9mm ammo grain question

[Hoser]

So is it correct to assume that the powder charge is relatively equal between all the different grain weights?

Nope. The heavier the bullet the less powder you use.

[Hoser]

Stu, I too have heard the rumors about 147 not being as reliable to feed as lesser weights, but have yet to see this in person.

I have tried all bullet weights, from 88 gns to 160 in my 9x19 pistols and from 115-147 in my SBR AR-15. Some pistols with a can and some without. Most of the ammo fired through my SBR was using he can.

No issues with anything over 115.

I use mainly 124 JHPs from Montana Gold. By the case they are under $100 a thousand.

[Irving]

Nope. The heavier the bullet the less powder you use.

Is this because of a pressure issue?

EX: Heavier bullet is longer, so less powder charge is needed to maintain pressure?

That's just a guess in the dark, but something like that?

[Colorado Osprey]

Not trying to rain on any 9mm parade but the above reasons are why I shoot a 38 Super. For informal plates I like the 124's @ 1100 and can push 147's @ 1200 if need be. .

Actually that is why I switched to 10mm. 180 grain bullets at 1200ft/sec
With a G20 you don't even give up capacity and if you want a reduced load, most of the commercial ammo minus Hornady and Double Tap are just a 40S&W loads.

[DD977GM2]

The bigger question Adawg is why did you go to such a sissy round?

[SA Friday]

If in doubt, shoot 124's. Not all 9mm's like 147gr bullets. I know CZs in peticular won't typically stablize a 147gr bullet. In competition, I shoot 147s almost exclusively. Out of my G17 and G34 their recoil is so soft, it feels like cheating. I have to down-spring the guns to run them reliably though. They take the steel targets down better than the lighter bullets too.

When I was an agent, I started out carrying 147gr hydro-shocks, but they wouldn't make it through the front window of a vehicle. So, we switched to 124 Fed HPs as they had better Ke and could penetrate the safety glass.

Handguns, by their very nature, are pretty underpowered and not meant to be used as an offensive weapon. Shoot what's accurate from your gun first. If you have to shoot, keep shooting till the threat is gone. It doesn't really matter to the guy what you're shooting him with if you keep pulling the trigger while on target. If you want one shot stopping power in a pistol, carry a 44 mag.

[Adawg38]

The bigger question Adawg is why did you go to such a sissy round?

I really just wanted a decent carry and something cheap to shoot so I can get good using my pistol. I love the Glock and boxes of ammo are about $4-$5 a box cheaper than the .40 and it adds up. I still plan on a nice 1911 and if things go better down the road I may carry that.

[Irving]

I saw someone on AR15.com say that heavier bullets usually have a higher POI (point of impact) with the same POA (point of aim). If the bullet weighs more and uses less powder, I don't see how this is possible.

[SA Friday]

I saw someone on AR15.com say that heavier bullets usually have a higher POI (point of impact) with the same POA (point of aim). If the bullet weighs more and uses less powder, I don't see how this is possible.

It has to do with when the action of the pistol is opening up during the firing sequence. Softer loads actually open the action up faster so you can get a little tilt from the barrel as the bullet leaves the barrel. The more pressure in the load equates to more push keeping the barrel and slide locked up till after the bullet leaves the barrel and the pressure drops. It drops really fast after the bullet clears the crown.

[Irving]

So because the heavier bullet is moving slower, by the time it exits the barrel, the barrel is tilted upwards?

Does this mean that in all blow back, and rotating barrel guns, heavier bullets will have a lower POI as physics suggests?