Starting Load for 147gr Zero FMJ

[hlpressley]

Looking for a good soft shooting load for my M&P Pro 5" 9mm. I have recently purchased a new Dillon 550B and have been loading 3.9gr of Win 231 under a Zero 147gr FMJ. This load shoots great but I really think I could soften the shot a little.

Advice and or suggestions are very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Edited December 11, 2012 by hlpressley

[AlamoShooter]

I am useing 4.6 of Hodgdon Universal with the 149 MG I don't know how - soft - it is but the recovery time / accuracy is good for me.

its in 38 super comp

[Jim Watson]

Since I am loading a scant 3.8 gr of HP38 (checked charges weigh either 3.7 or 3.8, so maybe we could call it 3.75) with 147 gr Berry's, I cannot offer much help on a softer load.

[hlpressley]

Maybe I should rephrase what I am looking for a bit better. I am just looking for a decent starting load for competitive shooting so the main concern after normal accuracy would be to reduce the recovery time and muzzle flip. With that said I am open to any load using any powder, primer, or bullet. This is all new to me so I am not "married" to any certain brand etc.

Thanks again for the help.

[hlpressley]

My very humble start...

[Hi-Power Jack]

Harold, I use WW231 also, but use only 3.6 gr with a 147 grain MG

at 1.13" - makes 130 pf.

It's a pretty soft load.

I'd chrono that 3.9 gr load of yours - probably making 140 pf.

You should try some 124 gr bullets, also - some people prefer the

lighter bullets.

[gng4life]

Im using 3.5 N320 with a Zero 147 jhp, great minor load.

[Trident]

Without starting a "discussion" I have found the best powder on all accounts for 9mm minor is VV N320. For 147 BB plated & MG 147g I use 3.6 - 3.8g, for 124g MG 4.3g, MP9 Pro. Soft, clean and accurate with 5 all touching at 20 yards.

[Lowleft]

I use VV N320 and Tite group with Xtreme 147 plated bullets. I prefer the VV N320 it is noticeably softer and has less of a pop than tite group.The tite group is a little dirtier but not any worse than the Federal and WWB is used to shoot.

The VV does cost more but to me it's worth it.

[GOF]

3.4 grains WSF works very well for me with 147 bullets, although your 231 load isn't that far off from the recoil aspect. I have played with 3.5 231, but you're not talking a big difference in recoil.

[LtDave]

3.9 grains of AutoComp, 4.0 grains of WSF or 4.9 grains of AA#5 have all shot very well. The AutoComp load may not make Minor.

[FLSlim]

I'm a WSF fan for the 147 gr and find about 3.6 gr to be an extremely soft shooting load. The great thing about reloading is you can experiment and see what works best for you.

[Chef J]

3.2 grains of Titegroup w/ Zero 147 JHP gives me 130-135 PF @ 1.10 OAL. Pretty soft as well

[lablover]

3.2 grains of Titegroup w/ Zero 147 JHP gives me 130-135 PF @ 1.10 OAL. Pretty soft as well

3.3 Titegroup makes it for me with a MG 147

[hlpressley]

Thanks a ton guys. Your help is greatly appreciated.

[je4134]

I use VV N320 and Tite group with Xtreme 147 plated bullets. I prefer the VV N320 it is noticeably softer and has less of a pop than tite group.The tite group is a little dirtier but not any worse than the Federal and WWB is used to shoot.

The VV does cost more but to me it's worth it.

Lowleft,

How many grains are you using and OAL??

[Lowleft]

I am using 3.4 vvn320 and 3.2 tite group. My OAL is 1.55 + - .003. Out of a glock 34 the n320 chronos at low of around 900 fps and a high of around 950 which keeps me safely above the pf. If I go down just .1 grain my lowest gets down around 860 fps. Which is a little too close for me and I can't tell much difference in the recoil.

[judgecrater]

I am using both Lane and Bear Creek 147gr in 9mm with 3.2 gr Unversal with great success. Your main problem as I see it is your loading bench needs more clutter. Seems too neat to me.