IPSC reloading question

Ditch Doc

Ditch Doc

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I just purchased a new Sig Pro 2022 to replace my Ruger P-89 DC for use with IPSC. As a result, I am concerned my old recipe consisting of a Montana Gold 147gr CMJ head with 3.5gr of VV won’t work and cause a return to battery issue. Since I started reloading two years ago I have not played with different configurations as I went with if it works why screw it up. So, now I have a few questions for you experts…

What are the basic contributing factors that result in muzzle flip and perceived recoil?? Is it related to the weight of the bullet, how much powder in loaded into the casing or a combination of the two???

If it is a combination of the two, does anyone know of a good recipe I can try?? I am shooting production, minor with a 9mm and would like to be as close to the minimum PF as possible. The less muzzle flip the better!! I am considering possibly going to a 115gr MG CMJ as the Fiocchi (?sp) factory ammo seems pretty smooth.
 
The general wisdom gained from standard division is heavy bullet, fast powder. Recoil is a very subjective thing. But a general sense, the faster the powder the shorter the recoil impulse, but because it is compressed into a shorter time period it will seem "sharper". A slower powder will give you a longer recoil impulse, which will make it seem "softer".

Also power factor is based on momentum, recoil is energy, that old e=mc squared. So lighter bullet needs to be driven faster but energy is a square of speed.

The other thing is with a longer recoil impulse, you are fighting the lift/recoil for a longer period before bringing the gun back down on target.
 
Recoil

Our group of shooters tried several things.

First off common sense in fact physics tells us that if there is less going out the front end there will be less coming back. So lighter bullets at a lower velocity will mean less recoil. I would try lighter bullets and then use a chrony to get the power factor.

Look at how far your brass are being thrown from the gun. 4 to 6 feet is plenty and then adjust the weight of your spring accordingly. I would think that you are ejecting more that necessary and a heavier spring should produce a benefit.

I would be interested to hear what some of the pros have to say such as Gunner!
 
aaudet said:
Our group of shooters tried several things.

First off common sense in fact physics tells us that if there is less going out the front end there will be less coming back. So lighter bullets at a lower velocity will mean less recoil. I would try lighter bullets and then use a chrony to get the power factor.
Click to expand...

Actually if all things are equal in terms of power factor, all loads will deliver exactly the same recoil energy to the operator. A 170 power factor is a 170 power factor, no matter what weight the bullet is. The difference is in the time component.

Relatively heavy bullets with faster powders tend to feel snappier because the burn takes place over a shorter duration, thus the recoil pulse will also be shorter/faster and subjectively more violent. Lighter bullets with slower powders have longer burns so the recoil "dwell" time is longer but the subjective feel is softer and less violent. It comes down to a personal choice of what kind of feel the individual prefers...the difference between "push" and "punch." Typically, newer shooters tend to prefer longer burns because the subjectively softer/less violent loads are a little more forgiving of technique inefficiencies. As shooters progress in ability (and thus recoil management skills) they tend towards faster burns because the relative increase in violence isn't as noticeable anymore, whereas the speed at which the gun completes the recoil cycle and returns to target is enhanced.

This is of course all relative.
 
aaudet said:
I would be interested to hear what some of the pros have to say such as Gunner!
Click to expand...
IPSC1 may not be a pro but he's got a national champion ring. He knows what he speaks of, and my practical experience agrees with him.

Rule of thumb is Ports = light bullet, slow powder. No ports = heavy bullet, fast powder.

I saw a poll from the US Nats in Limited a year or so back. Most popular with the pro 40 cal shooters were 200gr and tightgroup, ie. heavy and fast.
 
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Ditch Doc said:
... does anyone know of a good recipe I can try?? I am shooting production, minor with a 9mm and would like to be as close to the minimum PF as possible. The less muzzle flip the better!! I am considering possibly going to a 115gr MG CMJ as the Fiocchi (?sp) factory ammo seems pretty smooth.
Click to expand...

One of my minor loads is 3.0 grains of titegroup under a 147 MG CMJ OAL is 1.250" = PF of 128 out of my Glock 17. The load is quite dirty as is most low power loads with titegroup. I've relegated my supply of titegroup to my standard full power loads in .40 S&W, and have switched 9mm puff loads to VV N320.

Two excellent loads I have used with N320:

3.8 gr. & 124 MG CMJs
3.3 gr. & 147 MG CMJs

Obviously you'll need to tailor it to your pistol and tastes, but it should be a good starting point.

Cheers!
 
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