[MarkW]

Don't beat me. Yes, I did a search, but it kept retuning tactical or self-defense rounds.

Could someone direct me to an appropriate thread, or start one here evaluating the best of the best practice rounds, and the rationale behind your choices. I always think FMJ, but is that necessary? Everyone's time is appreciated (unless you flog me for asking a question that's been asked before).

-Mark

[MarkW]

Sorry, I meant to specify for 9mm sidearms. I own a Glock 19, Sig P239 and Sig P226. In addition to inherent accuracy/reliability, I'm searching for clean firing rounds. I'm tired of looking like a stand in from an old Clint Eastwood Western, with smoke curling up from the end of my muzzle after every shot.

[dmftoy1]

The absolute best practice rounds would be the type that you would intend to carry in it if you were using it for CCW or self defense. That being said, it would get a little expensive if you shot a steady diet of a good quality self defense round.

What I do is find a commercial load that my pistol likes and ensure it feeds reliabily, etc. I then chrono a batch of it, and buy the cheapest components I can find that replicate the weight, feed profile, etc. of the ammo and load up practice ammo using it. (chrono'ing to achieve approximately the same speed)

If you're just looking for ammo that feeds reliabily for shooting then FMJ is almost always your best bet. Lead hardcast is almost always the cheapest. (and you can usually buy it in 9mm, etc. with the same profile as FMJ). If you're shooting a glock stay away from the lead though.

Have a good one,
Dave

[M2 Carbine]

My best practice rounds, all calibers, are usually the ones I load myself.
They are usually the cheapest and most accurate.
Mostly I'll load lead bullets, one reason I won't own a Glock, but the lubricated lead bullets do smoke.

[Black Majik]

Winchester White Box Value Packs. Cheap, reliable, accurate... though a little dirty. $21/100 for .45 ACP, $12/100 for 9mm. Thats pretty hard to beat. :)

[daysleeprx]

I practice with CCI Blazer. Less than 5 bucks per 50 at Academy (in 9mm), and always goes bang (no problems ever with it).

[Woody Jones]

I agree---Winchester White Box. 9, 40 & 45. Now if they would just come out with 357 158 grain value packs & 45 colt value packs.................