IDPA Ammo

[robert7355]

I just recently started shooting IDPA. I shot the classifier prior to my 1st match and somehow managed to classify as SS in SSP with my Glock 34.

I shoot the WWB 115gr "target loads". I'm wondering would I be better off with 124gr? 147gr? FMJ or JHP?

What difference does grain and FMJ vs JHP make with regards to recoil or accuracy?

Just curious what I can do to squeeze every little bit of advantage I can out of my setup!

Thanks in advance!

[Joe D]

One of the "standard" IDPA loads for 9mm is a 147 gr bullet with 3.0 - 3.2 gr of Titegroup. 1.135" - 1.140" OAL. HPs have no advantage over RN bullets.

[Glock Dave]

As someone who has tried everything out there to gain that little extra advantage, it's really all about practicing a lot. Reloading is the best bet and Joe is right about that load being popular and it is soft shooting. But what ammo you shoot is not going to make you a master overnight. Just pick a load and keep shooting. But if you want to stick with factory ammo, Remington UMC 115 grain is a little softer shooting than WWB. FMJ vs. JHP makes no difference.

[Bogey]

As someone who has tried everything out there to gain that little extra advantage, it's really all about practicing a lot. Reloading is the best bet and Joe is right about that load being popular and it is soft shooting. But what ammo you shoot is not going to make you a master overnight. Just pick a load and keep shooting. But if you want to stick with factory ammo, Remington UMC 115 grain is a little softer shooting than WWB. FMJ vs. JHP makes no difference.


I'll second this post.

[RH45]

I've tried a lot of different loads out of my 34, and eventhough the 147 grain load felt the softest, I've found that if I use 124-125 grain jhps, they will cut the size of my 25 yard groups in half.

[Bogey]

I've tried a lot of different loads out of my 34, and eventhough the 147 grain load felt the softest, I've found that if I use 124-125 grain jhps, they will cut the size of my 25 yard groups in half.

Now that sounds like a plan.

What do you find the price comparison to be between the 147 and 124 grainers?


Got a recipe you'd like to share?? :supergrin:

[WellArmedSheep]

I've been using Joe's recipe for a couple of months now and I really like it. I use 3.2 grains of TG, because the load with 3 grains doesn't want ot cycle my wife's G19 reliably with a stock recoil spring.

[9x45]

I run 4.0 grs of Titegroup under either a 115, or 124, at about 1.155" Goes about 1,170 fps out of my G17 and shoots fairly tight. Some guys swear by the 147's, but I don't see the difference in matches. I tested groups of Titegroup from 3.0 to 5.5 and the tightest groups were at 4.4-4.8, but shoots a little hot.

Motorcycles are evereywhere, but nobody looks..

[Bogey]

lordy....I'd say a little hot.:shocked:

I'm loading 3.2 TG under a 147 MG FMJ and making 130PF.


I have some Zero 115s I might try at that load. (4grns)

[ecmills]

I run 4.0 grs of Titegroup under either a 115, or 124, at about 1.155" Goes about 1,170 fps out of my G17 and shoots fairly tight. Some guys swear by the 147's, but I don't see the difference in matches. I tested groups of Titegroup from 3.0 to 5.5 and the tightest groups were at 4.4-4.8, but shoots a little hot.
Screw the groups, man! We're talking run-and-gun matches... Find a recipe for 125.0001 power-factor ammo that shoots halfway decent groups, and go hose some cardboard! :supergrin: :supergrin: :supergrin:

(Okay, groups matter some, but not at the expense of recoil. Not in this sport, at least)

[ACC]

I am going to load some up for my Sherrif friend. So we are saying anywhere between 3.0 gr of TG and 4.0 gr of TG should work underneath a 124 gr jacketed bullet?

Greg

[Joe D]

No that is not what we are saying. 3.0 gr of TG and a 124 gr bullet will not even come close to PF.
I once shot a 5 round group at 25 yds with 3.0 gr of TG and a 147 Rainier RN bullet that could be covered by a nickle. Was shot from a rest with a G34 and yes I do have witnesses.
One of my practice loads was a 125 gr lead bullet with 3.5 gr of TG at 1050 fps.

[Vitamin G]

I use bluedot and 124gr bullets, but my club couldn't care less about PF

[Bogey]

I use bluedot and 124gr bullets, but my club couldn't care less about PF


Is that because it's not an IDPA affiliated club?

[9x45]

ec, IDPA is not 'Running Gun' by any means, thats why you take a .5 second per point down, and movement is limited to less than 10 yards by the Rule Book. It is very heavily accuracy favored. Remember in the beginning of time for IDPA, points down where .3, not .5. So the scoring was changed to .5 to slow it down. Groups are important, even if there are rarely shots beyond 15, 25 and almost never 40 yards. I shoot 'Running Gun' USPSA in Norco, CA, the home of 'Running Gun' and groups are everything. If recoil is a problem, learn how to manage it, or switch to Open Class in USPSA....

[ACC]

Originally my research suggested a range of 3.8 to 4.2gr of TG for a 124 jacketed bullet. Is this more in line?

Greg

[RH45]

Now that sounds like a plan.

What do you find the price comparison to be between the 147 and 124 grainers?


Got a recipe you'd like to share?? :supergrin:

Zero 125 grain jhp are about $70K, 147 grain are about $90K

I've been using 4.2 grains of WW231, for a velocity of 1,050.

[bimmerboy]

I've read that the Remington UMC 9mm is the softest shooting "common" ammo. Then you can purchase reloads from Atlantic Arms (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that Team Glock uses.

[Ben Stoeger]

I've read that the Remington UMC 9mm is the softest shooting "common" ammo. Then you can purchase reloads from Atlantic Arms (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that Team Glock uses.

Thats Atlanta Arms and Ammo. They make really good stuff... I shoot it in matches.

[Glock Dave]

I've read that the Remington UMC 9mm is the softest shooting "common" ammo. Then you can purchase reloads from Atlantic Arms (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that Team Glock uses.

I find that Remington UMC is the softest shooting commercial 9mm. Atlanta Arms & ammo is a little softer but more expensive.

[ezterra]

Until I get my reloader set up for 9mm, I like shooting the 115 gr WWB. I like it mainly because it's easy to get and the cheapest stuff around. And as far as I can tell, I can shoot fast enough and accurate enought to qualify IDPA expert. In fact, I classied expert when it cost $10/100 rounds as well as when it costs nearly $20/100 rounds. I was hoping I'd shoot better when they cost more :crying:.

I know the broad range of shooters from MM to Masters and USPSA C-Masters, all who use WWB regularly. The couple of grand mastes I know both reload and typically shoot open or limited. The bottom line is WWB is good enough for the majority of practical shooters.