Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
Armory Sponsor
8/2/2014 2:34:19 PM EDT
so I just started loading for pistol about 2 months ago, here are the powders I have found and bought
im loading for my glock 17 with factory barrel (also looking at buying a lone wolf barrel)

4 lbs of 700-x (im saving this for .45 acp)
2 lbs CFE pistol
2 lbs bullseye
4 lbs unique (bought today, heard it works well for 9mm)

my handloads are going to be used for 90% plinking and I may load up a few hollow points for when i go out hiking as animal defense loads

ive got about 500 berrys plated 115gr bullets (they work ok but I dont like having to use LRN data)
should I look to stick with 115's for plinking or look for something heavier to get more reliable cycling or harder hitting. Do different weights perform better for plinking as for function?

I would really like to load FMJ so I can load a mid range to hotter round to make the pistol run reliable but want to keep costs down as much as I can.


please feel free to make a bullet recommendation, or a company to get them from. Also feel free to post any loads your using with the powders I have.
8/2/2014 2:59:57 PM EDT
[#1]
I like the Berry's 124 flat points, but I get Xtreme's a lot cheaper and they shoot good too.
I don't have any of the powders you listed.
8/2/2014 3:34:56 PM EDT
[#2]
I've been loading RMR 124gr RN with Unique.  They work flawlessly and shoot great...
but you wanna talk about filthy, nasty, dirty powder.  I've never seen anything like it.
I load 38 SPL with Bullseye.  I think I may give it a shot with 9mm as well.
8/2/2014 4:03:17 PM EDT
[#3]
Not sure if I'll bother with plated after I expend what I have or not.
I've had pretty good performance out of Rainer 115 plated HPs accuracy wise.
Loaded with either 4.5 or 5.1 grains of Unique and a Win SPM primer (what was available at the time).
Perfectly reliable in my G17, for me, my wife can induce malfunctions if she doesn't focus on grip, cleaned it after 300 some rounds last weekend, really not very fouled up.
8/2/2014 4:16:16 PM EDT
[#4]
Get the lone Wolf barrel, then you can use coated Lead bullets ( or just lead, but the coated ones are so much nicer.... far less smoke , easier cleaning... etc )

Coated lead bullets are all I load for plinking. The lead bullet causes FAR less wear on barrels, so the barrel lasts longer.

I am not sure how much less wear a plated bullet causes verse a FMJ / traditional jacketed bullet.... but I know coated lead beats them both.

I prefer 124gr or 147gr bullets for plinking.... both have their place.


If you do use lead.... then you may as well save the copper fouling cleaning CFE Pistol for plated or jacketed.

Personally , I have used Unique in lots of plinking loads.. from 9mm, 40SW, to 44Mag... and have been happy with its accuracy. A little extra cleaning has not bothered me yet.


But I have NO experience with any plated bullets .... so it may be different.

8/2/2014 4:42:05 PM EDT
[#5]
I dislike 115gr bullets. I mostly shoot my carry weapon which is an XDs 3.3. The 115 has too much felt kick compared to the 124 and 147. I mostly use 124 for plinking and matches. I use 147 for self defense.
8/2/2014 5:31:49 PM EDT
[#6]
Unique will run cleaner at the high end of loads
8/2/2014 6:50:48 PM EDT
[#7]
I like the Berry's 124's for a little higher back pressure
and I have been using Titegroup, but I haven't been
able to find any more for a few months now. I guess
I'll start looking for AA#2 again.

All of my reloads are for matches & range time.



Later!

John
8/2/2014 7:38:59 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
I dislike 115gr bullets. I mostly shoot my carry weapon which is an XDs 3.3. The 115 has too much felt kick compared to the 124 and 147. I mostly use 124 for plinking and matches. I use 147 for self defense.
View Quote


This.  I use 147s or 160 grn bullets mostly.  You can also use the 130 grn. bullets when you can find them.  

When supplies dried up about 6 or 7 years ago and prices went crazy, I also shot 124s at times.  I really have no use for 115s or lighter.  

Id suggest 147s with the fastest powder you have:  such as Bullseye.  A better candidate in Titegroup.  You could also try Win 231 and the identical HP-38.
8/2/2014 7:54:36 PM EDT
[#9]
I found Berry's are not very accurate in my Glocks. The 124 gr won't group in my Glock 26 and the 40 cal 165 gr have groups twice as large as other bullets I have tried.

Bullseye is fast powder compared to CFE pistol. I like Bullseye for light and heavy bullets, I use CFE pistol for higher velocity loads and heavy bullets.
8/2/2014 7:57:06 PM EDT
[#10]
I've had good results from Berrys, Xtreme, and RMR with plated bullets. I like the Blue Bullets for coated lead. I'm going to try some Bayou and SNS bullets soon.

