What is the lightest bullet....

[rwsmith]

What is the lightest 9mm (.355") bullet that is readily available and not an expensive 'specialty' bullet? I make what I call '9mm Screamers using a 95 grain Missouri coated RN bullet (it's under the .380 but the diameter is the same as the 9mm) with a max load to get a flatter shooting round out of my 9mm carbines at the outdoor range. I'd prefer jacketed, Hi Tek coated or powder coated (w/ gas check??) because I get over 1500 fpm with the 95 grain bullets out of my carbines. The 125 gr. SWCs that I usually shoot start to drop and by 75 yard they are dropping pretty rapidly and down 6" by the time it gets to 100 yds.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

Rocky Mtn Reloading makes a 95 gr fmj .....$96/1000
I've loaded their 115, 124 and 147 grain bullets with very good results.
Now you got me thinking about trying their 95s in my carbine.

 

[rwsmith]

Give it a try...

Rocky Mtn Reloading makes a 95 gr fmj .....$96/1000
I've loaded their 115, 124 and 147 grain bullets with very good results.
Now you got me thinking about trying their 95s in my carbine.

I know I can get the velocity. Now I'm trying to determine accuracy at range. I'm planning on a trip to the outdoor range after things cool down after Easter.

 

[gwpercle]

The 95 gr. FMJ from Rocky Mtn . Reloading might be your best bet for ...
Screaming Meanies ... plated bullets may be a little cheaper but they aren't as accurate as FMJ ... Cast / coated / gas checked may not offer much savings and at 1500 fps and 100 yards ... you want all the accuracy you can get from your projectiles !

I cast all my own bullets so I had NOE make me a 9mm gas check 124 gr. truncated cone mould for the screaming meanies ...
the gas check works !
Gary

 

[lrrifleman]

Out of curiosity, what carbines are you using?

 

[venomballistics]

that's one way to address the trajectory
I use a mil dot scope for fast easy drop compensation with a 124 grain.
For a number of reasons, I try to avoid RN designs in favor of flat points. I see Lee offers a 95 grain mold in an RNFP.
If I didn't have the mil dot's "ladder to climb" I might have considered this design.

but then, in the full scope of my world in this general bore size, I start with a 9mm PCC like you, and climb to a 357 lever action which can tap into the same bucket of bullets. if thats not enough, back to the AR platform to launch 147's out of a 350 legend.
despite these more potent options, you can expect to find me with that mil dot equipped 9 on most range days. The system just works

 

[Nevada Ed]

Back in 1972 I tried some Hornady 100 gr FMJ bullets in my 9mm Radom
with a oal of 1.02", with Bullseye to Unique in my test loads.

A lot of my loads were in the 5-6" group size and this pistol was not a happy camper.

Accuracy out of the old war horse improved with the heavier 115 & 124gr bullets.

Have fun.

 

[Richard93]

What is the lightest 9mm (.355") bullet that is readily available and not an expensive 'specialty' bullet? I make what I call '9mm Screamers using a 95 grain Missouri coated RN bullet (it's under the .380 but the diameter is the same as the 9mm) with a max load to get a flatter shooting round out of my 9mm carbines at the outdoor range. I'd prefer jacketed, Hi Tek coated or powder coated (w/ gas check??) because I get over 1500 fpm with the 95 grain bullets out of my carbines. The 125 gr. SWCs that I usually shoot start to drop and by 75 yard they are dropping pretty rapidly and down 6" by the time it gets to 100 yds.

Lee makes this, if you are going to cast your bullets

 

[max503]

I see Lee offers a 95 grain mold in an RNFP.

That is a very good design. It acts like a little wad cutter. Only thing - if your gun has a steep feed ramp you need to cast them hard or they can deform, causing feeding problems.
Otherwise, that is an inherently accurate boolit.

 

[venomballistics]

That is a very good design. It acts like a little wad cutter. Only thing - if your gun has a steep feed ramp you need to cast them hard or they can deform, causing feeding problems.
Otherwise, that is an inherently accurate boolit.

At first blush, I kinda like the idea to be honest. If you can get them into the x ring, it's an economical range bullet.
My hang up is that my rural upbringing placed a strong emphasis on utilitarian value over range fodder.
My standard ball is built with their 120 grain TC, powder coated and stacked atop a charge of CFE pistol. accurate and cheap enough, yet can be pressed into service with as much confidence as one would place in a 9mm.
I have a warmer version stoked with AA#7
At some point, my sensibilities may shift to put the more unsavory considerations aside at the bench. I'm not quite there yet, but I definitely have no issues with supply for the range

 

[rwsmith]

I have...

Out of curiosity, what carbines are you using?

...a Ruger PCC and a Kel-tec Sub-2000.