I have some pretty decent accuracy loads for my 9mm 1911's but am struggling a bit with finding what my 986 likes best. Any 986 owners care to share their pet loads?

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Dave

Do you shoot lead or copper loads?

Target, medium or full loads for matches ?

Noe 358 - 124 - TC - GC , this is a cast 124 grain truncated cone bullet with a gas check , sized .357. Over 4.7 to 5.0 grains of Unique.
15 shots make one ragged hole 1 inch X 1 1/2 inches at 25 yards.
That's my best accuracy load.
Gary

you do understand that an accurate load in one gun may be horrible in yours?

the only way to be sure is try different loads in your gun & let it tell you what it likes.

I second the comment!
You also need to specify the distance you'll be using primarily.
One mans 'ten' is another mans 'two'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I shoot, lead , plated or coated. Any size.

I get the gun variance, just fishing to see if there is any commonality . ( i,e, like the old 2.7 gr /148gr WC loads for model 14's).
Doesn't hurt to look for a head start.

Thanks for the load , GW. I'll give it a try.

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Dave

it doesn't hurt to ask, but some folks expect a magic combo for anything they own.

Over the years loading for the 9mm, I have come down to the
115gr JHP/FMJ as the lighest with a copper jacket and so far
the lightest coated bullet has been a 125gr LRN design for accuracy in my 9's

Since the revolver is new to you.......
I would try some factory speed ammo in 3-4 bullet weights to see what happens.
It usually takes a while to find what your weapon likes unless you luck out.
My last new 9mm pistol was tested with 115,124 and 147 plated and 125 coated
and I found out that it likes the 115 and 147 plated........
figure that one out ??

Good luck finding a few loads that work for you.

I don't expect magic, just looking for some data to add to my own experimentation.
For the record, I'm a mechanical /test engineer by degree (and mindset) . I've been shooting for 40+ years and reloading for 25. I have developed multiple loads for the 20+ calibers that I shoot. I enjoy developing loads (ALLOT). I'm currently working on specific loads for several pistols in 45 Auto Rim, 38 Super, 9mm and .22 Hornet. The process of of building 20 ea of 3-5 different loads and then going to the range with notepad in hand is (for me) one of the most enjoyable things about reloading.
Also for the record, the reason I ask on this particular gun, is that I keep reading about 986 accuracy that "is good enough for ringing steel plates". I'm thinking I'm not alone in the struggle to dial in the 986 for 38 special type accuracy.

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Dave

+1 wee hooker

The hunt for accurate loads is also 1 of my favorite parts of reloads.

+1 on some loads just seem to be "the load/that magic load" for multiple shooters. The be/148gr 38spl load you quoted being 1 of them. Or the broken recorn h&g #68 sized to .452 with a 1.250 oal/.469 to .470 crimp with 3.6gr to 4.0gr of bullseye.

There's a lot of shooters that use/like that 124gr tc bullet/4.7gr to 5.0gr of unique combo. I tried the lee 124tc bullet with 5.0gr of unique and it was respectible in 2 different 9mm's.

My favorite target load for the 9mm is 5.0gr of wst pushing a 640 style bullet.

Have you slugged your cylinder holes? Doing this will point you in the right direction with your bullet selection.

How far out can you run the oal's until the loads don't seat in the cylinders?

My 986 shoots Lee105 SWC sized 357. pushed by3.0 gr Bullseye into clover leaf groups from a rest all day long.

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Lost in Penn's Woods

I have a WWII army surplus Walther P-38 that likes that one also....it shoots dead center and cloverleafs , right to the P-38's fixed sights, I have a braggin target on my wall to remind me .
Might be worth trying this one in your 986 Wee Hooker .
Gary

Thanks for the continued flow of info. I actually have that lee mold that I picked up with a bunch of casting stuff a few years back, I may need to fire up the melting pot and give it a try. Meanwhile I have some 38 super bullets that I'm going to try increasing OAL with.

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Dave