What ammo do you recommend for target shooting?

[ArmoredSaint]

Any suggestions? I have been using 180 grain CCI/Blazer and 155 grain Federals, the recoil kills my accuracy, could not hit anything today. I heard the 165 grain has a softer kick, true?

[DannyR]

The 165-gr American Eagle and 165-gr Blazer loads do indeed have less recoil according to manufacturer's published muzzle velocity.

[HeiloMan]

The Federal 165 FMJ American Eagle .40 is the easiest on the gun. Rated at a mere 980 fps. This round is very low flash, no concussive blast and plesant to shoot. To be honest, this is the mildest .40 caliber round being produced. I don't know about aluminum Blazers and even though the case is anodized. I would thing some microscopic traces of casing is shed. I would think that can be very abrasive. :)

[RedneckMatt]

Armscor 180grn is pretty low in recoil and muzzle blast, PMC 165grn to me has sharper recoil and is louder. I prefer Armsor.
Matt.

[DannyR]

PMC 165-gr is hot stuff. Again, American Eagle and Blazer 165's are not as hot, according to manufacturer's published muzzle velocities.

[ArmoredSaint]

I figured the 165 grain has a softer recoil. The Einstein at Gander Mountain in West Columbus told me the 155 grain is the softest, but in reality it is the hardest kicking one. Goes to show they really don't know anything about guns, just like Galyans unfortunately.

[docglock]

I use Sellier and Beillot 180 grain FMJ for target shooting. I have tested just about every brand in my G22, and this is the most accurate and consistent. Recoil is not a problem.

[mechanical]

Originally posted by ArmoredSaint
Goes to show they really don't know anything about guns, just like Galyans unfortunately.

I agree; Galayan's employees must be hired from the local Burger King. They know nothing about what they are selling.

I would be sure to use target ammo that kicks and hits just like your carry ammo, if this is your carry gun. I'm in the trying to find target ammo that simulates the Win SXT 165 myself...

[fatdog]

I like the GA Arms 165gr FMJ loads, very consistent in my experience, they sell their "canned heat" package for $80/500 or $150/1000

http://www.georgia-arms.com/canned.htm

[philkryder]

Originally posted by ArmoredSaint
Any suggestions? ...


Reloads!
Use a plated or coated bullet of mid weight (155 - 165) and enjoy.
Phil

[jhfenton]

I agree. Anyone shooting a lot of .40S&W should consider reloading. I usually load a nice light 155gr load for plinking. Otherwise, I find most 180gr factory loads to be very mild.

[Fast Glass]

I'm a reloader myself using 165 grain Montana Gold bullets and Titegroup, Unique, and WST powders. When my brass supplies get low I use American Eagle 165 gn., or S&B 180 gn. target loads. Both are clean, and accurate loads.

[KRS62]

Just a question here...no flames. Also, please excuse me if this has been talked about before. (Jeez, all these disclaimers!)

Anyway, shouldn't you practice...at least for the most part with ammo that closely resembles what you would have to use in "bad situations?" I guess I don't necessarily do this, but I also don't look for "low recoil" ammo either. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I understand the concept. I know that there are other things to think of (cost, availability, etc.) Are there any suggested methods out there as far as using "low recoil" ammo first...and then finish with a mag or two of the hot stuff. Vice Versa? Just curious.

KRS

[philkryder]

Originally posted by KRS62
Just a question here...no flames. Also, please excuse me if this has been talked about before. (Jeez, all these disclaimers!)

Anyway, shouldn't you practice...at least for the most part with ammo that closely resembles what you would have to use in "bad situations?" ...
KRS

That is a really good point!

I don't shoot to practice for "bad situations".
I just shoot to enjoy it.

I can see that I should note that when responding.
I can see that my preconceptions and goals, might not match that of others.

I try to shoot a LOT and watch front sight, sight picture and trigger control while I shoot. So, I go for the lightest recoil stuff I can make that will reliably cycle the gun.

Good luck with your choices.
Phil

[jhfenton]

Originally posted by KRS62
Just a question here...no flames. Also, please excuse me if this has been talked about before. (Jeez, all these disclaimers!)

