Since over the last couple of years it has become hard to be very picky about favorite powders, I decided to spend a little more time looking for powders that might not be the absolute best but at least adequate for a majority of pistol calibers. I focused on Bullseye, Titegroup, 231/hp38 and a couple of others including CFE Pistol.
I lucked out and was able to score an 8lb jug of CFE and decided I wanted to do some experimenting. One of my favorite 9mm bullets is the coated 147gr running at target speed. Not trying to get to any certain power factor, just a good all around dependable range ammo.
Since the CFE is a relatively new powder, most of my manuals do not list it. The Hodgdon site lists a 147gr jacketed bullet but nothing in lead. The 2014 Hodgdon magazine manual does list 4.1 grains for a 147gr Missouri coated bullet and is the closest printed recipe I have been able to find.
My question is, where would you start to work up a dependable and relatively soft-shooting target load for 147gr coated lead bullets in 9mm? I'm thinking 3.2 to 3.5 to start. Am I too low?
thanks