Target loads for 9mm

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Al W.

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Hi,
Wanted to see what the collective mind thought about this.
I've been target shooting with a model 14 using 148gr WC and a 2.7 gr charge of Bullseye. Real old school , works great for my S&W.
When I went to my data book it really did not have data on the 148 WC in a target load. Believe it or else.
So I'm enjoying the results with the Bullseye and my 38sp. and was wondering what I could do with a 9mm
I've got 1000, 125gr LRN and some brass and a few pounds of Bullseye.
What do you think the ideal charge for targets would be.
I ask this knowing there is no one perfect load, I just need a range here.
Looking forward to plowing through some 9mm with my DP 550.
 
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Al W. said:
Hi,
Wanted to see what the collective mind thought about this.
I've been target shooting with a model 14 using 148gr WC and a 2.7 gr charge of Bullseye. Real old school , works great for my S&W.
When I went to my data book it really did not have data on the 148 WC in a target load. Believe it or else.
So I'm enjoying the results with the Bullseye and my 38sp. and was wondering what I could do with a 9mm
I've got 1000, 125gr LRN and some brass and a few pounds of Bullseye.
What do you think the ideal charge for targets would be.
I ask this knowing there is no one perfect load, I just need a range here.
Looking forward to plowing through some 9mm with my DP 550.
Click to expand...
Try posting this in the reloading section. You should get ALL kind of responses. Bob
 
I don't know if I would use lead ammo in a 9mm. I have heard reports of kabooms from Glocks that the shooter used lead ammo. I would try to stick with jacketed ammo if possible.
 
Black Knight said:
I don't know if I would use lead ammo in a 9mm. I have heard reports of kabooms from Glocks that the shooter used lead ammo. I would try to stick with jacketed ammo if possible.
Click to expand...
You are right, it is probably not a good idea in Glocks or other polygonal rifled pistols. Of course there are plenty of non-Glocks out there that are fine to shoot with cast lead bullets. I like the 125 gr. lead round nose cast bullets in my 9mm's. I've found a load of 3.8 grains of Alliant Bullseye is accurate and mild, yet functions very well in my Beretta 92FS, Kahr CM9, as well as, my Marlin Camp 9 carbine. Lately, I've been using Alliant American Select to load 9mm. It meters well in my Dillon powder measures. I've been shooting full metal jacketed 115 gr. Hornady bullets in my Sig P320 compact. So far, I've only loaded with Alliant Power Pistol and Alliant American Select. Both powders perform very well, but for target loads, I'm probably going to stick with American Select.
 
Black Knight said:
I don't know if I would use lead ammo in a 9mm. I have heard reports of kabooms from Glocks that the shooter used lead ammo. I would try to stick with jacketed ammo if possible.
Click to expand...

Guess I'll need to keep the velocity low if I want to avoid leading.
 
The first thing to understand regarding target loads in a 9mm, is you will need to change out the recoil springs and possibly other work to your gun in order to shoot low velocity loads. Semi auto's function on the "blowback" pressure, to lower the pressure (low velocity loads) will cause the firearm to not operate properly. The slide will not travel all the way back allowing the fired round to be properly ejected, and a new round picked up. In the reloading or the gunsmithing sections you will get better info on what weight springs to use, etc.
 
Try this one . A most accurate load in a Walther P-38 9mm ,with stock recoil springs. Plus it shoots to the P-38's factory sights dead on. I have used the following cast bullets with success :



Lyman or Lee 120 gr. truncated cone
NOE 124 grain TC

over 4.1 grains of Bullseye
or over 4.3 grains of Red Dot

Now you will need to try them in your gun to make sure they function, if they do not....bump the charge up a little and try again.
Warning : don't load up a bunch untill testing proves they will cycle the action !
I've been shooting lead bullets in this gun since 1967...no kabooms !

Gary
 
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Thanks for all the input on the load question.
I just made up 20 rounds each of 125 gr LRN over 4gr , up through 4.4 gr.
Full disclosure I'm shooting these through a Marlin 9 , which as you all know is a carbine format with an 18" barrel. Fun to shoot. I've been shooting it with steel sights but am moving on to a Weaver V3 which I think will suit this gun well.
One of the more experienced guys at my club said to start with 4gr and work up to 4.5 gr.
If it doesn't cycle I'll just move on up till it does.
I'll be doing some shooting Sunday so I'll see whats up.
I might make a few rounds of 3.8 and 3.9 after having read some of the posts here this evening .
Thanks to you all for the guidance .
The advise on the recoil spring is on point, I had to do some work on my High Standard Trophy to set that right .
I already changed out the spring and buffer in the 9.
We'll see what it takes to cycle it pretty soon !
 
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I use 3.8 grains of Alliant Bullseye and 4.0 grains of Alliant American Select for loading 125 grain cast bullets. They both are mild loads and function reliably in my Marlin Camp 9, Kahr CM9 and Beretta 92FS. No changing of springs, etc.
 
