Handgun Precision Loads 9/40/45 50 yd expectations?
- Thread starter Jeffm004
- Start date
I have shot at a target at 50yds with both my 9, & 45, but not really looking to see how they grouped but rather just to see where they hit. That said however I just printed up a batch of 50yd Bussleye targets to start working on just this.
Now I do have a 10mm that has a long barrel on it, and I did work up a load which would hold consistent 2" groups at 50yds with the 180gr Gold Dot. Those were dialed in specifically for hunting and they did a very good job out to that distance and a touch further on feral hogs. Heck I even hit a paper plate once on a bet with a friend at 500, it did take me two shots though.
I have to say that at the time I was running an easy 200 rounds a week or more through it though. It is simply a VERY accurate combination and easy to learn the drops on.
With my revolvers in .357 up to the 454, I sight them in at 50 from a rest and after they are dialed in for the load, I then shoot from field positions, standing, kneeling, or even prone depending on the ground. I carry one of them at all times while on the farm in case I run across those hogs. There have been quite a few times when I reached out to 100yds or a touch over and laid them out flat.
Now I do have a 10mm that has a long barrel on it, and I did work up a load which would hold consistent 2" groups at 50yds with the 180gr Gold Dot. Those were dialed in specifically for hunting and they did a very good job out to that distance and a touch further on feral hogs. Heck I even hit a paper plate once on a bet with a friend at 500, it did take me two shots though.
I have to say that at the time I was running an easy 200 rounds a week or more through it though. It is simply a VERY accurate combination and easy to learn the drops on. With my revolvers in .357 up to the 454, I sight them in at 50 from a rest and after they are dialed in for the load, I then shoot from field positions, standing, kneeling, or even prone depending on the ground. I carry one of them at all times while on the farm in case I run across those hogs. There have been quite a few times when I reached out to 100yds or a touch over and laid them out flat.
Sig. 226 .40 , stock sites, Xtreme plated 180 gr, 5.3 gr Bullseye
But mostly a broader question I think you answered. I have a Sig 220 with X 200, 5.3 gr 231 that runs very well, but I'm better with that gun with just about any bullet. But even with that I'm not 1.5", more minute of paper plate.
I vary and ladder rifle a lot .308, 45-70, .270. I'm probably not going to shoot at 50 often enough, well enough to do that with a handgun. I have a match barrel in a .225, I'm amazed at how bad some ammo is doing, only one has done really well out of the box (Norma $8.99/box).
I have not tried "precision" handgun. in 9/40/45 I wasn't even sure what that was. tx
But mostly a broader question I think you answered. I have a Sig 220 with X 200, 5.3 gr 231 that runs very well, but I'm better with that gun with just about any bullet. But even with that I'm not 1.5", more minute of paper plate.
I vary and ladder rifle a lot .308, 45-70, .270. I'm probably not going to shoot at 50 often enough, well enough to do that with a handgun. I have a match barrel in a .225, I'm amazed at how bad some ammo is doing, only one has done really well out of the box (Norma $8.99/box).
I have not tried "precision" handgun. in 9/40/45 I wasn't even sure what that was. tx
Consider the "expected use" of most 9mm, 40, and 45 SA pistols. It's NOT precision target shooting @50 yards, therefore the precision to give good groups at this range is sacrificed to meet a price point OR to ensure 100% function while providing "adequate" accuracy @10-15 yards.
I carry a fairly accurate 9mm semi-auto and have killed a couple of coyotes, 2-3 ground hogs, and numerous skunks at ranges from 20-65 yards. I haven't really tested the loads I use but would guess they're hitting within 6" @50 yards which is more of a reflection of the quite "coarse" sights(designed more for quick alignment at close range) than a mechanical accuracy issue.
I carry a fairly accurate 9mm semi-auto and have killed a couple of coyotes, 2-3 ground hogs, and numerous skunks at ranges from 20-65 yards. I haven't really tested the loads I use but would guess they're hitting within 6" @50 yards which is more of a reflection of the quite "coarse" sights(designed more for quick alignment at close range) than a mechanical accuracy issue.
Match grade high end 2011s used in USPSA Limited are capable of producing 4-5" groups at 50 yards. Bullseye pistols are going to be better than that by an inch or so. That is mostly going to be JHPs.
The Sig 226 is a very good pistol, but it will be hard pressed to meet that standard. Service grade pistols are going to be in the 6" plus range at that distance, with more in the 8-10" range. Most people shoot service grade pistols at 7-10 yards. It is not the caliber as much as the platforms. I shot a 1.09" 50 yard group with my PCC last week using the same ammo as I shoot in my pistols.
Also, while I primarily use plated bullets, many people have issues with them as they bell their brass too much or not enough, and then over-crimp. My M&P with a match barrel and Xtreme 124 HPs is just under 3" at 25 Yards whereas my Bar-Sto barrel match G35 was right at 4". If I haul out the match grade 1911, I can cut those sizes down, and even more so with the .41 Magnum revolver.
The Sig 226 is a very good pistol, but it will be hard pressed to meet that standard. Service grade pistols are going to be in the 6" plus range at that distance, with more in the 8-10" range. Most people shoot service grade pistols at 7-10 yards. It is not the caliber as much as the platforms. I shot a 1.09" 50 yard group with my PCC last week using the same ammo as I shoot in my pistols.
Also, while I primarily use plated bullets, many people have issues with them as they bell their brass too much or not enough, and then over-crimp. My M&P with a match barrel and Xtreme 124 HPs is just under 3" at 25 Yards whereas my Bar-Sto barrel match G35 was right at 4". If I haul out the match grade 1911, I can cut those sizes down, and even more so with the .41 Magnum revolver.