Prefered 9 mil bullet weight for Idpa

iblong · June 15, 2009, 07:13 AM

I've been loading 45cal lead bullets for Idpa.and would like to start loading for my 9 mil.Ive never loaded for a 9 and was wondering what is the most used bullet weight used for comp.Do you prefer plated or lead bullets.
If you keep velocity down around a 1000fps with lead can you avoid leading with a hard cast bullet.Im shooting an M&P 9.Id like to use lead if its doable to help keep the cost down.
Thanks for your help.
Bob.

dlb435 · June 15, 2009, 07:48 AM

I don't load for IDPA but a lot of guys at the range I use do. They like the 147 grain plated bullets. Some cast their own and just use lead. The heavy weights allow you to get the required impact while keeping the recoil low.

jmorris · June 15, 2009, 08:27 AM

3.1 grains of VV n310 with a berry's 147 @ 1.160 or 3.2 grains of titegroup with the rest remaining the same.

Jim Watson · June 15, 2009, 09:45 AM

9mm subsonic is very soft to shoot and minimizes bore leading. I shoot 145 grain cast for practice, but the smoldering bullet lube makes it smoky enough that I use 147 grain jacketed bullets for matches. I have moly coated bullets of two brands on order to try out.

June 15, 2009, 07:13 AM	#1
iblong Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2008 Location: MN Posts: 559	Prefered 9 mil bullet weight for Idpa I've been loading 45cal lead bullets for Idpa.and would like to start loading for my 9 mil.Ive never loaded for a 9 and was wondering what is the most used bullet weight used for comp.Do you prefer plated or lead bullets. If you keep velocity down around a 1000fps with lead can you avoid leading with a hard cast bullet.Im shooting an M&P 9.Id like to use lead if its doable to help keep the cost down. Thanks for your help. Bob.

June 15, 2009, 07:48 AM	#2
dlb435 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 654	I don't load for IDPA but a lot of guys at the range I use do. They like the 147 grain plated bullets. Some cast their own and just use lead. The heavy weights allow you to get the required impact while keeping the recoil low.

June 15, 2009, 08:27 AM	#3
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	3.1 grains of VV n310 with a berry's 147 @ 1.160 or 3.2 grains of titegroup with the rest remaining the same.

June 15, 2009, 09:45 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	9mm subsonic is very soft to shoot and minimizes bore leading. I shoot 145 grain cast for practice, but the smoldering bullet lube makes it smoky enough that I use 147 grain jacketed bullets for matches. I have moly coated bullets of two brands on order to try out.