What am I losing by using less powder?

[johnny1290]

I started loading my 9mm 124 grain RNTL lead cast boolits with 3.7 grains of bullseye vs the 4.3 I used previously.

Its easier to shoot and easier on my wrist. What's the downside? Just that it doesn't mimic my self defense ammo?

I shoot at around 7 yards mostly, sometmes at 35 yards at angeles.

I use an xd9 4" barrel

thanks!

[JamesY]

As long as they're accurate and can cycle your pistol, it doesn't matter.

BTW, for self-defense ammo, I'd rather use store bought stuff.

[drifter2be]

Be careful going too light. We loaded some 124gr LRN with 4.1gr of Unique and while it worked perfectly in my 92FS it wreaked havoc on my buddies xd9, a lot of stovepipes, like it wasn't enough to fully cycle the slide.

Also, like JamesY said, store bought ammo for self-defense, should a civil suit arise I can definitely see self-loaded ammunition being used against you.

[wtkaiser]

A round nose lead bullet is not the most impressive SD round, if SD is your primary interest. It's true, it's easier on the gun and shooter. And JamesY is right, if it works for you for practice, it doesn't matter. But when the fecal matter impacts the rotary air handler, I'd want something a bit more convincing than a lead bullet. At home defense ranges, the point of impact will be close enough.

[What Just Happened?]

It's easier on the wrist because it has less velocity / energy. If you're okay with that and your firearm can reliably cycle them, then it's fine.

[johnny1290]

Just for clarification I use factory hollowpoint for self defense, not that I need it but I have it.

This is just practice ammo that cycles fine in my sr9c as well.

[rsrocket1]

I was of the thought that you should use a load to at least emulate the recoil and performance of your SD round, but enough folks have said that in a real life threatening situation, you'll have so much adrenaline running through that you probably won't notice the difference in recoil, the most important thing is being comfortable pointing and shooting the gun in a stressful situation. That comes with lots of practice. You get lots of practice by not being battered by hot loads.

A mid range load (not a cream puff load) is all you need to get lots of practice in.

I shot 200 rounds of 4.7g Bullseye with a 40 S&W 180g Lead TC @950 fps this week and felt it was great practice without battering the gun or my hands.

[Munk]

By using less powder, you're just reducing your velocity, and maybe your stability. This reduces your effective range, and your accuracy at long range as well.

If you want light loads, just tune them to the levels it takes to make your firearm fully function, and leave it at that.

Another quirk of using less powder that i've heard, but not toyed around with yet: Some powders do better at higher pressures, and you may find your gun running dirtier with less powder.

[CGT80]

I run a 124 grain Montana Gold JHP bullet seated to 1.125" at 970 fps in my 4" xd. This is with 4.2 grains of winchester 231 powder. This just reliably cycles the slide when I shoot weak hand only. The goal is to have as little recoil as possible, to speed up target transitions, and to cycle the gun as fast as possible. My xd is tricked out for competition. The targets range from 7-25 yards and are 2"-10" across. Some of them are moving when shot. My gun is sighted in for 15-20 yards.

A light load may not be accurate for a long distance, but that is ok if you only shoot short distances. Light loads can be quite fun to shoot. I use about 400 rounds each time I compete.150-250 rounds for the match and the rest for practice. I have run around 30,000 light loads through this XD so far.

Have fun

[meaty-btz]

A round nose lead bullet is not the most impressive SD round, if SD is your primary interest. It's true, it's easier on the gun and shooter. And JamesY is right, if it works for you for practice, it doesn't matter. But when the fecal matter impacts the rotary air handler, I'd want something a bit more convincing than a lead bullet. At home defense ranges, the point of impact will be close enough.

.38 SPCL LRN has put plenty of meat on the Coroner's slab. Ask any Coroner how many unexpanded or clogged fancy bullets they recover from bodies.

[problemchild]

I learned a hard lesson about going lower than 60% case fill with any brand powder. Whatever powder you use it is best to use a brand, at your desired charge weight, fills the case 60%. That way if you have a double charge it will be clear by spilling powder over the top.

Just another safety factor to incorporate into your loading.

[Bill Steele]

Newbie alert!!!!

I learned a hard lesson about going lower than 60% case fill with any brand powder. Whatever powder you use it is best to use a brand, at your desired charge weight, fills the case 60%. That way if you have a double charge it will be clear by spilling powder over the top.

Just another safety factor to incorporate into your loading.

Excellent advice.

[s4alex]

With all this FUD about HD rounds and getting burned by the law because they were home loaded....

Can anyone point out a case anywhere where some one was actually prosecuted because of or because it was a determining factor that some one reloaded their own HD round?

To me, a good shoot is a good shoot. Until I can get proved otherwise, to me this is just plain on interwebs FUD.

Anyone?

[Whiterabbit]

By using less powder, you're just reducing your velocity, and maybe your stability. This reduces your effective range, and your accuracy at long range as well.

Agreed with respect to accuracy, though not effectiveness (people are kinda soft and pink.)

But really, this guy is shooting 7 yards. I have a very strong suspicion that as long as the holes are round, there's nothing he can load that wont be accurate.

[Fishslayer]

I've generally found my best accuracy at less than maximum loads. IMO you lose nothing as long as the gun cycles and it puts the holes where they belong on the paper.

And you won't be chasing your brass as far.