johnbu Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 I looked, but didn't find this exactly...(and my google-fu us weak :( ) I'm coaching a scholastic action shooting team, which is a simplified version of steel challenge for middle and high school kids. They only need to hit the steel, no knock over and be over 750 fps. We've been shooting rimfire only, previously and are now getting a squad of six shooters running 9mm. I'd like to give the kids the lightest recoiling flattest shooting loads possible. . Does anyone have a recommendation for a light projectile with a reasonably available and inexpensive powder ? thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallisticianX Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 (edited) Unfortunately my steel 9mm load is a 115 gr over bullseye and that powder is not that available. (Bullseye, though over 100 years old, is still the most versatile powder for light to full power loading in most non magnum calibers) Take into account the basis of Light loads are usually light bullets with fast powders. WST, Clays, 700x, Solo 1000, would all work. You could also load up some 90-95 grain lead bullets with the powders mentioned above to be low recoil. Its been a common practice for years for guys to load up those 380 weight bullets in 9mm for steel. It would be cheaper to do as well. Acme bullet Hi-tek coated 95 grain RN are like $200 for 3k. If you prefer Jacketed Precision delta 95 grain bullets are like $260 for 3k. If you call these bullet/powder people you may get a better discount if you tell them what your doing for the kids! good luck Edited September 21, 2016 by BallisticianX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 1 minute ago, BallisticianX said: Light loads are usually light bullets with fast powders. WST, Clays, 700x, Solo 1000, all work. Or 90-95 grain lead bullets Just have to make sure they work the action - fully eject the fired round and seat another cartridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echotango Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 (edited) I use 4.8-5gr of WAC w/115 MG. Depends on the weight of your slide whether it will work. I've also used 135 blue bullet with 2.8 gr titegroup. Edited September 21, 2016 by echotango Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler2you Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 My 9mm recipe is a 100 grain Berry's HBRN on top of 4.2 grains of Titegroup. I have to run a 6 lb. recoil spring with this load. Very soft shooting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallisticianX Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 1 minute ago, tyler2you said: My 9mm recipe is a 100 grain Berry's HBRN on top of 4.2 grains of Titegroup. I have to run a 6 lb. recoil spring with this load. Very soft shooting. I forgot to mention TG, Im ashamed at myself..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickT Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Wife and I run 3.7gr N320 behind 115gr Acme coated bullets. Very soft in our 9mm 1911s with appropriate springing. N320 is "expensive", but the difference on a per cartridge basis is pretty minimal. You're likely talking polymer guns so it may also depend on the springing options available if such changes are practical. Good luck. Your efforts in coaching these young men is greatly appreciated among the shooting community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 3gr of something fast under 100gr pills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannybot Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 I loaded some XTreme 115's with 4.2 of titegroup. Actually made PF at around 128, but soft shooting from my M&P Pro CORE. I tried some lighter loads, but the didn't cycle the CORE with RMR, but did cycle regular M&P PRO. I believe the lighter load was 3.8 or 3.9 of TG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missed it by that much Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 I run 3.5 grains of titegroup from the bayou 104 coated lead bullet out of my xdm 5.25 light recoil with factory spring about 1.5 inch group at 25 yds good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbu Posted September 24, 2016 Author Share Posted September 24, 2016 On 09/21/2016 at 8:51 PM, RickT said: Wife and I run 3.7gr N320 behind 115gr Acme coated bullets. Very soft in our 9mm 1911s with appropriate springing. N320 is "expensive", but the difference on a per cartridge basis is pretty minimal. You're likely talking polymer guns so it may also depend on the springing options available if such changes are practical. Good luck. Your efforts in coaching these young men is greatly appreciated among the shooting community. ^ and young women! We have about 30% ladies on the team. Good shooters too!. Sounds like about any "fast" powder and light bullet. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullets Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 115gr xtreme 3.8 gr titegroup 1.155. Cycles everything ive tried it in. Soft shooting and accurate. If you're looking for the softest loads, you want fast powder with heavy bullets. Dont really recommend the heavy bullets for steel though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fischeac Posted September 28, 2016 Share Posted September 28, 2016 I am also looking to load up some 9mm rounds for steel challenge match this weekend. I currently load 147 gr xtreme with 3.1 gr TG for minor loads. My plan was to load 124 gr plated bullets I have with the same powder drop. Anybody else do something similar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbu Posted September 28, 2016 Author Share Posted September 28, 2016 From all the kind advice here and other research, the lightest projectile at the lowest legal speed (Over 750 fps) will give the lightest recoil. then it's a question of reliable cycling and adjusting speed for accuracy with that load. I'm going to try some 380 projectiles along with 115gr and use a fast powder...probably red dot and will start by getting the speed down around 825fps. my concern is if the kids can get lighter springs to cycle light rounds. They have glock 34, m&p pro, sig 320, xdm 5.25 and my kid runs a tanfo lim pro. getting them all light and reliable.... "challenging". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerBaron Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 I reckon a 115gn RN of some type with about 2.8-3.0gn of clays (maybe even as low as 2.5gn would work). or 3.0-3.2gn of universal would be a pretty soft but still accurate load (and I'll be trying something similar for my production 9mm steel challenge load. my open load will use a slower powder to give at least some gas to the comp. once you get much lighter than 115gn you start getting very short bullets with very short bearing surfaces and I tend to think their stability and accuracy tapers off a bit. though 90gn pills going 1200 fps are silly soft to shoot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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