shooting poppers

[p01user]

I'm going to shoot some steel (poppers) for first time with my 9 mm P-01. I don't have any experience with steel targets. So I need some recommendation for round and bullet type:
1. FMJ or JHP or JSP ?
2. Light or heavy (90, 115, 124 or 147) ?
3. Soft or hot ammo (+P) ?

Rookie shooter needs help

[debeecorley]

Poppers are designed to fall with a "Minor Load" which equates to 124 grain bullet at 1000 feet per second.

Wear safety glasses.

[jdkelly]

A club I shoot steel at has real heavy set poppers, as the people who run it shoot 45 ACPs.  You can on occasion hit the head of a popper with a single round of 132 PF and not knock it over.  But what ever the setting, shoot high, the chest or head, and as heavy as you can.

Good Luck,

jkelly

[jwc007]

My standard 9mm load is a 124 grn Berry's Flat Point that runs 1130 fps(4.5 inch barrel), which is "supposed" to be pretty standard 9mm ballistics for generic hardball these days.  This load knocks down poppers easier than the current "165" major .45 ACP loads for some reason. (I don't really want to speculate about this.)  As has been said, hit them high and they will fall!  You should not need +P level ammo.  Stick with standard loads so as not to wear out your P01, before it's time!

My .45 ACP loads make 170 pf, simply because the gun (.45 Witness) seems to like them better and they are 230 grn National flat points.

I like the Flat Pointed Bullet shape for a variety of reasons.  They cut clean holes in IPSC targets.  I believe that they are more ballistically stable.  They seem to have a hammering effect on steel.  Your P01 should feed them.

Fighting for Truth, Justice, and the last slice of Pizza!

[p01user]

Thanks for all pieces of advice. I'll try to find 124 grn flat nose bullets.
I'm not sure if S&B is making them - it's rather difficult
to find other brands in Poland
Regards

[Oldnslow]

Hotshot brand ammo is made in Croatia, I think. It's 124 grain. I don't know if it's marketed in Poland, though.

[p01user]

Thanks,
I've found GECO 124 grain. It's not flat but worked well.

debeecorley - you're right - safety glasses are must

Regards.