Light 115g vs Heavy 147g

[Squirrel45]

What do you all think about 115s/124s vs 147s for general target and plate shooting, no power factor needed. I have been using 147s with 3.2g WST for a few years but wonder if a lighter bullet is better or worse? 

 

Thanks

Squirrel

[Sarge]

115's will feel really snappy compared to 147's. But I prefer 124/125 for 9 minor loads and general range ammo. Cheaper than 147's too.

[36873687]

I like 124/125  but 135 is damn happy middle

[lll Otto lll]

For plinking, I prefer 124gr over 147gr.....and WSF over WST. 

[Kema]

147gr is easiest for your hands with minor pistol loads. Sure you can have a nice 115gr load if PF is not an issue.

[AverageJoeShooting]

i tried 115s and 124s/5s and in competition i couldn't really tell the difference.  maybe thats because the style of match that i shoot is all about going fast and i didnt really have time to analyze how it felt. 

 

I stick with 124s/5s because they are cheap and available. I also cast my own 125s , but i have a stockpile of 115s that i will 100% load if my supplies ever get low

[Jim Watson]

No power factor
115s as slow as will cycle the slide.

 

I prefer 147s for Minor but circumstances have got me loading a lot of 124s.

[Squirrel45]

Are you guys running titegroup or e3 w the lighter bullet? Or some other powder? 

[zzt]

I run e3 in all 9mm loads not destined for Open guns.  If all you have to do is ring the plate to score, a lighter bullet lets you get back on target fastest.  105 gr bullets at sub-minor work really well.  There is virtually no muzzle lift, very little recoil.  The same can be said for 115 gr @ 950 fps or even lower.

 

If you have to make PF, then I prefer 124s to 115s.  For steel that must fall to score I prefer 147s.  Even though it would require compromises in performance, if I had to stick with only one bullet weight it would be 124/125.  Fortunately I don't have to.  I can optimize bullet weights for the six 9mm loads I require.

[Dwbsig]

I use 124 jhp in my open gun and 147 coated lead in all of the other 9mm’s. I like the heavy 147 f/p because it’s seems to work better on steel plate racks and bowling pins. 

[AHI]

No power factor.  115/124 will have less recoil loaded over your 3.2 wst.

You will probably find 124/125s will be a little more reliable knocking over 

Steel . Compared to the 115s.

 

[MemphisMechanic]

On 9/24/2020 at 7:58 PM, Sarge said:

115's will feel really snappy compared to 147's.

Only if you maintain powerfactor. He isn’t going to.

 

Ever tried a 115 on top of 3.2gr of titegroup/WST/etc? Gun might not run, but it’s hilariously soft.

 

Edited September 26, 2020 by MemphisMechanic

[Squirrel45]

I tried some 124s & 115s with 4g wst,w rifle primers. Not sure PF was to lazy to grab Chrono, but felt good and printed well. The 115s felt the best and had good accuracy. To bad I'm almost out of them

[Sarge]

6 hours ago, MemphisMechanic said:

Only if you maintain powerfactor. He isn’t going to.

 

Ever tried a 115 on top of 3.2gr of titegroup/WST/etc? Gun might not run, but it’s hilariously soft.

 

Yeah, I noticed the lack of need for PF later. I really only think in terms of competition when reloading.

[Underwood]

I've loaded them all and i prefer to use 124's in my minor, open and pcc... 

[echotango]

Same as most above.  147 feel real sluggish.  Prefer 124's. 

[Squirrel45]

That's what I'm feeling as well. Light recoil but feels like a sling shot w the 147s. Not sure if that's what I'm going for. I'm going to try some 124s when they become available

[xrrcr]

Springfield XDM 5.25 - 115 Eggs / DG - 3.0 N310 = 1000 fps

 

I think that the slingshot would have more recoil.