Help me choose a 9mm recipe for target.

[sigma6]

Basically im trying to make a federal champion clone. Since I don't have access to their load data would to match it based on characteristics. I am looking for something that is clean, soft recoil, low flash and most importantly, works in a variety of guns.

Right now I am considering the use of rainier 115gr plated bullet, universal clays because its cleaner than unique and meters well, and cci primers. Of course brass would be pick ups.

[Colt562]

My target load for 9mm is

Mixed Brass
Berry's Plated 9mm 115gn RN
5.4 gn True Blue
1.145 OAL

Works like a dream, soft load.

Although I heard if you want a softer load use a heavier bullet.

[huckberry668]

If you want soft recoil it probably won't work in every gun. Low flash and low recoil goes pretty much hand in hand.

Federal Champion isn't the best ammo to fashion after. Rainier plated bullet isn't exactly known for accuracy. My experience with Rainier is not to 'crimp'. The soft plated jacket would get cut and separate in flight and cause accuracy problems if crimped. And the soft bullet with higher charge would tend to smoke a bit.

Rainier recommends using 'lead' bullet load data. So soft recoiling and low flash is easy to accomplish. But reliability will need to be worked on.

http://www.rainierballistics.com/loaddata.php

Hodgdon recommends between 3.0 to 3.4 Clays for 115gr lead bullets. I'd start 3.2 and then decide to load up or down for best reliability.

[sigma6]

If you want soft recoil it probably won't work in every gun. Low flash and low recoil goes pretty much hand in hand.

Federal Champion isn't the best ammo to fashion after. Rainier plated bullet isn't exactly known for accuracy. My experience with Rainier is not to 'crimp'. The soft plated jacket would get cut and separate in flight and cause accuracy problems if crimped. And the soft bullet with higher charge would tend to smoke a bit.

Rainier recommends using 'lead' bullet load data. So soft recoiling and low flash is easy to accomplish. But reliability will need to be worked on.

http://www.rainierballistics.com/loaddata.php

Hodgdon recommends between 3.0 to 3.4 Clays for 115gr lead bullets. I'd start 3.2 and then decide to load up or down for best reliability.

You mean UNIVERSAL clays correct? Also why not federal champion? Intend to use this load as my go to plinking ammo when wal-mart milpitas is out of 100 packs. IMO its better than the WWB or remington UMC alternatives. This will not be used a highly accurate competition load.

[biogenic]

I use mb 124rn on top of 4.1 w231. Works great on my lc9 and p99.....

[NorCal Einstein]

I use mb 124rn on top of 4.1 w231. Works great on my lc9 and p99.....

What's your C.O.L.?

[M27]

Just tagging this thread in a hope to get some good load data

[huckberry668]

You mean UNIVERSAL clays correct? Also why not federal champion? Intend to use this load as my go to plinking ammo when wal-mart milpitas is out of 100 packs. IMO its better than the WWB or remington UMC alternatives. This will not be used a highly accurate competition load.

These are what i consider 'plinking ammo'. Plinking ammo are not worth duplicating. Plus, you can't make 'Fed Champion' out of Rainier. and... how do you mean 'better'? more tangible comparison would help.

Not knowing the powder Federal uses you'll need to duplicate the velocity. For that you'll need a chronograph. Just use the components you have to make a few different loads and bench test them. pick the best one as your standard.

I read the wrong line. Universal charge would be between 4.0.to 4.5 gr.

[CalTeacher]

4.5gr of universal makes a nice soft shooting target load with a 115gr plated bullet. Run your oal at about 1.150.

[huckberry668]

every gun shoots different ammo differently. Ive been looking for the 'magic load' for 20 years... but found someone else's pistol loads don't work as well in my guns. And there is no magic powder, bullet quality makes up for most of the accuracy you'll get out of a load.

The loading technique has a lot to do with accuracy and reliability. Too much crimp will kill accuracy no matter how good the load data is. 'Glocked' brass could cause serious hang-ups if the bulge isn't removed. inconsistent powder charge will cause velocity problems which affects accuracy and reliability. Protruding primer (improperly seated) will cause feeding, lock up problems as well as velocity issues.

To share, this is my favorite load:
Zero 115gr JHP
4.5 to 4.8grs of HP38/W231
Fed 100, .002" crimp at most (i trim my brass for my competition loads)

[MIAMIbaseballer]

I use 4.8gr of Win 231 under a Montana Gold 115gr fmj bullet. If you want a softer shooting round, then use a 147gr bullet and load it to sub sonic standards. That's the softest shooting round I've ever shot in a 9mm. It's noticeably softer than a 115gr bullet