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.