Whats the better grain for 9mm, USPSA and IDPA

[LMS]

Well said, I couldn't think of the proper terminology, and yes power factor was what I couldn't remember lol. The 115 gr had no issues knocking targets down so I thought I would be ok with that, and sure it would chrono ok. But just curious if I changed loads will it be a noticeable difference in terms of grouping. If I jumped up to the .40 then I would dial that load in by doing my own reloads just to score better. Again right now I am just dabbling in the sport.

It's counterintuitive, but the heavier bullets with the same power factor as the lighter bullets have a harder time knocking down the steel. Frustrating when I see and hear the hit and the steel does not go down. Doesn't happen often but if I am off the sweet spot a little, it happens. But, the faster recovery to the second shot due to the reduced recoil is totally worth it.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Well said, I couldn't think of the proper terminology, and yes power factor was what I couldn't remember lol. The 115 gr had no issues knocking targets down so I thought I would be ok with that, and sure it would chrono ok. But just curious if I changed loads will it be a noticeable difference in terms of grouping. If I jumped up to the .40 then I would dial that load in by doing my own reloads just to score better. Again right now I am just dabbling in the sport.

Moat of my ahooting buddies progressed from IAMGAY (idpa) to USPSA, and have settled into 3 gun or two gun events. There ae no power factors in 3 gun, so the extra rounds for the 9mm (shooting in america) is far better than the major PF of 40.

My buddy that shot 40 now uses a 9mm barrel in his gun.

I stopped running a 45acp 1911 in limited 10 (not the best gun for L10)just for the added rounds that my g34 gave me (23+1 with factory mags and aftermarket base pads). Far less reloads to do.

 

[john156cm]

It's counterintuitive, but the heavier bullets with the same power factor as the lighter bullets have a harder time knocking down the steel. Frustrating when I see and hear the hit and the steel does not go down. Doesn't happen often but if I am off the sweet spot a little, it happens. But, the faster recovery to the second shot due to the reduced recoil is totally worth it.

I think when that happens, I will definitely look into a little more weight. Until then let’s hope it doesn’t happen right after I buy a stock pile of ammo in the lesser weight

 

[Podmonkey]

I’ve always rejected the “time is money” argument, especially in regards to hobbies.

Firstly, unless I am choosing to forgo a paid activity, then that time is not “money”.

Secondly, we should enjoy hobbies. When it comes to reloading for hobby as opposed to sale, you’re not “saving” money regardless. You’re only saving in as much as your final cost differs from what you’d be spending to buy finished ammo on the market. In my case, I’m also “saving” the hassle of obtaining ammo in general which is tough to do living in NYC.

This was a common argument in the home brewing community when I was a big homebrewer. Some guys drove themselves (and others) nuts trying to prove that due to the time factor you weren’t ever savings money even if a 5 gallon batch of a particular clone resulted in a savings of close to $100 over buying that beer in 6 packs.

Time is money when a business is creating salable product at inefficient scales. The concept does not apply to home hobbiests unless they’re obsessed enough to overlook actual money-making opportunities to instead “play” at their hobbies. Even then, a psychological argument can be made that fun down time benefits the time spent actually working a job.

Time is absolutely a currency. Time spent doing one thing is time that cannot be spent on another thing. Like with cash some folk have a bigger time budget than others.
Personally even with the vastly increased amount of free t il me I have now it's still only amounts to 48 hours per week. I simply am not willing to forgo the time I'd need for hand loading ammo in the amounts I require. If I go to the range that's pretty much the day right there between prep, travel time, shooting time and equipment recovery afterwards. The other day I need for errands, laundry and general housekeeping stuff.

 

[john156cm]

Time is absolutely a currency. Time spent doing one thing is time that cannot be spent on another thing. Like with cash some folk have a bigger time budget than others.
Personally even with the vastly increased amount of free t il me I have now it's still only amounts to 48 hours per week. I simply am not willing to forgo the time I'd need for hand loading ammo in the amounts I require. If I go to the range that's pretty much the day right there between prep, travel time, shooting time and equipment recovery afterwards. The other day I need for errands, laundry and general housekeeping stuff.

Well said! That is a realistic time frame we all pretty much live by but tend to fantasize about being able to devote more time into or hobbies or passions. Then we get consumed and the everyday things fall behind and at some point it all crashes. Like you I realize My time is limited and I divide up my time to make it all work. Right now it is more of a shooting hobby and the competitions keep it exciting. When I just did ranges, it got boring quick. People not going when they said they would and putting holes in paper for $20 an hour got old. My guns sat in a safe and collected dust. Now it’s different courses and stages and you have to think about quickest target acquisitions and best time before loosing accuracy.

 

[Podmonkey]

Well said! That is a realistic time frame we all pretty much live by but tend to fantasize about being able to devote more time into or hobbies or passions. Then we get consumed and the everyday things fall behind and at some point it all crashes. Like you I realize My time is limited and I divide up my time to make it all work. Right now it is more of a shooting hobby and the competitions keep it exciting. When I just did ranges, it got boring quick. People not going when they said they would and putting holes in paper for $20 an hour got old. My guns sat in a safe and collected dust. Now it’s different courses and stages and you have to think about quickest target acquisitions and best time before loosing accuracy.

$20 an hour?! My range fee is $50 annually!
NYAH!!

 

[john156cm]

$20 an hour?! My range fee is $50 annually!
NYAH!!

Wow! most clubs by me are $100 to $150 annually except for the one were the matches are they wanted like $500 for the first year then $300 after that. The other actual just shooting ranges are $17 and $20 an hour
I live in the city and don't have land otherwise I would build and put up steel targets

 

[Podmonkey]

$100-150 annually ain't bad either.
With you on the steel on private property.

