Posted: 6/25/2015 8:05:16 AM EDT
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What are the bullet weights you are using and why?
Most of the factory loads I see are for 230 gr. But looking around I see all sorts of bullet weights for reloading. Why is most factory setting on the 230 gr bullets? |
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230 is traditional because it was GI for almost 100 years.
185 and 200 are the other most common weights. I've used 155, 160, 185, 200, and 230s. All can be very good shooters. Lead is great for target shooting and saving wear and tear on your wrists and elbows. |
| as with AR180, I shot most of the various weights for USPSA... most of them were 200grain semi wad cutter similar to the HG68 style.. USPSA has a power factor for scoring... ( weight in grains x velocity /1000)... the power factor has been reduced now, but it was easier to make power factor with a heavier bullet rather than velocity... shooters using compensators, typically used the lighter bullets with more velocity as the increased pressure worked the comps better...my 1911 shooting 200s was the most accurate of any center fire pistol I've shot... I can't come close with my 9mm Glock shooting 147s.. |
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Most of the time I use 230 RN. Slow, heavy, good cross-sectional density, feeds reliably, and does a better job of dropping steel targets (pepper poppers) than any other popular semi-auto cartridge I've used.
I, sometimes, carry 185 JHPs; but I don't like them as much. If you're able to hit where you aim then the type of bullet you use often won't matter. As for myself? I don't care what the bullet configuration is; I just want the shot to hit where I'm looking. If the target's still standing after the first two or three rounds then I'll simply start looking at the head. With sighted fire I usually hold a high - partially un:nested - front sight on the base of the neck. This is how I shoot combat pistol; and, so far, it's worked well for me. RN, JHP, SWC, Truncated Cone, it doesn't matter. As long as a bullet configuration feeds well, I'll use it. 230, 200, 185 grains? Who cares! The only thing I won't do is drop a 45 ACP bullet below 185 grains. |
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230 at 850 fps is the original spec for the load. (This was changed from the Browning prototype which was 200 grain.) So all guns except specialized target guns should be regulated for 230 grain ammo.
Some self-defense ammo is 200, 185 or even 165 for lighter recoil and hope for greater expansion. Light target loads are sometimes 200 grain. I've shot other weights, but my handloads are 230 grain. |
| I typically use 230 grains. Its the easiest to find and its what its designed to eat. My defense loads are PDX-1's. 230 grains at 920 fps factory rating equals roughly 870-890ish fps out of my 4 inch Kimber. I also have a several hundred rounds of Federal Hydra-Shoks in 230 grain as well. Ya there may be some better rounds than the Hydra-Shoks these days but they are still an effective round. |
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I use 185 gr Hornady XTP bullets for my EDC ammo. Velocity is much more of a wounding factor than the size of the hole. I can push a 185 gr bullet to 357 magnum velocities without punishing my pistol or me. The objective with EDC ammo is to neutralize the threat, not making small groups in their flesh. |