What are your pistol load range? Max-High-Mid-Other

[LiveLife]

This is how I load my pistol rounds:

9/40/45 JHP: Max/near max load data for comparable factory JHP recoil/POA/POI practice.

9/40 FMJ: High-to-near max load data to reliably cycle the Glock slides or to meet match power factor.

9/40/45 TMJ/CMJ (plated): Mid-to-high range load data depending on bullet diameter, accuracy of shot groups and reliable cycling of slides.

40S&W 180 gr TCFP (plated and lead): Slightly below start (W231/HP-38 only)-to-mid range load data mild recoil practice rounds for wife/daughter.

9/40/45 Lead (18 BHN): Mid-to-high range load data depending on accuracy of shot groups and reliable cycling of slides.

9mm 125 gr LRN (18 BHN)/45ACP 200 gr LSWC (12 BHN): Start-to-mid range load data mild recoil rounds for plinking.

As you can tell, I do not load to near max load data all the time and use mid-to-high range load data most of the times; and sometimes, even slightly below start charge-to-mid range load data.


So, how do you load your pistol rounds and what criteria do you use?

 

[RugerBob]

I pertty much just shoot lead as I cast my own and stay about mid range. Thats for my 45acp,45LC and 38s. When I was younger max was the way to go. I like slightly less recoil now and a load to make sure slide cycles without any issues.
Of course POA plays a role. I also don't lose as much brass thru cracked cases by staying mid range.

 

[RandyP]

Mid range or thereabouts for all my reloads. The paper zombies I shoot don't seem to mind and it allows me more ammo per pound of powder.

 

[jmorris]

In my younger days I would go to great lengths to creep up on max loads that were safe. These days instead of loading 357 mag to 41 mag levels, I just down load a 44 mag to them.

With the exception of a few of my competition loads (that are over max but used in custom firearms), I load in the 70-90% range.

 

[Yarddog]

I use mid to high range loads, As it shoot to POA as my carry ammo ; )
Y/D

 

[Overkilll0084]

A lot depends on caliber & intended use.
.380- starting and max data aren't that far apart. So you're really never far from max loads.
9mm- Accurate and reliable. Middle of the road power.
.357- My day to day/match loads are below .357 level, but above +p .38 loads. Very accurate and manageable. I do keep a box or two of boomers around though.
.40- typically not much below max. My only .40 is a carry gun. I prefer to be accustomed to the hotter loads.
.45- middle of the road.

 

[Walkalong]

.32 ACP: Near or at max.

.32 Long: Medium target velocities with WC's and near or at max with other stuff.

.32 Mag: Medium target velocities with WC's and near or at max with other stuff.

9MM: Light to max.

.38 Super: Medium to Hot.

.38 S&W: Near or at max.

.38 Spl: Light WC loads, at or near max, as well as +P.

.357 Mag: Light loads and reduced loads. (80 to 90% of max)

.40 S&W: Light to max.

.400 Corbon: Near or at max.

.41 Magnum: Medium, and near or at max.

.44 Spl: Light to max.

.44 Magnum: Near or at max.

.45 Colt: Light to max. (Standard max - No more Ruger only right now)

Criteria? Accuracy, cleanliness, and or recoil.

Forgot the .32-20: Light to medium loads.

 

[MARKMALL]

I shoot mostly lead bullets so I load at start or below levels. When I shoot jacket bullets ( very rarly ) I load at Or near max.

 

[GLOOB]

I load 'em all over the place. Depends on what powders I'm stocked up on and what whim I'm entertaining that day.

 

[gamestalker]

I load all AL cartridges with slow burning powders to maximum.
I load all my revolver cartridges with slow burning powers to maximum.
I load all of my high power rifle cartridges with slow burning powders to maximum.
I load shotgun cartridges with slow burning powders to maximum.

 

[1SOW]

9mm: 124-125gr JHP, 124gr CMJ, lately discovered Berry's 124gr HBRN to be good, 130-132pf/1040-1045ft per sec

Med-Fast, single base powder for below:

Accuracy, Recoil/Flip, Cleanliness, Boringly consistent is good

 

[wankerjake]

I've done a bit of everything I guess

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

For target shooting I just use rounds powerful enough to cycle the action.

If the rounds are for hunting, they are Max.

 

[Walkalong]

Boringly consistent is good

Yes.

 

[Super.45]

I load for practice for self defense use so most of my loads are near max. Accuracy and consistency here is the rule.

On occasion I get the urge to load light just because I feel like plinking and I like to do can shoots and pop cans up and all over the place for fun.

Then there are times I break out the big stuff like the .444 contender or the
.500 S&W for the Gallager effect on watermellons. Great fun and very showy.

 

[benzuncle]

I use the same grain bullets in my range ammo as my SD loads. I load them the same so that if I ever use my firearms for SD, the firearm will feel the same as it did when I was practicing with it. It has been my experience that when shooting lead the higher end charges throw less smoke. That may or not be a concern for some shooters.

 

[psyshack]

I start mid and work up. More times than not I'm at max or above in most of my loads for most of my firearms.

If I can't get a weapon to do what I want with the loads I want. I give it to a friend or loved one that finds it good enough for them or I destroy said firearm and move on. I will not trade a gun in because of performance or lack there of or real sell it. Fix it or, give it away or destroy it. Other wise junk is on the market.

 

[zxcvbob]

All of the above except under-minimum. (I also load some over-max)

 

[41 Mag]

Since I hunt with most of the loads I develop for my revolvers and pistols, I put in the top three choices.

Starting with the pistols, I run the 230gr 45acp's to +p, and with the 10mm the standard 180gr loads runs 1350fps from my 7" barrel.

With the .357's I usually shoot middle heavy 158gr cast or jacketed to top end velocities.

The 41mag is pushing the 200gr to 1350fps or the 210gr to the same.

In the 44 I am not sure just what the velocity is, but I am using 23.5grs of 296 under the 240gr bullets. It shoot great, and knocks things down on the spot, so I worry about how fast it is going.

The 454 is juiced up pretty well with both jacketed and cast CG bullets running with mid to top end loads out of the 8.375" barrel.

Just don't see the point in practicing with lesser loads only to shoot the upper end stuff when it counts. I practice with what I hunt with.

 

[FROGO207]

I have a simple formula that I load by. I load for accuracy and use whatever load is most accurate. You did not include that choice in your poll so as I am lazy I did not vote.

 

[frankge]

I depends, I load 9mm for minor power factor;

Unique 5.0g - middle road
HP38 - middle
Titegroup - 4.0-4.2 higher
Zip - 4.0 - Max

The faster powders I tend to go closer to the max.

 

[LiveLife]

Interesting poll results so far. I was anticipating most reloading at mid-high range to near max load data but a lot of votes for start-mid range and even many votes for below start-mid range.

I load for accuracy and use whatever load is most accurate.

I find that for "most" powder and bullet combinations, better accuracy is attained as high to near max range is approached (jacketed) but I have found very acceptable accuracy at many mid range (plated/lead) and occasionally down to start or slightly below start load data (plated/lead).

 

[BossHogg]

The only time I go toward max loads is for hunting rounds. I always start on the low side and work up till I find an accurate and fun practice load. Less stress on me and the gun .

 

[Cherokee]

I picked "high" but I usually have two ranges for my pistols and revolvers. Mid-range that cycles the pistol and high for serious use. Revolvers got mostly start to mid-range but also have higher end for serious use.

 

[FROGO207]

Well I only load mid high/high for cycling the auto loaders and for the 500 S&W hunting rounds. Most revolver loads are for target shooting with accuracy and low recoil is king for me.