BE Mike said:
I use 3.8 grains of Alliant Bullseye and 4.0 grains of Alliant American Select for loading 125 grain cast bullets. They both are mild loads and function reliably in my Marlin Camp 9, Kahr CM9 and Beretta 92FS. No changing of springs, etc.
Click to expand...

I spend some time at the range today and none of my loads had any trouble cycling the camp 9.
I loaded 3.8- 4.4 . No problem.
My only difficulty was with accuracy . I was shooting good groups with the store bought 115 gr. FMJ and figured that I would get similar results with my reloads.
Nope.
One of the Sr. Members of the club told me that Marlin barrels are "micro groove" and don't like lead bullets , which is what I had loaded.
So I may be back to the drawing board on my 9mm project.
I've ordered some 115 gr FMJ. When that arrives hopefully it ups the accuracy .
I also might push the load further toward 5 gr. if I have to , the idea was a light load for comfort but X's are the goal.
 
I have gotten good accuracy with 9MM and lead bullets in my Browning HP, Star Model B and Ruger Old Model Blachawk Convertible. In my M639 and M659 it can be trickier due to their rate of twist and depths of lands and grooves. Bullseye and Unique worked best for me.
 
I don't load lead in my 9mm's any more......
however I do shoot some "Coated bullets" now and then.

With Alliant Bullseye powder I can get a 125gr coated .356 dia
from a low 938fps with a long OAL.

With a very short OAL Bullseye can get this bullet up to 1046fps
with a full load, per the companies load data.

As mentioned see if your barrel can shoot lead..........
I did not have to change recoil springs, my C9 factory 9mm worked fine.

Have fun.
125_Eggleston.jpg
 
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I use the Lee ~124 gr truncated cone bullet and 4 grs of 231, but I am sure you can do the same with Bullseye and an appropriate charge. My 231 load runs a bit over 1000 fps, IIRC. I don't remember where this load came from so this is just information based on my experience - not a recommendation.

You may encounter both leading and accuracy/stability problems with lead bullets in 9mm. If you do, larger diameter bullets will usually help. Don't be afraid to try .357" and .358" bullets as long as your chamber will accept them, or even .359".

The load I mention is accurate enough for indoor target shooting at 25 yards or less, for me. I suppose a champion shooter might turn his nose up at them, but I have no such problems. I use a 15# spring in my 1911 with Kart barrel and have no leading problems. What this type of load might do outdoors at 50 yards I couldn't say, but I intend to try it sometime soon. :)
 
I have a CZ75 with about 3500 rds of cast through it. It has never seen jacketed. I think the 9mm is a high pressure round that doesn't have the reputation for accuracy because of that pressure involved. I know there are a lot of stories out there about the 45 acp as a target gun which I believe is due to the lower pressures. I would go with the lowest load that functions the slide without sooting. Lube will play a lot with accuracy and a commercial one will probably not get you where you can go IMO.
 
I've owned a couple of SIG.a couple of Rugers,one S&W and now own a CZ Shadow SP01 in 9mm.4.0gr of HP38/W231 has always been accurate with either my Lee 125RN or Saeco 125TC and were ''quite'' reliable(well, semi-autos are not yet as reliable as revolvers,are they?).
One thing I've found is that since the 9mm operates at quite a high level of pressure(aprox 30KPSI),matching the bullet size to the barrel dimension is quite critical.And I've ran into less problems and more accuracy when I started casting my bullets a little softer so that they'll bump up to appropriate size when those 4gr of HP 38 light up under it.And it doesn't lead my barrel anymore than my 45s.
Qc
 
Al W. said:
Guess I'll need to keep the velocity low if I want to avoid leading.
Click to expand...

It's a matter of the rifling's effect on the lead, not velocity.

Now, I'm not going to give you an answer one way or the other. I've never tried running lead down a polygonal-rifled barrel. The Glock 30 I load for has an aftermarket barrel, and my 26 has seen nothing but plated (which works well). Some people report no problems, some say you just need to do a lot of cleaning, and some claim catastrophic failure. Whatever--an aftermarket barrel on my 26 would take too long to pay itself off given what I can buy plated for.

I found great success in the faster powders, loaded to perhaps midrange in the 124-125 gr weight (plated). Bullseye worked well, as does 700-X. I had excellent results using AA #2--respectable 25-yard groups.
 
All, you need to be aware the Marlin's Microgoove Rifling was developed for use with Jacketed ammunition and there are widespread reports on the net of leading and poor accuracy when shooting lead with this type of rifling. IMO a good look down the barrel of your camp 9 is in order. If the rifling looks like that in your model 14 you have a Ballard rifled barrel. If you see a lot of shallow lands and grooves you'll want to use plated or jacketed bullets.
 
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