I have a few 105gr SWC loads that use 3.0gr Bullseye in both 9mm and 38Spl

The stated loads cycle my CZ perfectly and are light enough to train new shooter with so they dont develop a flinch.

[Stated loads imply no guarantee or responsibility of my part or the part of THR, if you use these loads and hurt yourself, you have only yourself to blame. Always verify loads in a published reloading manual before using]

 

[oldpapps]

"What powder & bullet weight for your pistol?
Wondering what people prefer for shooting - "

Lots of very good advise has been presented. I can add much to it, so I'll tell 'all' [sort of].

Pistols, I regularly load for three chamberings, multiple weapons.

.44 mag:
Mag length brass for all.
240 grain LSWC - 5.6 grains of 231/HP38 - 642 FPS
240 grain LSWC - XX grains of 2400 - 1240 FPS
240 grain JHP - XX grains of 630 - 1355 FPS (hand stinger)

.45 ACP:
200 grain LSWC - 5.6 grains of 231/HP38 - 900 FPS

.40 S&W:
155 grain L conical flat nose - 5.3 grains of 231/HP38 - 912 FPS
155 grain JHP - 5.4 grains of 231/HP38 - 916 FPS

With the exception of my least used loads, heaver Mag loaded 44s, these loads are stoutish but not heavy. Best thing is they all do well out of all of my pistols.

 

[loose noose]

tye098, generally speaking if you use Bullseye 3.5 grains in loads up to 158grn. then use 3.0 grns. in a much lighter bullet such as a 100 grn, I would like to think you're using that charge in .380 which is a bit smaller case. What I'm trying to say is that using a heavier bullet and the same type of powder you usually use a smaller amount of powder and vice versa, in other words you should be using more powder in your 100 grain bullet thatn you would in your 158 grain bullet, which I would think is in a .38/357 cartridge.

 

[loose noose]

tye098, generally speaking if you use Bullseye 3.5 grains in loads up to 158grn. then use 3.0 grns. in a much lighter bullet such as a 100 grn, I would like to think you're using that charge in .380 which is a bit smaller case. What I'm trying to say is that using a heavier bullet and the same type of powder you usually use a smaller amount of powder and vice versa.

 

[tyeo098]

My SWC loads have to sit really low in the case, eats up all available room. I don't want to end up with a compressed bullseye load, so I run the 3.0 in the 105gr SWC 9mm loads.

Every works and cycles fine.

3.5 in the 158gr load is just a light plinking load. Its not a full-roundhouse +p+ load or anything. (That 10 something of Blue dot in a 357 under the 158)

 

[LeftyTSGC]

I shoot 9mm.

So my basic load is: 124gr Montana Gold, FMJ on top 4.4 W231. I will try 124gr MG HP next.

W231 is A good target plinking load, but I am looking at using WSF to get closer to high power factory loads.

 

[Archie]

"Standard Load" for 9mm Parabellum?

I'm not a big 9x19 aficionado, but I do have three pistols so chambered currently. I have a stash of commercial 9x19 'defense' ammo should I need it, so I load one loading for practice and general use: the 115 grain FMJ 'NATO' loading of about 1125 f/s. I also the 125 grain FMJ with a similar loading interchangably - depends on what bullets I can find.

Normally, I use WW231 powder for nearly all the 'standard' loadings in handgun rounds - from .32 ACP to .45 ACP. It works well in the 9x19 loads mentioned.

I also try to keep some 2400 powder on hand for heavy loads in .357 and .44 Magnum, and I use Power Pistol for some standard pressure, higher velocity loads in .38 and .44 Special.

For all my semi-automatic loads, I generally use FMJ or plated bullets in the normal bullet weight. The exception is lead SWC 200 grain bullets for .45 ACP target loads. I use lead SWC standard weight bullets in revolver calibers.

Of course, lately I use what I can find.

 

[gamestalker]

I'm a long time reloader as well, but a different breed per say, as I only load with jacketed bullets, and I use slow burning powders. So as for loading for economy, I don't give it much thought beyond looking for good deals on bullets when available.

