Pistol bullet weight recommendations

[fightinghamster]

I’ve got a bunch of handguns I reload for 380acp,38s&w,9mm,40s&w, and 45acp
I’m pretty set on weights for the 380 and 38 but I’m looking for recommendations for the other 3, I’ve shot 230gr round nose in 45 and I’m kinda leaning towards that, I like round nose in 9mm and TC in 40, I’ve shot both 115 and 124 gr in 9mm and personally I can’t tell a difference, I’ve shot everything from 155-180gr in the 40 and same thing, I can’t tell a difference

Basically I only reload because it’s easier/cheaper to get shipped here than live ammo so I’m only reloading standard factory/bulk style loads I’m not shooting for long distance accuracy or defensive and I need some bullet weight recommendations with that in mind, think nato/military standard, any recommendations are much appreciated, I like hearing what other peoples experiences are

 

[OldDude]

One thing I've noticed about the 9mm, 40 s&w and 45 ACP is that the lighter bullets tend to have recoil with a bit more "flip" , and the heavier bullets tend to push back more than flip the muzzle up.

If you've fired factory ammo that you like, just go with that weight. Otherwise, the frugal side of me would just go with the cheapest cost per round, since heavier bullets typically take less powder (in a given caliber).

Just my $0.02.....

 

[Butcherbill]

If you don’t really notice much difference between bullet weights in the three I’d buy what the cheapest weights are, personally I like 124gr 9mm, 230gr .45acp, 180gr .40/10mm bullets the best. I have a sac of 165gr .40/10mm that I like as well, zippy flat shooting with not much felt recoil. I’m shooting 10mm and not .40

 

[fightinghamster]

One thing I've noticed about the 9mm, 40 s&w and 45 ACP is that the lighter bullets tend to have recoil with a bit more "flip" , and the heavier bullets tend to push back more than flip the muzzle up.

If you've fired factory ammo that you like, just go with that weight. Otherwise, the frugal side of me would just go with the cheapest cost per round, since heavier bullets typically take less powder (in a given caliber).

Just my $0.02.....

Thanks for the info, the amount of powder difference between the weights is so minimal I’ll probably just use whatever’s on sale

 

[fightinghamster]

If you don’t really notice much difference between bullet weights in the three I’d buy what the cheapest weights are, personally I like 124gr 9mm, 230gr .45acp, 180gr .40/10mm bullets the best. I have a sac of 165gr .40/10mm that I like as well, zippy flat shooting with not much felt recoil. I’m shooting 10mm and not .40

Thanks for the info I’m thinking I’ll also go 124 in 9mm as it seems to be the most common and therefore easier to get and a toss up between 165 and 180 in the 40, also because of ease to get

 

[Meroh]

I’ve got a bunch of handguns I reload for 380acp,38s&w,9mm,40s&w, and 45acp
I’m pretty set on weights for the 380 and 38 but I’m looking for recommendations for the other 3, I’ve shot 230gr round nose in 45 and I’m kinda leaning towards that, I like round nose in 9mm and TC in 40, I’ve shot both 115 and 124 gr in 9mm and personally I can’t tell a difference, I’ve shot everything from 155-180gr in the 40 and same thing, I can’t tell a difference

Basically I only reload because it’s easier/cheaper to get shipped here than live ammo so I’m only reloading standard factory/bulk style loads I’m not shooting for long distance accuracy or defensive and I need some bullet weight recommendations with that in mind, think nato/military standard, any recommendations are much appreciated, I like hearing what other peoples experiences are

It depends on what you are doing with the particular pistol. I don't shoot a lot of bulls eye, but do shoot PPC and IDPA. I no longer have a .40 but when I did, it was a new manufacture Jericho, and it did not care what I loaded for it, it shot it all well and was heavy enough that recoil was not an issue.

In 9mm I have been using Campro 115 gr HP Copper Plate. Available, economical, Canadian made. They are very accurate out of my NZ 85 (CZ clone) recoil is minimal which helps with quick follow-ups, double taps and target acquisition. They also cut a very clean hole for scoring.

In my 1911 I have tried lots of bullets and have settled on DRG 200gr Semi Wad Cutters (Canadian Made also). Again, recoil is manageable for action style shooting. They run perfectly, and they give really nice big clean holes in the targets.

Just a note to those who shoot .38 Special, I use DRG 158 gr Round Nose Flat Point. These shoot very accurately in my GP100, and are a dream to load with speed loaders.

 

[Meroh]

One thing I've noticed about the 9mm, 40 s&w and 45 ACP is that the lighter bullets tend to have recoil with a bit more "flip" , and the heavier bullets tend to push back more than flip the muzzle up.

If you've fired factory ammo that you like, just go with that weight. Otherwise, the frugal side of me would just go with the cheapest cost per round, since heavier bullets typically take less powder (in a given caliber).

Just my $0.02.....

Agreed. I load mine down to minimize the flip; my light bullets are running a heavy bullet speeds. Just enough powder to function the actions reliably.

 

[jethunter]

I like 200gr in .45, 115 in 9mm. But it doesn't make much difference for my shooting at paper.