ANOTHER ammo question

[transalpian]

OK, I've read that GoldDots and/or SilverTips are the most popular carry round and that WWB is a good practice round.

I see that people oscilate between 115gr and 124gr weights (specifically in the GoldDots).  Expansion vs penetration is the classic arguement.

But in my corner of the universe, all I can find are 147gr GoldDots.

Are these a no-no in the R9?  I understand they will be a slower round, with the potential for less expansion than the 115gr.

But, locally, they are what I can find.  I'm used to 45acp so heavy and slow doesn't really bother me.  Reliable function and accuracy do.

What sayeth the board?

[Richard S]

transalpian:

If I have not already welcomed you to the Forum, permit me to do so now.

I believe that I am one of the few around here who uses a 147-grain load in my R9. I prefer the Remington Golden Saber BJHP. It is a standard-pressure round. Speer also offers a standard-pressure 147-grain Gold Dot cartridge. While I haven't tried it in my own R9, I see no reason why it would not serve you well. I would give it a try. If you do, please let us know the results.

Good luck, and again, welcome aboard.  

[transalpian]

Thanks for the welcome!

I will let the board know how it goes with the 147grs as that was my only choice (locally) for the GoldDots.

I should pick up my pup later this week.  I already have a holster on order from Jim and a take-down tool is coming from IDM.

Seems like I'm set?  Any other recommendations?

I'm excited to run this little gun.  If the action is as smooth as advertised, it should be just the ticket.  My only concern is that I really like to shoot.  An outing for me is ususally 200-300 rounds 45acp, another 200-300 rounds .22LR, and a box or two of .38spc just for good measure.  I need to re-train myself that the R9 is a carry gun, and not try to run a case of 9mm in an outing!

Thanks for all the help and the welcome to your campfire.

'alp

[Slick]

Alp,

I typically shoot the same number of rounds, but can honestly say, I doubt you'll be doing it with the R9.  Plan on shooting it last, if you do.  I only did 150 in my R9 and another 150-200 in my Colt Pocket Nine and that was the first time I've ever experienced the point where I had enough.  I also shot a fair amount through my Seecamp LWS32.

The good news was that except for 2 light primer strikes in the R9 with Magtech FMJ (cheap ammo), it took Hornady XTP, WWB, and Silvertips without an issue.  The Slivertips gave me the best accuracy, but I will be spending more time evaluating ammo and comparing the 2.  Takedown was rather simple for the R9 and you will get a feel for craftsmanship when you break it down.

JD

[Richard S]

As for any other recommendations, just give the R9 time to cool down a bit after strings of fire. Being one of the smallest and lightest pistols yet produced for the 9mm Luger cartridge, it is built to extremely close tolerances. Also, I would recommend that you make sure it is kept clean and well lubricated.  Everyone has their own preferences in "clean-and-lube" products. I use Ballistol with a touch of SuperLube on the slide/frame interface for my early-edition R9 (No. 132). You've probably already checked out  Chris's FAQ sheet, but if not here is a link which may be of interest:

http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/rohrbaugh/basefile/r9-lube.htm

Good luck!

[Benjamin]

Has anyone tried birdshot in the R9? If so how did it perform?

Benjamin

[WatchTimes]

I have never seen snake shot in 9 mm only 38, 357, 44 and of course 22.

Why would you want to shoot it out of an R9?

If you are using it for self defense there is NO reason to use bird shot, snake shot or any of that.  Even when used in pistols they are meant for a longer barrel.  

If you are talking about for carrying while hiking in the woods, there are many better choices of guns for the woods.  The R9 is a GREAT self defense pistol for close range its not a woods gun or a camping gun.

[Benjamin]

Thanks for your reply. I thought I saw  9mm bird shot  in a gun store in Hiawassee, Ga. Thought about one or two of these followed by  old reliable Silver tips to be carried while hiking. The former for snakes and vermin; the latter for larger beasts.
Benjamin

[riffraff]

Groan,

Yes, I believe I remember seeing 9mm ratshot rounds before.

Please keep in mind that these rounds will NOT reliably cycle the action of a semi-auto.

Mike

[WatchTimes]

For hiking, camping and playing in the woods you can't beat a nice .357 or .44 revolver.....

I would not use any 9 mm in the woods to defend myself let along a Rohrbaugh (unless I had nothing else), its a GREAT small pistol for close range self defense against people.  The 9 mm is not what you really want for a hunting round...

I really wouldn't want to come up against one of the Georgia hogs with a 9 mm thats for sure!  

[Benjamin]

Great advise. Didn't think about the recycling issue.

Benjamin

[Bill]

I've killed 2 copperheads with my Rohrbaugh, carry it ALL the time in  my pocket. Shot both snakes in the head (got off the tractor to do so). 1st snake, wasn't dead, just shot in one side of the head, so , I shot it agin. I couldn't belive I hit it both times in the head-that's where I'd aimed. the second one was a one shot deal. Got the skins on my hat band and 1 for a wrist band. I've got a personal issue with copperheads as i've been bitten by one.

I can understand the shotload question-it's hard to hit a snake when you are sitting on a diesel tractor. Damn thing shakes too much to hit a snake with a bullet, the shot loads take a lot of iffey stuff out of the picture.

bill

[Benjamin]

Bill, Let me get this straight; you did use a shot shell? If so, what brand and exact name of the round did you use? Any cycling issues?

Thanks,  Benjamin

[Richard S]

Bill:

Your story reminded me of a friend of mine who has a mountain cabin not far from ours.  One afternoon we suddenly heard the sound of six shots ring out in rapid succession from the direction of his cabin.  Later that day, he proudly brought up the carcass of a rattlesnake with a bullet hole through its head.  When I asked if that one snake explained the six shots I had heard earlier, he just grinned and said, "Yeah, and it took a steady hand to put all six through the same hole."    

[Bill]

Nope, just used the 9mm hp I normally carry. I could believe I'd hit  the snake on the 1st shot. It wasn't dead, just had a missing part of it's head. So, I took my time again and hit the second time also. Now, NO head.  I figured it was just luck. Of course I was only shooting from about 6 or 7 feet away.  I still figured it was just luck.

A couple of months later, I got into the same deal, but, it did take 3 rounds to hit the snake.

BTW, the part about shot cartridges not being reliable is correct. About 25 years ago I only carried 1911s. I wanted to try the shot shells and the ones you could buy were a 1 shot deal-you racked the slide and fumble the case out. I spent about $100  and got a set of dies from Huntington to use cutoff 308 brass to make 45 shotshells. I found each gun was VERY fussy about the load to be reliable. I did find a powder charge that whould eject and load the next round (another shotshell). But, the powder charge would vary for each gun I had.

the reply about a .357 or .44 revolver being about the best trail is right on the money.

bill