The "best" bullet weight

Yoosta B. Blue · August 11, 2008, 06:40 AM

I've been loading .38 Spec and .45 ACP for a while now. For the .38, I've settled on shooting mostly 148 gr DEWC bullets, and for the .45, 200 gr RNFP. Both of these work very well in my guns and I have a good load worked up for both of them.

I'm about to start loading 9mm Luger. For those of you who reload for this caliber, do you have a "favorite" or perhaps "preferred" bullet weight for lead bullets that works well for you? Thanks!

YBB

Scope Bite · August 11, 2008, 01:09 PM

My 9mm only sees lead for plinking or practice. However, it doesn't do exceptionally well with anything under 120 grains. So, right now, I am using Silver State 122 grain LFPs (Flat Point, truncated-cone style) sitting on a charge of Titegroup. When I use 136-148 grain LRNs, I switch to W-231 or HP-38 to reduce leading. That's just the way my pistol likes it....

Jimlakeside · August 11, 2008, 01:40 PM

I cast my own 147 grain 9mm bullet from a Lyman mold (#.356637). It was specifically designed by Lyman for ISPC shooting. I use 3.6 grains of Vihtavupri, Federal primers, mixed brass. 870 fps, mild load doesn't have the jump a lighter weight bullet has.

darkgael · August 11, 2008, 08:16 PM

A friend of mine who was moving gifted me with a factory case of 115 gr FMJs. That's my favorite. Over five grains of W231.
Pete

WESHOOT2 · August 12, 2008, 12:24 PM

I prefer and use (multitudiness amounts of, but not only) 131g LRN.

Over WAP.
I gotta lotta WAP (left), too.

Yoosta B. Blue · August 23, 2008, 04:16 AM

Thanks for the replies. I find that I'm pleased with some loads that I've worked up using 125 gr LRN, so I'll stay with them...

YBB

dardascastbullets · August 23, 2008, 07:20 PM

124 & 125 grain round noses are the favorites in my area.

Matt

azsixshooter · August 24, 2008, 02:43 AM

9mm Luger was originally designed as a 124 grain loading so if I decide to load for my XD9 I'll start there. I love shooting the 124 gr +p HST's in it now.

August 11, 2008, 06:40 AM	#1
Yoosta B. Blue Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: Just a tad NE of the Alamo... Posts: 252	The "best" bullet weight I've been loading .38 Spec and .45 ACP for a while now. For the .38, I've settled on shooting mostly 148 gr DEWC bullets, and for the .45, 200 gr RNFP. Both of these work very well in my guns and I have a good load worked up for both of them. I'm about to start loading 9mm Luger. For those of you who reload for this caliber, do you have a "favorite" or perhaps "preferred" bullet weight for lead bullets that works well for you? Thanks! YBB

August 11, 2008, 08:16 PM	#4
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	9mm A friend of mine who was moving gifted me with a factory case of 115 gr FMJs. That's my favorite. Over five grains of W231. Pete

August 12, 2008, 12:24 PM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	for my personal 9's I prefer and use (multitudiness amounts of, but not only) 131g LRN. Over WAP. I gotta lotta WAP (left), too. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

August 24, 2008, 02:43 AM	#8
azsixshooter Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Location: Pinckney, MI Posts: 657	9mm Luger was originally designed as a 124 grain loading so if I decide to load for my XD9 I'll start there. I love shooting the 124 gr +p HST's in it now. __________________ "Which side are we on? We're on the side of the demons, Chief. We're evil men in the gardens of paradise, sent by the forces of death to spread devastation and destruction wherever we go. I'm surprised you didn't know that." --Saul Tigh http://sargesrollcall.blogspot.com/2...s-no-more.html

August 11, 2008, 01:09 PM	#2
Scope Bite Member Join Date: August 4, 2008 Posts: 39	My 9mm only sees lead for plinking or practice. However, it doesn't do exceptionally well with anything under 120 grains. So, right now, I am using Silver State 122 grain LFPs (Flat Point, truncated-cone style) sitting on a charge of Titegroup. When I use 136-148 grain LRNs, I switch to W-231 or HP-38 to reduce leading. That's just the way my pistol likes it....

August 11, 2008, 01:40 PM	#3
Jimlakeside Member Join Date: May 13, 2008 Location: Pottsboro, Texas Posts: 33	I cast my own 147 grain 9mm bullet from a Lyman mold (#.356637). It was specifically designed by Lyman for ISPC shooting. I use 3.6 grains of Vihtavupri, Federal primers, mixed brass. 870 fps, mild load doesn't have the jump a lighter weight bullet has.

August 23, 2008, 04:16 AM	#6
Yoosta B. Blue Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: Just a tad NE of the Alamo... Posts: 252	Thanks for the replies. I find that I'm pleased with some loads that I've worked up using 125 gr LRN, so I'll stay with them... YBB

August 23, 2008, 07:20 PM	#7
dardascastbullets Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Essexville, MI Posts: 164	124 & 125 grain round noses are the favorites in my area. Matt