MingTyhMaa Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 I was planning to create a ladder of light 9mm loads using 115g bullets with CFE pistol to see how light I could make it and still have it cycle my wife's M&P shield reliably. Then test it, then make several hundred for an upcoming trip to BLM land in Las Vegas for my wife to practice with. This is her introduction to 9mm. Alas my range trips have been rained out so I'll have to just pick one and make them. CCI Small Pistol Primer 115g Hodgdon CFE Pistol Your avg measured velocity PF Avg 4.5 839 96 4.6 869 100 4.7 899 103 4.8 929 107 4.9 959 110 5 954 110 5.1 976 112 5.2 1047 120 5.3 1054 121 5.4 1075 124 5.5 1095 126 5.6 1115 128 5.7 1180 136 The velocity measurements from 4.5-4.8 grains of power are extrapolated. 4.9-5.7 is what I've tested before with a 4 in barrel. The Shield of course is a 3 in barrel. Which load would you choose to make and why? Again the theory is start her on the lightest load that will reliably cycle her M&P shield, get her practicing, and go up slowly on the powder load over time until it's close to the defensive round we choose to keep in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanb Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Why not shoot 147 subs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnipTheDog Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 115's usually feel kinda snappy. 147's feel like bunny farts. If you want her to enjoy shooting, then I'd agree with @Nathanb and start with something heavier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yeti Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Not thinking you will get proper ejection with 115gr with much <5.0gr CFE using factory recoil springs. Maybe test 4.8gr, 5.0gr and 5.2gr and see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrayfk05 Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 115 will only feel snappy if you try to make powerfactor, and only than will 147s feel like they have less recoil. If you do not have to make PF a lighter bullet will have less recoil than a heavier bullet. You will have to test what works reliable like Yeti says. I would use a faster burning powder for things like his though, N320/Titegroup/Clean shot/Bullseye etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MingTyhMaa Posted January 14, 2023 Author Share Posted January 14, 2023 13 minutes ago, SnipTheDog said: 115's usually feel kinda snappy. 147's feel like bunny farts. If you want her to enjoy shooting, then I'd agree with @Nathanb and start with something heavier. In my search for lighter defensive rounds I found Sigs 115g V-crown JHP designed for micro pistols, 1050 fps Hornady Critical Defense LIte 100g JHP at 1125 fps So I was wondering if there was a reason they were using a lighter bullet, so I thought I would move forward with 115g bullets. Plus I bought a lot of 115g bullets lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MingTyhMaa Posted January 14, 2023 Author Share Posted January 14, 2023 8 minutes ago, Yeti said: Not thinking you will get proper ejection with 115gr with much <5.0gr CFE using factory recoil springs. Maybe test 4.8gr, 5.0gr and 5.2gr and see. Ok 1 vote for 4.8gr and higher with CFE Pistol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteelCityShooter Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 7 hours ago, xrayfk05 said: I would use a faster burning powder for things like his though, N320/Titegroup/Clean shot/Bullseye etc. +1 Faster powders will use lower charges for the same bullet velocity and have lower recoil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 I’ll go with Sport Pistol, N320 or titegroup instead of the CFE pistol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 8 hours ago, MingTyhMaa said: So I was wondering if there was a reason they were using a lighter bullet, so I thought I would move forward with 115g bullets. Plus I bought a lot of 115g bullets lol. If you are looking for lighter recoil with the same terminal ballistics, look at something like the Black Hills Honey badger 9mm ammo. It is especially effective as a 60gr .380 round. If you are not looking for really reduced recoil, try the HST standard velocity. It outperforms the two you mentioned in clear ballistic gel and through four layers of denim in front of the gel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJH Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Softest 9 I ever loaded was some 90 or 95 grain 380 bullets over enough titegroup to get the gun to cycle. I can't remember the charge though. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfwmiket Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 3.8g of Titegroup loaded to 1.135 OAL w/ a 115g copper Berry's bullet is super soft shooting and very affordable to load. -Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpm8300 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 135 Blues with Titegroup or equiv powder may work; TG or N320 is a great balance of bullet weight and burn rate. They definitely feel different than 147s with fast powder but will generate enough energy to reliably work the Shield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoRecon Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 I tried this concept with 105, 115 and 124 grain. Light charges up to full power in a P365x. She ended up shooting the full power 124s the best and said she liked them as well. I thought sure she would shoot the soft loads better but she didn't. Fired 800 rounds so far and getting better with each session. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CZ85Combat Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 CFE powder is a slow burning powder. With a 3" barrel most of the powder will be burning outside of the barrel. For supper soft loads you need a fast burning powder with a small powder charge! You will need a load with about 105pf-115pf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster mcbee Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 I'd go with 4.9-5.0, to get the velocity closer to 1000 fps. That should cycle a Shield reliably. My Shield has run on some pretty light loads, but I've never tried CFE in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MingTyhMaa Posted January 25, 2023 Author Share Posted January 25, 2023 Copy, yes I made 4.7-5 for testing. I suspect I'll just end up at 5 gns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 No matter how lite there are better ways to train her,,, try a shock collar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 43 minutes ago, Joe4d said: No matter how lite there are better ways to train her,,, try a shock collar. Dude! How about a little heads up next time. I spit pop all over the loading bench! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer Posted January 25, 2023 Share Posted January 25, 2023 (edited) 6 hours ago, Joe4d said: No matter how lite there are better ways to train her,,, try a shock collar. Best to make sure her mag’s empty before pushing that button. Edited January 25, 2023 by Farmer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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