Ruger LCRX

[pharos]

I have a Ruger LCRX with 2" barrel. 9mm. Quite a kicker. All the loads I find are for semi-autos. Any suggestions for loading this revolver with 115grn bullets? Any loads will do that don't try to break your wrist with every pull of the trigger.

 

[diyj98]

I can't help with specific loads, but I'd just try some of the minimum loads listed in your manuals. That should lessen recoil.

 

[mikerjf]

Just load lighter, maybe with Bullseye or Unique. You don't have to work a slide. Just don't mix them up with your auto-compatible rounds.

 

[DWalt]

You can load them down to .380 level if you wish, but you should test that they develop enough recoil to work the action before loading any quantity of them.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I found that either Bullseye or w231 powders will do light target to 1077fps with a 115 Gold Dot from a 3.0" barrel.

The other option with a 2" barrel is a 147 gr HST bullet.

Pick your poision.

 

[Cal44]

You can load them down to .380 level if you wish, but you should test that they develop enough recoil to work the action before loading any quantity of them.

His gun's a revolver.

No action to work.

Use enough crimp to avoid crimp jump.

 

[Nevada Ed]

With that 2" barrel, you will be in 38 special energy's with light loads.

For SD use, you will need to choose your ammo very carefully.....
since most 9mm ammo is for a 3" barrel or longer.

 

[mikld]

I checked on line videos of "Short Barrel" 9mm factory ammo reviews, looked up the ballistics to good performing loads/bullets to "duplicate" for my 2" Taurus 9mm revolver. I think I did this once and then just used my "normal" 9mm handload data. Most 124/125 gr. JHP loads didn't give excessive recoil, less than 38 +P in a similar gun (small frame 2" SS revolver).

 

[Nevada Ed]

I don't have a 9mm revolver but did loads for a 3" 9mm pistol.

My lightest 115 gr fmj target loads for the pistol were;
Red Dot at....926fps
Green Dot.... 890
CFE-p.......... 957
that are in the 38 special 110gr light +P area and you don't have to worry about a Squib
since I did get the 115 down to 784fps with a real slow powder and still exit the barrel
but 950 should be the slowest that I would ever want to shoot in a 9mm load.
If you can handle a 115 JHP at 1070fps you will get 292ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle.

Is this the ONLY gun that you have for SD use ??

A Hogue full rubber grip might help reduce the recoil.........
if you can make an upgrade to your revolver. ( $40 )

 

[pharos]

I have the LCRX 9mm, & also have J-frame Smiths for carry. The larger Hogue grip does make a difference, but it's still a hard kicker. Too big to carry concealed with the larger grip.

 

[Tu_S]

For 115gn FMJ my standard light target load was 4.0gn of Bullseye at 1.13". It's a load my Dad has been using for years (actually decades now) so I'm honestly not sure how much lower you could go.

Switched to 5.0gn of CFE Pistol with the same COL in the last year since I ran out of Bullseye and CFE Pistol was the only thing suitable in stock at the time.

Started at 4.8 and went up to 5.6, and found 5.0 works the best for me. 4.8gn was enough to cycle the auto's fine, so there should be room under that if you're developing an even lighter revolver load.

Of course I'm now running out of CFE Pistol, but was able to get 4lb of Tightgroup, so it'll be time to start experimenting again soon.

 

[Nevada Ed]

My 3.5" 9mm data with a 115 fmj Xtrem plated at 1.12" OAL ;

CFE ........ 5.0 ............960
" .......... 5.5 .......... 1050 Acc / POA

CFE-p will go even higher but , you asked for light loads.


You might check out these 9mm Lucky gunner numers also.........
115 Gold Dot standard load.... 1143fps ......... Recoil 8.16 ft/lbs
124 Gold Dot standard load.... 1067fps .................. 7.78

38 spl Win 158 lead FBI load.... 780fps....................6.51 ft/lbs.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[Jellybean]

One of the many advantages of a revolver is that you can load your ammo down to any level you wish. If you want to stay with published load data look for any cartridge of similar case capacity, or a little less, that operates at a lower pressure and start there.