Bullet shape question for Chris Christian

[Larry Piekarski]

We talked at length about reloads for competition and I just finished the Indiana state match last weekend, with a huge improvement from last year.

Here is my question. I am shooting 145g LRN bullets in my M&P 9 Pro. (And I want to preface this by saying I am not one of those "I would have won the the sun was in my face and the SO doesn't know how to score, and ...) One of the stages was shot from a barricade at 3 targets all probably 15-20 yards and partially obscured by steel plates. 2 Shots each. I scored 3 misses and maybe a couple down 0's and a down 1 or something. I shot and absolutely could not see a hole in the target. I squeezed off 6 rounds, seemed like the sights were on target and didn't hear the steel ring, so I left it at that.

I don't know if it was the position of the sun, the distance from the target, or just shooting 9's, but I could not see if they were hits.

What if I switched to a semi-wadcutter bullet? Would that make a cleaner hole that is easier to see? Is seeing the hole in the target better than the loss of accuracy?

[MasAyoob]

Larry, I'll defer to Chris, our resident 9mm reloading specialist, on what SWC bullets might be available for 9mm. Flat-nose (jacketed truncated cone) and JHP will certainly punch cleaner and more visible holes, though, and will feed fine through your M&P.

I sometimes envy the folks who shoot SWC .45s, like the Hensley & Gibbs #68 bullet. Those things punch holes that look as if dimes have gone through the targets flatways.

BTW, thanks again to you and your lovely wife for the Hoosier Hospitality you extended to us at the Indiana State Championships, and thanks to the whole crew you worked with for putting on a truly professional and enjoyable match.

Best,
Mas

[Miggy]

147 seems to be the favorite for 9mil shooters in IDPA. I was explained the gaming ballistics but since I suck so bad to be a serious competitor, I really didn't mind the explanation too much. I shoot 124-125 gr bullets because that is the weight of the bullet of my defensive ammo.

I had good luck (whenever I hit anything) with Montana Gold's 124gr CMJ. Lately I've been shooting Precision Bullets 9mm 125 FP and I really really like them. However I do load to max indicated by Hogdson for that bullet weight with Titegrup. Both seem to do the job rather nicely on pepper poppers, specially if I make sure that the high caliber competitors don't go messing around with them steels just to see the 9mm crowd suffer.

I have a load of my own cast 124 SWC out of Lee molds for future shoots. I have shot SWC before in my Nines without problem... but I tested before committing to anything drastic.

  Gamer Load: the amount of propellant necessary for a round to reach a paper target without bouncing off it.

[Chris]

Larry,
Sorry for the delay in answering this... computer problems have plagued me this year. I doubt seriously if there is any 9mm bullet shape that will allow holes to be clearly visible at 15-20 range, and allow 100% reliable feeding. I haven't found one that I can see... even at 12 yards. That might be one reason I enjoy CDP so much, I can see those. When I shoot a 9mm (147 grain GAMER LOAD) or a .38 SPL (180 grain GAMER LOAD) I don't even look for holes. I trust the sights, throw and extra round if I have it, and move on.
BTW.. the definition of GAMER?..... that's what Marksmen call Masters.

Chris Christian

[MasAyoob]

BTW.. the definition of GAMER?..... that's what Marksmen call Masters.

Chris Christian

       

[Miggy]

BTW.. the definition of GAMER?..... that's what Marksmen call Masters.

When your Wally World White Box 9mm rounds sounds 160 db louder than the .40 S&W rounds your competitors are reloading & shooting.... and bounce off the paper target

A.K.A Gail Rounds...

(I am dead)

[Aaron L]

BTW.. the definition of GAMER?..... that's what Marksmen call Masters.

When your Wally World White Box 9mm rounds sounds 160 db louder than the .40 S&W rounds your competitors are reloading & shooting.... and bounce off the paper target

A.K.A Gail Rounds...

(I am dead)

It was nice knowing you Miggy.

[Chris]

Just a thought, Miggy, but is your life insurance currently paid up? I would hate to see that lovely wife of yours suffer any financial discomfort in your absence. For The Record... Gail shoots factory fodder. She lacks the motivation, and possibly the required level of concentration (she is a blond) to reload... but she is a GREAT SHOPPER.
Chris Christian

[Miggy]

Chris.... see you on the other side 

[Gail]

Just a thought, Miggy, but is your life insurance currently paid up? I would hate to see that lovely wife of yours suffer any financial discomfort in your absence. For The Record... Gail shoots factory fodder. She lacks the motivation, and possibly the required level of concentration (she is a blond) to reload... but she is a GREAT SHOPPER.
Chris Christian

Thanks Chris, from one blond to another!! I am a great shopper, I was in Chicago for the last 5 days and practiced my combat shopping tactics until I got it right, pausing only briefly to shake hands with the infamous Father Pfleger and meet his three (count 'em, three) bodyguards.

Gail

[Aaron L]

The most important thing to remember about bullet shape is to always keep the pointy end away from you going in the opposite direction.

[Daeglan]

The most important thing to remember about bullet shape is to always keep the pointy end away from you going in the opposite direction.

To quote Zorro... pointy end goes in the bad guy.

[SteveZ]

I don't know if it was the position of the sun, the distance from the target, or just shooting 9's, but I could not see if they were hits.

You shouldn't ever be looking for holes in target....you should be calling your shots on the targets and KNOW when the shot breaks, exactly where it went.  Looking for holes just slows you down and should be avoided at ALL costs.