Load developmemt in 9mm

C

Coyote-conquest

Active member
Do you actually do load development in 9mm or just pick a charge and AOL, verify it cycles and go? Ive always done the latter. I somehow picked 5.5 gr of Ramshot Silhouette years ago with a 124 gr HP. Its accurate in all my Glocks, M&Ps, Daggers, etc.
Lately I've acquired a few pistols that are milled for a red dot. After shooting with them Ive thought about doing an actual work up like I would rifle but dont know if its worth it. Im kinda afraid I may end up with 6 different loads for 6 different pistols. I'd like to hear your thoughts.
 
I don't shoot pistol accurately enough to warrant doing actual load development. I load for the most pews per # and make sure they function semi reliably. Plinking ammo, not defensive.
 
It makes a big difference on my guns. Yours might be different. I followed the same procedure as I do for rifle. After research, I chose a commonly used powder/bullet combo. I tested a range of powder charges using a standard coal and settled on a commonly used charge. Then I tested seating depths. Contrary to internet lore of long seating depths is best, all of my 9mms prefer very short depths. It's pretty clear on targets using a red dot over a sandbag at 25 yards. But, maybe your guns are different.
 
For Pistols I use popular powders for the application, and work up a load over the chronograph. There are many times I have had to pull bullets because I am 100fps + with more than a grain less than the manual said. Generally that happens when I use different brass brands than the manual used. Once I have a reliable velocity that suits me, I just shoot and shoot.

Generally speaking, when ammo prices are lower, its better to just buy a case and shoot. For .21 cents for a loaded round.... I don't believe its worth the time to reload on a normal reloading press set up.
 
Are you just plinking or do you foresee yourself in some type of competitive activity? Bullseye shooting or maybe IPSC, USPSA or maybe steel challenge.

Over the course of the summer I shoot a lot of pistol. I belong to a club and a group of us have club “competitions” but just the for fun type, not anything serious. A bunch of varying skill level Max Michel “wannabes”.

I shoot a CZ Shadow 2 Orange 9mm w/Leupold Delta Point Pro red dot. For our pistol night events we will shoot a lot of steel and paper scenarios. In the interest of low recoil, which equates to faster stage times and follow up target acquisition, I have worked up loads that provide the least amount of recoil but yet will still cycle my gun. Which does require spring weight adjustments. No power factor requirements for our events.

For fun type plinking, with all my other 9mm’s, I’ll just make up a function reliable load and crank them out on a volume basis. For the club events I load for low recoil, reliable gun function and reasonably acceptable accuracy. The only “bullseye” type pistol accuracy I delve into is with my .22’s and I can’t reload those so I search for the best performers.
 
I haven't worked up a 9 load like any of my rifles, but have shot some(mostly Hornady xtp) against cheap factory ammo on targets a few times. All the reloads have grouped better, I load to a coal for a specific bullet from the manufacturer load data. That observation was enough for me to continue reloading 9's.
 
Don_P said:
Are you just plinking or do you foresee yourself in some type of competitive activity? Bullseye shooting or maybe IPSC, USPSA or maybe steel challenge.

Over the course of the summer I shoot a lot of pistol. I belong to a club and a group of us have club “competitions” but just the for fun type, not anything serious. A bunch of varying skill level Max Michel “wannabes”.

I shoot a CZ Shadow 2 Orange 9mm w/Leupold Delta Point Pro red dot. For our pistol night events we will shoot a lot of steel and paper scenarios. In the interest of low recoil, which equates to faster stage times and follow up target acquisition, I have worked up loads that provide the least amount of recoil but yet will still cycle my gun. Which does require spring weight adjustments. No power factor requirements for our events.

For fun type plinking, with all my other 9mm’s, I’ll just make up a function reliable load and crank them out on a volume basis. For the club events I load for low recoil, reliable gun function and reasonably acceptable accuracy. The only “bullseye” type pistol accuracy I delve into is with my .22’s and I can’t reload those so I search for the best performers.
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I dont plan on shooting any competition. I have a farm and a home range right out my front door so I shoot a lot. I always felt I wasnt accurate enough with pistol to matter but with a red dot I can easily hit a 10" plate at 50 yards with a M&P9 2.0.
 
For 9mm PISTOL I chose a load that is mid book range. Load for reliability. Shot a hog @20 yds, about my max. I pick a midrange load on purpose. Don't beat up the gun or me. Also, 9mm is more sensitive to load variation, temp, OAL, etc. Just safer. 50 fps doesn't make a difference.
 
I never have my G45 gen5 is more accurate than I am with a holosun dot and a good trigger. 4.3gr AANo.2 with 124 gr berrys is money. Shot a few chipmunks at 16yds, One went in its chest and out its arse. Head shots on rabbits is easy too.
 
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