How hot do you load your competition loads?

[OldRussian]

I'm going to start reloading up a chunk of ammo for some "Beer League" level 3 gun in the coming season (no we don't actually drink). How hot do you guys load your competition rounds?

Right now my .223 is pretty close to Max and at a good accuracy node. It is nice to feel the kick while plinking away and knowing that I have a good bullet for yotes'. I documented another node a few grains lighter, but went for the hotter one for higher power.

Is it worth-while loading a lighter round for competition? Or is it not worth the hassle of throwing different powder, re-zeroing etc...

 

[Onagoth]

Rifle load whatever is most accurate....pistol load either the most accurate load, or the softest load, its fielders choice on that one, cept with some open guns

 

[Wolf@TS]

My pistol loads for IDPA keep with the spirit of the sport and therefore are in the "close to max" range.
I also use a 9mm carbine for the CQB stuff and the loads for it are at the "hot" end.

Last year I ended up with somebody's live 9mm round in my brass bag. I pulled the bullet and weighed the charge out of curiosity.
3.2gr of what appears to be Bullseye behind a 124gr bullet...I think we need to pull out the crony this year!

 

[Runningfool]

I never bother messing with loads when I compete...I figure the most accurate load is ALWAYS the best load but then again, I shoot with a "beer-league" mentality.

That being said, one of the guys I shoot with regularly does; his handgun rounds are powerful enough to break the cardboard...most of the time

 

[heavenIsAlie]

10pf above minimum for all my pistol loads. Will probably end up between 5-10pf over with my major loads though

 

[sdlonyer]

There is little point to loading any hotter than you need to reliably cycle your firearm.

 

[7.62mm]

I put enough powder in the case for the bullet to break the cardboard, in a reliable manor....no more....no less!!!!

 

[OldRussian]

If I load just enough to break cardboard I would feel like I was playing airsoft lol.

 

[pmt]

There is little point to loading any hotter than you need to reliably cycle your firearm.

Loading to reliably cycle your firearm may not yield the best accuracy.

 

[hungrybeagle]

Hot enough to make major according to US power factors so I don't need to change PF when I travel.

 

[DrSpaceJam]

Low enough to meet the power factor requirement. Usually, I load to about 125 PF because that's the bottom floor in IPSC and a lot of people use that to determine how they calibrate their steel targets and chrono requirements. It means I have to shoot slightly hot loads in my IDPA revolvers but it's worth it to not have to change my loads.

 

[mrclean]

At least 7 to 10 points over the minor PF just to be safe and the same for Major.
Calibration loads should be closer to 119 or so.

 

[TACTICAL111]

^^ what he said

 

[UR2X3M4ME]

Well answered above. Load to at least reliably meet the power factor desired.

 

[mshundal]

5 points over required

edit: actually correct answer should be whatever load shoots flattest, feels right for you and cycles your gun the way you want it to cycle while still meeting the lowest reading chrony requirements

 

[John in B.C.]

I like to be at least +5PF on all competition loads. Some run higher just because I like how they perform.

The loads in my 686 chrony'ed 132PF at Nationals and they feel really good in the gun.

John