9mm target load
- Thread starter Mark_Mark
- Start date
lordpaxman
Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2011
- Messages
- 2,434
My 9mm target loads are 147’s, either RMR FPMW or Blue FPs. These are powered by Sport Pistol or N320, and are competition loads making 125+ PF.
They’re heavy bullets with fast powder to minimize recoil. If all you want are target loads with no PF to hit, light bullets with a minimum of powder to cycle the gun will give you light loads. I did some Bayou SWCs but ran into an occasional feed issue in one gun (DW PM9). 1911s either love em or hate em.
They’re heavy bullets with fast powder to minimize recoil. If all you want are target loads with no PF to hit, light bullets with a minimum of powder to cycle the gun will give you light loads. I did some Bayou SWCs but ran into an occasional feed issue in one gun (DW PM9). 1911s either love em or hate em.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,055
I use Federal eFMJ 105gr. I bought surplus from Midway when the 9mm Guard Dog load was discontinued. 3.7gr. IMR 700X w/ a COAL of 1.12”.
They’re like laser beams - around 1150fps even at that small charge from a Beretta 92FS - and super light so there’s very little recoil and they feed like a FM in every 9mm pistol I own - 100% reliable. The flat nose punches clean holes like a wadcutter. As a bonus, if I ever have to use them for home defense the expanding tips will come in handy. They do expand well and are relatively barrier effective but, I really don’t want to rely on expansion with such a light bullet. I bought them during a free shipping special in 2020. They were $90/K - whichwas pretty pricey back then - but I figured they would be a good multitasker so I ponied up for 2K. Glad I did, too. Kind of like the 1st Gen Golden Saber 125gr .357” I bought surplus when Remington changed to the bonded bullet. Those really good as .38Spl standard velocity general purpose bullets.
They’re like laser beams - around 1150fps even at that small charge from a Beretta 92FS - and super light so there’s very little recoil and they feed like a FM in every 9mm pistol I own - 100% reliable. The flat nose punches clean holes like a wadcutter. As a bonus, if I ever have to use them for home defense the expanding tips will come in handy. They do expand well and are relatively barrier effective but, I really don’t want to rely on expansion with such a light bullet. I bought them during a free shipping special in 2020. They were $90/K - whichwas pretty pricey back then - but I figured they would be a good multitasker so I ponied up for 2K. Glad I did, too. Kind of like the 1st Gen Golden Saber 125gr .357” I bought surplus when Remington changed to the bonded bullet. Those really good as .38Spl standard velocity general purpose bullets.
Any 9mm bare lead bullets that I have tried gave me bad leading. I know, bullet hardness, size and pressure can be adjusted to eliminate it. I gave up and just shoot jacketed now. I bought quite a few from RMR for 11 cents ea. so its not costing me much more.
I powder coated the rest of the 125 conicals that I had, not thinking that the powder coat would make them too big. I have to find someone with a sizer and swage them down .002 or so.
Last edited:
I have some 358-140 grain SWC bullets I cast. I've sized them to 0.356 intending to try them in 9mm. I haven't gotten around to loading them yet. Too many irons in the fire. I'll give a report when I load and shoot 'em.
sevt_chevelle
Member
This is 20 rounds out of a SA prodigy at 30 yds. Rmr 135 mw with silhouette. I spent probably 15 mins developing this load. I literally picked 3 different charge weights, loaded maybe 15 rds each and shot them at cardboard box in the backyard. I picked the one I liked best.
Last edited:
Any good jacketed hollow point at a decent price. I’ve had great luck with Win, Hornady, Speer. 115 through 147.
Plated have been hit and miss. Xtreme 124 FP shoot great in my carbine, but my Glock hates them. 147 Berry’s RN just the opposite results.
Coated SWC (MBC) shoot well, but not to JHP standards.
My carbine doesn’t care for coated.
My next purchase will be RMR MW 115s, hoping for HP accuracy at a nice price.
