Velocity Difference in 9mm What is Best?

[Load Master]

Measuring muzzle velocity of my S&W Shield to my full size S&W CORE 9mm shows what is expected shooting the same ammo, the velocity is less with the shorter barrel of the Shield. No surprise here.

If you are trying to optimize a round for a given gun (barrel length) would I expect better results with increase load for the shorter barrel gun to approach a velocity of the full size?

Also, should 9mm be loaded to avoid transonic?

 

[CZ9shooter]

You could increase the load if you like, within safety margins of course, or just live with the fact that a smaller gun is gonna produce slower bullets.

Heavy charges of slow powder almost always offer the highest velocity, even in shorter barrels. So switching powders may give you some satisfaction. However, there is a price to pay... increased noise and muzzle blast. I like PowerPistol for these types of loads. I don't mind the bright fireball.

Also, I wouldn't worry too much about transonic effects in handgun cartridges/distances.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Measuring muzzle velocity of my S&W Shield to my full size S&W CORE 9mm shows what is expected shooting the same ammo, the velocity is less with the shorter barrel of the Shield. No surprise here.

If you are trying to optimize a round for a given gun (barrel length) would I expect better results with increase load for the shorter barrel gun to approach a velocity of the full size?

Also, should 9mm be loaded to avoid transonic?

You only need enough velocity to reliably expand the bullet. Adding velocity will in turn increase recoil and you might sacrifice you ability to control the recoil, especially in a small gun. All the velocity in the world means nothing if you don't get hits and quick follow-up shots are important.

As for transonic, you are shooting a SD gun, not a long distance match. I wouldn't worry about that.

Good luck finding an accurate load you can be happy with.

 

[Load Master]

You only need enough velocity to reliably expand the bullet. Adding velocity will in turn increase recoil and you might sacrifice you ability to control the recoil, especially in a small gun. All the velocity in the world means nothing if you don't get hits and quick follow-up shots are important.

As for transonic, you are shooting a SD gun, not a long distance match. I wouldn't worry about that.

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I think I have my perfect load. It works well in both guns. I am always wondering if something might be a little better. The truth of it, I need to improve as a shooter before exploring other options as far as reloading changes.

 

[Rule3]

Accuracy or bullet placement trumps all the other factors.

If your bullet goes 1000 fps and you can't hit what you aim at, versus say 900 fps and it's accurate then go with that!