Choice of caliber

My favorite is 10mm, second is 357sig. They all cost the same since I reload.
Click to expand...

Really?

The market price of lead must be different on your planet.......

..... lighter .355 bullets are cheaper than heavier .355 bullets ..... and light bullets don't leave a whole bunch of bullet shank to go with that short case neck ...... IIRC ..... there was a warning to that effect in my speer manual....
 
Clifford L. Hughes

Iron Marcelo:

Contrary to some beliefs that the .22 in just a fun gun is wrong. When I was shooting on several Marine Corps pistol teams I practiced with a .22 caliber pistol. The .22 allowed me to transfer sight alignment and trigger control that the 9 mm and the .45 ACP mask: both critical when shooting any pistol. Also, with a .22 you can concentrate on trigger control without having to counteract flinching.

You diidn't mention the caliber of your home defence pistol so I'm assuming that either the 9mm or the .45 will be your choice. Either one is adequate. However, you will find that, because of its lighter recoil, the 9mm's will be eaiser to shoot accuratelly.

As you can see that your choice of calibers is determined on your tolerance of recoil and muzzle blast.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery sergeqnt
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
I reload for my 38spl, 358mag, 40s&w, 45acp, and 10mm pistols and there isn't much difference in the cost of one over another so I shoot what I feel like that day. The secret is to buy in bulk during sales.
 
As others have stated, you really have a choice vs. a decission if you reload. The cost is close to the same between the 9 and 45 with reloading. I find the .45 round easier to reload. You can also vary your loads to minimize recoil and further reduce powder cost to some minor degree with both rounds.

It is a no brainer, and learning to reload is no more difficult than learning how to disassembly and reassemle a new gun. I learned on my own (without a mentor) by reading a couple of reloading manuals.

Time and time again, reloaders have shared with everyone the obvious cost savings even after only a few thousand rounds.

Reloading does not have to take up much space. The only reasonable explanation for not reloading by a few is personal time. I can understand their position if they have two jobs or a new girlfriend; otherwise lack of time does not ring true.
 
I currently shoot 3 different HK pistols. One is a 9mm, one in .40S&W, and one in .45ACP. Of the 3, I carry the HK45CT as my EDC pistol, so I practice and shoot more 45ACP than my 9mm. I shoot the .40 the least as I don't like that much recoil as I get older! Good luck with your choice.
 
I'm not much help on this one....

Although I have both calibers, I'm partial to the .45acp. However, if I didn't have 9mms, I'd miss them a lot.
 
45 acp way more fun.

9mm way more cheaper.

You my friend have a tough choice to make. Either will be a great choice for range fun. Good luck.
 
I don't think we are helping you much.:)

Since I reload I prefer 45. But I like to shoot my Sig in 9mm also. Cost of bullets is about 40 bucks more per thousand for the 45.

I probably shoot 10 to 1 my 45.
 
I practice with a pellet pistol.

I practice my breathing, stance, sight alignment and trigger control with a pellet pistol in addition to shooting on the range. These things don't change too much with caliber. Grip does...

I don't own a range - I have to pay for range time, and ammo is expensive. If I could afford it I would probably spend at least 3 hours at the range every day and there would be days when I would be there for 9 hours probably.

But I can't, so I practice the fundamentals with a pellet pistol in my spare time.
 
since you mention it's just for range, i would definitely go for the cheaper to shoot caliber, 9mm. (also great for defense too, of course) :)
 
jimbob86 said:
Really?

The market price of lead must be different on your planet.......

..... lighter .355 bullets are cheaper than heavier .355 bullets ..... and light bullets don't leave a whole bunch of bullet shank to go with that short case neck ...... IIRC ..... there was a warning to that effect in my speer manual....
Click to expand...

I think most people understand my meaning.

Technically, they don't cost the E-X-A-C-T same amount but the price difference is not significant for a reloader. Each round of 10mm might come out 1 1/2 cents more expensive than 357sig.

I don't consider a cost of $12/1000 rounds to be a "different" cost.
 
Choice of caliber
What do you guys prefer to use / shoot at the gun range 9mm or .45 ????
i have a lil dilema not sure if i should buy my next firearm in 9mm or .45 cal
it be strictly for practice at the gun range
Click to expand...

Get the .45 for fun :)

Also a .22lr for cheap practice
 
.22lr and 9mm. I'd like to shoot a 45 but can't afford it. I also have a stock pile of 38spl & 357 mag ammo that I dip into now and then.
 
I have a Sig.P226 with .22 and 9mm.top ends it has impressed me to the extent that I will likely acquire a .40 S&W top end to complete the set .
TGR
 
Frankly - I would start with a 9mm. Ammo is less expensive. Even better would be to buy a pistol that can shoot 9 mm and you can get a .22 barrel conversion. I have a Sig 229 that can shoot .40 S&W and bought a Sig .22 barrel conversion.

The .45, which I recently started shooting again, is a fine cartridge but it isn't for everyone.

Your best bet is to find some place to rent pistols and try the different calibers out. Or maybe you know some people that can take you to a range.

Run 100 rounds of each caliber and you will have an opinion yourself...

The other big variable though is the pistol you choose. Shooting a .45 in a Glock is a lot different than shooting a .45 in a 1911 configuration.
 
What guns do you have already, Iron Marcelo?

He said: "for my next gun"

Maybe he already has a 22?

If he already has a 22, I would say 9mm should be next, just for a range gun.

I reload too, so I prefer 45.

Then again, if he can afford to live in both Hawaii and Chicago, maybe he has enough money that ammo cost is not a concern for him. In that case, he should choose based on what he likes shooting best. Rent a 45 and a 9 while you're in Chicagoland and see which one you prefer.
 
IRON MARCELO

Choice of caliber
What do you guys prefer to use / shoot at the gun range 9mm or .45 ????
i have a lil dilema not sure if i should buy my next firearm in 9mm or .45 cal
it be strictly for practice at the gun range
Click to expand...

Your choice of which caliber might be effected by what you are planning to practice.

If your every day defensive handgun is a .45 ACP and you want to practice defensive shooting, such as drawing from a holster on a random signal and firing two shot to center of mass as quickly as you can; then you should chose the handgun and cartridge you carry for defense.

On the other hand, if you are going to the range to have some fun, I'd suggest the less costly ammo.
 
I'd prefer a 40S&W as the magazine carries more rounds than a 45. It's also less expensive on target rounds, and a Hornady Critical Defence round has a heavy dose of knockdown power. I shoot 9mm and 40's regularly at the target range, both are Berettas.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top