9x19 Match ammo?

[Richard Simmons]

Does it exist? Planning on acquiring one of the new Sig P210A Target pistols and being a “Target” model it got me wondering if 9mm match ammo exists?

I’m aware of the various rimfire match offerings and I’ve got a stash of vintage .38 Special “Super Match” 148gr. wad cutter as well as .45 ACP 185gr. SWC match ammo but I don’t recall anything similar for the 9x19 unless perhaps it was something made overseas.

Of course given the current state of affairs even if there is it’s probably out of stock.

Not sure how I missed it but Ammoseek shows two “Match” loads from Nosler. A 147gr., JHP+P and a 124 gr. JHP. Also a 124gr. +P JHP load from Atomic Ammo All are about $2+ per round. Seems odd for a “Match” load to be +P rated and a hollow point but they are showing in stock. Anyone have any experience with these offerings in general and or the P210A in particular?

[505Gibbs]

FWIW - Federal actually made a Gold Medal Match 9mm 124g FMJ SWCFP load but alas its long gone like the dodo bird!
Had several boxes and sold them on this forum many years ago.
Have not seen any offered since then.

[max]

Several years ago one of the magazines had a story on 9mm match, but that is about all I remember.

[Richard Simmons]

Thanks for the reply. I found an American Rifleman article online regarding the P210A from 2018. Of the various loads they shot for accuracy the list a Sig Match V-Crown 147gr. JHP. It was the most accurate followed by another non-match Sig 147gr. JHP. The next most accurate were respectively a Black Hills 124gr., +P JHP and a Federal Hydra-Shok 125gr. JHP.

Of those 4 the Federal load had an average spread of 0.96” at 25 yds. The Sig Match was the best at 0.75”. It would appear that with quality ammo, regardless of whether it’s “Match” or not or 124gr. or 147gr. This pistol can shoot better than 1” @ 25 yds.

If I make the purchase it’ll be interesting to see how it will do with regular old WWB or Remington green & white box.

American Rifleman | Tested: SIG Sauer’s Made-In-America P210 Pistol

[Nevada Ed]

Best load in a pistol just takes a lot of testing to see what your weapon likes the best.

I have a 3.5" that like a 147 Speer TMJ at 835 fps.

I also have a 5" that likes that 147 gr. bullet at 893 fps, as well
as a light 115 plated FMJ at 1120 fps.

Have fun with that great looking shooter.

[Geronimo Jim]

Reloading and testing is the answer! Now, what was the question again?

[lihpster]

As far as the +P match ammo, some competitions have a power level that the gun must meet. 9MM is often on the bubble so a hotter load can get you into major power matches.

[gwpercle]

9mm Luger was never much of a traditional "Target" pistol or ammo .
Target guns and ammo have in the past been 22 LR , 38 Special and 45 acp because of the NRA Bullseye Match shooting .
SIG is going to come out with a target pistol in 9mm ... now they need to make target ammo to go with it .
But as of right now little or none 9mm Luger Target ammo is made by any American Ammo maker .
Gary

[jjfitch]

Originally Posted by gwpercle

9mm Luger was never much of a traditional "Target" pistol or ammo .
Target guns and ammo have in the past been 22 LR , 38 Special and 45 acp because of the NRA Bullseye Match shooting .
SIG is going to come out with a target pistol in 9mm ... now they need to make target ammo to go with it .
But as of right now little or none 9mm Luger Target ammo is made by any American Ammo maker .
Gary

There are an awful lot of 10's and X's at the PPC National Shooting Championships shot with Precision Delta and Winchester Ranger 9mm ammo. I'm sure other brands as well.

I still have a few cases from the late 90's that were highly regarded at the time!

Check PPC forums to see what they're using these days!

Smiles,

[Bro. Dave]

My experience with the Sig P210's is that they are more effected by the skill of the shooter even with range ammo. I have the newer 210-A, a German made stainless Target, and a vintage 210-6. All three of them are capable of amazing accuracy with range ammo.

You will love that Sig and fair warning that they have a similarity to potato chips in that having only one is a tough challenge.

[JB4570]

I do have a P210 new model and have tried all kinds of flounder and have come to the conclusion that the new Sig likes heavier bullets regardless of the manufacture, one in particular is Speers 147gr gold dot 2 which I have several cases of, it is the most accurate 9mm I own.

[gwpercle]

Originally Posted by jjfitch

There are an awful lot of 10's and X's at the PPC National Shooting Championships shot with Precision Delta and Winchester Ranger 9mm ammo. I'm sure other brands as well.

I still have a few cases from the late 90's that were highly regarded at the time!

Check PPC forums to see what they're using these days!

Smiles,

I don't see the word "Match" or "Target" on either box ... evidently it is not marketed as "Target Ammo "
Gary

[Gunslinger808]

[typetwelve]

Back in 2019, I was doing my best to load some high accuracy 9mm ammo for my 4.5" XDm. I figured that gun was capable of some pretty solid accuracy. In time, I found that I was chasing my tail a bit as it seems 9mm isn't exactly one for perfect accuracy.

I cam across an article where a guy had a nice built 9mm 1911, in a ransom rest and did 50 round testing of all kinds of factory ammo from 25 yds. The results were less than stellar. He tested a good amount, some 35+ brands.

