HELP appreciated on Reloading for M&P 9mm FS

[RStephen]

Just got M&P back from repair center for accuracy issues with a new barrel. I am still getting horrid size groups with my reloads. With load development the best I have been able to get is 6" at 25yds. Here is the rub... With winchester white box jacketed I can get 3" groups. Here is what I have been using.

Power Pistol
Rainier 124g plated RN Start: 4.6 through 5.4 in 2g increments
Berry's 147g plated RN Start: 3.7 through 4.9 in 2g increments
winchester WSR primers.
OAL measured against removed barrel, just off lands at 1.15
All brass hand picked at .749 for consistency

One more tidbit of information, when testing my loads a buddy brought out his G19 with a KKM barrel and all of my test loads gave him 3" or better groups with my reloads. He does have a pet load for his G19 giving him sub 1" groups with his 115g reloads.

Is this a plated vs jacketed issue?
I am looking for advise and any good recipes for the 9FS.

 

[Bkreutz]

My practice and competition load is Rocky Mountain plated 115gr RN bullets, 4.7gr Winchester 231, OAL 1.135, normally CCI 500 primers (but that is dependent on availability). As with any online load suggestions you should verify this load against published load data. I use this load in a 9L CORE. I don't spend much time worrying about group size since I shoot IDPA mostly. If it's in the "down 0" area, I'm happy. I am more concerned about speed. Most of the stages I shoot are inside 15 yards so a 25 yard target is an uncommon range (I still hit the -0 though).

 

[Bohica793]

Slug your barrel and determine if perhaps the diameter is not in line with the bullets you are attempting to use. From what I read, the only differences between your groups and your buddy's are the gun and the shooter. If the barrel slugs within tolerance......well, you know.....

 

[RStephen]

My buddy and I swap guns and ammo and the issue follows the M&P. Had interesting conversations today with Bar-Sto and KKM. I will start a new thread titled "Conversation with Bar-Sto and KKM".
But please keep the recipe recommendations for the M&P 9mm FS coming...

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Never used a jacketed or plated bullet in the 9mm. My M&P FS in 9mm shoots a cast RCBS-9mm-124-CN bullet sized at .358" with SPG lube very accurately with zero bore leading. If one could find a plated bullet at .357" diameter it would be worth a try working up a load and see how the accuracy is.

 

[blujax01]

My buddy and I swap guns and ammo and the issue follows the M&P. ...

If I read you correctly your reloads shoot acceptable groups in a gun other than your M&P, yes?

But, while we're on the subject, I do shoot thousands of plated (Berry's) bullets in 124 grain and 4.2 grains of Bullseye or 5.4 grains of Power Pistol both work well for me in my 5906.

 

[RStephen]

If I read you correctly your reloads shoot acceptable groups in a gun other than your M&P, yes?

But, while we're on the subject, I do shoot thousands of plated (Berry's) bullets in 124 grain and 4.2 grains of Bullseye or 5.4 grains of Power Pistol both work well for me in my 5906.

That is correct. All 124g and 147g bullets from start to max load shoot fine in the Glock 19. Just won't shoot very well from M&P.
Now when I load up factory ammo, groups with M&P become somewhat acceptable.

I am going to have to load up some jacketed bullets and see if they are better. I know others use plated so not sure what is going on. I also need to switch to other powder and see if that makes a difference. All loads so far have been with Power Pistol.

 

[blujax01]

If it were me I'd do some more research before adding yet another variable to the mix. PP is a fine choice for 9 mm.

Is the factory ammunition 124, 147 or 115 grain?

You may be looking at too many variables already. Two shooters, two guns, three bullet weights.

If it were me, I'd talk to the RO and ask him to shoot both your gun and your buddy's first with the factory load then the 124 reloads.

(I do know that a 147 will consistently hit higher than a 124 which will consistently hit higher than a 115.)

 

[jwalts27]

Something must be going on there. I have shot thousands of Powerbond plated bullets thru my 9mmFS loaded with w231. 115g and 124g. I get better groups with my handloaded stuff than factory ammo. Don't keep mixing up the variables. Stick with 1 bullet and 1 powder.