choosing bullet weight

[mt-mag]

I reload for 9mm, 40 cal and 45acp. My question is: how do you choose which weight bullet to load for general plinking and target shooting. For instance, I currently load 125 grain lead in the 9mm and it works fine. But there are several choices in weight from 90-147 grain bullets I could use. The same is true for 40cal and 45acp.

I just load plinking, low to medium power loads, trying to take it easy on the gun and on me. Is a heavier, slower bullet using less powder easier on the gun and me? Or is a lighter, faster bullet better for easy recoil and less wear and tear? For PD I usually tend toward the heavier bullets in each caliber, but this is just for target practice in the back yard (a BIG back yard).

I need to order some bullets and I'm looking for some advice.

MT-MAG

 

[Walkalong]

It is hard to explain the difference. You really just have to try some different bullet weights. It also matters how fast you push each bullet weight.

In general, lighter bullets can have less recoil simply because of their weight, but if pushed really fast can have more "snap" and muzzle blast than a slow heavy bullet which will give more of a "push" than a "snap", but again, the powder choice affects that as well.

Welcome to THR

 

[gamestalker]

+1 ^, it's relevent to velocity, and pressures too. I load a 110 gr. XTP for the 38 spcl. at 1300 fps. and it produces far less recoil, and less than half the pressure of a 1300 fps load from a .357 mag. catridge?

 

[918v]

Choose the weight that has the most data developed for it.

 

[Steve Koski]

MT-Mag,

I look at: Lowest cost. The bullet is the most expensive part. If you're just plinking, get inexpensive bullets.

Koski

 

[cfullgraf]

mt-mag,

For plinking, as Steve Koski said, go for price. But I will add, shoot the weight bullet you might use for more serious work even if the plinking load is a lighter charge.

I shoot lots of plated bullets, but you can get lower cost. excellent quality cast bullets.

For me, I prefer heavy bullets (230 gr 45 cal, 180 gr 40 cal although I shoot 115/124 gr in 9x19). But lots of folks have different opinions on optimum bullet weight.

 

[Walkalong]

An example.

A Berrys 125 Gr at 875 to 900 FPS with a fast pistol powder in .357 brass has more "felt" recoil, and certainly more "blast" than a Berrys 148 Gr HBWC at 700 to 725 FPS. The heavier 148 Gr bullet using less of a fast pistol powder and going slower has more "push" to it, but feels lighter overall.

Shot these today in my Trooper Mk III & 586-3.

Another thing to consider is that the more powder you burn by weight, the more recoil you get.

http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp

 

[GRIZ22]

If you choose a weight close to your SD ammo the point of impact will be pretty close and save you a bit for practice.