Anyway, shouldn't you practice...at least for the most part with ammo that closely resembles what you would have to use in "bad situations?" I guess I don't necessarily do this, but I also don't look for "low recoil" ammo either. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I understand the concept. I know that there are other things to think of (cost, availability, etc.) Are there any suggested methods out there as far as using "low recoil" ammo first...and then finish with a mag or two of the hot stuff. Vice Versa? Just curious.

KRS I don't disagree, but in my case, my primary firearm is a G26. I wouldn't ever carry my G24C. It is purely a plinking and competition gun. For those purposes, I usually reload light rounds and choose light factory loads.

For my G26, I can't really tell much difference in recoil between standard and +P/+P+ rounds. I do shoot some carry ammo every range session, usually at the end, but it's mostly just to rotate the carry ammo.

OTOH, when I shoot my buddy's Ruger Super Redhawk .44 mag, I can certainly tell the difference between loads (700 fpe vs. 1000-1400 fpe). (But I don't think that's a practical defensive weapon, anyway.) If I were relying on a G29 or other 10mm, I'd certainly make sure I had significant practice with full-strength rounds, but with a 9mm, I don't think it's much of an issue.

[Karate]

Does anyone shoot Wolf Ammo?

[TreeMan]

I shoot Federal 165 FMJ American Eagle in my G23. I really like this round for plinking & IDPA. I hope to start reloading soon though.

[ammoboy2]

Per KRS62's comment by reloading you can develop practice loads which have similar recoil to your carry load. This provides inexpensive practice rounds that simulate the carry recoil without spending $$$$$. If you shoot alot even with low recoil loads, but shoot full power on a regular basis, you will not have a problem. As philkryder said, front sight and trigger control are all important. Even just dry fire will give a shooter an accurate shooting ability. Low recoil loads you build yourself are very satisfying.

[Hauptmann6]

I shoot it... Been through 1k so far, and no jams or failures at all with it... Just make sure you clean your weapon well... It's a bit on the dirty side... lol

But at 140 per 1k you can't beat it...

[exilefromhell]

Blazer.

[Steve Koski]

Whatever you're reloading is best, and cheapest. My .40 reloads are under $3.00 per box of 50. Hmmm, that's $60 per 1,000.

[bigjim]

I shoot Wolf by the truckload.

Never had a problem with it. Of course, I clean every time I shoot.
If you're willing to do that, should be fine.

I've heard of people having trouble with it in the .45 Glocks, but it shoots like a dream in my 23 and 27.




Originally posted by Karate
Does anyone shoot Wolf Ammo?

[Terry Newton]

Speer in 155 and 180 shoots good in my G27. I think the 155 feels like a little less recoil.

Blazer is reliable, but nasty, and inaccurate in my G27.

[Peter Gun]

I use the Blazer 155gr. I carry w/ the winchester 155gr silvertips so its a perfect complement. I find the accuracy to be only marginally less than the wins and perfectly reliable. The Blazers are a bit dirty, but I don't think aluminium "particles" are a problem as aluminum is so much softer than steel.

[reconBYfire]

Fiocchi 170gr FMJ

[Squadman]

165 gr Winclean is very accurate in my 35, that canned heat from Geogia Arms is rally a great price. squadman

[Rocketman]

For plinking, WalMart has Win. White Box and UMC. Both are fine for just messing around. If you want an ammo that mimics your carry load, the answer depends on that load. My carry load is the Remington Golden Saber in 165gr. Both this and the Speer Gold Dot are pretty much the same, recoil and accuracy wise. Speer/CCI loads their Blazer ammo to mimic the GD loads, thus Blazer, of the same weight, would be a good practice round if you carry the GS or GD round. There is also a great benefit in rolling your own. You can taylor a load that suits you...

[Terry Newton]

What was the alert on Walmart? If the TICS background check is not automatic, they cannot sell you the gun, whether the sell is approved or not?

Walmart has always been anti-gun, they just don't have the 'nads to admit it.

[Rocketman]

Originally posted by Terry Newton
What was the alert on Walmart? If the TICS background check is not automatic, they cannot sell you the gun, whether the sell is approved or not?

Walmart has always been anti-gun, they just don't have the 'nads to admit it.
Their official policy on CCW is: They will comply with the laws in the area. I've never had any type of problem with WMs in this area...

[Terry Newton]

I was talking about their decision to not sell you a gun if the instant background check is not so instant.

I have never had a problems with concealed carry.