Just Bought a Ruger SR9 (9mm) - Question

OleEd · June 7, 2010, 05:52 PM

This is my FIRST semi-automatic. I just enjoy wheel guns more (5 with 3 I shoot often). I bought the SR9 as my son-in-law has a Beretta 92 9mm and I thought I'd get at least one semi in my collection to shoot with him and in a forthcoming IPSC shoot I was invited to shoot.

I have the dies, brass and powder (Bullseye and Win 231 - my favorite powders). But my question is: Is there are any Ruger SR9 (9mm) shooters (or any one else for that matter) out there that would share with me your favorite combination of bullet size/type and powder (you use) for loads practice shooting and for protection? Brass and lead bullets too please.

I load 158 gr LSWCs for my S&W 586 .357 mag revolver and tis a great gun using tgt loads with Bullseye pwdr. Leading is, at times, a slight problem for me. Will there be a similar problem firing lead bullets in the SR9? Is there a lead bullet you shoot that does not lead up?

I was invited to shoot production at a IPSC with a friend. Do you have a load you prefer for this event or even for a USPSA which is shot in Columbia, MO?

I have a S&W 38 Model 442 Centennial for my personal carry so the SR9 (to date) is more for casual and casual competition shooting.

I thank you in advance for your suggestions and even any advice you may wish to give.

Ole Ed

Jim243 · June 7, 2010, 07:08 PM

Ole Ed

I had to laugh when I read your post. Casual competition shooting, is there such a thing?(LOL) Well going from revolver to semi-auto will be a change.

I shoot 9mm (PT-92) in IDPA matches. You will be shooting Production Minor with the 9 (lower point system in IPSC) I try to stay away from lead and stick with jacketed hollow points, my rifling likes them better (accuracy). So I would say 124 grain remington jacketed HPs with 4.7 grains of W231.

But it really is going to depend on what your SR9 likes, I also use a Beretta PX4 Storm and it loves 115 grain FMJ. You are going to need to try a few different loads and bullets to see what it likes.

Jim

oneounceload · June 7, 2010, 08:31 PM

Not a pistol competitor, but MY 9mms all tend to prefer a 124 grain bullet. I use both Bullseye and Universal Clays, running in the 4.5-5.0 range depending. I found 147 too slow and inaccurate. I find the 115 to be just OK.

WESHOOT2 · June 10, 2010, 11:14 AM

Zero / Montana Gold / R-P / Winchester 124--130g FMJ-RN.
OAL 1.125--1.155"; 1.145".
CCI / WSP.
Sized sorted cases, new or used.
Ramshot Silhouette / AA5 / HS6 / 3N37 / N350.
LEE Carbide Factory Crimp die.

My personal (current) USPSA load: Sized sorted case. CCI500. 5.3g WAP. 130g .356" Montana Gold FMJ-RN. OAL 1.148".

June 7, 2010, 05:52 PM	#1
OleEd Member Join Date: December 8, 2009 Location: Mo Posts: 44	Just Bought a Ruger SR9 (9mm) - Question This is my FIRST semi-automatic. I just enjoy wheel guns more (5 with 3 I shoot often). I bought the SR9 as my son-in-law has a Beretta 92 9mm and I thought I'd get at least one semi in my collection to shoot with him and in a forthcoming IPSC shoot I was invited to shoot. I have the dies, brass and powder (Bullseye and Win 231 - my favorite powders). But my question is: Is there are any Ruger SR9 (9mm) shooters (or any one else for that matter) out there that would share with me your favorite combination of bullet size/type and powder (you use) for loads practice shooting and for protection? Brass and lead bullets too please. I load 158 gr LSWCs for my S&W 586 .357 mag revolver and tis a great gun using tgt loads with Bullseye pwdr. Leading is, at times, a slight problem for me. Will there be a similar problem firing lead bullets in the SR9? Is there a lead bullet you shoot that does not lead up? I was invited to shoot production at a IPSC with a friend. Do you have a load you prefer for this event or even for a USPSA which is shot in Columbia, MO? I have a S&W 38 Model 442 Centennial for my personal carry so the SR9 (to date) is more for casual and casual competition shooting. I thank you in advance for your suggestions and even any advice you may wish to give. Ole Ed

June 7, 2010, 07:08 PM	#2
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Ole Ed I had to laugh when I read your post. Casual competition shooting, is there such a thing?(LOL) Well going from revolver to semi-auto will be a change. I shoot 9mm (PT-92) in IDPA matches. You will be shooting Production Minor with the 9 (lower point system in IPSC) I try to stay away from lead and stick with jacketed hollow points, my rifling likes them better (accuracy). So I would say 124 grain remington jacketed HPs with 4.7 grains of W231. But it really is going to depend on what your SR9 likes, I also use a Beretta PX4 Storm and it loves 115 grain FMJ. You are going to need to try a few different loads and bullets to see what it likes. Jim Last edited by Jim243; June 7, 2010 at 07:18 PM.

June 10, 2010, 11:14 AM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Zero / Montana Gold / R-P / Winchester 124--130g FMJ-RN. OAL 1.125--1.155"; 1.145". CCI / WSP. Sized sorted cases, new or used. Ramshot Silhouette / AA5 / HS6 / 3N37 / N350. LEE Carbide Factory Crimp die. My personal (current) USPSA load: Sized sorted case. CCI500. 5.3g WAP. 130g .356" Montana Gold FMJ-RN. OAL 1.148". __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

June 7, 2010, 08:31 PM	#3
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Not a pistol competitor, but MY 9mms all tend to prefer a 124 grain bullet. I use both Bullseye and Universal Clays, running in the 4.5-5.0 range depending. I found 147 too slow and inaccurate. I find the 115 to be just OK.