[Ian11]

For many years I've shot exclusively "full power" factory rounds in my handguns. 230 grain ball in my .45, 180 grain TMJ in my .40's, and 115 grain FMJ in my 9mm. But several people I've talked to have said I should switch to lighter loads to reduce unnecesary wear on the gun in the long run. 185 grain loads for my .45's, light loaded 165 in my .40, and reloads in my 9mm.

How many of you mostly practice with so called "full power" factory/home brewed or lighter loaded factory/home brewed?

[sm]

Full power...or then some
I practice what I carry

[blades67]

My reloads are assembled to have the same POI as my carry ammunition.

[cool45auto]

I try to practice with the same grain I carry daily, too.

[WESHOOT2]

"Hey! Lookit the bruises on my hand!"

They ALL Major :neener:

[sm]

"Hey! Lookit the bruises on my hand!"
LOL
word is a fella up VT way makes ammo...might check him out...
;)

[coonan357]

Was told practice with what your gonna carry with , as for west shoot... bruises?? what about those funny marks on your forehead fella??(kinda looks like a combo of frontsights and cases..):D westshoot do I have a good recipe for you to try..... its a ++p+ load....

[WESHOOT2]

But that guy is way too expensive :evil:

As for +P, etc......I've had to mark some "+P+" boxes with an additional "Extreme Pressure " label.
Because :what:

[Cal4D4]

Bunch of gorillas. I shoot mostly 10mm, .357 and .44M. Range loads (indoor range) are usually 1100 or so fps at bullet weights 180, 158 and 240 respectively. When there are no girlfriends or beginners at the line I bring out some of the neat stuff. Long live generous helpings of Blue Dot, H110, 2400,800X and fresh Starline brass. No bruises but have trouble keeping eyebrows from curling.

[Johnny Guest]

I like to believe my handloads hit pretty much the same point of aim as the factory "for-real" loads I carry.

That said, I make SOME exceptions.

I do load my .45 Colt ammo up a little warmer than factory-- The factory 250--255 RNFP, while a good load, is of such a level it won't wreck an antique revolver. I use SWC bullets and go a tad heavier that standard factory, and certainly well beyond the light, "Cowboy Action" loads.

In .38 Special, I load some 158 RNL bullets at or just slightly below standard factory velocity, for use in my alloy frame snub noses--S&W M37 and Colt Agent. I carry +P in these guns but am content with lighter loads for close range practice.

Best,
Johnny

[ruger357]

I like the full power.

[cratz2]

I carry 200 Gold Dots and practice generally with S&B 230 Gr FMJ. Or 230 Gr Winchester white box.

[Raymond VanDerLinden]

Gold Dot 200 grain +P In my 1911's - 200gr SWC at 1022fps in Practice and Comptetion

Federal 230 Hydrashok in my 97B for duty-230 LRN at 870fps for practice and Comp

[Edward429451]

Federal 230 Hydrashok for carry-225 LFN at 870fps for practice.

[The Silver Bullet 1719]

I just use whats cheap and relible for the most part. S&B 115 grain and CCI Blazer 115 grain 9mm. I have the CZ loaded up with 15 135-grain Hydra-Shoks which I'm deciding to switch to either the 115 Corbon +P or 124 Gold Dot +P.

[Blackhawk]

Full power.

I don't practice shoot. I shoot for real even though sometimes the targets are just to facilitate practice.

[sm]

Blackhawk:
Well said.
I do the same, I encourage students to do so also.