124s are my preferred plinking bullets. Loading them with a fast powder (been using Red Dot) makes for a nice, soft target load. I also use a lot of Unique. It shoots nicely. Like another poster stated, it cleans up a bit at the higher end. It's still sooty, but the fouling cleans up easily. Unique doesn't always meter well from powder measures, though, so you may have to play with your PM a little to get it to drop consistently.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
8/2/2014 8:14:22 PM EDT
[#11]
I use 115 gr bullets for my range loads, FMJ, JHP, plated or cast. They all shoot well in my CZ.



Unique is a great powder and will work in all handgun calibers. Bullseye does the same.




Haven't tried CFE pistol yet. I'm kinda stuck on True Blue in 9mm.
8/2/2014 8:25:32 PM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
so I just started loading for pistol about 2 months ago, here are the powders I have found and bought
im loading for my glock 17 with factory barrel (also looking at buying a lone wolf barrel)

4 lbs of 700-x (im saving this for .45 acp)
2 lbs CFE pistol
2 lbs bullseye
4 lbs unique (bought today, heard it works well for 9mm)

my handloads are going to be used for 90% plinking and I may load up a few hollow points for when i go out hiking as animal defense loads

ive got about 500 berrys plated 115gr bullets (they work ok but I dont like having to use LRN data)
should I look to stick with 115's for plinking or look for something heavier to get more reliable cycling or harder hitting. Do different weights perform better for plinking as for function?

I would really like to load FMJ so I can load a mid range to hotter round to make the pistol run reliable but want to keep costs down as much as I can.


please feel free to make a bullet recommendation, or a company to get them from. Also feel free to post any loads your using with the powders I have.
View Quote



My teammates and i have loaded tens of thousands with Montana gold 124 JHPs, 124 FMJs, and 121 IFPs (when the pickins got slim in 13).  All were loaded with bullseye and they work well as a minor PF loading.  

For reliability the 124 FMJs are the best of those three, but it's not what i'd run as a defensive round.  For that duty i use 115gr Hornady CD ammo because the recoil impulse is about spot on with my competition loads.  

For a practice/plinking round that won't f**k up your barrel with lead and crap, MGs are pretty good bullets.

Edit: My teammates and i are glock shooters.  we also haven't taken much time with experimenting with alternate loads.  We found one that works well and have stuck with it.  Another poster mentioned above that a e heavier bulllet with a fast powder works great...i wouldn't doubt that as i've heard many shooters at my club state the same.
8/2/2014 9:23:24 PM EDT
[#13]
I use the 147g xtreme plated bullet. They are a great company to deal with. Go to their website and add yourself to their e-mail list and they run weekly specials. I load them over 3.4g of Titegroup.
8/3/2014 12:22:32 AM EDT
[#14]
I like loading heavier bullets with fast powder for competition, and light bullets for hotter rounds for simulating defensive rounds.

I have used Precision Delta FMJ, lead, and a couple different plated bullets in the past, but am now mostly switching over to coated lead, like these.

The last time I tested some loads, this was the best one:



I've got some Bullseye powder loaded that I want to try next.
8/3/2014 5:35:34 AM EDT
[#15]
I have been using Berry's 124gr double struck plated bullets with Win 231 powder for quite a while. A year or so ago I purchased an 8lb jug of 231 and I am about 3/4 of the way through it. I have not seen 231 in any stores since then, may have to go back to Accurate #5. My BHP in 9mm loves the Berry's bullet and accuracy is superb.

Vince
8/3/2014 7:21:18 AM EDT
[#16]

Quote History
Quoted:


I like loading heavier bullets with fast powder for competition, and light bullets for hotter rounds for simulating defensive rounds.



I have used Precision Delta FMJ, lead, and a couple different plated bullets in the past, but am now mostly switching over to coated lead, like these.



The last time I tested some loads, this was the best one:



http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p505/arfcomaje/Guns/30grRedDot_zpsa29e1ce3.jpg



I've got some Bullseye powder loaded that I want to try next.
View Quote




 
Any problems with fouling the barrel?  (Assuming you're using the Glock factory barrel).
8/3/2014 7:25:18 AM EDT
[#17]
I have been using Montana Gold bullets FMJ & JHP for the last few years. Buy in bulk to help lower the costs.
8/3/2014 11:07:42 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote History
Quoted:

  Any problems with fouling the barrel?  (Assuming you're using the Glock factory barrel).
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
I like loading heavier bullets with fast powder for competition, and light bullets for hotter rounds for simulating defensive rounds.

