Which would be the best load/group.

dearslayer

dearslayer

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So I loaded up 10 each of .40sw using Win231 starting at 4.3gr and increasing by .2grs so 4.3,4.5,4.7 and 4.9. aside from a couple fliers the group's weren't to bad. I'm thinking that 4.3grs even though not bullseyes might be best group. What are your thoughts. It's either 4.3 or 4.9 I think. I was shooting off some bags filled with shot at 20 meteres.
 

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Redo the tests and go backwards.

I did load testing with 9mm and did 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.5.. 4.2 and 4.5 did the best. But when I reversed it. They did the worst.
 
I agree the 4.3 and 4.9 look good. Perhaps trying 0.1 gr (both ways) increments with those 2 (4.2 & 4.4, 4.8 & 5.0)....and move up to 15 mtrs.

FYI.....I just checked an old Lyman manual and 231 starting load is 5.1 gr with 155 & 175 gr boolits
 
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Bassmaster said:
I agree the 4.3 and 4.9 look good. Perhaps trying 0.1 gr (both ways) increments with those 2 (4.2 & 4.4, 4.8 & 5.0)....and move up to 15 mtrs.

FYI.....I just checked an old Lyman manual and 231 starting load is 5.1 gr with 155 & 175 gr boolits
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I'm using a 165gr TC cast, powder coated boolit from a new MP mold I got a couple months ago. Geez I felt the 4.9 had enough recoil. Using a Para Ordnance 16/40
 
dearslayer said:
That's weird. So why do you think that is?
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Because the vast majority of people can't shoot a handgun for accuracy ... nor do we really need to. Groups likely get better as you get into the shooting string because the shooter adapts to the recoil. Or they may get worse as the shooter begins to flinch.

Regardless, a single series of groups tells you 100% of nothing. Shooting off bags puts you and the gun in a configuration you will never normally shoot in, and that is gonna affect whatever group size you may be able to create. Kind of a long way of saying, that its all pointless.

For a handgun, the best load is the one that gives you the velocity you are looking for and feeds 100%. Nobody tests handgun ammo for accuracy because its a giant waste of time and ammo and as Okay Shooter noted, the results aren't exactly consistent.
 
I Dont Care About You said:
Because the vast majority of people can't shoot a handgun for accuracy ... nor do we really need to. Groups likely get better as you get into the shooting string because the shooter adapts to the recoil. Or they may get worse as the shooter begins to flinch.

Regardless, a single series of groups tells you 100% of nothing. Shooting off bags puts you and the gun in a configuration you will never normally shoot in, and that is gonna affect whatever group size you may be able to create. Kind of a long way of saying, that its all pointless.

For a handgun, the best load is the one that gives you the velocity you are looking for and feeds 100%. Nobody tests handgun ammo for accuracy because its a giant waste of time and ammo and as Okay Shooter noted, the results aren't exactly consistent.
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I disagree.

I have been shooting handguns for over 20 years. I came home with some IPSC plaques and medals as a youth. I shoot PPC and came 3rd place Marksman twice at the provincials and only shot the provincals 4 times. Sunday I tied for 2nd at a pistol shoot. I consider myself a decent handgun shooter. I honestly have no idea for the different results when I reversed shooting my load development. I was using a 5" pistol in a Hera arms CPE, with a stock and bipod with a RDS.

I load for the best accuracy as alot of my shooting is done at 25yards. Because the provincals majority of the points are at that range. So you want accurate rounds. I don't just want to make noise as that's a waste of money if it's in accurate.

Think master class ppc shooters using run of the mill ammo? They're shooting 1490+/1500 and that's out to 50 yards. They're tuning the ammo to be the most consistent.

But nobody should take reloading advice from you as you basically just said. Who cares if reloads are accurate as long as they meet velocity you want and feed reliability.
 
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Those groups are so bad I would not want to make any load choice based on them.

First, get a better aiming mark.

If that does not make a big improvement, have a good shot run the test.

You won't learn to shoot well using poor ammo, so the test is important.

I test at 25 yards:
6W9x6WK.jpg

D0HCT5T.jpg

BZI6eHQ.jpg
 
Ya, those group are terrible for a rested gun, I’d try something different. I found .40 was the most inaccurate pistol I had.
 
I Dont Care About You said:
Because the vast majority of people can't shoot a handgun for accuracy ... nor do we really need to. Groups likely get better as you get into the shooting string because the shooter adapts to the recoil. Or they may get worse as the shooter begins to flinch.

Regardless, a single series of groups tells you 100% of nothing. Shooting off bags puts you and the gun in a configuration you will never normally shoot in, and that is gonna affect whatever group size you may be able to create. Kind of a long way of saying, that its all pointless.

For a handgun, the best load is the one that gives you the velocity you are looking for and feeds 100%. Nobody tests handgun ammo for accuracy because its a giant waste of time and ammo and as Okay Shooter noted, the results aren't exactly consistent.
Click to expand...
I load for accuracy all the time. Well worth developing an accurate load for any handguns. I have multiple handguns that are capable of an inch at 100 meters. I have a 1911 that has a load worked out to shoot 100 m. We constantly shoot for groups at our club so you need to work up loads to make sure they are accurate. Accuracy counts big time.
 
Snider shooter said:
I load for accuracy all the time. Well worth developing an accurate load for any handguns. I have multiple handguns that are capable of an inch at 100 meters. I have a 1911 that has a load worked out to shoot 100 m. We constantly shoot for groups at our club so you need to work up loads to make sure they are accurate. Accuracy counts big time.
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Wow. I don't think I'd ever be able to shoot that well. I don't compete at all but I'd love to be more accurate just the same. Onward through the fog!
 
Ganderite said:
Those groups are so bad I would not want to make any load choice based on them.

First, get a better aiming mark.

If that does not make a big improvement, have a good shot run the test.

You won't learn to shoot well using poor ammo, so the test is important.

I test at 25 yards:
6W9x6WK.jpg

D0HCT5T.jpg

BZI6eHQ.jpg
Click to expand...

I have to admit my old eyes are not what they used to be for sure. Better aiming mark ????I do have some stick on splatter target's that might help for a better point of aim perhaps if that's what you mean.
 
dearslayer said:
Wow. I don't think I'd ever be able to shoot that well. I don't compete at all but I'd love to be more accurate just the same. Onward through the fog!
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Don't be discouraged. If you used Unique I'd give you the recipe Pops been using for 20 plus years with his 40. Does well out to 100m. When he does the Lobster Challenge.

You have an accurate gun. Just gotta figure what she likes. Look for loads people use in PPC. I'm sure someone uses a 40. Good thing about not competing, you are not restricted to having to make a min power factor.
 
dearslayer said:
Wow. I don't think I'd ever be able to shoot that well. I don't compete at all but I'd love to be more accurate just the same. Onward through the fog!
Click to expand...
Contender pistols with scopes shot off the bench. 22 Hornet and 221 Fireball are the only two I have done it with so far. It took a lot of trying different loads to find what worked. Multiple powders, bullets and primers tried.
 
Snider shooter said:
Contender pistols with scopes shot off the bench. 22 Hornet and 221 Fireball are the only two I have done it with so far. It took a lot of trying different loads to find what worked. Multiple powders, bullets and primers tried.
Click to expand...

Little bit different. A pistol that was designed for hunting vs a Para 16/40 semi. I'm sure my TC will be more accurate at 50, than my shadow.
 
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