Ammo makes a difference

[Ganderite]

Each gun is different. There will be factory loads and handloads that group poorly and there will be loads that group well. You owe it to yourself to try to find out what it likes.

When I get a new pistol, I shoot several different handloads in it and then put a small label on it to remind me which load it likes.

In 45ACP, for example, I load two different bullets, the DRG 200 SWC and the DRG 225FP. These are loaded with 4.3, 4.6 and 5.0 of TiteGroup. I have buckets of each load. When I go the range, I put a few handfulls of the correct ammo for gun in a small tupperware container.

Today I was testing a new powder, Ramshot Competition, a somewhat faster powder. For starters I loaded the two DRG bullets with 3 different powder charges and tried them out in 9 different pistols. I got lucky. Only two loads were needed to have good ammo for these pistols. The 200 SWC needed 4.6g of Comp; the 225 FP needed 4.0.

Here are the targets for the M&P45. It did not like the mild load for the 200 or the hotter load for the 225. 20 yards -2 hands.

 

[redshooter]

There's better reasons to reload than saving money...I need all the help I can get!

 

[JAK1981]

Nice post, indeed true. I wish I'd been exposed to information like this in my first few years of shooting. I took most of the blame for myself or the gun. Took a little while to realize that it was the ammo/gun combo that was contributing to the sucky groups.

The scientific approach you describe really expands on the fun and reward for accurate shooting.

 

[BillD]

Each gun is different. There will be factory loads and handloads that group poorly and there will be loads that group well. You owe it to yourself to try to find out what it likes.

When I get a new pistol, I shoot several different handloads in it and then put a small label on it to remind me which load it likes.

In 45ACP, for example, I load two different bullets, the DRG 200 SWC and the DRG 225FP. These are loaded with 4.3, 4.6 and 5.0 of TiteGroup. I have buckets of each load. When I go the range, I put a few handfulls of the correct ammo for gun in a small tupperware container.

Today I was testing a new powder, Ramshot Competition, a somewhat faster powder. For starters I loaded the two DRG bullets with 3 different powder charges and tried them out in 9 different pistols. I got lucky. Only two loads were needed to have good ammo for these pistols. The 200 SWC needed 4.6g of Comp; the 225 FP needed 4.0.

Here are the targets for the M&P45. It did not like the mild load for the 200 or the hotter load for the 225. 20 yards -2 hands.

Good stuff, just recently started reloading and I keep notes/pics on every recipe - it does make a difference! Even among my 9mm Sigs, there is a bit of a difference - I've found the P210 likes a couple grains more powder than the 320/226.

 

[ryan_s]

It does make a difference...the more I buy the less money I have.

 

[BillD]

It does make a difference...the more I buy the less money I have.

That too LOL!

 

[One Lung Wonder]

How clean does Titegroup burn, Gander? I've only ever used Red Dot, 231 and recently HP38 and they leave my gun dirtier than a whAre's drawers. In your scholarly opinion - how does Titegroup stack up against those? I might actually be able to scoop a can of that - provided our no-good suppliers haven't run out again...