Paper target holes

Nevada Ed

Nevada Ed

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Just wondering what you like to use for your 9mm target bullets.

I load a lot of plated round nose since they are low in cost, but
the hole they cut in a paper target is not the best.

I have neen looking at the flat tip style made by some companies
and wounder if they might cut a cleaner hole, without all the ripes and tears?

Is there any JHP (plated/coated) bullets on the cheap that might also do better, than my RN bullets ?

Thank you for any help.
 
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Nevada Ed said:
Just wondering what you like to use for your 9mm target bullets.

I load a lot of plated round nose since they are low in cost, but
the hole they cut in a paper target is not the best.

I have neen looking at the flat tip style made by some companies
and wounder if they might cut a cleaner hole, without all the ripes and tears?

Is there any JHP (plated/coated) bullets on the cheap that might also do better, than my RN bullets ?

Thank you for any help.
Click to expand...

If your only shooting for your own personal score nothing wrong with any shape hole that appears where you want it to go.-:D
 
If I'm doing "target" work, then the accuracy is paramount and the cleanliness of the hole isn't really on my mind. Thus far I've been finding the Sierra V-crown to be the best I've found for accuracy, with the Hornady close behind. The Hornady HAP are a cross between true "good" JHP and a flat-tip and are sold as being the even more accurate than JHP but a little cheaper. I haven't tried them yet, so can't really say, but it's on my list.
Now, for action-pistol and similar where I'm not needing bullseye-accuracy, that's a different projectile. I've been using some PC 125 RN projectiles for that since all I need to know is about where the hole is(or hear the steel) since there isn't that often a A/C question.
 
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Years ago I had a P38 that was finicky. A Club member suggested MasterCast 125 Conical Nose lead bullets. They didn't solve the P38 issue completely, but they make a nicer hole. They DO work well in my other nines, though.
 
I have been shooting the 120 grain Bayou Truncated cone on top of 4.0 of Bullseye or 4.0 of VV N320. Nice shooting pistol loads.
 
Nevada Ed said:
Just wondering what you like to use for your 9mm target bullets.

I load a lot of plated round nose since they are low in cost, but
the hole they cut in a paper target is not the best.

I have neen looking at the flat tip style made by some companies
and wounder if they might cut a cleaner hole, without all the ripes and tears?

Is there any JHP (plated/coated) bullets on the cheap that might also do better, than my RN bullets ?

Thank you for any help.
Click to expand...

Only wadcutters and semi-wadcutters will cut a sharp-edged hole, like you'd used a set of hole punchers for a notebook. Anything else and you'll get some tearing of the paper.
 
A lot of it depends on the target paper itself. Thin notebook paper will tear. Thicker paper is better. I used to print targets for myself with a laser printer. That didn't last long because of problems with flimsy paper. I was also going through toner like mad.

I got smart and started buying real targets directly from various target suppliers. From some of them, you can buy so-called practice targets on thin paper or targets printed on something called tagboard. They're thicker as you'd expect and work better than the practice targets.
 
I go to the Dollar Store and buy a pack of the cheapest paper plates they have . Every time I go to the range I find a bunch of those Shoot and See targets that people have left on the holders . They have those peel off Dots that nobody ever uses . I take those and stick them on my plates for a bull's eye . Can't get much more economical .
 
I use "Splatterburst" 12"X18" shoot-n-see type from Amazon, $40 for 50($2.50 ea at the range). I'm primarily wanting to see where I'm hitting and these do it. Made in the USA too. Joe
 
I started casting with a used 45ACP Lee SWC 185 grain. If someone make a 9mm version that should fill your needs! The TC 9mm of some years were all "Boat Tail" (a bevel at the base) the reports were The BT made them less stable exiting the muzzle.

On the 45 SWC Cast with Wheel Weights, I loaded them almost to +P velocity. When shooting through heavy objects kike car doors, metal covered Foam filled front doors, and kitchen appliance we found these bullets had better penetration than any bullet except the 38/357 "Metal piercing" factory ammo. Those bullets started at 45 caliber and exited most of the above items around 9mm diameter, the exception was car doors, if they hit the window regulator, they still exited but around 30 caliber! When shooting 230 grain FMJ, both military and civilian, they failed to exit the lightest duty appliance tested, a Kenmore electric oven from the 1960's.

Doing apartment maintenance for 44 years, I found that the 1970's production steel clad foam filled front doors were bullet proof from common handgun calibers, and not until the "Gang-Bangers" went to semi and full auto rifle calibers, 223, 7.62x39 and 308, were the doors routinely pierced, along with those behind them! Never saw any 44 mags or 45-70s used in gangland shootouts!

Ivan
 
I print my own targets on 32# Hammermill (HAM102630) digital copy paper, 100 Brightness. It's about $15 a ream (500 sheets) or 3 cents a target. It's super smooth and prints a good solid off my HP Laserjet. Hard to figure the toner cost but it's not much. You can get it at any office supply or the net.
 
As others have already stated, a thicker paper or thin paper wallpaper pasted to carboard will show clean holes when a bullet with "shoulders" are used.

I use these 2 bullets for target work in the 9mm.
xHUCNJn.jpg


Both bullets are home cast/coated. The left bullet is a Modern version of the himmelwright target bullet (1920's?). The bullet on the right is a "parlor" bullet from a cramer mold (1930's?).

These scoring plugs aid in keeping scores. The 44cal was loaned out when I took this picture. Since then I sold the set (.177/.22/.30/.32/.38/.44/.45)
5XxzVwd.jpg
 
I have to agree that a bullet with "Shoulders" is the best way to go about getting a nice round hole, in your paper target, if you can find them.

Bullet shape is important but so is enough speed.

Back in 12/14/2023 I posted a target that I shot with my J frame 38 with 148 BBwc.
Only problem, was that I used the minimum load of Trail Boss, and the slow loads were ripping my paper.

However the kids, loved them, for the light recoil.

I will try some TC or HP in my next test, to see what turns up.
Thanks for all the help.
 
The Berry FP bullets (both 115 & 124 gr in 9 mm) cut a nice hole, as does the slightly more expensive Target Flat Point. The last is somewhat more expensive, but I've noticed the design cuts nice clean round holes in .38/.357 too. In 9 mm only available in 124 gr.

I never measured but I doubt they're full diameter holes. You need a wadcutter or SWC with a sharp shoulder for that.
 
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RMR Matchwinners

Like others have said, the flat nosed matchwinner from RMR is what I shoot roo. The 124gr bullet is my preference, or rather my guns preference. Really nicely made bullets at a really good price for what you get. Fast shipping and great service.
I think Im shooting 5.8gr of Silohuette for about 1100? I think.
 
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