Plated have been hit and miss. Xtreme 124 FP shoot great in my carbine, but my Glock hates them. 147 Berry’s RN just the opposite results.
Coated SWC (MBC) shoot well, but not to JHP standards.
My carbine doesn’t care for coated.
My next purchase will be RMR MW 115s, hoping for HP accuracy at a nice price.
Have strong preference for using Win 115 hbfmj at about 1150 fps with fast powder. This bullet has been accurate in every 9mm tried in, and imo it has to do with the hollow base. This bullet is (or at least was) used in Win Q4172 factory loads.
For the wife and I's 9mm target loads I've been running a whole lot of Xtreme 124 plated RN, or RMR 124 Match Winners over Sport Pistol or N320. Both powders are super clean with a nice recoil impulse, and both bullets shoot as well as either her of I can send em downrange! All pistols and the Ruger PC Carbine feed both bullets flawlessly.
Otto
Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2007
- Messages
- 2,355
This is a load I gleaned from the BE forum. Supposedly it can do sub 2” groups at 50 yards. It’s a 147g XTP with 4g of WSF at 1.142”. I ordered 600 XTPs this week so we will see once I set up the RR. The de facto powder for 9mm accuracy is PP but I don’t care for the blast or recoil impulse.
horsemen61
Member
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2011
- Messages
- 6,755
Ttrl
archeryrob
Member
147 grain cast on top of 3.6 grains of N320. Round nose for Targets and HP for load up mags.
The most accurate 9mm bullet I've used, not for Bullseye shooting, has been the RMR 124gr MatchWinner...usually over a load of N320, SportPistol, or e3...the MW is noticeably more accurate than the RN FMJ
My Apex Grade barrel, from Apex Tactical Specialties, for my S&W M&P9 doesn't like the 124gr as much and prefers the RMR 147gr Heavy MatchWinners...which I'm loading over N310. So sometimes it depends on your barrel; the Apex was optimized for 147gr when they ordered them from BarSto.
Theoretically the longer bearing surface of the 147gr bullet should be more accurate, jacketed should be more accurate than lead due to consistency, and a JHP should be more accurate than a FMJ...because of how the jacket is formed from the rear of the slug
My Apex Grade barrel, from Apex Tactical Specialties, for my S&W M&P9 doesn't like the 124gr as much and prefers the RMR 147gr Heavy MatchWinners...which I'm loading over N310. So sometimes it depends on your barrel; the Apex was optimized for 147gr when they ordered them from BarSto.
Theoretically the longer bearing surface of the 147gr bullet should be more accurate, jacketed should be more accurate than lead due to consistency, and a JHP should be more accurate than a FMJ...because of how the jacket is formed from the rear of the slug
There are lots of options out there. Any of the common bullets don't suck otherwise people wouldn't be buying them. I usually go with RMR jacketed bullets or my own cast bullets. I have some of the 105 grain EFMJ bullets GeoDudeFlordia mentions that were bought at the same timeframe, but almost out now...
I have used cast 105 and 140 grain Lee SWCs. I prefer the 105's and have got them up to 1350 FPS with good results.
I have used cast 105 and 140 grain Lee SWCs. I prefer the 105's and have got them up to 1350 FPS with good results.
OP
OP
Mark_Mark
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
- Messages
- 17,946
I been have great results with WST .. I shoukd try WSF then
OP
OP
Mark_Mark
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
- Messages
- 17,946
30 yards? that’s crazy, on a rest?
OP
OP
Mark_Mark
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
- Messages
- 17,946
I really want to lead up my gun with SWC. they make really clean holes
OP
OP
Mark_Mark
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2021
- Messages
- 17,946
Even one is rocking the N320!!!
Blue68f100
Member
I use the RMR Match Winners with WSF powder. All my guns prefer the 124gr. I use the same bullet in my 357sig.
Yes, they are excellent!
