Federal Syntech 9mm- Issues?

[Joe in PNG]

I was looking at the Federal Syntech ammo as an option for practice, and I was wondering if it was any good?

I believe I remember reading about the possibility of erosion from lead free primers- is that still a thing?

[JCN]

I was looking at the Federal Syntech ammo as an option for practice, and I was wondering if it was any good?

I believe I remember reading about the possibility of erosion from lead free primers- is that still a thing?

I can only comment from my own personal experience.

I've probably shot over 50k rounds of Syntech without any visible erosion. Of note, the "catalyst" primer that Federal uses is a little different in composition than the old school lead free primers. It's also super soft of a primer... even softer than the standard Federal primers and lights off in revolvers that fail other rounds.

[YVK]

Last year Federal replaced 2500 rounds of 150 grain Syntech with other ammo of my choice due to keyholing from several Shadows I have. Subjective perceptions aside, I never detected measurable improvement in results over anything else I used in matches and practice. I decided to never use it again.

[Archer1440]

Last year Federal replaced 2500 rounds of 150 grain Syntech with other ammo of my choice due to keyholing from several Shadows I have. Subjective perceptions aside, I never detected measurable improvement in results over anything else I used in matches and practice. I decided to never use it again.

At last year’s state match the 150 Syntech I shot from a VP9L (5” bbl) chronoed 142PF, 23rd in overall power factor in a field of 250 shooters, so the juice was hardly worth the squeeze.

The much cheaper, cleaner and more accurate Norma 124 I normally run comes in at about 137PF.

[GJM]

I have shot tens of thousands of this ammo (150 9mm) without issue. It is remarkably soft shooting for its power factor. In a steel gun that probably doesn't matter but in a light polymer pistol it may.

[JCN]

Last year Federal replaced 2500 rounds of 150 grain Syntech with other ammo of my choice due to keyholing from several Shadows I have. Subjective perceptions aside, I never detected measurable improvement in results over anything else I used in matches and practice. I decided to never use it again.

You have to tune a gun to specific ammo to get the most out of it.

The 150 gamer ammo is magic if you have a good setup.

Far superior to anything else.

It makes ft*lb energy like a 380 ACP but still makes power factor due to the way it’s calculated.

[YVK]

Yeah, it is a multivariable analysis with the Shadows. Do I use a 10, +/- 1, lbs recoil spring or do I use something else. I myself just don't care enough as long as my doubles look acceptable. I am pretty sure that my three matches of this year have been shot with three different loads.

[Darth_Uno]

I have shot tens of thousands of this ammo (150 9mm) without issue. It is remarkably soft shooting for its power factor. In a steel gun that probably doesn't matter but in a light polymer pistol it may.

Same, I bought several thousand 150gr when Covid kicked off and liked it so much I've bought more.

I can't really say it's "better" but 80% of my shooting is on steel targets, and I've caught a few jackets in the face and arms. Don't have that with Syntech. If I was taking a class with all paper targets I probably wouldn't care.

[ST911]

I have shot tens of thousands of this ammo (150 9mm) without issue. It is remarkably soft shooting for its power factor. In a steel gun that probably doesn't matter but in a light polymer pistol it may.

A very good option to introduce recoil sensitive shooters with.

[JCN]

We should also probably qualify what version of Syntech we are talking about.

I have 115, 124 and “train and defend” 124 and some of it is loaded fairly solidly.

Big difference from the 130 and 150gr gamer versions.

[Screwball]

I have 500 rounds of the 147 grain… only to mess around with my PTR. Figured I’d run 147 of some kind thru it when I get comfortable with it… either the excess Winchester Ranger or something similar. Hopefully the thaw will happen soon and I can put some rounds thru it.

Only drawback, not a fan of the Barney purple coating.

[WDR]

The 150gr load didn't really shoot well in my primary Glock 19, so I gave up on it after a couple/several of boxes worth. Patterns more than groups at 25 yards. I have shot coated lead handloads without issue, so I'd guess I just got a bad lot

I'm not opposed to trying one of the Syntech loads again, but with TMJ or FMJ ammo being a cheaper option, I'd likely stick with those for now, if buying factory ammo.

[Archer1440]

Dialing in my Limited Optics setup yesterday (P226 SAO, GG action, SRO)- the 25 yard six shot groups tell "a story".

For practical purposes the 150 Syntech "will work" but it's not grouping quite as well from this particular setup as the 124 grain Norma, or even the 147 grain Win white box flat point.

As a practical matter, the differences among these 25 yard groups probably mean nothing at normal competition distances on something the size of an A zone. But there is a noticeable difference.