Beginner loads for 9mm?

[Sandspider500]

Get some unique and a load book.

[Gryff]

For 9 mm, I would start out with a load that shoots 1200 fps, and work up from there.

Work UP from 1200fps?!


I load my own rounds for competition. I am extremely budget conscious, so my primary ingredients are Titegroup or HP38/Winchester 231 and 147gr. coated bullets (originally Bear Creek, but now I use Acme).

3.1 grains of Titegroup gives me about 890 fps. Very soft shooting. Yes, a little dirty, but I don't fire thousands of rounds between cleanings. I've never had a problem going a few matches between cleanings, though.

You can find some of Hodgdon's loading data here:

https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

Note that a) most loading data comes from testing in a pressure barrel (not a real gun), so real world results will vary, and b) bullet type will also have an affect. Strongly encourage you to NOT start with max pressure loads, and be prepared to make small batches with minor increments between them so that you can test their actual speeds.

Access to a good chronograph is highly recommended. If you don't have one, check with your local shooting club to see if they have one available to borrow.

[H3nchman]

Unique is an excellent choice. I started pistol loading with a pound of unique. I have gone through it. Get a reloading manual and load in .2 or .3 grain increments between min and Max. For me I found 5 .3 grains of unique cci 500 and 1.145" gave me good accuracy and fed reliably in my g19 and shield. Mixed brass of course and rmr 115 grain fmj

[MarikinaMan]

For competition, I like the heavier rounds, 147 grain 9mm, minimum powder fart loads. It produces the best results.

But I'm over that. I just reload 115gr 1100-1200 fps 9mm loads and call it a day. Cheaper, standardized for me, and its just more real world to me to shoot whatever and learn the situation/POI.

[sd_fox_racer]

for plinking i like 5.4gr of power pistol, and when i want a harder hitting with flash i go up to 6.7gr of power pistol.