I don't generally load anything but JHP's, they seem to be more accurate than FMJ's I feel. As for JHP's I've developed some very accurate loads with Gold Dots, and XTP's have been pretty good also. And Nosler has a bulk 250 pack of JHP's that has been an excellent performer too, and they are a bit less expensive.

I use mostly CCI primers cause they have a certain performance I like, especially when I seating them they just feel a certain way when I seat them.

For 9mm I have found great accuracy and velocity using Lonbgshot, but there are other powders, also slow burners that will do just as well, some are a bit more expensive though.

Data is available for Longshot, but not always as easy to find as some of the others like AA7, AA9, and a few others in the same class. One other good thing I've noticed, is that during these sketchy times we've been dealing with, Longshot has been easy for me to find on the shelf. I guess it's not the most popular of powders for most reloaders?

GS

 

[shadow9]

.38/357, looking for a happy powder charge for a 170gr 358429 commercial cast. in prior, 4.8-5gr Universal under a GC 358156 158gr in a .357mag case.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

My pet load atm is a bit of an odd one. 9mm with a 150gr SWC over 3.0gr of W231/HP38 seated to 1.100" OAL. VERY little recoil out of this round for a 9, and pretty accurate to boot. Barely, but consistenly cycles my CZ clone (SAR B6P), it spits my brass into a nice neat pile only 2 feet to my side. Chronos out around 800-850fps and has only slight pressure signs (just somewhat flattened primers). The SWCs I'm using are Bayou Bullets coated ones, they are slicker than lead and copper so I get a wee bit more leeway using a fast powder with such a heavy for caliber bullet. The thing I love the most about it is it will make the powder I have (1 1/2lbs of w231 and 3lbs of hp38) last for about 10k rounds which should do me for the next 2+ years. Now I just need to save up for 3k bullet order from Mr. Miculek

 

[1SOW]

As I become a (slightly) better shooter, I'm looking at what makes a better shooting round - I want to get tighten my groups (15-25 yards) and up the quality of my reloads.

I shoot 9mm. I've mostly used cci and winchester primers. WSM has been the powder and I've been using 115 grain bullets. (primary gun is a CZ P-01).

Sounds like you want range/competition loads.

I load 9mm 98% for range and Comp. and a few S.D. loads.
My primary loads are in the 1050 fps range using 124/125gr jacketted and plated bullets.
115gr bullets can be very accurate but are also very snappy so some harder to shoot faster and more accurately.
124/125/130 gr bullets shoot much softer, so they make it easier for the "SHOOTER" to be accurate and still have fast cycling of the action.

Bullets, I've found that shoot well in CZ,s (75B, SPO1 Shadow and 75 Custom Shadow)
Zero .355" dia. 125 gr jhp (not the conical nose) Fast and accurate at 1.100"oal
Berry's .356" dia. 124 gr HBRN -TP (THICK PLATING--Loads using FMJ data up to 1500 fps) Fast and Accurate
MG 124gr CMJ: same
MG 124gr JHP: same

Powders that burn efficiently/clean, soft shooting, run cool and no muzzle blast with heavy shooting for loading light/mid-range loads:

VV N320: Single base, great powder in all respects ("pricey" but only a little over 1 cent more per round using the 4.0/4.1 grains needed)
IMR 7625: Available most everywhere and a good powder with a versatile load range
Win 231/HP-38 will perform, but runs sooty and loses a little accuracy at these bullet speeds. Load heavier and it gets more efficient and more accurate. Versatile over several calibers

There are others, but these are my suggestions for what appears to be your uses.

You can go here, and see specifically what PO1 shooters prefer: http://www.czfirearms.us/

 

[Devilfrog]

For my 9mm I tend to use 115GR Berry or Rainier plated RN bullets on Win231 with CCI primers. They've always worked just fine and have been plenty accurate for me.

 

[RealGun]

Is recoil a deal breaker for you, or is optimal accuracy at a value price the priority? My taste seems to be satisfied with 124g Zero FMJ, which I fortunately bought 3 years ago, and Power Pistol at 5.2g. Nowadays, I suppose plated bullets would be the value price. Lead would run rather fast in serious, supersonic 9mm loads.