I have used Precision Delta FMJ, lead, and a couple different plated bullets in the past, but am now mostly switching over to coated lead, like these.

The last time I tested some loads, this was the best one:

http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p505/arfcomaje/Guns/30grRedDot_zpsa29e1ce3.jpg

I've got some Bullseye powder loaded that I want to try next.

  Any problems with fouling the barrel?  (Assuming you're using the Glock factory barrel).

I am, and no problems with fouling at all.

I have several steel targets and the coating is still adhered to the bullets after they hit them.
8/3/2014 3:38:38 PM EDT
[#19]
thanks for the replies everyone.

sounds like I will probably go with 124 grain for bulk reloading. now to see if I can find some 124 FMJ's
plated still kinda spooks me in a glock although I have been shooting berry's 115's.

we will see how it goes
8/3/2014 3:44:56 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote History
Quoted:
thanks for the replies everyone.

sounds like I will probably go with 124 grain for bulk reloading. now to see if I can find some 124 FMJ's
plated still kinda spooks me in a glock although I have been shooting berry's 115's.

we will see how it goes
View Quote

Plated are just dandy, just figure out the bell and crimp
In reality what are you shooting at (paper and steel)? Why would it matter, they both go where you point them.
Check out X-treme bullets, they have some silly deals, free shipping all of August.
8/3/2014 4:41:05 PM EDT
[#21]
I use Missouri Bullet 124gr LRN in my M&Ps.  The smoke and dirt doesn't bother me since I have a range gun and a identical one for carry.  I considered going with plated bullets but as I shoot ~22,000 rounds of 9mm a year the savings of lead vs plated quickly added up.
8/3/2014 6:03:23 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote History
Quoted:

Plated are just dandy, just figure out the bell and crimp
In reality what are you shooting at (paper and steel)? Why would it matter, they both go where you point them.
Check out X-treme bullets, they have some silly deals, free shipping all of August.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
thanks for the replies everyone.

sounds like I will probably go with 124 grain for bulk reloading. now to see if I can find some 124 FMJ's
plated still kinda spooks me in a glock although I have been shooting berry's 115's.

we will see how it goes

Plated are just dandy, just figure out the bell and crimp
In reality what are you shooting at (paper and steel)? Why would it matter, they both go where you point them.
Check out X-treme bullets, they have some silly deals, free shipping all of August.



good point, I shoot paper and steel but not for competition so power factor does not matter. I just want it to be reliable enough to shoot in my glock and let my old man shoot some in his p226 so he does not have to burn his factory ammo up.

but I will have some heavier hollow points loaded for when I go hiking.
8/4/2014 8:26:04 AM EDT
[#23]
I have used both unique and bullseye

124plated 4.1 bullseye col 1.20
125 lead roundnose 3.8 b.e col 1.30


124 plated 5.0 unique col 1.20
125 lrn 4.7 unique col 1.20 dont go lower than 4.3


Unique meters bad . But it is a good powder
8/4/2014 8:52:32 AM EDT
[#24]

Quote History
Quoted:


I have been using Montana Gold bullets FMJ & JHP for the last few years. Buy in bulk to help lower the costs.
View Quote
This



 
8/4/2014 1:11:41 PM EDT
[#25]
Just ordered 1k precision delta 147 fmf that i will use 6gr #7..best 9mm round ive made yet.
A few weeks ago i picked up 500 rem fmj rn 115gr. 6.3 tru blue is the sweet spot.
The fmjs are a bit higher but i think they have the edge in accuracy from glocks.
Not to mention if my rounds were needed in some sort of shtf scenario, the true fmj will perform beta
8/4/2014 2:01:58 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote History
Quoted:
Just ordered 1k precision delta 147 fmf that i will use 6gr #7..best 9mm round ive made yet.
A few weeks ago i picked up 500 rem fmj rn 115gr. 6.3 tru blue is the sweet spot.
The fmjs are a bit higher but i think they have the edge in accuracy from glocks.
Not to mention if my rounds were needed in some sort of shtf scenario, the true fmj will perform beta
View Quote



this is kinda why I want to try FMJ's for my handloads.

they berry's 115's shoot ok, but they really arent that accurate. the group size was about like a paper plate - maybe slighly smaller from about 10-15 yards

when I shoot factory ammo with a FMJ the group shrinks to about the size of a pop can at the same distance - but I wasnt using unique (i was trying 700-x since thats all I had at the time)
8/4/2014 2:06:04 PM EDT
[#27]
I loaded up 500 rainier 124 rn with 4.5 unique. Iirc accuracy was fine
Armory Sponsor