loading 9mm for accuracy

[wboggs]

Anyone loading the 9mm for target accuracy? Would like to try and work up an accurate pistol load for 25yd bullseye targets. Plan to use in two accurate CZ's, a 85 and 75BD. Objective is to determine how accurate a load can be developed. Would appreciate any experience you have.

 

[450AK]

If I was a betting man, I would say your best luck is going to come from a coated bullet that weights 124 grains. I've had outstanding accuracy with Blue Bullets and Winchester 231.

 

[Rsadams]

I use plated 124gr berry and win 231 also and like it very much.. The main thing is to NOT overcrimp. I use a quarter turn on a Lee FCD and it seems to like it. I also trim the brass so it's consistent. I just treat it as if loading rifle brass and it shoots as good as I can free handed with a Glock 19..

There are so many different combos out there. This is what I choose becouse I can get the stuff local and it's very cost effective useing S@B primers.. Useing a single stage press for everything so times not a factor for me,but it does take a while for all the prep I do.. And for the win231 I use 4.2gr. But please work a load up for yourself..

This load is about 100fps lighter than a factory load. Iam going for soft shooting, accurate and easy on the wallet and easy on the gun for shooting paper so I can practice more..

Good shooting...

 

[Auto-X Fil]

124gr Missouri coated and 4.0gr Titegroup works well for me. W231 is also excellent.

Accurate pistol ammo starts with the brass and dies. It all needs to be the same headstamp and very uniform in size and shape. Don't over-resize so that it rattles loosely in the chamber. Having the barrel out of the gun as you set up the dies is necessary to get it set correctly. The loaded rounds need to chamber freely, but not be too loose. Mess with OAL and how much you resize.

Bell the mouth enough to ensure the bullets don't get shaved any. That will ruin accuracy!

Bullets will vary based on the barrel. FMJ works well, but I have better luck with coated (Missouri, etc) or plated (Berry's, etc). HP are expensive but usually very accurate. GDHP are excellent!

Powder, primer, and charge weight should be varied and shot for groups - pay attention to SD. I shoot all work-ups over a chronograph. High SD means poor ignition, usually. Sometimes it's a position-sensitive powder. Crimp can fix this, but too much crimp can deform the bullets and hurt accuracy.

 

[AckleymanII]

124 jacketed HP with close to a max load of AA#7 is really accurate. Play with OAL, .005 difference will shock you on groups size.

 

[XBBR Shooter]

Unless you have a scope on your pistols, you need a Ransom rest to test pistol ammo... otherwise, you are testing your eyes, not your ammo.

 

[MislMan]

Check out bullseyeforum.net and their ammunition forum. Lots of interesting data there and most likely quite a bit of it around loading for bullseye both short & long line. Different loads for different distance.

... Larry S.

 

[1lnbrdg]

3.8gr Bullseye and either a 115gr or a 124gr TC or RN lead bullet. Has worked great in anything I've shot it in for accuracy. Very mild load that punches paper well. Not so well for bowling pins or toppling plates though.

 

[Hoser]

A traditional go-to 50 yard bullseye/PPC load is a Sierra 115 and Alliant Power Pistol.

 

[mac86951]

I've been happy with the 124 bullets for practice and general use, 115 for reduced recoil, and I prefer 147 for accuracy; but I also practice with a 45...

Unique has been a powder working well for me (Smith M&P).