.45 Range Report

[robctwo]

I decided to keep better notes on the performance of my reloads. Still need to get a chrono. Here's the format and my latest report.

Went to the range with some .45 and 9mm reloads. Lightened the trigger on the Springfield Armory Black Stainless Target. Real nice trigger now.

200 gr Oregon Laser Cast SWC 3.9 gr Clays OAL 1.24

SA 7 mags, @15 yds, no failures, pretty accurate
Sig 220 ST 5 mags,@15 yds, no failures, pretty accurate

200 gr OLC SWC 4.7 gr Titegroup

Sig 2 mags @15 yds, no failures, pretty accurate
Sig 3 mags @15 yds, no failures, OK accuracy

SA 3 mags @25 yds, no failures, very good accuracy. This was the best shooting by the SA.

Sig 3 mags @ 15 yds no failures, seemed to have inconsistent charges, no failures, OK accuracy
SA 3 mags @ 15 yds, good accuracy, one FTE on last round of mag, crushed case.

Springfield likes this load a lot. Sig is just so so.

155 gr OLC SWC 6.5 Unique

Sig 6 mags @ 25 yds no failures, good accuracy
SA 6 mags @ 25 yds no failures, OK-good accuracy

200 gr OLC TC 3.9 Clays 1.22 OAL

Sig 3 mags @15 yds. One dud, primer strike good, no ignition. No other failures, accuracy OK
SA 3 mags @ 15 yds, no failures, accuracy OK

SA 4 mags @25 yds. 2 FTFeed. Bullets were jammed, crease on nose. Accuracy OK
Sig 4 mags @25 yds, no failures, accuracy good

Sig 3 mags @15 yds, no failures, accuracy OK
SA 3 mags @15 yds, one FTF (seating issue, maybe dirty, maybe crimp) accuracy good

Sig 4 mags @25 yds, no failures, accuracy good
SA 4 mags @25 yds, one FTE on last round, crushed case, accuracy OK

9mm, 122 OLC FN 3.6 Clays out of Sig 226 Stainless Stock.

15 mags (15 rounds) @ 25 yds. No failures. Good accuracy for being so tired.

 

[Johnny Guest]

WOW!

robctwo, this is an interesting report. I'm curious about your techniques.

I notice that all your loads used cast bullets. Did you clean any of your test pistols during the course of fire?

Was all this shooting done during a single day? If so, it is a remarkable accomplishment. Let's see - - I count 66 mags of .45, @ 7 rounds, = 462 rounds.
And, 15 mags of 9mm, @ 15 rounds = 225. Total 687, is that correct? I realize this is not a huge number if you're just doing function testing, or an endurance trial. But 687 rounds of AIMED fire, testing ammunition accuracy, is a great deal of shooting. It requires a lot of concentration, and probably extremely fatiguing. Did you have other shooters of known ability to help out? Or were you using a machine rest? Did you have assistance in loading your magazines?

In any case, I salute your endurance. Such a marathon session would have been a severe trial for me, even during my younger days. I fear that my own abilities would have fallen off so markedly that accuracy testing results would become meaningless.

Best regards,
Johnny

 

[robctwo]

I did all this Monday morning from 8:30 to noon.

I have 8 round mags for the Sig 220 and SA except for two 7 rounders which came with the SA. 5 Wilson 47D 8 rounders. I went through slightly over 500 rounds of .45. 5 empty boxes of 100 and some out of a partial box.

I ran a bore snake with Hoppes #9 through the Sig after about 200 rounds, the SA was shot without any cleaning. The Oregon Laser Cast bullets are very hard, don't see leading especially with the reduced power loads I'm using.

I shot all the rounds two handed unsupported. I always shoot the Sig with the first double action since that's how it would be in any real life or game situation. I set up two target stands with two IPSC style targets vertical, and then I put up my own printed targets, usually three on each. This is how it looks on the 25 yard target



I am aiming all the shots, but I shoot pretty rapidly at times just to see how things go with shooting as fast as I acquire the target. Some are shot pretty slow with more concentration. This is the best of the day



I agree that the accuracy did go down as the morning wore on overall, however there were times when it came together pretty well.

The 9mm at the end of the day was more for function on the bullets. That was a new load for me and I wanted to see how they worked. Accuracy was good enough. Most rounds in the circles, all on the paper, clusters in the 5" ring. The 226 Stinless Stock is quite a gun.