XD9 - Which ammo for IDPA, USPSA

[ZXD9]

I'm about to purchase my first handgun and have selected the XD9 Tactical. I'd really like to participate in either IDPA or USPSA competitive shooting.

In looking through ammo catalogs I see many combinations of bullet wgt/bullet style/muzzle velocity/muzzle energy. How do you go about narrowing down your choices. I assume a lower muzzle energy will produce less recoil but how does bullet weight and velocity play into the equation?

Confused,

[bobert1]

Many USPSA shooters use WWB 115's. It makes PF just fine.

[ZXD9]

I understand the PF thing. From an accuracy standpoint, does your choice of wgt, velocity and energy make much difference?

In 'general' a lighter bullet will have higher velocity and energy. Is lighter better or worse?

Or should I not care and just shoot! I just want to know what trade-offs if any I am making in ammo selection.

[R Dub]

I prefer the 147 gr bullet and use the Federal American Eagle 147gr FMJ Flat Point for factory ammo. For reloading I use West Coast 147gr. A minimum power factor of 125 is required in IDPA ESP, and USPSA Production Divisions. The factory American Eagle 147gr produces about 141 PF.
I pay around $9.00/box of 50 for the American Eagle. WWB and others may be less costly.
Buy a box of several brands and check to see if the POI is where you aim at 11 yards. POI can vary as much as several inches between brands/weights and since in competition shooting steel poppers and plates are usually around 33' distance, POI is very important.

Welcome to competition shooting sports. The equipment requirements in IDPA and USPSA Production Division are pretty much the same and you can use the same gear and shoot both sports without a spendy investment.
Happy Shooting!

[aiformula]

I have started using Geco. $109/case +shipping from Whittakers in Kentucky. It's a 124 gr load that has a nice soft push to it and still has enough oomph and relatively flat trajectyory to get those steel poppers that are out there a ways.

[Gary G23]

It all depends on what works in your gun. To me the most important factors are reliability and accuracy. 9mm doesn't recoil much in my hands so that is unimportant to me. Also I have never had any problems dropping steel targets with a 9mm so that matters not to me either. For outdoor competition I use Geco 124gr FMJ and indoors I use American Eagle 124gr FMJ.

[jnclement]

I shot an IDPA match today, and as usual, I used Blazer ammo from Academy for $3.81 a box. I've run about about 1000 rounds thru it, and I'm still waiting on my first FTF or FTE. Makes holes fine, and knocks down everything I've shot at it. I'd save the over-analysis for later, when I've shot a lot.

[ZXD9]

Thanks guys for the great info. Gives me a good starting point. It seems the general consensus is to use something heavier than 115g.

[Paladin]

+1 on the WWB 115 FMJ. However, I use Blazer aluminum 230 gr FMJ for my .45 and it has performed flawlessly. I may start using the Blazer aluminum for my XD as well.

[Rappy77]

WWB, Blazer and UMC are all relatively cheap and good plinking ammo. All of them perform flawlessly in my xd40. Just go with whats cheaper. Long range shooting with a rifle the grain and velocity may make a difference. A piston from short ranges the difference is negligable.