Handgun reloading, matching recoil

[SixPointEight]

I am going to be buying a 9mm to carry, and want to train with an ammo that will match the recoil of my self defense load. I will be carrying Speer 147gr Gold Dots.

I know that speer loads the lawman to match the feel of the gold dots, but I'd like to reload something myself. Is the speer TMJ bullet a similar ogive profile to the HP rounds? It would be a plus if it were, but it's not a huge deal. If the TMJ bullets don't match the profile of the gold dots, I might as well shoot berry's plated bullets, as they're much cheaper.

What powders should I look at loading in order to get the high velocities that most defensive ammo reaches? I use unique in .40 because it gets me good velocity with a heavy (180gr) bullet. Will it fit the role for 9mm too?

[mif_slim]

Load extra max. :P

[uscbigdawg]

Shoot the cheap bullets. Use W231 or similar "cheap" powder and just load a safe, "hot" round. While I understand what you're trying to do, get your fundamentals down and it won't matter if I throw dusty bunny farts or Cor-Bon loads in there. You'll shoot them all perfectly fine.

Rich

[Bill Steele]

The ogive of the Gold Dot HP is different than the TMJ/FMJ/etc. I think the only thing you need to think about in this area is whether the GDHP will feed in your gun.

The GDHP in 147gr are loaded to 985fps with a ME of 317ft/lb (4" barrel). Not sure there is a load for Unique that will get you there, there are VV powders, Power Pistol, Blue Dot, Bullseye all can get above 1000fps with 147gr bullets.

Is there a reason you want to use the heavier non-+P GDHP's? The +P 124gr GDHP loads to 1220fps and 410 ft/lb of ME, which is not as hot as DT, Corbon or even Winchester Ranger T-series, but still a little more pop than the standard 147gr GDHP.

There are a few options of powders and loads to emulate this +P 124 GDHP load.

[LGB Loader]

Use Power Pistol, fire off a warning shot and the muzzle blast will make them soil their underwear.

Just kidding...

LGB

[SixPointEight]

Shoot the cheap bullets. Use W231 or similar "cheap" powder and just load a safe, "hot" round. While I understand what you're trying to do, get your fundamentals down and it won't matter if I throw dusty bunny farts or Cor-Bon loads in there. You'll shoot them all perfectly fine.

Rich

While I understand that, and have noticed it to an extent with my .40, I'd prefer to maintain the feel, so that any time I shoot the gun, it feels the same as any other time I may HAVE to use the gun. Train how you fight.

The ogive of the Gold Dot HP is different than the TMJ/FMJ/etc. I think the only thing you need to think about in this area is whether the GDHP will feed in your gun.

The GDHP in 147gr are loaded to 985fps with a ME of 317ft/lb (4" barrel). Not sure there is a load for Unique that will get you there, there are VV powders, Power Pistol, Blue Dot, Bullseye all can get above 1000fps with 147gr bullets.

Is there a reason you want to use the heavier non-+P GDHP's? The +P 124gr GDHP loads to 1220fps and 410 ft/lb of ME, which is not as hot as DT, Corbon or even Winchester Ranger T-series, but still a little more pop than the standard 147gr GDHP.

There are a few options of powders and loads to emulate this +P 124 GDHP load.

To check feeding I guess I'll buy a couple boxed of gold dot components, load to length and check those.

As for why the 147gr, I decided because it's not a +p round. I wasn't sure how much over pressure I'd be pushing things to get a matching practice round. Also because I was told most police agencies are using a 147gr, and there's the whole, use what the police use mentality. The 124gr +P is another option. The same speer and berrys bullets are available for that too ( already load a berrys hollow base flat point for the M&P, but I load it to minor PF). If there's more options for a matching load with 124gr bullets, please let me know. I'm not locked in to a specific bullet. Though, plated bullets are suggested to stay under 1200 fps

[Cheep]

4.5 Unique+147gr GDHP=works for me. Have not run this on crono...

[Bill Steele]

4.5 Unique+147gr GDHP=works for me. Have not run this on crono...

Book says that will yield 954 fps and 297 ft/lbs of ME.

While I understand that, and have noticed it to an extent with my .40, I'd prefer to maintain the feel, so that any time I shoot the gun, it feels the same as any other time I may HAVE to use the gun. Train how you fight.




To check feeding I guess I'll buy a couple boxed of gold dot components, load to length and check those.

As for why the 147gr, I decided because it's not a +p round. I wasn't sure how much over pressure I'd be pushing things to get a matching practice round. Also because I was told most police agencies are using a 147gr, and there's the whole, use what the police use mentality. The 124gr +P is another option. The same speer and berrys bullets are available for that too ( already load a berrys hollow base flat point for the M&P, but I load it to minor PF). If there's more options for a matching load with 124gr bullets, please let me know. I'm not locked in to a specific bullet. Though, plated bullets are suggested to stay under 1200 fps

If you do get over 1200 fps with a 124gr bullet, it won't be by a great deal. I loaded Berry's for a while, but switched to Montana Gold as they have a tougher jacket. I shoot the FMJ (soon CMJ) and have found them to be excellent quality and about the same cost as Berry's (although in 147gr, you might be able to find Berry's for a penny or two less ea.). A couple of competitive shooters I know use the JHP Montana Golds, basically they cost about the same as the CMJ/FMJ.

Personally, I prefer a little more muzzle energy than the low 300's for defense. I like the 115gr/124gr bullet just becuase I can get well up into the 400's of ME without going above book loads. But frankly, my primary HD gun has buckshot in it.

[mif_slim]

Honestly, when your adrinaline is pumping, you wont feel the difference in recoil. What you will do is fall back on your muscle memory which sight picture, form, etc etc will count more then recoil...but thats from my experiance.

[SixPointEight]

Unfortunately, can't ccw a shotgun haha. Montana gold has to be bought through their website right? I get a discount at grafs so I must admit I was being cheap and using what they stock haha. I'll start with the 125 gr round nose, with unique. If I can't get close enough, ill switch to power pistol

[mif_slim]

You can CCW a shotgun, heck you can CCW anything.. illegally. LOL.


disclaimer: if you do it, your on your own. :P

[Bill Steele]

Unfortunately, can't ccw a shotgun haha. Montana gold has to be bought through their website right? I get a discount at grafs so I must admit I was being cheap and using what they stock haha. I'll start with the 125 gr round nose, with unique. If I can't get close enough, ill switch to power pistol

Yes, kind of hard to blend in when you are packing an 870.

I would try VV-3N37 before Power Pistol. It is my favorite 9mm powder. It is the cleanest shooting pistol powder I have ever shot and produces some of the highest velo's in the lighter 9mm bullets. For 147 gr. VV-N105 is the cat's meow, although PP and Bullseye will get the job done for less money.

[bumpo628]

Montana gold has to be bought through their website right? I get a discount at grafs so I must admit I was being cheap and using what they stock haha. I'll start with the 125 gr round nose, with unique. If I can't get close enough, ill switch to power pistol

For future reference, you can find some Montana Gold bullets here:

http://surplusammo.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=36_30&sort=20a&page=2

But, unfortunately not what you were looking for in this case.

Example:
9mm 115 grn FMJs go for $94/K shipped vs. $101 at the MG website.

For high volume, it's better to go back to the MG website.

[SixPointEight]

Berry's 124RN are coming in at 65.60+shipping from grafs.

I'll go find some 3N37 if I can. After I try unique. If I can use one powder multiple places, I'll take the opportunity.

[Bill Steele]

If you get to SF on occasion, I will give you some 3N37 to take home and try.

I will have to have you sign a release though.