The Original CZ Forum

GENERAL => Ammunition, questions, and handloading techniques => Topic started by: aflevine on August 11, 2019, 09:51:06 PM

Title: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: aflevine on August 11, 2019, 09:51:06 PM
To date, I've been practicing with 115 gr ammo, but carry 147 gr HST's.  Considering going to 147 gr practice ammo, so that it's apples to apples.  For practice purposes, I can only see it mattering if I'm practicing at longer range (25 yards+).  Does it matter enough to make the change?
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain bullet as you carry?
Post by: MadDuner on August 11, 2019, 10:05:33 PM
I can tell a pretty big difference in felt recoil of my defensive rounds vs the practice FMJs. I occasionally fire my +P defensive stuff - more or less as a function test after I tinker with my firearms.

 I was working towards trying to reload rounds to mimic the defensive rounds for a more realistic practice round - but it was pointed out to me by some of the fine folks right here on this forum that my methods were unsafe.  I was working in the blind without knowing how fast the rounds were going, and probably flirting with disaster.  I heeded their warnings and advice and just accepted the fact that my practice rounds would be different.
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain cartridge as you carry?
Post by: Smitty79 on August 11, 2019, 10:47:15 PM
I loaded some ammo with the same weight and muzzle velocity.   I practice with them sometimes.   I don't feed my gun a steady diet of +p.
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain cartridge as you carry?
Post by: Ma}{imus on August 11, 2019, 10:48:45 PM
I practice with my carry ammo only when I rotate out of the magazine. That tends to be every 6 months or so.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain cartridge as you carry?
Post by: 1SOW on August 11, 2019, 11:19:46 PM
I reload.
I load the same weight and type bullets to the same bullet speeds as my SD ammo.
Accuracy and "feel" are much the same for both cartridges. 
I do believe practicing with your SD ammunition or ammunition that performs the same is a good policy.
A good quality SD pistol, quality ammunition and as realistic as possible practice will be worth the cost and effort.
Just an opinion.


Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: seebee62 on August 11, 2019, 11:20:33 PM
I’ll practice with 115 or 124 and I carry 124.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: deadsh0t on August 12, 2019, 03:13:28 AM
You shouldn't be surprised about another reaction, they should be as similar as possible. For training and competition I use the same ammo, just different quality of bullets, but the reaction is the same
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: DWARREN on August 12, 2019, 03:25:00 AM
Carry 124gr and practice with 124/125gr bullets.
I reload so some of my practice ammo is loaded to carry ammo specs the other for range..
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: M1A4ME on August 12, 2019, 06:42:05 AM
In the 9's I carry the same ammo I sometimes practice with.  If you can call load development "practice" then I sometimes shoot ammo that is not the same as my carry ammo.  I just keep looking for something I can reload cheaper/easier than my carry ammo.

In the .40's I found a load (lead/coated bullet) approximately the same weight that shoots to the same point of aim as my carry ammo.  So I shoot those more for practice.

I want my practice ammo to have the same POA/POI as my carry ammo.  And similar group size as well.
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: Vinny on August 12, 2019, 08:43:11 AM
I practice with fairly hot 9mm 115 and 124's that I believe are closer in velocity and PF to my carry ammo. Usually high 300's in rated energy (when tested from a 6" barrel).

I could be wrong but because my carry pistols are sub-compact 2.9" to 3-1/2" short barreled compact, I'm concerned that 147's wont achieve the necessary velocity to get full penetration and expand properly from a short barrel. So, I'm using 115gr JHP's. I wish I could test velocity, penetration and expansion to see if my theory is correct.

But here's some links to articles that at least indicate I'm on the right path:

https://www.ammoland.com/2017/06/short-barrel-ammo/#axzz5wP0q9KP1

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2010/10/21/snubby-ballistics/

Meanwhile....I found a cost-effective solution that allows me to practice regularly with my carry ammo. I shoot over 20,000 rounds/year so I'm not going to be practicing with 50 cent rounds. S&B 115gr JHP's (SB9C) seem to have good expansion characteristics from gel tests I've seen; yet cost <25 cents in bulk. The nose shape with no sharp edges feeds 100% every time.  JMO

But, I'm here to learn if anyone else can provide factual data.........
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: Tok36 on August 12, 2019, 12:03:28 PM
Same grain weight (124g) but different bullet.
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: FALer on August 12, 2019, 12:15:30 PM
I usually shoot 124gr FMJ for practice, I carry 147gr +p.  I do shoot my carry ammo a couple times a year, just a mag or two, the stuff I've been carrying.
I don't notice enough difference in how the gun handles or were the bullet strikes between 5 and 25 yrds to get too wrapped around the axle on it. 
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: Wobbly on August 12, 2019, 09:21:46 PM
Always the same weight bullet, but very rarely the same brand of bullet.
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: nettle on August 12, 2019, 09:44:35 PM
Same bullet weight (124gr) and same powder. Not the usually the same brand bullet.
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: recoilguy on August 13, 2019, 10:51:49 AM
Yes
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: J Lee on August 19, 2019, 11:23:20 PM
Same weight but lower velocity.
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain cartridge as you carry?
Post by: Sunkist on August 20, 2019, 09:39:24 AM
I reload.
I load the same weight and type bullets to the same bullet speeds as my SD ammo.
Accuracy and "feel" are much the same for both cartridges. 
I do believe practicing with your SD ammunition or ammunition that performs the same is a good policy.
A good quality SD pistol, quality ammunition and as realistic as possible practice will be worth the cost and effort.
Just an opinion.
Same here-just makes sense to me.
Title: Re: Do you practice with the same grain ammo as you carry?
Post by: OnlyHereForEE on August 22, 2019, 11:10:07 AM
I stock both. 115 just for cheap plinking. 147 for the gun suppressed stuff