9mm ammo recommendations for IDPA

nickv · February 18, 2008, 12:56 AM

Sorry if this question has been asked before.. I am getting ready to attend my first IDPA match and was wondering what factory 9mm round experienced participants would recommend. I have been practicing with the American Eagle FMJ 124 grain that my local range sells and it's fine, I just wonder if it will meet the minimum power band (or whatever it is called) requirements. I would think a 147 grain would be the way to go, but I have yet to see any in a "range" type FMJ. Thanks for any help.

Captain38 · February 18, 2008, 01:03 AM

Federal 115 GR. 9BP JHP.

Jim Watson · February 18, 2008, 08:35 AM

Your American Eagle is fine. Although I agree the 9BP hollowpoint is more accurate, the demands in IDPA are not great enough to be worth the added cost.

Power factor is defined as bullet weight in grains times muzzle velocity in feet per second and must be 125,000 or higher for IDPA Stock Service Pistol or Enhanced Service Pistol. The 124 gr A.E. is cataloged at 1120 fps but is probably doing about 1080 for a power factor of 133,900.

Because of the cost of lead and copper, you will not likely find 147 grain 9mm at a discount price. (Although Midway has it for the same $13.99.)

Glenn E. Meyer · February 18, 2008, 11:54 AM

Sorry to be a cheapie - but I shoot Blazer Aluminum, Brass or WWB. They work just fine and at IDPA distances - I would be hard pressed to find any accuracy worries.

Sidewinder6 · February 19, 2008, 03:40 PM

Georgia Arms sells 147 FMJ at around .17 ea. FWIW, I started out shooting the cheaper 115 gr and after a couple matches where it took multiple hits to knock down large poppers I switched to the heavier and slower round. The latter helps in your recovery times for follow on shots.

Good luck with your matches.

CrankyCrash · February 24, 2008, 09:13 AM

Up until this past month I've been a die hard CCI Blazer fan. I have a Glock 17, shoot IDPA, IPSC, and Action Pistol. I've never had a problem with the ammo. Our clubs Action Pistol matches always have alot of steel and the only time a plate hasn't gone down for me was when it wasn't hit right.

Unfortunately, the price of ammo has hit hard. I've gone over to the darkside and started reloading my own.

However, I still have a case of Blazer hanging around for backup.

Joe D · February 28, 2008, 06:23 AM

Seems like Atlanta Arms and Georgia Arms both make a very good 147 gr load. If you shoot much you will start reloading. The 147 gr bullets are much softer shooting than the 115 or 124 gr bullets.

Boris Bush · March 7, 2008, 12:36 AM

For IDPA I would use Winchester Q4172 or Federal or Winchester NATO ball. All three loads have plenty of pop to knock over pepper poppers.

The Canuck · March 7, 2008, 01:17 AM

I use UMC 9mm 124gr. to good effect in IDPA. I have not had any problems dropping pepper poppers with the round even at 15m(~16.25yds). This is from a 4.1"bbl Sig P229R (damn Kanadian barrel length restrictions

).

1SOW · March 7, 2008, 11:26 PM

I use 124gr FMJ out of a CZ 75B 4 3/4" bbl. The ammo is rated at 1075'/min out of a 4" Bbl, so mine is probably a little faster.

I believe the pepper poppers/full size do drop better with the 124 round. The 115 will drop them, but I've had some that had to be hit at the top of the circle or higher to fall. The 124's drop them from anywhere in the circle or higher---good enough.

Once in a while I still shoot 115 for range practice with double taps/close in targets. Maybe it's psychological, but I'm more accurate with the 124gr. I'm paying $10.xx/box and and can afford to shoot them almost exclusively.

I also use 124s for SD.

February 18, 2008, 12:56 AM	#1
nickv Junior Member Join Date: February 14, 2008 Posts: 9	9mm ammo recommendations for IDPA Sorry if this question has been asked before.. I am getting ready to attend my first IDPA match and was wondering what factory 9mm round experienced participants would recommend. I have been practicing with the American Eagle FMJ 124 grain that my local range sells and it's fine, I just wonder if it will meet the minimum power band (or whatever it is called) requirements. I would think a 147 grain would be the way to go, but I have yet to see any in a "range" type FMJ. Thanks for any help.

