Stock M&P 9mm ammo recommendations for ipsc matches

[gaddygat]

So I'm brand new to uspsa/ipsc and went through my first qualifier last weekend. They used a chrono to check our ammo to make sure we were shooting above minor/major requirements. The reloads I was using were borderline on the low end of minor for 115gr 9mm. If I'm using a stock m&p9 with a. 4.25" barrel, what's the best ammo to use to stay above "minor " requirements, but not break the bank?

[Sofatactical]

Low end of minor is where u wanna be

[Mazdaspeed Jon]

For USPSA I like shooting a 124/5gr bullet moving around 1100fps. This gives me a safe cushion over the minimum required while still shooting fairly soft. If you don't want to fork out the $$$ for factory loads (which usually go around 1120fps), check out Freedom Munitions. Their 9mm 124gr FMJ RN reloads can usually be had for around $0.24/round. Good quality stuff and very consistent.

[HighLander51]

So I'm brand new to uspsa/ipsc and went through my first qualifier last weekend. They used a chrono to check our ammo to make sure we were shooting above minor/major requirements. The reloads I was using were borderline on the low end of minor for 115gr 9mm. If I'm using a stock m&p9 with a. 4.25" barrel, what's the best ammo to use to stay above "minor " requirements, but not break the bank?

Someone ran a chrono for a local USPSA match? Who would do that..

[gaddygat]

It was a local qualifier in Southern California last weekend. Since I'm new to this, I didn't know if this was the norm or not.

[HighLander51]

It was a local qualifier in Southern California last weekend. Since I'm new to this, I didn't know if this was the norm or not.

The all classifier match at Prado Running Gun? No, a chrono check is not ever done except at Area matches and the Nationals because it takes so much time to pull bullets, weigh bullets, shoot rounds.... There is like 6 pages of rules for chrono. Sounds like someone(s) was trying to slip under the floor....

However, doesn't happen very often, but a shooter can call for calibration on steel if a solid hit doesn't take it down.

Calibration Ammunition:
13. A sufficient supply of match calibration ammunition must be available and
used to calibrate steel targets and (when necessary) verify the match chronograph.
14. To assure consistency, the match calibration ammunition should be comprised
of ammunition from the same lot. 9x19mm is the recommended caliber.
15. The ammunition, as fired through each designated handgun, should achieve
a power factor between 115.0 and 125.0.

[gaddygat]

Yeah , it was prg. They came around mid match asking eveuone for 10rds, then before we left for the day, they chronod 3 random rds from the 10 we had given them.

[MAD SVT]

In 2 years of shooting prg that was the first time I ever saw that. Don't let it discourage you, if your shooting factory ammo from a 4.25 barrel, your typical 115gr should do it. As it only needs approx 1100fps to hit. 124gr is a little easier to get there cause u only need 1015fps. Most factory ammo will do this. If your loading your own.. Then buy a chrono and play with it.
Side note;
I'm actually glad they had a chrono there, I was making ammo using internet advice (I know...I know) but had never chrono'd it, I was hoping for major pf and came up waaaay short. I corrected my scoring on 3 stages I already had shot, changed to minor pf, and put the gun away for the rest of the day.

Side side note.. I bought a chrono when I got home from match, I won't be making that mistake again. See you Sunday!!!

[gaddygat]

In 2 years of shooting prg that was the first time I ever saw that. Don't let it discourage you, if your shooting factory ammo from a 4.25 barrel, your typical 115gr should do it. As it only needs approx 1100fps to hit. 124gr is a little easier to get there cause u only need 1015fps. Most factory ammo will do this. If your loading your own.. Then buy a chrono and play with it.
Side note;
I'm actually glad they had a chrono there, I was making ammo using internet advice (I know...I know) but had never chrono'd it, I was hoping for major pf and came up waaaay short. I corrected my scoring on 3 stages I already had shot, changed to minor pf, and put the gun away for the rest of the day.

Side side note.. I bought a chrono when I got home from match, I won't be making that mistake again. See you Sunday!!!

It didn't discourage me at all, but I just waned to make sure that I was hitting the minimum velocity so I wouldn't get penalized. I should be there Sunday too

[prc77]

I like the idea,, even at club level matches,, just keeps folks on the up and up

[HighLander51]

I like the idea,, even at club level matches,, just keeps folks on the up and up

Gamers in USPSA? Yes, but not cheaters.

[Voo]

Use whatever you want... It's about Power Factor = (bullet mass * bullet velocity) / 1000

I shot a 125 grain at about 1050-1100 fps as well.. So long as you're above 125 PF you're fine.. Friend of mine said years ago, "Shoot whatever is cheap"

I find little difference in recoil between a 110gr and 125gr bullet.. So I chose the 125- easier to reach power factor via weight than via bullet velocity as well as it being the same price (Bear Creeks)

As far as cheating goes.. Using a chrono is only slightly better than writing on the chalkboard, "NO CHEATING"... You still sign your own score sheets and you still write in your own times and scores... If someone wanted to cheat, they would.. Unless there's money/prizes I couldn't care less if someone wanted to get GM, M, or A.. Your score at the end of the day will tell all..

[Bobby Hated]

Shoot whatever is cheapest at local matches. If you're going to a big match, look at the box of ammo you want to buy and multiply the weight of the bullet by the FPS, then divide by 1000. That number must be over 135 to be safe.

Feel free to ask one of us to bring a chrono to a local match if you need to check.

[HighLander51]

OP, if you stay in this game you will be loading your own anyway.

since Bobby volunteered a chrono feel free to shoot his...