Try Atlanta Arms 9mm select in 124 or 147.

They are loaded to ~130 pf, what you would load by hand for USPSA (minor) or IDPA if you were loading your own.

 

Whatever ammo you buy you need to make sure you are at the 125 power factor. I would suggest using a 147gr. bullet for softer recoil, and Atlanta arms makes a good load, if you don't reload. but again...make sure it works with your gun.

 

For some reason 147 grain seems counter-intuitive.

 

It does to me too. But as a casual shooter (no competition) who shoots 5k or 6k rounds a year I find 147 to have less recoil than 115.

 

If you are using factory ammo, it will be something around 147 grains. Speed is a bigger factor than mass in the formula for generating energy, so small fast bullets kick more than big slow bullets. I would not expect a 115 gr. load to be the lightest.

The best I have ever shot is 147 Gr. Golden Sabers, but that is way too expensive for matches. The best real choice is Browning BPT

Hollow points are more accurate than FMJ, but it won't matter at IDPA ranges.

 

Had two WWB cartridges misfire a couple of Saturdays ago- in two different pistols.

 

WWB is the only ammo I ever had trouble with. The 124gr 9mm seems okay, other than that, I stay away from it.

 

I've been shooting action pistol matches for about 16 years, primarily IDPA, but an occasional USPSA or BUG match. Now that I'm 70, I've been concentrating all of my matches on using my EDC with an IWB holster at about 3:30 in order to duplicate a situation where I might need to use the weapon in a real-world confrontation (even though I usually CC AIWB in a Galco Ultimate Second Amendment). After lots of expensive experimentation, I've settled on the Glock 26 platform for my primary carry weapon. I seem to shoot it better than all other guns, even out to 25 yards in a USPSA match, and it carries well enough that I'm mostly comfortable with it unless I'm sitting for a long period of time.

For some reason, my local home-based FFL dealer rolled the dice about five years ago and agreed to sponsor me in my matches with free match ammo. (I wear his logo on my vest and long-sleeved t-shirt.) Throughout the years of experimenting, I've typically landed about in the middle or just below in the overall standings. I partially attribute that to my poor vision, swapping guns, and a lack of practice between matches.

Now that the winter season is looming, I'm wondering if I shouldn't make one final effort to improve my standings in the matches, break down and buy a 1,000-round brick of 9mm ammo (or split the cost with my sponsor) and take the time to practice more and stick with one of my two G26s in the matches. All of this would be in preparation for the state match in March, 2022.

I've shot lots of different brands and weights of ammo, but wondering if the Winchester 115-grain white box isn't the softest load to shoot for controlled recoil and faster double taps.

Suggestions? (P.S. - Price IS a factor.)

ShootersCalculator.com | Recoil Calculator

An online calculator that calculates the recoil energy, impulse, and velocity of a firearm according to the firearm's weight, powder charge, bullet weight, and bullet muzzle velocity.

shooterscalculator.com

 

WWB is at or near the top I would say. Years ago I had some boxes of UMC and was shocked at how bunny farty they were. Not sure that is even available these days.

Most steel cased Russian stuff is weak too.

 

Assuming I shoot it in the sanctioned state match, I'll have to make the power factor. One of my old shooting buddies who's shot in a lot of sanctioned matches feels the 115 and 124 grain bullets are a better bet to make the PF.

 

Then he isn't that smart.

The whole point is, power factor is mass x velocity, while the muzzle energy/recoil energy is mass x velocity(squared). That means the higher the bullet weight, the slower you can go while still making the power factor and the lower the recoil energy. There is literally no validity whatsoever to the idea that you can better make the power factor with a light-recoiling load by using a lighter bullet. It's basic science, not a debated opinion. Isaac Newton could have explained this to you in 1687.

9mm Ballistics Chart | Ballistics 101

 

147's shoot softer than 115's for the same power floor. And any bullet weight from 115 to 160 will make the power floor if it's loaded correctly. Course you have to chrono to know. Saying that 115 and 124's are better makes no sense. There is no "better" there is only loading correctly to make the power floor.

 

Federal Champion was softer recoiling than other FMJ at Walmart.

 

Felt or perceived recoil is not the same as chrono data. The same ammo will feel softer in a G17L than in a G26 because of the weight and grip surface area. You have to measure it to know the power floor.

 

Recoil is a momentum calculation, not an energy calculation. Energy ( (M*V^2) / 2 ) has nothing to do with the discussion.

From one of my posts quite sometime ago ......

Try it for yourself: http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp

Let's compare a 115 gr and 147 gr both making 125 PF (with all other things being equal) ......

See, same free recoil.
(But not the same projectile energy - 115 gr @ 302 Ft Lb and 147 gr @ 236 Ft Lbs)

Now let's look at a load where the powder weight changes that should be pretty close to an actual load ......

As noted, the additional weight of powder changes the free recoil by 0.11 Ft Lbs. But how much is that really?

