9mm reloads for IDPA?

RDF · January 26, 2008, 06:23 PM

Hi
I'm wanting to try IDPA and was wondering about a reload. What I understand using the 115gr or 124gr bullets I would need to reload about 1100fps to meet the power factor. I think that POWER PISTOL would be a good powder, Anybody have a load using this powder? What would be a good bullet to use? I have 115 and 124 fmj and some 122 lead FP. I'm trying to stock up on supplies and need some ideals on what to get.

Thanks

Jim Watson · January 26, 2008, 08:21 PM

Power Pistol has a loud report and bright muzzle flash. When I was working my way though a can of it, I would always be asked "What have you got in that thing?"

I now use HP38. But there can't be more that 15 or 20 other powders that other loaders will recommend.

Joe D · January 26, 2008, 09:17 PM

First of all a 147 gr bullet shoots softer. However if you must use a 124-125 gr bullet then here is the best load. Why? Because I use it. 3.5 gr of Titegroup. OAL 1.140".

BHP9 · January 27, 2008, 10:09 AM

I got away from 115's and 124's and now use 147's.

The 147's give a push rather than a snap.

My load is 147gr CMJ over 3.9gr Unique. It PF's at 137.72.

jmorris · January 27, 2008, 11:21 AM

I have never felt anything softer in 9mm (that will make pf on the coldest of days) than Berry’s 147 grain with 3.1 of VV310 at 1.160.

WESHOOT2 · January 27, 2008, 02:07 PM

-CCI500
-147g LFP
-Speer once-fired brass case
-OAL 1.130"
-4.5g Power Pistol
av = 907fps

Otherwise, for your 121/124/125g lead/plated/jacketed, suggest 6.1g Power Pistol, OAL 1.140--1.155".
Excellent 9x19 powder choice, very 'accurate', easy metering, clean.

Jim Watson · January 27, 2008, 02:43 PM

Although I prefer 147 gr "subsonic" 9mm for IDPA because of its lesser felt recoil and lesser muzzle blast, you can get a pretty good load with a 124 grain bullet and save a little money. If you have access to a chronograph, load them to 1040 fps for power factor 130,000 as a safety margin over 125,000. That is actually subsonic and will be a softer shooting load than a "snappy", hard cracking 115 gr bullet.

RDF · January 27, 2008, 08:27 PM

Thanks. I thought the 147gr would be more recoil. I'll get some and try then, also have a chronograph to check the speed.

January 26, 2008, 06:23 PM	#1
RDF Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 1999 Location: West Liberty, Ky Posts: 133	9mm reloads for IDPA? Hi I'm wanting to try IDPA and was wondering about a reload. What I understand using the 115gr or 124gr bullets I would need to reload about 1100fps to meet the power factor. I think that POWER PISTOL would be a good powder, Anybody have a load using this powder? What would be a good bullet to use? I have 115 and 124 fmj and some 122 lead FP. I'm trying to stock up on supplies and need some ideals on what to get. Thanks

January 26, 2008, 09:17 PM	#3
Joe D Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 1999 Location: Alabama Posts: 455	First of all a 147 gr bullet shoots softer. However if you must use a 124-125 gr bullet then here is the best load. Why? Because I use it. 3.5 gr of Titegroup. OAL 1.140". __________________ Miss? That can't be a miss. Looks like a perfect double to me.

January 27, 2008, 02:07 PM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	using what you got.... -CCI500 -147g LFP -Speer once-fired brass case -OAL 1.130" -4.5g Power Pistol av = 907fps Otherwise, for your 121/124/125g lead/plated/jacketed, suggest 6.1g Power Pistol, OAL 1.140--1.155". Excellent 9x19 powder choice, very 'accurate', easy metering, clean. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

January 26, 2008, 08:21 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	Power Pistol has a loud report and bright muzzle flash. When I was working my way though a can of it, I would always be asked "What have you got in that thing?" I now use HP38. But there can't be more that 15 or 20 other powders that other loaders will recommend.

January 27, 2008, 10:09 AM	#4
BHP9 Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Posts: 76	I got away from 115's and 124's and now use 147's. The 147's give a push rather than a snap. My load is 147gr CMJ over 3.9gr Unique. It PF's at 137.72.

January 27, 2008, 11:21 AM	#5
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	I have never felt anything softer in 9mm (that will make pf on the coldest of days) than Berry’s 147 grain with 3.1 of VV310 at 1.160.

January 27, 2008, 02:43 PM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	Although I prefer 147 gr "subsonic" 9mm for IDPA because of its lesser felt recoil and lesser muzzle blast, you can get a pretty good load with a 124 grain bullet and save a little money. If you have access to a chronograph, load them to 1040 fps for power factor 130,000 as a safety margin over 125,000. That is actually subsonic and will be a softer shooting load than a "snappy", hard cracking 115 gr bullet.

January 27, 2008, 08:27 PM	#8
RDF Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 1999 Location: West Liberty, Ky Posts: 133	Thanks. I thought the 147gr would be more recoil. I'll get some and try then, also have a chronograph to check the speed.