Cuz Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 I’m a bit confused reading this. What makes one powder “softer” than another? Is it burn rate? I understand heavier Bullets feel softer, but assuming the same bullet across the board, and the same achieved velocity/PF, how can a different powder make a noticeable difference. They all have to get the bullet to the desired velocity in a very short amount of time. Wouldn’t it be better to just reduce the powder charge even if that means going sub-minor for a while to build up skills/confidence and then increasing the charge slightly over time? Forgive my ignorance here as I basically only shoot TiteGroup and my only experimentation has been to vary the charge, or OAL. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigarmsp226 Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 (edited) On 4/8/2021 at 8:26 AM, AHI said: reduce your powder charge. Could not have said it better so I will not try…. We (Ms. Sigarmsp226) and I shoot 3.5grs of 231 under our 124 grain 9mm bullets (FMJ and now JHP’s) because of what AHI said - this is the lightest load that I found that works 100% of the time in all of the 9mm weapons (pistols and PPC’s)….We are in our 60’s so we have no reason to sling lead down range at any higher rate of speed than is required and I do not shoot in matches that require minimum power factors. We both shoot steel challenge and I shoot local IDPA matches….and the rest is mainly paper hole punching fun….. Is my load a soft shooting load - Dang Straight - and it saves me powder with every trigger pull and we all know that right now that is a very good thing……Mark Edited July 7, 2021 by Sigarmsp226 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 Sometimes it is that simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddc Posted July 7, 2021 Share Posted July 7, 2021 7 hours ago, Cuz said: I’m a bit confused reading this. What makes one powder “softer” than another? Is it burn rate? I understand heavier Bullets feel softer, but assuming the same bullet across the board, and the same achieved velocity/PF, how can a different powder make a noticeable difference. They all have to get the bullet to the desired velocity in a very short amount of time. Wouldn’t it be better to just reduce the powder charge even if that means going sub-minor for a while to build up skills/confidence and then increasing the charge slightly over time? Forgive my ignorance here as I basically only shoot TiteGroup and my only experimentation has been to vary the charge, or OAL. Thanks. You are correct. A given bullet loaded to a particular velocity with powder A is going to feel very similar and perhaps identical to that same bullet loaded to the same velocity with powder B. Especially to new shooters or someone who is recoil sensitive. Can there be subtle changes that experienced shooters can detect when changing powders? Sure. But the difference is going to be fairly insignificant when compared to just downloading the powder charge. Momentum is conserved no matter how hard we try to ignore that fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afish4570 Posted August 4, 2021 Share Posted August 4, 2021 I have an 8 # Green Dot to use for 135 gr cast for 9mm IDPA loads and 163 gr cast RNFP for 38 spec. IDPA. Not much info on competition for loads with this powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcrunner Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 On 7/7/2021 at 11:34 AM, extremist said: Purple Plate Buster 125TC where can I find these? some searching turns up an instagram picrue of some cool purple projectiles. but nowhere to buy them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcrunner Posted October 26, 2022 Share Posted October 26, 2022 (edited) doublepost Edited October 26, 2022 by Arcrunner double post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extremist Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 On 10/25/2022 at 9:33 PM, Arcrunner said: where can I find these? some searching turns up an instagram picrue of some cool purple projectiles. but nowhere to buy them Well I bought them at Doubletap a couple of years ago. He was from Oklahoma but they may be out of business. Here's the info I have but website not responding: NBReloading.com or call 760-549-3343 Ask for Bryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigboy69 Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 (edited) I tried some clean shot with 135g blue bullets and I remember they were really soft feeling. I don't have the load data in front of me. Edited October 27, 2022 by bigboy69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdawgbeav Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 On 10/25/2022 at 10:33 PM, Arcrunner said: where can I find these? some searching turns up an instagram picrue of some cool purple projectiles. but nowhere to buy them If you are looking for purple then you could try here: https://www.kingshooters.com/pc-bullets-/80-9mm-3014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinister4 Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 N320 for me, pcc or handgun n310 for my super light revolver steel loads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cperazza Posted October 29, 2022 Share Posted October 29, 2022 Agree N320 load has been pretty soft. Brass: 9mm range brass. - Wet pin tumbled. - Mostly FC/blazer headstamps. Powder: N320 3.7 grains Bullets: Pd 124 v1 jhp OAL: 1.100" Velocity : - 1,060 fps average across two carbines with 16 inch barrels - TACCOM 5.5 inch barrel, it was 1,010 avg. - 977 fps in Sig X5 P320 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohsevenflhx Posted November 11, 2022 Share Posted November 11, 2022 (edited) I use 3.8gr of Alliant American Select with 124 RMR Match bullets. Very accurate and soft. 135 PF out of Walther SF. I keep several powders for different calibers but non are as accurate or soft as American Select. Edited November 11, 2022 by ohsevenflhx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mSNACKS Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 In my experience Most full size guns can get away with 3-3.1 gr N320 with 147 coated bullet for a very soft shooting load Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirt222 Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 if you are a mid C in uspsa or MM in idpa this is a great load. N320 3.0 oal 1.145 bullet extreame 165. in a x5 it chronos 790 to 800fps and can snowman at 10yrds.. VihtaVuori has load data for this bullet. anyone shooting high C or SS will be ready for a 147 or 135. When you can outrun your trigger reset it is time to look at cycle speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterpuc Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 My favorite is 147 with VV N320 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 On 11/11/2022 at 6:23 AM, ohsevenflhx said: I use 3.8gr of Alliant American Select with 124 RMR Match bullets. Very accurate and soft. 135 PF out of Walther SF. I keep several powders for different calibers but non are as accurate or soft as American Select. 3.2g American Select with a 147g Blue bullet works well too. Low es and 133 PF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chgofirefighter Posted November 18, 2022 Share Posted November 18, 2022 Everyones perception of recoil impulse is different, so asking whats the "softest" powder is extremely subjective.. You need to do the work yourself and experiment different powders. Some swear by N320, WST, Clean Shot, and the list goes on... You'll need to become a mad scientist in this game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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