Let's say you have your 1# gun with [1] the 115 gr load being fired and five (5) rounds in the magazine and [2] the 147 gr load being fired and one (1) round in the magazine. How does free recoil compare ......

The gun with four (4) additional 115 gr rounds in the magazine (that had more free recoil before, by 0.11 ft lbs) now has less free recoil. I don't know anyone who says - the recoil on my gun is not so bad when it has a full magazine - but the last few shots really kick my *** on recoil.

It is a conservation of momentum calculation.

From Wiki:

"Recoil (often called knockback, kickback or simply kick) is the backward movement of a gun when it is discharged. In technical terms, the recoil momentum acquired by the gun exactly balances the forward momentum of the projectile and exhaust gases (ejecta), according to Newton's third law, known as conservation of momentum. In hand-held small arms, the recoil momentum is transferred to the ground through the body of the shooter; while in heavier guns such as mounted machine guns or cannons, recoil momentum is transferred to the ground through the mount."​

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Bullet weight is only half the equation. The velocity it's loaded to will tell you how bad the recoil will be.

Also, you need to better define the problem. If you're shooting IDPA BUG, the power factor floor is only 95. If you're shooting any of the other IDPA divisions the G26 can shoot, you need to be at or above 125.

Lightest perceived recoil will come from heavy bullets and fast powder loaded to the required PF, though IME, the powder is less of a factor, and in reality, you want it loaded a bit above the PF floor so you have some margin for safety and don't have to worry about not making PF and getting DQ'd for that.

Just buying 147gr ammo does you no good if it's loaded to 1050fps.

124gr loaded to 1050fps (130PF) is noticeably softer shooting than typical 115gr factory ammo.
147gr loaded to 885fps (130PF) will make you wonder if you just had a squib the first time you shoot one.

Also, it sounds like you're not a reloader and if not, you likely don't have your own chronograph. You can't take the manufacturer's word for velocity. They may state a particular load does 1000fps, but through what gun? Odds are, its something with a longer barrel than your G26, and you're going to get less FPS from that ammo in your gun. Some of my lighter loads that are fine from a G34, don't make SSP PF in my G26, but are still well above the BUG PF from my G26.

 

For some reason minor power factor loads with 147s are not fully reliable in Glock 17 and 34. I know three people who have tried them and gone to 115 or 124.
I don't know about a G26 but can say my G43 functions with lighter loads than the bigger guns.

 

They will run fine with a 13# spring. If they don’t, then there some other problem. Although, my 17 has run fine with a stock spring with PD 147 FMJ and titegroup @ 130-132 pf.

 

Well, most of our locals run 147's in G17's and G34's without issues. If they don't function at the minor floor there is another problem.

 

Your recoil spring has to be matched to your ammo. The stock spring works with factory ammo, but most people try to use light loads in Glocks with the stock recoil spring. I imagine that is even more common with the new recoil spring systems replacements being even less common. I can get a replacement recoil spring for a 1911 anywhere and I probably have 20 of them in my parts box, but Glocks are less common and people usually replace the whole guide rod with them.

 

A lot of competition shooters will use Federal Syntech ammo if they don't reload. While they make multiple different loads for different caliber, this one is tailored for match shooting and to make the 125 power factor. But since you are using a shorter barrel it might not make it.

Also depending on where you are shooting (Cold weather) some powder is temp sensitive and will also affect your velocity.

 

Of the three cases I cited, one is a very experienced Glocker and I have no doubt he was changing recoil springs. One was not research minded enough to do the match, just changed bullets.
The third is is a novice I eventually I caught on and gave a 13 lb spring to for better reliability WHO.

 

Thanks to you all for the education.

Obviously, I qualify as a novice in these matters, especially regarding spring weights related to 1911s, which I'm vaguely familiar with because I carried them as issued weapons from the armory while in the U.S. Army (1970-71) serving as an MP sentry dog handler.

Bottom line: I think I'll try shooting the 147-grain loads in practice and matches. My ambition is to make a sincere effort to improve my performance over the next six months, culminating in the state sanctioned match. I recently learned that my sponsor has (once again) been diagnosed with cancer and I want to make a better effort on his behalf ... beyond my usual shooting just once a month in matches. I might even actually practice (gasp!) at the local gravel pit. My weak hand and strong hand skills are pretty abysmal.

If anyone has any final thoughts, or wants to discourage my course of action, please enunciate your position in simple terms so I can proceed with a bulk ammo purchase and get on with my strategy.

 

Best thing you can do is take shooting lessons from an IDPA Master before the state match and get in at least 2-3 matches a month.

