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Posted: 10/13/2012 3:19:03 PM EDT
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Howdy folks, I normally hang out in the 'Survival Forum' but I need your expertise. I just got through reloading some test batches of 9mm for my wife's handgun.
My question is threefold... First: What do you use to get a solid rest while shooting your test loads from a sitting position?... Second: What is the best distance to shoot test batches?... Third: How often do you clean your gun barrel when shooting test batches?... I thank you ahead of time for spending your time in responding to these questions of mine! |
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Your questions have a great many variables to get one crystal clear answer to each. I'll start with the barrel. Barrel needs to be free of fouling, lead or copper. Hoppes # 9 and a bore snake ain't the answer either if you want true results.
Test loads that group at 10 yards, most always group close to same at 25 yards. Too many shooter variables after 10-15 yards. Rest, prone from a bag is always best. Sitting with a bag for rest is ok. If load groups at 10 yards, then move to 25 yards. My tried and proven method of barrel cleaning is a triad of Otis system, Montana Extreme BMG copper killer and Lewis Lead Remover. Wet patches run until clean, then dry patched followed with an oil patch. |
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Quoted:
Your questions have a great many variables to get one crystal clear answer to each. I'll start with the barrel. Barrel needs to be free of fouling, lead or copper. Hoppes # 9 and a bore snake ain't the answer either if you want true results. Test loads that group at 10 yards, most always group close to same at 25 yards. Too many shooter variables after 10-15 yards. Rest, prone from a bag is always best. Sitting with a bag for rest is ok. If load groups at 10 yards, then move to 25 yards. My tried and proven method of barrel cleaning is a triad of Otis system, Montana Extreme BMG copper killer and Lewis Lead Remover. Wet patches run until clean, then dry patched followed with an oil patch. I've been watching you 1911smith....you give good replies. Wisdom from knowledge and experience on the range. |
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I shoot normal 2 hand grip with wrists on sand bags on a table. I test at these ranges:
Pistol SD - 15 yards Pistol Hunting or Range type - 25 yards I recheck hunting pistols at 50 and 100 too, but after a load is established. Pocket pistol - I don't reload, but check factory ammo at ~5 yards I gave distances, but what I'm really trying to do is balance is close enough where I can shoot reasonably well with the sights, but far enough that bullet selection and other reloading factors show themselves. At shorter distance, I would have too many 1 hole groups. |
| I try to shoot with the gun completely supported by my hands and my hands on a rest without the gun being rested on a bag. I used to try that with a single action .357 for groups with the barrel on a sand bag tripod and I got results worse than me resting my arms across a bench. I think a smooth trigger pull is the most important part of the test for good results. |
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When I test a round, I test it for normal shooting conditions. I am sure that there is a supreme accuracy node that I can find, but I want to know how it shoots with a regular gun cleaning and regular shooting conditions type of day. So I start with a clean gun and clean it when I am all done shooting (question 3).
To that end, I test my rounds (pistol and rifle) using a rest on a bench (question 1). I support the receiver and take extra care to get perfect sight alignment and the same sight picture each shot. For pistol, it depends on what type of shooting I am doing (question 2). My wife's shooting is 7 to 10 yards, so that is how far I test for accuracy. My shooting is 25 to 50 yds, so that is where I test for accuracy. Hope that helps. EDIT: By the way, if you mean sitting in a chair at a bench, I use a rest on the bench (or sand bag). If you mean sitting on the ground, I use a bipod support stick. It is adjustable for height and has a swivel mount. The gun rests in it fine, but takes more work to hold steady since it can tilt front to back on the legs. It's not bad though. |
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