 

[john156cm]

$100-150 annually ain't bad either.
With you on the steel on private property.

Was that a question? steel on private property

 

[LMS]

A lot of folks from buffalo make the trek to rochester for the monthly matches hosted by three different clubs on alternating weeks (GCL, ORGC, Rochester Brooks) when the weather is nicer. Might want to consider that in the spring / summer / fall.

 

[john156cm]

A lot of folks from buffalo make the trek to rochester for the monthly matches hosted by three different clubs on alternating weeks (GCL, ORGC, Rochester Brooks) when the weather is nicer. Might want to consider that in the spring / summer / fall.

I plan on attending and heard the matches out that way are great. Also maybe out of state once I can get my grouping better. I started mid 2018 with WNYPL and USPSA, shot a few matches IDPA style. So the fundamentals are in place and starting to know a few people now. Got involved in the sport not knowing anybody and now I met a few, and recognize a few. Great meeting new people with different skill levels

 

[Shadow2]

Did anyone answer the guys question?

Grab a few boxes of each weight and see what works for you. Loading isn't about saving money with 9mm its about tuning the perfect load for a specific task. I load 147s too a 130 power factor. I run factory 124 and 147 for steel matches,then retrieve the brass to load for USPSA classifiers.

45 you can save money loading, and a tuned load turns a 1911 into a tack driver.

 

[john156cm]

Moat of my ahooting buddies progressed from IAMGAY (idpa) to USPSA, and have settled into 3 gun or two gun events. There ae no power factors in 3 gun, so the extra rounds for the 9mm (shooting in america) is far better than the major PF of 40.

My buddy that shot 40 now uses a 9mm barrel in his gun.

I stopped running a 45acp 1911 in limited 10 (not the best gun for L10)just for the added rounds that my g34 gave me (23+1 with factory mags and aftermarket base pads). Far less reloads to do.

I was hoping to shoot out of state so I can see what its like to have over 10 rds at a time. Here in NY They only allow the street gangs and criminals to carry over 10 rounds. But looks like doing custom loads for a .40 would be a good choice.

 

[john156cm]

Did anyone answer the guys question?

Grab a few boxes of each weight and see what works for you. Loading isn't about saving money with 9mm its about tuning the perfect load for a specific task. I load 147s too a 130 power factor. I run factory 124 and 147 for steel matches,then retrieve the brass to load for USPSA classifiers.

45 you can save money loading, and a tuned load turns a 1911 into a tack driver.

I don't believe my skill level is there yet but that does answer my question. I am very limited when I can shoot now and Iam waiting for the next slot to go to day shift ( hopefully this year) last year it was a week here and there. Most shoots happen around 4pm.
I try to buy bulk 1000rds at a time to save some cash. I see for only 1 or 2 cents more I can get into a 147 grain flat nose 9mm. Currently have 115gr round nose. hoping this allows me to see the shots on paper indoors. I had changed my sights on the glock 19 to help with indoor shoots but only bore sighted. Then under the timer my grouping seemed very scattered. Pretty sure it was me, because I think a month has passed since I shot last.
So right now learning the basics, and gathering some much needed info along the way. For IDPA I need synthetic and a lot less rounds because that's sign up and shoot the match. No practice

 

[Podmonkey]

Was that a question? steel on private property

You said if you had property you would put in a steel target range. I'm saying I'd do the same thing if I had property too.

I was hoping to shoot out of state so I can see what its like to have over 10 rds at a time. Here in NY They only allow the street gangs and criminals to carry over 10 rounds. But looks like doing custom loads for a .40 would be a good choice.

If you should find yourself in the Vicinity of Altoona PA in the next few months let know. I'll take you to my range. For guests its $10 for 1 full day of access.

 

[john156cm]

You said if you had property you would put in a steel target range. I'm saying I'd do the same thing if I had property too.

If you should find yourself in the Vicinity of Altoona PA in the next few months let know. I'll take you to my range. For guests its $10 for 1 full day of access.

That would be awesome ! Thank You

 

[Podmonkey]

That would be awesome ! Thank You

Well, its quite some distance from you but I'd be happy to host you there. You can just show up as a guest on your own as well. Laid back place, you can shoot how you please for the most part as long as you aren't being reckless or damaging the facilities. Guys show up with full autos from time to time.

Blair County Fish & Game

301 Riggles Gap Sportsmen Rd
Altoona, PA 16601

 

[LMS]

Did anyone answer the guys question?

I did - did anyone read the whole thread?

 

[john156cm]

Well, its quite some distance from you but I'd be happy to host you there. You can just show up as a guest on your own as well. Laid back place, you can shoot how you please for the most part as long as you aren't being reckless or damaging the facilities. Guys show up with full autos from time to time.

Blair County Fish & Game

301 Riggles Gap Sportsmen Rd
Altoona, PA 16601

Hopefully I can take you up on the offer, Be better to shoot together maybe this way we might have something the other might be interested in trying out. Thanks again

 

[john156cm]

I did - did anyone read the whole thread?

I read all the comments and hopefully replied to everyone that did. Everybody's input is greatly appreciated. And the question was answered in a variety of ways. So I am gonna try buying 147gr flat nose next and see how that goes through the p320-x5 for production

 

[Shadow2]

Hell No, I posted at 1:20 in the mourning, took me less time to just write a response but I now see you did provide accurate info.

I did - did anyone read the whole thread?

 

[LMS]

Hell No, I posted at 1:20 in the mourning, took me less time to just write a response but I now see you did provide accurate info.

Gotta respect an honest man!