What weight 9MM bullet for IDPA and why?
- Thread starter sbwaters
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IMO, shoot the same weight as you carry. If you reload, use the same bullet weight and velocity loads for the matches.
If it's just a sport to you, yes lighter bullets will mean less recoil and faster times. There's a minimum power factor rule though:
http://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmpf-5.1.cgi
If it's just a sport to you, yes lighter bullets will mean less recoil and faster times. There's a minimum power factor rule though:
http://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmpf-5.1.cgi
Jim Watson
Member
Most of us think that for a given power factor (bullet weight in grains times muzzle velocity in fps, divide by 1000 to get three digit f value) a slow heavy bullet has less FELT recoil. I am at present loading 147s for one 9mm and 135s for another, with some 125s still on hand. None are hard to manage. I do not like the "snappy" recoil and loud supersonic "CRACK" of the 115. But they are cheaper.
johnmcl
Member
Jim, You are right on the reduced recoil using the 147s. Please remember that using a heavier bullet allows one to shoot at a reduced muzzle velocity too. Reduced velocity will result in a reduced recoil, and most importantly muzzle 'flip'. I suspect the reduced muzzle flip contributes to faster secondary target acquisition.
ny32182
Member
Yep, it is the other way around; the heavier the bullet, the less total felt recoil you will have. Some even use 160gr in 9mm, though that is not common.
Some like the sharper recoil of the 124s due to perceived, at least, faster cycling of the action. Virtually no one shoots 115's.
I usually use 147s, but will shoot whatever bullet happens to be on sale. Avoid 115's, but other than that, bullet weight should be pretty much DFL on your list of concerns.
Some like the sharper recoil of the 124s due to perceived, at least, faster cycling of the action. Virtually no one shoots 115's.
I usually use 147s, but will shoot whatever bullet happens to be on sale. Avoid 115's, but other than that, bullet weight should be pretty much DFL on your list of concerns.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
I load 147s and most of the more competitive shooters I know do as well. 850 fps feels a lot less snappish and softer shooting than 1,000 or 1,200 fps, regardless of bullet weight.
Sunray
Member
"...the same weight as you carry..." IDPA is a shooting game, not practice or training for anything. The silly "Power Factor" stuff doesn't apply in the real world.
"...lighter weight mean lighter felt recoil..." Usually. It's physics. Equal and opposite reaction law. You must work up the load for your pistol too. No two will shoot the same ammo the same way.
"...lighter weight mean lighter felt recoil..." Usually. It's physics. Equal and opposite reaction law. You must work up the load for your pistol too. No two will shoot the same ammo the same way.
Thompsoncustom
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Simplest way to look at it is powder = recoil, so lighter bullets take for powder to reach the same power factor as heavier ones. A heavy bullet and a fast powder will give the lowest recoil
but you have to be carefully not to spike pressure to high.
but you have to be carefully not to spike pressure to high.
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