Some ammo produced 2" group range, some were far worse than that.

EDIT:

Shooting Sports USA | 38 Different 9mm Loads

If that guy, with a nicer gun and a ransom rest couldn't get 1" groups...there is no way I'm going to be able to.

[Bullet Bob]

ASYM has a couple of 9mm loads listed as "Match". They work well in my pistols.

[lrrifleman]

For me, when the topic of pistol match comes up, I start thinking NRA-style 900 matches. In particular, I look at the CMP trophy matches:M9 EIC, EIC, NTI, and President's 100.

Pre-COVID, I had considered getting a Springfield Armory Range Officer 5" with adjustable sights. I wrote them inquiring about the accuracy standard used for this pistol, and which ammo they used. Their response was just shy of 2" groups at 25 yards, using 124gr JHP ammo. The profile of the 124gr JHP most replicates the profile of a SWC, which is the "gold standard" for semi-auto match shooting. I don't remember the recommended velocity.

In recent Pre-COVID years, I have shot 2 CMP M9EIC matches at Camp Perry during the Small Arms Firing School, and the issued ammo has been Atlanta Arms 124gr FMJ.

Please remember, given the proper firearm and bullet, along with sufficient patience, you can almost always develop a match load for any firearm. Also, please remember, in the NRA and CMP matches, the course of fire includes a 50 yard slow fire stage. While 25 yard accuracy is your primary goal, 50 yard accuracy is your secondary goal!

[CLASSIC12]

Probably not very helpful, but the Swiss made P210 generally perform better with 124 gr bullets.

Also the best ammo for it is the Ruag made Swiss military ammo.

[Kp321]

I have a whole shelf full of “match” 9mm’s I have bought looking for one that will shoot with my 52’s and 45 wad guns. ( Browning GP Competition, Springfield RO, Smith 952, and SIG P210) I have found they are similar to 22’s in that each one has its own favorite ammo. Fortunately, I reload and have a large stock of components.

[Darkenfast]

I got to "fondle" a P210 American (with the target grips), recently. Definitely felt good in my hand and the trigger was very nice.

[glenwolde]

I've been trying to find an accurate 9mm cast bullet load for a while. By accurate I mean sub 2" at 25 yards off of sandbags. I thought it was the service grade guns I was using so I bought a Springfield Stainless Loaded Target. Nope.

Thought O.K., it must be me, I'm really a revolver shooter. Maybe it's the 1911. Bought a Kimber Gold Match II in .45 ACP. Shoots a bunch of recipes great. All. Day. Long.

The 9mm is just a difficult cartridge to find accurate loads for. I think I may be getting somewhere finally but I expect to be disappointed once again. I shall endeavour to persevere.....

[RussellD]

Never believe the rumors a 9mm can not be match grade accurate. A host of 1911 smiths have produced 9mm bullseye guns that rival any .45.

A few places to start looking for match grade ammo-no promises on anything being in stock

ASYM
Atlanta Arms
Federal 115 grain BPE
Federal 147 FMJFP

[Nevada Ed]

wondering if 9mm match ammo exists? (post #1 )

Well, yes and no.

Match ammo generally falls in line with slow fire, rifle ammo.

There are some slow fire pistol/revolver shoots but today ,
there are a lot of shoots that are timed events, and the shooters
will be shooting metal, spinners, drop plates or paper targets
and all need a special bullet and fps to get the job done, for the shortest amont of time with maximum dropped targets or accuracy.

Some events need a 4" grouping while some will work with a 10" group
depending on the size of the target in the match.

In some cases the ammo is not really "Match" but the correct bullet weight, fps, to get the job done.

I would just say that it is the "Best" at what the shoother has to work with.

[chief38]

I am a competitive shooter but haven't used a 9mm for that purpose in a long time. I normally use a Colt Gold Cup in 45acp, a M41 .22LR or a S&W M15 for that purpose.

My S&W M15 shoots best with 148 grain Remington WC's (old stock). My M41 is best with CCI standard velocity. My Colt GC shoots best with my 230 Gr. reloads that have been reloaded more times than I will admit to - lol!

I had a Belgium made Browning Hi Power in 9mm that had been sent to Clark Custom for their top end accuracy job (before I owned it) and it was the most accurate 9mm I've ever shot - unfortunately I sold it about 10 years ago (don't ask me why because I wish I didn't). That pistol shot well with almost any plain Jane ammo I put through it and ironically enough it did not like "match grade" marked ammo! Individual pistols have to be tried with different weights and brands of ammo and just because some is marked "match grade" doesn't mean it will be more accurate in yours. I was shocked when I ordered 4 different Eley .22 LR ammo's and saw how poorly it performed. My particular guns just don't like Eley!

BTW the P210 is a spectacular pistol - shot one a few months ago and was totally impressed! Simply try what ever you can get your hands on these days. In general, the 9's I've shot including my Sig P365 seem to like the 124 grain fodder best as far as POA = POI is concerned.

[sandog]

I've never seen any "Match" ammo in 9mm.
The Winchester 124 gr. NATO load shoots better than any other FMJ I've tried in my 5 inch M&P, so I bought two cases of it last spring.