February 18, 2008, 01:03 AM	#2
Captain38 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2004 Posts: 170	Most Accurate Factory 9MM Ammo is... Federal 115 GR. 9BP JHP.

February 18, 2008, 11:54 AM	#4
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	Sorry to be a cheapie - but I shoot Blazer Aluminum, Brass or WWB. They work just fine and at IDPA distances - I would be hard pressed to find any accuracy worries. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

February 24, 2008, 09:13 AM	#6
CrankyCrash Junior Member Join Date: February 23, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 6	CCI Blazer 115gr. Up until this past month I've been a die hard CCI Blazer fan. I have a Glock 17, shoot IDPA, IPSC, and Action Pistol. I've never had a problem with the ammo. Our clubs Action Pistol matches always have alot of steel and the only time a plate hasn't gone down for me was when it wasn't hit right. Unfortunately, the price of ammo has hit hard. I've gone over to the darkside and started reloading my own. However, I still have a case of Blazer hanging around for backup.

February 28, 2008, 06:23 AM	#7
Joe D Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 1999 Location: Alabama Posts: 455	Seems like Atlanta Arms and Georgia Arms both make a very good 147 gr load. If you shoot much you will start reloading. The 147 gr bullets are much softer shooting than the 115 or 124 gr bullets. __________________ Miss? That can't be a miss. Looks like a perfect double to me.

February 18, 2008, 08:35 AM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Your American Eagle is fine. Although I agree the 9BP hollowpoint is more accurate, the demands in IDPA are not great enough to be worth the added cost. Power factor is defined as bullet weight in grains times muzzle velocity in feet per second and must be 125,000 or higher for IDPA Stock Service Pistol or Enhanced Service Pistol. The 124 gr A.E. is cataloged at 1120 fps but is probably doing about 1080 for a power factor of 133,900. Because of the cost of lead and copper, you will not likely find 147 grain 9mm at a discount price. (Although Midway has it for the same $13.99.)

February 19, 2008, 03:40 PM	#5
Sidewinder6 Member Join Date: December 5, 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 27	Georgia Arms sells 147 FMJ at around .17 ea. FWIW, I started out shooting the cheaper 115 gr and after a couple matches where it took multiple hits to knock down large poppers I switched to the heavier and slower round. The latter helps in your recovery times for follow on shots. Good luck with your matches.

March 7, 2008, 12:36 AM	#8
Boris Bush Junior member Join Date: September 7, 2007 Posts: 921	For IDPA I would use Winchester Q4172 or Federal or Winchester NATO ball. All three loads have plenty of pop to knock over pepper poppers.

March 7, 2008, 01:17 AM	#9
The Canuck Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2006 Location: Calgary Alberta, Canada Posts: 307	I use UMC 9mm 124gr. to good effect in IDPA. I have not had any problems dropping pepper poppers with the round even at 15m(~16.25yds). This is from a 4.1"bbl Sig P229R (damn Kanadian barrel length restrictions). __________________ "If you put one in the snot locker, it doesn't matter what calibre it is".

March 7, 2008, 11:26 PM	#10
1SOW Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: South TX Posts: 269	For me 124's are better I use 124gr FMJ out of a CZ 75B 4 3/4" bbl. The ammo is rated at 1075'/min out of a 4" Bbl, so mine is probably a little faster. I believe the pepper poppers/full size do drop better with the 124 round. The 115 will drop them, but I've had some that had to be hit at the top of the circle or higher to fall. The 124's drop them from anywhere in the circle or higher---good enough. Once in a while I still shoot 115 for range practice with double taps/close in targets. Maybe it's psychological, but I'm more accurate with the 124gr. I'm paying $10.xx/box and and can afford to shoot them almost exclusively. I also use 124s for SD.