 

I've been shooting action pistol matches for about 16 years, primarily IDPA, but an occasional USPSA or BUG match. Now that I'm 70, I've been concentrating all of my matches on using my EDC with an IWB holster at about 3:30 in order to duplicate a situation where I might need to use the weapon in a real-world confrontation (even though I usually CC AIWB in a Galco Ultimate Second Amendment). After lots of expensive experimentation, I've settled on the Glock 26 platform for my primary carry weapon. I seem to shoot it better than all other guns, even out to 25 yards in a USPSA match, and it carries well enough that I'm mostly comfortable with it unless I'm sitting for a long period of time.

For some reason, my local home-based FFL dealer rolled the dice about five years ago and agreed to sponsor me in my matches with free match ammo. (I wear his logo on my vest and long-sleeved t-shirt.) Throughout the years of experimenting, I've typically landed about in the middle or just below in the overall standings. I partially attribute that to my poor vision, swapping guns, and a lack of practice between matches.

Now that the winter season is looming, I'm wondering if I shouldn't make one final effort to improve my standings in the matches, break down and buy a 1,000-round brick of 9mm ammo (or split the cost with my sponsor) and take the time to practice more and stick with one of my two G26s in the matches. All of this would be in preparation for the state match in March, 2022.

I've shot lots of different brands and weights of ammo, but wondering if the Winchester 115-grain white box isn't the softest load to shoot for controlled recoil and faster double taps.

Suggestions? (P.S. - Price IS a factor.)

I shoot MA/bug in idpa. I find softest in my g26 is 147gr loaded to 120pf. If looking at a soft factory load, Freedom 147 is pretty soft. Also a 160gr loaded to 120pf is stupid soft. I shoot my g26 as well as any gun i own, which is why its also my primary ccw.
Also felt recoil takes into account blast & torque. Fast light bullets are loud & offer more rotational torque. Why i feel light/fast are snappy compared to heavy/slow loads.

 

Are there actual choices again that answer this question? It's pretty much you buy what you can find on the shelf somewhere these days, no?

 

If you’re buying ammo, at least you can know what to look for / avoid. If, like me, you reload, as long as you have powder and primers, there are all sorts of choices.
I’ve settled on 135-138gr for 9mm. Each loaded to about 130pf, it’s nearly as soft as 147, and the bullets tend to be a bit cheaper and maybe not quite as brass selective as 147 and heavier bullets.

 

Now you have me nervous. My sponsor and I struck an agreement on 1,000 rounds of WWB 115 grain. I chipped in $185 and bought the lot. Not sure what he paid, but I'm guessing he made his contribution. He also provided me with 200 rounds of 147 grain ball ammo. So, perhaps I should shoot the club matches with 115 and save the 147 for the sanctioned match in March? Will the POI change enough to make a difference in an IDPA match?

Or, should I see if I can get someone to chrono the 115s soon (like at the next match) to make certain they will meet the power floor?

 

If running bug, wont matter, 95pf is pretty low bar.

 

If your gun is zeroed for 115's, the 147's will shoot higher by about 1.5" at 20 yards. Not enough to make a difference. If your 115's don't make the floor, oh well.

 

fred - I'll be in the CCP division with a Glock 26 (either Gen 4 or 5). I am shooting an IDPA match on Saturday and hoping one of my shooting buddies will provide a chronograph to test the ammo afterwards. Sorry to say I won't be joining you for the CA match, but I'm registered for the AZ state championship in March and I doubt I'll get the spousal unit's approval for another match that far from home.

 

I'll be their in March working the match. Make sure we connect.

 

Yesterday's match went better than expected. I placed in the top half of all shooters, including those in SSP, ESP, CDP and PCC. Only one other CCP shooter placed better (by 4 points), so I'm a happy camper. I was shooting the WWB 115-grain rounds and they felt fine in terms of recoil and double taps. I was one of a few Distinguished Seniors, with one other man celebrating his 82nd birthday yesterday. Needless to say, he's an experienced shooter and very accurate, just moves a bit slower than the young guns.

After the match, my buddy ran the loads through his chronograph and they landed right about 1,200 fps, which is plenty of margin for the power floor.

I think a couple things helped me move up from previous matches: first was the fact that I painted my front sight around the tritium with a base coat of white finger nail polish, followed by a neon orange final coat. It was delicate work, but it turned out OK. (If I had to do it over, I'd drip some candle wax on the tritium and paint the entire surface and remove the wax after it dried).

Second, I really concentrated on a crush grip with my left hand and tried (tried!) to feel for the trigger reset on longer shots. As in the past, my misses were mostly low and left, so I adjusted my aim high and right. That helped, but I realize I'll need to practice more with my trigger press and focus on making trigger contact with the pad of my trigger finger.

As it stands now, I'm greatly encouraged and think I have a good chance of placing well in the state championship match. My next match I'll switch to the Gen 4.26 after removing the ReCover Tactical rail adapter and Olight. I plan to alternate between the two and settle on the state match gun within a couple of months; meanwhile, I'm verifying reliability and POI with two relatively new guns.

Life is good.