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Does your SD ammo match your developed reload in recoil/accuracy?

771 views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  carver 
#1 ·
For pistol or revolvers shooters:
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Was reading my latest Aug 2014 "American Rifleman" on p36 titled "One Gun, Two Loads." Winchester came out w/ both a defensive round that matches their training round in terms of recoil and accuracy. Probably won't be long before other ammo manufacturers do likewise.
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Being basically into reloading for about a year, I am happy just to find a nice reloaded performing round that shoot well. Having experienced the changes in accuracy from powder loads, I can see how hard coupling the reloads to the SD rounds would be. Since I have limited powder variety, I'd have to try to meet the "training" round match by testing with different bullet weights.
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Pistol/Revolver shooters: When you reload, do you strive for the same recoil/accuracy as your defensive round?
 
#2 ·
Prior to starting to reload recently I would always buy practice and defensive ammo of the same bullet weights. Based on data by Federal both of my 180gr loads for 40S&W are at 1000FPS and I can't feel any difference. As far as I'm concerned Winchester is using marketing to appeal to new and casual shooters that otherwise would just buy whatever is cheapest without concern for sameness.

Now that I am reloading I am planning two loads, one that is equal to my defensive loads and one that is a starting load for more enjoyable practice and training to not flinch. It works in theory, but I've been to busy to make it out to the woods enough to know if that methodology really does work for me.
 
#3 ·
A 230 grain bullet moving at 850 fps, recoils the same as any other 230 grain bullet moving at 850 fps. Doesn't matter if it's a LSWC, or a FMJ, or a HP.
 
#4 ·
My self defense loads are my practice loads. My .38 Special SD/play loads are 150 DEWC over a hefty load of W231, my 45 ACP loads are a 200 gr. LSWC over a medium-high load of Unique. My 9mm loads are a 125 gr. RNFP with a good load of Unique/Universal and some with Tite Group.

I cast my own and rarely buy an "SD" bullets, so I would rather be proficient with what I have than try to rely on a "super expanding, devastating" premium bullet. You know what they say, "a hit with a 34 Wimper Special is better than a miss with a 309 Super Magnum...".
 
#5 ·
I cast my own also, but I don't carry them in SD firearm away from home. At home, I do load up with my own home brew. Remember that every bullet that leaves your gun has a lawyer attached to it! I do not want any thru N thru hits. A bullet leaving the back side of a violent target is wasted energy, and could land you in jail.
 
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