show me your groups, factory vs handload!

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hey all. i'd like to see comparative pics of your groups that you have shot using factory ammo and then improved groups with handloads using the same rifle (or pistol). Or post a link to a post where you already showed it. thanks - justin
 
Factory ammo, WHAT'S THAT?

I seldom buy any. Sorry can't answer your question. Strange ? to ask a bunch of handloaders! :confused:
 
I don't think your going to get much of a result here. I haven't bought factory in who knows how long. I have shot a box or two that others have brought by over the many years, but I haven't bought any or grouped any in decades.

"When seconds count, the police are only minutes away"
 
I take that back, I do recall a comparison I did a little while back. A friend brought over a box of .270 win. and wanted me to compare it to a reload. I shot at a piece of 1/2" steel and the factory only dented the steel, and the reload blew right through and didn't stop until it passed into a 5 gal water jug and then fracturing the exit side where it came to rest. Both were the same weight bullet of simular integrity, but very different M.V.
 
Factory ammo, WHAT'S THAT?
Click to expand...

lol at these responses. you guys are funny... hmmm well i was hoping to see some documented side by side comparisons of accuracy differences... apparently finding a handloader that shoots some factory ammo is about as likely as rosie o'donell to own an ak-47..:neener:
 
hmmm well i was hoping to see some documented side by side comparisons of accuracy differences
Click to expand...

Well, I shoot lots of Blazer, some WWB, and lots of my own loads in 1911s. I have never put any scientific measurements to it but I'll just say that I can't tell any difference in bulk factory ball ammo and my bulk loads out of a Dillon 550, other than price.

With hunting ammo I get maybe 1/4" better groups at 100 yards with my loads vs high dollar factory .30-06.
 
I confess that EVERY firearm I own and have experienced in over 40 years of shooting them has been more accurate than I am regardless of what ammo I used.

I do not compete in Bullseye pistol or 1000 yard rifle and frankly am completely satisfied that I can always achieve MOD (Minute of Dead) "accuracy" with all my collection.

Unless you plan on becoming a serious competitor? IMHO practice till you can keep everything on a paper plate out to 50 feet and you'll be doing better than most shooters and certainly be more than up to the challenge of self-defense "accuracy" which takes place at 15 feet or less. You might find hickok45's youtube on accuracy informative?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVzSAm5VhfE
 
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Somewhere, I do have some good comparisons. Both the rangebook notes and the targets.

IIRC, my .45 ACP reloads that cost me 6 cents per round did measure up against the (Winchester?) match ammo that cost about 25 cents per round.

Those would be from ca. 1989, and are back somewhere two moves ago.

I remember being disappointed I was not better with my own handloads--although certain of my guns (notably, an SA Omega 10mm) liked my handloads much better than the factory rounds)--but I sure did like the cost of the handloads.

Jim H.
 
My home defense ammo are 75 grain Hornady TAP T2. (LC brass, crimped primers, 75 gr hornady bthp w/ cannelure and crimp, mag length)

My match ammo are reloads, but also 75 gr hornady bthp (but no cannelure) in lapua brass w/o crimped bullets or primers. I try to keep my reloads the same velocity as the above factory ammo (2700ish through my 20" barrel)

I think they're pretty close accuracy wise, but I have yet to do a back to back test. Frankly I probably won't bother because:
1) I'd need to shoot 80-200 rounds or more of each just to get a large enough sample size to show a difference, and that factory stuff is pricey and hard to find.
2) I don't have a proper benchrest, so shooter error is too much of a random variable.
3) It won't change my habits, cause I don't have the $$ to buy as much factory match ammo as I like to shoot, and I know my handloads are more accurate than similar cost factory ammo (russian steel case stuff or commercial 55gr reloads).
 
The only factory ammo I buy is 100 grain .257 Weatherby mag.
It is the cheapest way for me to get new brass.

Although it is quiet precise ammo (a little over 1"), it is not as precise as my handloads (around .75").

You will have to take my word for it, for I do not have photos of the targets.

My hand loads do run about $50.00 a box cheaper than the premium bullet factory loads though.
 
I load .45 acp, .44 magnum, 9mm, .357 mag, and .38 spl in handgun, as well as .32 acp, and .380. The only factory ammo I have is expensive self defense ammo, and my handloads for practice duplicate it. I havent shot any .45 acp factory ammo groups in about 15 years. Not sure where I would get 185 grain match JSWC remington bullet loaded factory ammo for a comparison???? Or 200 grain LSWC match ammo either, but both my hand loads are tailored to the guns I shoot them in via experimentation with powder charge weight, bullet type, brand, weight, and OAL. When I used to buy speer lawman .45 ammo 1990?? I really wasn't capable of shooting groups with it..
 
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RustyFN +1

My USPSA pistol groups did tighten up 'cuz the loads are softer with less flip. The 125gr factory ammo I couldn't afford to shoot , now hums nicely out of my pistols at 1/2 WWB (box of 50) 115gr prices..

If I could practically load CCI 22lr "Target" ammo, I would
 
Both these targets are from 25yds, one hand bullseye style. I was taught if a gun was meant to be shot with two hands it would have two handles on it. Ammo was my reloads with 200gr cast lead semi wadcutters.
Left is with my Dan Wesson PM-1 and the other is with a gun built by a custom smith from an STI frame and slide. No factory ammo shot, sorry. The reason I reload is to keep from spending money on factory ammo.
100_0746.jpg
 
Nice groups parasite. 4x, 3x, 1 flyer.
I shot 22 bullseye in the 70's. Later found action shooting and never looked back.
P.S. they DO have two handles, the left grip and the right grip.:neener:;)
 
When shooting factory ammo, I always shot at least a 5" circle with a 1911 45ACP. After starting reloading and figuring out the right formula for my gun (grains, lengths, etc), I was able to get them in a 7/8" circle. I'm pleased. I've never been able to do that with factory ammo.
 
hey rusty,

tell me about your AR.. is it stock? what have you done to it? I have an M&P 15, it shoots like 6 inch groups from a rest at 100y, all ive tried is cheapo factory ammo so far.

thanks - justin
 
Well, I have a confession to make. I bought some factory loaded 45 acp ammo last week from midway!:uhoh::(:eek::rolleyes::scrutiny:

They were speer gold dot 200 grainers, because I wanted to test them against other HP ammo in 45. Since speer stopped marketing gold dot bullets, I was FORCED to buy factory shells. I beg forgiveness:).

How did it work? Great! I'll put some pics of it up as soon as I have them uploaded. Hint, the expansion was dramatic, they retained 100% of the original weight and penetrated 7 inches of the expansion medium.
 
These are only from 50 yds (it was raining and I shot indoors).

AR15 w/14.5in Daniel Defense barrel. AimPoint Micro T1.

10 rounds each target.

Black Hills red box 55 gr FMJ

imgp4680resize.jpg



Hornady 55 gr FMJ, 25 gr H335, Rem 7.5 primer, mixed head stamp brass. The flyer was 100% JOTT.

imgp4681resize.jpg
 
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